10 Places Every Portlander Should Go

Portland, Oregon is in a way unknown territory to most people in the US.  Unless the person has actually come to visit the city, they have no idea what this city has to offer.  The east coast thinks that Portland is made up of a bunch of lumberjacks, hence the nickname “Stump Town”.  The new TV show Portlandia displays the Portland residents as a bunch of hippies.  Yes Portland is different, but that’s what makes the city unique and different from every other city.  What are the “hot spots” of Portland?  Even people in Portland don’t know them all.

• Voodoo Donuts- Founded by Kenneth “Cat Daddy” Pogson and Tres Shannon, Voodoo set up shop in the heart of Portland.  There is another located right across the field from Benson High School that attracts many students and teachers. From crazy looking donuts to weddings taking place, Voodoo is the place to be if you’re looking for an unusual way to get the doughnut you’ve been craving.
• Blazer Game at the Rose Garden- Experiencing a Blazer game first hand is like no other NBA game.  The crowd is considered to be one of the best in the league.  The Blazers are an up and coming team with a lot of talent.  With an all-time leading 814 consecutive sellout record, when the opportunity to go is there, take advantage of it.  Tickets range from $9-$150.
• Shanghai Tunnels- Made to move goods and to kidnap people and sell them as slaves, the tunnels run under Old Town/Chinatown.  In the tunnels you will see cool architecture, artifacts from this wrongdoing, and much more. The tour takes around an hour and thirty minutes to finish and you will be transitioning at all times. The basements of many bars and hotels in Downtown Portland connect them. Travel your way through miles of tunnels to reach the ending point, which is the waterfront of the Willamette River.  Admission is $13 for adults and $8 for children.
• Waterfront/Fountains- When the weather is nice, the Waterfront is one of the best places to be in Portland. There are many people and families there having fun. The waterfront is lined with parks that are very popular. The fountain is fun to look at, but way more fun to cool off in it. There are many paths for walking, jogging, or cycling that are sure to give you a fun time.
• Saturday Market- Held on Saturdays, and even Sundays too, the Saturday Market is filled with colorful people that spread their joy throughout the crowd.  Attracting artists and craftspeople, nearly 300 of them come to sell their unusual creations.  Aside from that there are unusual foods being sold for the trying.  A lot of free entertainment can be heard and while you roam the streets.  Saturday Market is a must-experience attraction that is popularly known as Portland’s most-loved event.
• Chinese Garden- The Chinese Garden is a place to go and enjoy the soothing effect of nature.  Five elements are the main focuses of the gardens: rocks, water, plants, architecture, and Literary Inscriptions.  It’s a place to enjoy the scenery and the quiet surrounding due to the thick walls blocking the city sounds.  The Garden is a non-profit organization that keeps the garden healthy and growing on the funds of the members, donors, and visitors.  Admission is $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for students.
• Powell’s Books- Every book lover needs to visit this bookstore.  There are over one million new and used books that include out-of-print and hard-to-find books.  It is located in Downtown Portland taking up a whole block.  It is the biggest new and used bookstore in the world.  If you have any books you want to get rid of, Powell’s even buys books from the public.
• Northwest 23rd Street- A little neighborhood in Northwest Portland which is known as Nob Hill, the Alphabet District, or just Northwest.  It’s a perfect place to go for shopping, dining, and seeing some of Portland’s attractions.  Powell’s (mentioned above), the Oregon Zoo, the Japanese Gardens, and the International Rose Test Garden are minutes away by public transportation or by foot.
• Pioneer Courthouse Square- Considered as Portland’s Living Room, the Pioneer Court Square is the most visited place in Portland.  With more than 26,000 people passing it each day, the square hosts over 300 events each year that range from festivals to concerts.  Approximately nine and a half million people visit the square each year.  According to Project for Public Spaces, the square is “the 4th Best Public Place in the World”.
• Oregon Zoo- The Oregon Zoo is not only a fun place to go, but is also a place to learn. The zoo's goal is to educate the public on how their actions now can save the wildlife in the future. They offer jobs and volunteering to get you up and close with the animals. There is a stage that is for shows, a restaurant, and a train that tours the facility. Go there to look at the animals, or go there around the holidays for the zoo lights.  Adults cost $10.50 and children cost $7.50.

     “Keep Portland Weird” is our city’s slogan.  Maybe when people recognize that, they’ll know why Portland is the way it is.  Portland is an unique city that is getting known more around the country.  There are many things to do in Portland, people just need to experience them on their own to get the full Portland adventure.

 

-Connor Buckley