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Portland Oregon is located in the
northwestern United States where the
Willamette and Columbia rivers meet it
is only a short drive away from the
Pacific Ocean sprawling forests fertile
valleys and the Cascade Range Portland's
mountainous backdrop combined with the
city's many urban parks and eco-friendly
ambition make it a nature lovers
paradise
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Portland was established in the mid
eighteen hundreds due to its riverside
location it was a major Pacific
Northwest port until the turn of the
century with about six hundred thousand
inhabitants it is Oregon's most populous
city downtown Portland was built with
pedestrians in mind so you could easily
walk the Central District to take in the
city's architecture parks and Fountains
at your own pace
the heart of the city is the
amphitheater on Pioneer Courthouse
Square it's the place everyone keeps
coming back to after browsing galleries
shopping and sightseeing do bring an
umbrella because showers are very common
although there is plenty of sunshine to
enjoy in the summer
some Americans jokingly call Portland
Beervana because of its large number of
microbreweries if you prefer a good wine
head to the Willamette Valley join one
of the many vineyard tours to sample the
local Pinot Noir made from grapes grown
in volcanic soil the Portland Art Museum
in the cultural district is the oldest
Museum in the northwest and its vast
collection reflects the history of art
from ancient times to today for rowing
meditating or cycling head to the Tom
McCall waterfront park along the
Willamette River this is also a great
spot for people-watching on a lazy
afternoon
several bridges give access to the east
bank where the Oregon Museum of Science
and Industry is located the huge halls
and theaters offer hundreds of
interactive displays seize the
opportunity to learn about faraway
planets or step aboard a real submarine
on the same side of the river is the
grotto where people come to pray or just
replenish the soul in a serene natural
location close to town warm dry summers
and cool wet winters make the Portland
region ideal for growing roses admire
the many award-winning varieties in the
international Rose test Garden in
Washington Park the nearby Japanese
garden is said to be one of the most
authentic outside of Japan with its five
distinct garden styles and an original
tea house Washington Park offers more
than just lush gardens and trails
families can see the entire animal world
in just one afternoon at the Oregon Zoo
opposite the zoo is the Portland
Children's Museum where the little ones
can find out what they want to be when
they grow up there's so much to choose
from see how the city's richer pioneers
lived a century ago at the Pittock
mansion here in the West Hills you can
enjoy views of the city skyline it's
worth the short drive east to see the
Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River
Gorge where icy water tumbles down from
astonishing Heights climb the trail to
the Benson bridge for a close up view of
the waterfall which flows all year round
take this spectacular drive north to
come face to face with the awesome power
of nature the active volcano Mount st.
Helens lost its peak when it erupted in
1980 from several viewing points around
the National volcanic monument you can
still see the impact of that dramatic
event today to see Oregon's renowned
coastline head out to Cannon Beach just
a couple of hours west of Portland it's
cliffs cafes and boutique shops appeal
to just about everyone now if you're not
short on time follow the Oregon Coast
Highway further south all along the
Pacific you'll find enough stunning
sights to keep you reaching for your
camera
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in the middle of all this natural beauty
sits Portland more than just a place to
stop and smell the roses this is a place
to truly experience the laid-back
atmosphere and splendor of the Great
Northwest
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you