PORTLAND

Portland is nestled in the majestic mountains of Oregon, where the weather is beautiful and the community is bustling with activity.  CNN listed Portland as one of Americas greatest cities, noting their title as the "City of Roses".  The warm, dry summers and rainy winters create the perfect climate for growing roses. 

Portland is well known for their annual Rose Festival, attended by more than two million people.  The festival features a Grand Floral Parade, where Portlands roses gather national attention.  The International Festivals and Events Association named the Rose Festival as the Best Festival in the World in 2007.

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The gorgeous landscape makes Portland the perfect place to call home.  Approximately 2 million people live in the Portland area, making it the 28^th largest metropolitan area in the country.  Portland is also the fourth largest city on the West Coast, with residents from six separate counties covering over 5000 square miles.

Every inch of Portland is beautiful, with over 37,000 acres set aside for city parks.  Mt. Tabor Park is home to an extinct volcano, while Washington Park is a peaceful haven with traditional Japanese gardens.  The Grotto is a Catholic sanctuary with flower lined paths, crystal clear ponds, and cliff-side panoramas. 

In the 1970s, Portland hosted the "Expose Yourself to Art" campaign that brought even more beauty to the city streets.  The "Portlandia" statue stands proudly at the Portland Building as the worlds second largest hammered copper statue, taking a backseat only to The Statue of Liberty.

Portlands Downtown district is full of gorgeous fountains that lure in tourists and intrigued artists alike.  You will often see people splashing around in the interactive fountains at Jamison Square, Holladay Park, and Salmon Street Springs.

Aside from the fountains, Downtown is brimming with one-of-a-kind gift shops, designer boutiques, holiday events, and signature dining. 

From antiques to books, Portland is truly a shoppers paradise.  The Sellwood District offers a bounty of antique dealers, while Hawthorne Boulevard packs used booksellers into every nook and cranny of city streets.  Powells City of Books is particularly noteworthy.  With over a million books for sale on any given day, Powells is the nations largest bookstore.

The Pearl District is always alive with activity.  A myriad of businesses cater to this areas well-heeled residents, as well as many out-of-district shoppers and diners.  Here you will find the most luxurious dining opportunities, and enough upscale shopping boutiques to keep you busy for days. 

Retailers in the Pearl District specialize in upscale furnishings, both contemporary and antique.  This area also features a high concentration of art galleries and artists lofts.  

You can spend an hour or a day, exploring the streets and getting to know the vibrant culture that sets Portland apart.  Make sure to see and be seen at First Thursday in the Pearl District.  First Thursday is a traditional gallery walk held on the first Thursday of every month.  Dozens of galleries open their doors to the public from 6 pm to 9 pm.

First Thursday isnt the only time that people get out and about in Portland.  Weekends are also busy in the city, as people explore the Saturday market. The market sits under the western end of the Burnside Bridge, between SW Naito Parkway and SW 1st Avenue.

The Saturday Market is the perfect place to find delicious food in the International Food Court.  You can also scout out hand made crafts from the best artists in town.  Shopping is unlimited with something for everyone during this weekly community event.

Portlands streets are constantly filled with a surge of activity, as the transit system busily moves people from one destination to the next.  The well organized transit system includes buses, trains, and streetcars. 

You will also see hundreds of bikers making their way through the maze of streets.  Portland claims the title of Americas bike capital without dispute.  The city offers over 250 miles of bike lanes, as well as free-usage bicycles to encourage alternate transportation.

Many residents flock towards the theater community, where you can find a wide variety of shows year round.  The Laurelhursts four screens bring the best of modern cinema, independent art, and classic film to Portlands movie lovers.

Portland Center Stage has also been a part of the citys theatrical celebrations for over 20 years.  There is always an air of anticipation as people surround this magical theater.  Each show is offered with a fire onstage that sets Portland Center Stage apart from hum drum small town theaters.

Art lovers abound in Portland, but history buffs can also be found around every corner.  Portland is filled with historical homes that have been noted by national registries.  Neighborhoods are lined with stately homes built by lumber barons, shipping magnates, and old world traders. 

The turn-of-the-century mansions feature a rich Victorian feel.  Portlands French Renaissance properties include the Pittock Estate, a 1914 home that is a must-see for visitors and residents alike.  The ornate chandeliers and carved-stone fireplaces are absolutely breath taking!

Portland also offers some excitement for sports fans.  The Portland Trail Blazers are well known for their success in the NBA.  The team has advanced to the NBA finals three times, winning the NBA Championship in 1977.

The Trail Blazers have qualified for the playoffs in 25 seasons of their 36 season existence.  They had a streak of 21 straight playoff appearances from 1983 to 2003.  Four players have made Hall of Fame status, including Lenny Wilkins, Bill Walton, Clyde Drexler, and Drazen Petrovic.  The Trail Blazers Scottie Pippen was also recognized as one of the NBAs 50 Greatest Players.

Baseball fans can also catch a game in Portland, where the Portland Beavers play in the minor league.  The Beavers have been around for many years, proudly representing Portland as the team transitioned and grew over time.  The Beavers represent Portland in the Pacific Coast League.

If college sports peak your interest, Portland has three major educational institutions with a plethora of sporting events.  Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown.  PSU was founded in 1946, and boasts the largest overall enrollment of any university in Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students.

Students at Portland State University can study for a variety of degrees.  Programs include the School of Business Administration, Graduate School of Education, School of Fine and Performing Arts, School of Social Work, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Portland is truly awash in opportunities for people of every age.  Whether you explore the art scene or navigate the Saturday Market, you will enjoy your experience.  Portland is a unique city, rich in culture and heritage.  No matter what your interests or tastes, the City of Roses has something for you!