Portland Oregon Travel Information by ChristmasMarketUSA.com

Ah, Portland. Where the coffee flows like water, and the locals are as quirky as they come. This isn’t just any city, folks. It’s a place where you can eat breakfast burritos from a food cart, browse rare books, and hike through a forest – all before lunch.

Where is Portland?

Picture this: you’re nestled in a valley, surrounded by lush greenery, with snow-capped Mount Hood peeking at you from the distance. That’s Portland for you.

Key Facts:

• Population: 652,503 (2021 estimate) – that’s more people than the entire country of Luxembourg!
• Area: 145 square miles – about the size of 110,000 football fields
• Elevation: 50 feet above sea level – perfect for those who prefer their cities not too high, not too low
• Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST) – always fashionably 3 hours behind New York

But here’s the kicker: Portland is divided into five quadrants (yes, five – Portlanders love to keep you on your toes). North, Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast. Each has its own unique flavor, like the variety pack of your favorite snacks.

How to Get to Portland

By Air

Portland International Airport (PDX) is your gateway to the quirky. It’s so cool, it’s been voted the best airport in the U.S. for seven years straight. Where else can you find local food carts and a movie theater in an airport?

By Train

Hop on Amtrak’s Empire Builder or Coast Starlight, and you’re in for a treat. These aren’t just train rides; they’re moving panoramas of the Pacific Northwest. Just don’t blame me if you spend more time gawking at the scenery than reading your book.

By Car

Interstate 5 runs through Portland like a ribbon, connecting it to Seattle in the north and California in the south. I-84 is your eastern express, leading straight to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Just remember: in Oregon, you don’t pump your own gas. It’s the law, and it’s weird, but hey, that’s Portland for you.

The History of Portland

Once upon a time, in a land before artisanal doughnuts and craft beer…

Portland’s story is as colorful as its residents. Native American tribes like the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, and Tualatin bands of Kalapuya called this land home for millennia before European settlers arrived.

The city was founded in 1845 by two guys who couldn’t agree on a name. So, they flipped a coin. Portland won over Boston, and the rest is history. (Imagine if we were talking about Boston, Oregon right now. Weird, right?)

In its early days, Portland was known as “Stumptown” because of all the trees cut down for development. Today, it’s one of the greenest cities in America. Talk about a glow-up!

What’s Portland Known For?

Oh boy, where do we start?

• Food carts: Over 500 of them scattered around the city. It’s like a treasure hunt, but for your taste buds.
• Craft breweries: With over 70 breweries, Portland has more per capita than any other city in the world. Cheers to that!
• Powell’s City of Books: It’s the size of a city block. You might need breadcrumbs to find your way out.
• Green spaces: 11,000 acres of parks. You can be downtown one minute and lost in a forest the next.
• Bike-friendly culture: More people commute by bike in Portland than in any other U.S. city. It’s like the Tour de France, but with more flannel.
• Weird events: Ever seen thousands of people in Santa suits bar-hopping? That’s just a typical December day in Portland.

Top Things to Do in Portland

1. Explore Washington Park: 410 acres of fun, including a zoo, Japanese garden, and a forest of roses.
2. Visit the Portland Japanese Garden: It’s so authentic, the former Japanese ambassador said it was the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan.
3. Sample local brews on a brewery tour: With nicknames like “Beervana” and “Brewtopia,” you know Portland takes its beer seriously.
4. Get lost in Powell’s City of Books: Bring a map, a compass, and maybe some trail mix. You’re gonna be here a while.
5. Hike in Forest Park: 5,200 acres of urban forest. That’s bigger than some small towns!
6. Enjoy the food cart scene: From Thai to Transylvanian (yes, really), your taste buds are in for a wild ride.
7. Take a day trip to Multnomah Falls: Because nothing says “I visited Oregon” like a selfie in front of a 611-foot waterfall.

Portland’s Holiday Market: A Festive Wonderland with a Quirky Twist

It’s that magical time of year when the rain turns from a drizzle to a pour, and the city lights up like a hipstertastic Christmas tree. But forget your run-of-the-mill holiday markets – Portland’s got something special up its vintage, locally-sourced sleeve.

Portland Saturday Market Holiday Edition

First up, we’ve got the Portland Saturday Market’s holiday edition. Picture this: the nation’s largest continuously operating open-air arts and crafts market decides to put on a Santa hat. From Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve, this market transforms into a winter wonderland.

Key highlights:

• Over 150 local artisans selling everything from hand-knitted sloths to artisanal beard oil
• Live music that ranges from carolers to punk rock renditions of “Jingle Bells”
• Food carts serving up holiday treats with a Portland twist (vegan eggnog, anyone?)

Portland Night Market: Holiday Spectacular

Next, we’ve got the Portland Night Market’s holiday extravaganza. This isn’t your grandma’s craft fair (unless your grandma is really, really cool).

What to expect:

• Over 175 vendors crammed into a 108-year-old warehouse
• Cocktails that’ll make your ugly Christmas sweater look stylish
• Local DJs spinning holiday tunes that’ll have you dancing in your snow boots

Winter Village at Zidell Yards

For those seeking a more traditional (but still very Portland) experience, there’s the Winter Village at Zidell Yards. It’s like someone took a European Christmas market and infused it with Portland’s weird charm.

Features:

• An outdoor ice skating rink (because nothing says “holiday cheer” like the possibility of falling on your butt)
• Alpine-style chalets selling local crafts and goodies
• A “Mistletoe Kissing Bridge” (use at your own risk)

The Maker’s Market at The Bindery

Last but not least, we’ve got The Maker’s Market at The Bindery. This one’s for all you craft beer-loving, artisanal cheese-eating, hand-poured candle-burning Portlanders out there.

What makes it special:

• Exclusively local makers and small businesses
• Workshops where you can learn to make your own gifts (because nothing says “I love you” like a slightly lopsided hand-knitted scarf)
• A wrapping station using only recycled and eco-friendly materials (Mother Earth says “thank you”)

So there you have it, folks. Portland’s holiday markets are like the city itself – a little bit traditional, a whole lot weird, and entirely unforgettable. Whether you’re shopping for gifts, stuffing your face with gourmet treats, or just soaking in the festive atmosphere, these markets have got you covered.

Just remember: bring an umbrella, wear layers (Portland weather is as unpredictable as a cat on catnip), and come with an open mind. You might come for the shopping, but you’ll stay for the only-in-Portland experiences. Who knows? You might even leave with a new appreciation for artisanal pickling or a sudden urge to take up urban goat farming.

Where to Stay in Portland

The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Fancy schmancy alert! The Nines is where you stay when you want to feel like Portland royalty. It’s smack in the middle of downtown, perfect for those who want to be where the action is. Plus, the rooftop restaurant offers views that’ll make your Instagram followers weep with envy.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel

The Ritz-Carlton in Portland, Oregon, offers luxurious accommodations and impeccable service in the heart of the city. Situated conveniently downtown, it provides easy access to popular attractions, dining, and shopping.

Guests can enjoy elegantly designed rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a relaxing spa, and fine dining options that highlight local cuisine. With stunning views of the city and exceptional amenities, the Ritz-Carlton Portland ensures a memorable stay for both leisure and business travelers.

The Heathman Hotel

For the bookworms among us, the Heathman is heaven on earth. With a library of over 2,700 signed books, you might forget to actually explore Portland. But that’s okay, because Portland is waiting for you right outside the door.

So there you have it, folks. Portland: a city where the dream of the ’90s is alive and well, where you can drink craft beer while riding a unicycle (not recommended, but possible), and where “normal” is just a setting on a washing machine.

Whether you’re here for the food, the nature, or just to keep things weird, Portland’s ready to welcome you with open arms and a freshly brewed cup of single-origin coffee. Just remember: the birds might be fake, but the experiences are 100% real. Welcome to Portland!