Why Locals Love Portland (And You Will Too)

Portland is the kind of city that likes flying under the radar. For example, the attention we got after the IFC sketch comedy show Portlandia began airing—well, it’s somewhat uncomfortable for us locals. We love our city, and, yes, some of the absurd sketches hit a little too close to home, but really it's just that we don't quite know what to do with the spotlight.

When I first moved to the area in the mid-1990s, I didn't know anyone who came here to visit Portland on vacation. By the early 2000s, I was regularly meeting visitors, all of whom were on scouting missions for a potential move, at the behest of mutual friends. Now, the city is a bona fide vacation destination—with many people looking for a guide on what to do in Portland—but we still don't have a bucket list-worthy attraction to lure travelers.

Instead, it's the Portland lifestyle that people come to experience.

Where Young People Go to Retire

Portland's young population drives the city's energy and vibe. Photo credit: TravelPortland.com

Yes, it's a funny line from an early Portlandia episode, but it's also sort of true. In 2014, nearly 60% of the people living in Portland were non-native Oregonians, and most of them were between the ages of 25 and 54.

Couple that with the city's encouragement of entrepreneurs—a Silicon Forest mentality that translates beyond tech—and Portland feels vibrant. That energy shows itself to visitors in lots of ways, from our thriving food cart ecosystem to our near obsession with playing outdoors.

There's no bad weather, just bad gear

Locals will tell you to get outdoors no matter what mood Mother Nature is in. Forest Park is a perfect place to sit back and watch the clouds roll by. Photo credit: TravelPortland.com

The weather in Portland may leave some wondering why locals stay, but we just point to the shades of green in every direction and the countless outdoor adventures and say there's no such thing as bad weather—just bad gear. Good gear depends entirely on the activity, but Portlanders often shun umbrellas in favor of a sturdy hood, and it never hurts to have a waterproof jacket.

Forest Park is one of the country's largest urban forests—it’s more than 500 times bigger than Central Park. It’s home to more than 70 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, and one end of it sits in downtown Portland. Waterfront Park runs along the Willamette River downtown and is a popular spot for jogging, walking and summer festivals. Portland is also one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country.

To stretch your legs a bit more, locals will always recommend hitting the road. Columbia River Gorge is a haven for hikers and windsurfers. The beaches on the coast are 100% public. There's year-round skiing at Mount Hood. The trails in wine country are great for cycling between sips. And all of this is only one or two hours from Portland.

We feed people really well

An army of local food carts, plus homegrown wineries, breweries and distilleries, make this city a prime spot for foodies. Photo credit: TravelPortland.com

Here's my favorite thing about Portland: We love food.

Portland's famous food carts, which offer culinary options from all over the globe, are a big part of why the cuisines you'll find here are more diverse than you'd expect from a smallish city. This is a place where you can open a food cart with only one thing on the menu and grow that into a small empire in just a few years.

The culture here attracts foodies from around the world, too. For example, authentic Florentine fare is lovingly made here by a transplanted Tuscan, and an award-winning French baker now makes his perfect baguettes in Portland.

Locals also love our homegrown beverages. Portland boasts a number of breweries, earning it a reputation as a beer mecca. Oregon has more than 700 wineries, including more than 250 in the Willamette Valley and more than 30 in the Columbia River Gorge. There are even more than 10 urban wineries in Portland. And there's a growing craft distillery scene centered around Distillery Row.

As a visitor, you can put it all together at happy hour, which Portland celebrates with gusto. Unlike the cheap well drinks and free peanuts you might be used to, happy hour around Portland means a variety of discounted dishes—you can sometimes get full-sized plates for a few bucks—that can make for an affordable dinner. When the weather is good, head to the fourth-floor wine bar of Noble Rot on the east side of the river. The restaurant even has a garden on its rooftop, and if you visit on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. you can take the free garden tour before you sit down for happy hour. The 30th-floor Portland City Grill also offers stellar views (with no weather worries) to enjoy during its popular happy hour.

Come Say Hello

Portlanders may not always be comfortable in the spotlight, but we really do enjoy sharing what we love about our city with just about anyone who will listen. So if you have questions while you’re staying here, tap one of us on the street or pull up a chair at happy hour. We’d be glad to raise a pint to Portland with you.

Written by Jessica Spiegel