The iconic Powell's City of Books is one of the city's top attractions and a book lover's paradise. Do a guided tour through the bookstore and purchase a book while at it. From Powell's, head to the Portland Art Museum, the oldest museum in the Northwest. They house more than 40,000 pieces of historical and contemporary art. For lunch, head to Pok Pok NY, famous for its Vietnamese wings and other Northern Thai cuisine. Finally, head to Washington Park to see the International Rose Test Garden, it's collection of over 7000 plants from around the world. You can follow this up by taking a long walk in the adjacent Forest Park, the largest urban park in the United States, to explore its many trails and enjoy a splendid view over Portland. End your day by having dinner at the romantic Departure restaurant which offers a 360-degree view, amazing Pacific Rim cuisine and a vast array of innovative teas and cocktails.
Built in 1914, the 46-room French Renaissance-style mansion is surrounded by 46 acres of lavish gardens, and is the historic home of one of Portland's wealthiest families. After leaving the mansion, proceed to the Columbia River Gorge waterfall area, just an hour from Portland. Take in the beautiful sights of the flowing water and exceptional rock formations. From here, you will drive to the Edgefield Winery, 20 mins away from the waterfalls, where you will enjoy exquisite wines made from local grapes before heading to Multnomah Whiskey Library for dinner. You can choose from a selection of more than 1800 spirits. End your night watching the Funhouse lounge’s comedy show.
During your stay, you’ll find it relatively easy to walk within downtown Portland. The city also has a bike-share program if you prefer to travel on two wheels. For destinations outside the downtown district, rideshare apps and taxis are readily available. On day two, you will need to hire a car to visit the Pittock Mansion and the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls.
The car will cost about $120 for the day, including fuel.
If you have more than two days, make sure to visit the Oregon Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Japanese Garden which offer a peaceful haven in the bustling city. With less than two days, make sure to prioritize visiting Multnomah Falls, Pittock Mansion and the Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls.
The international airport serving Portland is the Portland International Airport (PDX), located 15 miles northeast of downtown Portland. The airport offers 24/7 public transport options to reach downtown via shuttle bus, MAX light rail, rental cars, and taxis.