Portland

Day 1: Washington Park, Nob Hill and the Pearl Begin with Portland’s green heart before easing into its tax‑free shopping and design culture. Use the MAX Red/Blue Line to Washington Park (deepest station in North America) and ride the free shuttle; later, walk or hop the Streetcar between compact neighbourhoods.

• Morning: Wander the Portland Japanese Garden, then the International Rose Test Garden (best bloom June–September; quieter early). If it’s misty, swap in Hoyt Arboretum for atmospheric conifers and autumn colour.
• Midday: Ride the shuttle back and continue to NW 23rd Avenue (Nob Hill) for lunch at a sidewalk café and a browse of independent boutiques and the Birkenstock flagship. Parking is tight—arrive by Streetcar or Biketown and bring a reusable tote (paper bags cost).
• Afternoon: Explore the Pearl District: lose an hour (or three) at Powell’s City of Books, then browse galleries and Portland‑made goods at MadeHere PDX. If it’s First Thursday, galleries stay open late with a festive street vibe.
• Evening: Drift through the Union Way arcade and Woonwinkel in the West End, then dine downtown or graze at Midtown Beer Garden (covered food cart pod, lively after work). Tip: the price on the tag is the price you pay—there’s no sales tax.

Day 2: Eastside vintage, makers and neighbourhood streets Today is all about Portland’s maker ethos and second‑hand treasures, stitched together with short bus/bike hops. Keep it car‑free if you can; these districts are best on foot.

• Morning: Start with a leg‑stretcher up Mount Tabor (extinct volcano) for city views, then head to Hawthorne for coffee and vintage hunting at House of Vintage and Crossroads Music. Chat with shop staff—stories behind finds are half the fun.
• Midday: Continue to Sellwood‑Moreland’s Antique Row for Stars Antique Mall and Sellwood Antique Mall; break for a cosy lunch nearby. Never leave purchases visible in a parked car—break‑ins are a known issue.
• Afternoon: Head to Mississippi Avenue/N Williams for Paxton Gate’s curiosities, lush plants at Pistils Nursery, and a poke around The ReBuilding Center for salvage inspiration. Alternatively, switch to the Alberta Arts District for Tender Loving Empire, Tumbleweed and murals.
• Evening: Dine on Alberta and take in the street art; if you’re here on Last Thursday (May–August), expect a big open‑air fair with music and pop‑ups. Cooler months favour Mississippi’s intimate bars and dessert spots.

Day 3: Waterfront, Old Town serenity and an urban forest escape Blend riverfront strolling, a tranquil garden, and a proper forest walk minutes from town. Dress for changeable weather—locals favour waterproof jackets over umbrellas.

• Morning: Walk Tom McCall Waterfront Park; in late March the cherry blossoms are glorious. If it’s a weekend March–Christmas Eve, browse Portland Saturday Market; otherwise, find calm at Lan Su Chinese Garden right when it opens.
• Midday: Taxi/bus to Lower Macleay Trail for a Forest Park ramble along Balch Creek to the mossy “Witch’s Castle” (allow 60–90 minutes out‑and‑back). Trails can be muddy; carry water, a map/app, and mind the poison oak off‑trail.
• Afternoon: If it’s Saturday, swing by the year‑round PSU Farmers Market for seasonal bites; on other days, roam the Central Eastside and get delightfully lost in Cargo’s global imports. Pop into a café for Portland’s small‑batch coffee culture.
• Evening: Catch sunset views at Council Crest or the Pittock Mansion overlook, then finish with food carts at the Cart Blocks or Midtown Beer Garden. Film lovers can detour to the Hollywood Theatre for a screening and distinctive merch.

By Air

• Portland International Airport (PDX) – main gateway, 20–30 minutes by car to the city centre; MAX Red Line light rail runs every 15 minutes to downtown (about 38–45 minutes).
• Alternatives (often used for cheaper fares or specific routes):
  • Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) – around 3 hours’ drive to Portland; frequent train/coach links to Portland via Seattle.
  • Eugene (EUG) – about 2 hours’ drive south of Portland; limited commercial flights.
  • Redmond/Bend (RDM) – roughly 3–3.5 hours’ drive (mountain passes; check winter conditions).

By Train

• Portland Union Station (Amtrak code: PDX) – central hub with MAX light rail (Union Station/NW 6th & Hoyt) and Portland Streetcar connections.
  • Amtrak Cascades: Eugene – Salem – Portland – Tacoma – Seattle – Vancouver, BC. Typical times: Seattle 3.5–4 hours; Eugene ~2.5 hours; Vancouver, BC ~8 hours.
  • Coast Starlight (daily): Los Angeles – Sacramento/Oakland (Emeryville) – Portland – Seattle. Example times: Seattle ~3.5 hours; Emeryville ~17 hours; Los Angeles ~30 hours.
  • Empire Builder (daily, Portland section): Chicago – Spokane – Portland. Approximate times: Spokane ~8 hours; Chicago ~46–50 hours.

By Coach/Bus

• Main operators: FlixBus, Greyhound (and partners), Amtrak Thruway, Oregon POINT (statewide network).
• Common boarding points: near Union Station (NW 6th & Irving/Hoyt) and Portland State University downtown.
• Frequent links to Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Hood River, Astoria and Oregon Coast towns.

By Car

• Primary routes:
  • I‑5 (north–south): Seattle to Portland ~170 miles/275 km (3–3.5 hours); Eugene to Portland ~110 miles/180 km (~2 hours).
  • I‑84 (east): through the Columbia River Gorge (Hood River ~1 hour; Boise 6–7 hours).
  • US‑26: west to the Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach/Seaside 1.5–2 hours) and east to Mount Hood (1.5–2 hours). I‑205 provides an eastern bypass of the city.
• Notes: Winter traction requirements can apply on mountain routes (US‑26/OR‑35). Downtown parking is metered; garages are widely available. No state motorway tolls in Oregon.