Flying Into Portland

The Portland International Airport (PDX) is the largest airport in Oregon and has direct flights and connections to most major airports in the US. Major carriers fly in and out of PDX including Air Canada, Delta, US Airways, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit; it's also a secondary hub to Alaska Airlines. There are also three smaller airports that service the Portland area – with the second largest Portland-Hillsboro (HIO), followed by Portland-Troutdale (TTD) and Portland-Mulino Airport (about 20 mi south).

Cabs are available from PDX; expect to pay about $30, depending on traffic, to get downtown.

Getting Around Portland

Car rentals are conveniently available at the airport, as are several car-sharing options, but locals tend to rely on more eco-friendly means of transportation.

The TriMet bus system covers the city and suburbs and offers a lower-cost method of transport, as well as full wheelchair accessibility. Purchase tickets at the station using the Hop Fastpass ticketing method or prepay on a mobile ticketing app.

Finally, Portland claims to be the “Bike City of the US” – for good reason, with over 315 miles of bikeways to explore. To see the city on two wheels, look for Biketown bike-share or the newly launched E-Scooter system. And, if you plan your trip in June, you can join thousands of cyclists as they ride nude through the city!

Things to Do in Portland

For accommodations, City Center offers plenty of hotel options – from hip to budget – with convenience to restaurants, entertainment and shopping. For more homey lodging, check out Airbnb to get a feel for Portland's eclectic housing scene. For something really unique, Northeast Portland's converted elementary school, The Kennedy School, offers 57 guestrooms (previously classrooms), book-themed rooms, a Detention bar, a movie theater and more.

This is a city that likes to “keep it weird”, and prides itself on its outdoorsy, welcoming, free-thinking way of life. This makes it an exceptional place to visit with kids – with hands-on activities at the zoo, Forestry Center Discovery Museum, Museum of Science and Children's Museum.

There's no shortage of events in Portland, from farmers markets to festivals for every genre - music, beer, tulips, film, biking, holidays and wine (to name just a few!).

For a night out, the up-and-coming Pearl District offers street festivals, breweries, and an incredible food scene. Similarly, the Northwest District has a mix of quaint shops and spirited bars and restaurants.

Don't forget your credit card – shopping in Portland is tax-free! Pick up some handmade items at the Portland Saturday Market, or big-brands at Pioneer Place. Or check out the beautiful Union Way Shopping Arcade, which connects the West End to the Pearl District with boutiques and galleries along the way.

What to Know About Portland

Portland, also known as the City of Roses, is Oregon's largest city with over 600,000 residents in city-proper, and is the 26th largest city in the US. It has also earned a couple other nicknames, including Puddletown (for obvious reasons), and Stumptown (due to deforestation from rapid city-growth in the mid-1800's).

Portland enjoys a wide range of weather and seasons. In Summer months, with an average high of 78F and low humidity, this is the least-rainy season. Fall weather starts in October, with mild temps, sunny skies and changing leaves. Temperatures and rain both begin falling in November, rarely changing to snow in the winter (except at Mount Hood!), as temperatures tend to stay above freezing. No matter what the season, it's important to pack layers – and a rain coat.

Insider tips: the streetcar is whimsical, but slower than walking. The line at Voodoo Donuts is completely made up of tourists. Learn how to compost before you go – or prepared to be confused trying to dispose of your coffee cop and plastic stirrer. Hit up the street food – some of the most well-loved restaurants in Portland got their start as a food cart.