- Trevor
5 Portland Must-Sees
Portland easily has to be the most vibrant city along the Pacific Northwest and may easily be the capital of "Weirdness". For the city dweller or nature fanatic PDX is a must.
1. Voodoo Doughnut
For all you foodies out here the well-known doughnut shop called Voodoo donuts has to make your To-do list. They have the most unique donuts on a day to day basis. You could almost call it an art museum because these bakers are creative masters. Not only do they look cool but they also taste fantastic! If you can't make it to Oregon there is another location in Denver and Austin. TIP: Try the Bacon Maple Bar, The Captain My Captain, or the Voodoo Doll Doughnut.
2. Columbia Gorge Waterfalls
Next on your list after starting your morning off with some doughnuts are the waterfalls just outside of Portland. If you have ever seen a tall waterfall with a bridge in front of it on Instagram, Multnomah falls is the one. This is about 30 miles from downtown Portland so if you can get a rental car that would be the easiest way to get around and see all the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, there are over 90 majestic waterfalls so plan well.
TIP: Get there early because the area will get VERY crowded especially during the summer and it will be impossible to get a clean picture. Also parking is very limited once the day goes on.
Multnomah falls is the tallest Waterfall in Oregon at 620 feet in. Visit during autumn for a fiery display of colors.
Wahkeena Falls (Right before Multnomah falls)
3. Powell Books
If you’re also known to be a bookworm or looking for a unique shop to stop into, make sure to pass through Powell’s Books. They have over 2 million volumes available in the store and often make the list of top attractions in Portland. A bookstore doesn’t seem like a typical tourist destination but trust me this one is worth the trip.
4. Rose Gardens
While this next suggestion may not be the most exciting part of your day you must visit the Rose gardens. One of Portland's nicknames is the City of Roses, and this town has long been an incubator for the scented beauties. Nearly a century ago, a farsighted citizen convinced the local government to set up a rose test garden during World War I to preserve the species of European roses that might be decimated by the bombings. If you visit from April through October you can walk among 7,000 luscious rose bushes. TIP: Visit in June that is when they're most bountiful. The garden is open to the public for free from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
5. Kitesurfing on the Gorge
For those looking for an extreme sport to try doing while on your vacation look no further than kitesurfing! The nearby Columbia river gives you a perfect opportunity to learn in warmer water even. The winds are ideal for this sport and several shops offer lessons to get you riding like a pro. One company that stood up to us was called Air Pirates which seemed to be reasonably priced and gets you up and riding in no time.
