Portland Travel Guide

Transportation and accommodation in Portland

Portland is called Portland OR in English. It is located in Oregon in the northwest of the United States ( because there is also a Portland on the east coast of the United States, the name will be added with OR to distinguish it ).
It is the largest and most populous city in Oregon. Because the climate is suitable for growing roses, it is also called the City of Roses. Rose City

by mit Aslan | Josh Hild | Slava Keyzman

Transportation in Portland

Airport transportation :
Portland International Airport ( PDX ) is 12 miles/19 kilometers from downtown.
It takes about 25 minutes to drive, and about $40 to take Uber
. You can also take the light rail to downtown, the fare is $2.8, and the ride takes 40 minutes. Apple Pay is supported. The route and schedule are here.


Seattle to Portland :
The two places are 175 miles/282 kilometers apart, and it takes about 3 hours to drive.
Take the Flixbus bus, the journey takes 3.5-4 hours, and the fare starts at $22. For details, see here.
Take the Amtrak train, the journey takes 3.5 hours, and the fare starts at $27 ( if booked early ). For details, see here .

Portland downtown transportation :
The city is very small, and if you don’t drive, it is also convenient to use Uber and buses.
The bus and light rail cost $2.8 per trip, and the daily maximum is $5.6. For details, see here. There are also buses or half-day tour groups
to the farther Multnomah Falls.

Portland accommodation

There are many homeless hotels in Portland. For those who drive, it is recommended to choose a hotel with onsite parking.

You can stay in Downtown :
close to the shopping district Pioneer Square, with Pioneer Place and Nordstrom, as well as Japanese stores such as MUJI.
Although there are many homeless hotels, it is also convenient for eating, drinking and shopping.

Or stay in the Northwest District :
close to the popular shopping street NW 23rd Avenue, with big brands and small shops


[Downtown] The Mark Spencer Hotel Portland ★★★
Location 9.3 points Facilities/Service 8.7 points Value for money 8.7 points 3 minutes walk to Powell's City of Books, 9 minutes walk to the shopping district Pioneer Square, with paid onsite parking [Northwest] Inn at Northrup Station ★★★ Location 9.4 points Facilities/Service 9.1 points Value for money 8.8 points 6 minutes walk to the shopping street NW 23rd Avenue, with free onsite parking [Northwest] Silver Cloud Hotel ★★★ Location 9.2 points Facilities/Service 9.0 points Value for money 8.8 points 10 minutes walk to the commercial street NW 23rd Avenue, free onsite parking

Portland Map and Itinerary Recommendations

Map : 3-day 2-night sample itinerary (departing from Seattle + fast pace) : Day1. Depart from Seattle > Drive for 3 hours > Arrive in Portland, visit downtown attractions in the afternoon, such as "1. Japanese Garden ( closed on Tuesdays )", "2. Bookstore", "3. Lansu Garden", and go shopping at Adidas employee store in the evening Day2. Depart from Portland > Go to "4. Multnomah Falls" to see the waterfall > See the river view at "5. Vista House" > Go to "6. Trillium Lake" to play in the water > Return to Portland ( the above order can be reversed ) * To visit Multnomah Falls from the end of May to the beginning of September, you need to spend $2 in advance to purchase a Timed Use Permit Day3. Depart from Portland > Drive for 1.5 hours > See the sea view/eat seafood at "7. Cannon Beach" > Drive for 3.5 hours > Return to Seattle   * Curious students can also arrange to visit "8. Airplane House" ( open during the day, if you want to enter the cabin for a visit, you need to arrange it after 1 pm ) Shopping instructions : Oregon is a tax-free state ( no sales tax is required ), which is very suitable for shopping. You can: ‣ Buy electronic products at Apple Pioneer Place in Downtown ‣ Buy shoes at Adidas Employee Store Portland , almost all items are 50% off, no employee invitation is required, just download the Adidas APP to register, then search for the Portland store in ADICLUB to make an appointment and enter the store ‣ Visit Woodburn Premium Outlets , the brand list can be seen here

Top attractions in Portland

1. Portland Japanese GardenView  

to the public in 1967, it covers an area of 12 acres and includes all the classic Japanese garden elements: ponds, small waterfalls, running water, koi, dry landscape… The former Japanese ambassador to the United States described it as “the most authentic and beautiful Japanese garden outside of Japan”

Opening hours : Closed on Tuesdays, Wednesday to Monday 10am - 4.30pmTickets
: US$21.95 for adults, US$17.95 for studentsHow
long : 1 - 2 hoursHow
to play :
‣ Take photos/enjoy the scenery, which is most beautiful in autumn. See the park map here‣
Go to Umami Cafe for tea/snacks, reservations are required‣
Students interested in Japan can also visit the official website of Japan Travel Guide : See hereAddress : Parking lot US$2/hour, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, ORRecommended video : Portland Japanese Garden | OregonRecommended video/autumn : Autumn at the Portland Japanese GardenNote : Opposite the Japanese Garden is the rose gardenInternational Rose Test Garden Founded in 1917, it is a very famous rose garden ( Portland's climate is suitable for growing roses, so it is also called Rose City ), with more than 10,000 roses and 650 varieties planted Flower season: June to October, most beautiful in June Opening hours: 5am - 10pm Tickets: Free Recommended video: International Rose Test Garden























2. Bookstore Powell's City of Books 

Powell's Books is a chain bookstore in Portland. Powell's City of Books is the main store. It is known as the largest independent bookstore in the galaxy.
It occupies an entire block, 3 floors, and is divided into 9 areas by color. There are more than 3,500 book categories, and new and second-hand books are sold together.
But it should be noted that this is not a standard "Internet celebrity" bookstore. There is no fancy decoration and design. It is just rows and rows of large wooden bookshelves. It is very suitable for people who really love books.

Business hours : 10am - 9pm
How long to play : 30 minutes +
How to play :
‣ Buy your favorite books + refrigerator magnets and other souvenirs
‣ Find a comic/picture book suitable for short-term reading, take it to the cafe in the bookstore to read it, and steal half a day of leisure
Official website : See here
Address : Street party 2 US dollars/hour, 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Recommended video : 8 Things to Know about Powell's City of Books





3. Lan Su Chinese Garden 

two characters Lan and Su represent Portland and Suzhou. The park is owned by the Portland City Government and opened in September 2000.
Designed/built by a team from Suzhou, the building materials were also transported from Suzhou and assembled here, allowing you to return home in 1 second.
Portland and Suzhou were once sister cities, but they were temporarily closed in 2019 due to the deterioration of Sino-US relations.

Hours : 10am - 6pm in summer, 10am - 4pm in winter.
Tickets : $16 for adults, $15 for students, free for children under 5.
How long to play : 15 - 30 minutes.
How to play :
‣ Take photos, enjoy the scenery, and bask in the sun.
‣ Go to the Teahouse for tea/snacks, see the reference menu here
‣ The Chinatown where Lan Su Garden is located may be the most desolate and homeless Chinatown in the United States...
Official website : See here.
Address : Street party for $2/hour, 239 NW Everett Street Portland, OR 97209


Recommended video : Lan Su Chinese Garden Portland Oregon Full TourPhotos by Eric Muhr

4. Multnomah Falls Waterfall 

30 miles/48 kilometers from downtown Portland, about 40 minutes by car
The waterfall is 189 meters high and is divided into two sections. It is the highest waterfall in Oregon, with the largest water flow in winter and spring
But when it comes to the highest, California's Yosemite Falls is 739 meters high...

Opening hours : 8am - 6pmTickets
: Free, late May - early September 9am - 6pm, you need to spend $2 in advance to buy a Timed Use Permit to enterHow
long to play : 30 minutes - 1.5 hoursHow
to play :
‣ Take photos below the waterfall + walk 10 minutes one way to the small bridge in the middle of the waterfall for viewing‣
Walk 30-40 minutes one way, all the way to the top of the waterfall, check in the source of the waterfall ( elevation 248 meters, trail information can be found here )
Official website : See hereAddress
: Take I-84 and enter the parking lot from Exit 31 is a free official parking lot, Multnomah Falls Recreation Area navigation; the small parking lot near the waterfall is a private parking lot that costs $20. Students who do not drive themselves can choose the Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour ( US$75, but provides hotel pick-up + visit Vista House + Multnomah + other 3 waterfalls ), or take the bus The Columbia Gorge Express ( US$20 round trip )


Recommended video : Portland's most popular waterfalls | Make an appointment in summer Photography : by Ethan Dow







5. Vista House, a viewing point 

It is about 30 minutes' drive from downtown Portland. The viewing point is about 223 meters high, suitable for overlooking the Columbia River.

How long to play : 10 - 30 minutes
How to play :
‣ Overlook the river view and enjoy the sunset. See here for sunset time ( come early, parking is tight )
‣ Visit the building of the center, Vista House - built in 1918, with a diameter of about 13 meters and a height of about 16 meters. It is open to the public for free from 9am to 5pm from Friday to Monday. There are small exhibitions/souvenir shops/restrooms inside. Watch the video here

Address : Free parking, 40700 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR
Aerial video : Enjoy an Amazing Stunning Vista House Drone Footage Photography : Popular Science: The longest river in the United States is the Mississippi River (about 3,766 kilometers), the longest river in China is the Yangtze River (about 6,300 kilometers), and the longest river in the world is the Nile River (about 6,650 kilometers) by samuel gorbunov






6. Trillium Lake

60 miles/97 kilometers from downtown Portland, about 1.5 hours drive
Trillium Lake is an artificial lake dug in the 1960s, with a maximum depth of only 6 meters, a great place to enjoy Mt. Hood

Tickets : May 1st - October 31st 10 US dollars/car, cash only
How long to play : 30 minutes - half day
How to play :
‣ Go there in the windless morning to enjoy the reflection of Mt. Hood in the lake ( Mt. Hood is a dormant volcano, 3426 meters high, second only to Rainier )
‣ It is recommended to go earlier in the summer, otherwise you can only park far away and hike to the lakeside
‣ KAYAK or SUP rentals are available on site, 35-45 US dollars/hour
Official website : See here
Address : Trillium Lake Day Use/Picnic Area


Recommended video : Portland Twilight City shooting location | Seaside reef sunset Photography works : by Elijah Austin | MJ Tangonan | Gustavo Tiffer | Cameron Stewart







7. Cannon Beach

79 miles/127 kilometers from downtown Portland, about 1.5 hours drive
As a popular beach in Oregon, the biggest feature is a 72-meter-high, fairy-like giant rock Haystack Rock ( the real scene is far more shocking than the photo )

How long to play : 30 minutes- Half day
How to play :
‣ Check in the Internet celebrity camera-between the houses directly opposite Haystack Rock, use 1760 S Hemlock St, Tolovana Park to locate ( it is foggy in the morning in summer, so it is recommended to go in the afternoon )
‣ Drive 10 minutes north from the beach to Ecola Point Viewpoint to enjoy the panoramic view of the beach ( this is part of Ecola
State Park, and a $7 day-use parking permit is required )Have a feast
at the seafood restaurant Driftwood Restaurant or Mo's Seafood & Chowder‣ Stay in the town
that nightto watch the sunset and the stars ( the beach is colder than the city, please bring warm clothes ) Address : Free parking, Cannon Beach City Hall 163 E Gower Ave, Cannon Beach, OR Accommodation recommendations : ‣ Webb's Scenic Surf 3 stars 9.1 points 555 reviews + ‣ Hallmark Resort 3 stars 9.1 points 465 reviews +, the balcony can see Haystack Rock Aerial video : Cannon Beach Oregon [Driving Drone Tour] Photography : Internet celebrity camera by Chris Henry Ecola Point Viewpoint by Tim Peterson Sunset and starry sky by Leon Wu | Uday Mittal


















8. Airplane Home Oregon

If you like drone photography, you must come here to check in
Airplane Home is a retired Boeing 727 passenger plane placed in the woods
The owner is grandpa Bruce Campbell, who spent $100,000 to buy this plane in 1999 and then lived in it for 6 months a year

Opening hours : sunrise to sunset
Admission : free
How long to play : 30 minutes
How to play :
‣ You need to walk on a dirt road before parking, and ordinary cars can also pass in normal weather; do not park near Holly Hill Rd, see more instructions here‣
You can fly drones, but the height should not exceed the treetops ( to prevent trouble with neighbors )
‣ You can visit/take pictures freely outside the cabin, but if you want to enter the cabin for a visit, you should choose to visit after 1 pm, no appointment is required, see more instructions here‣
Smoking is prohibited in the area‣
If you are willing, you can help take away garbage/waste when you
leave‣ The old man has his own political views. If you want to talk about politics, please briefly learn about the official website before visiting
. Official website : See here
Address : 15270 SW Holly Hill Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123
Recommended video : Portland Food Tour Airplane House Afghan Restaurant Photography : by Wei Zeng | Micah Lopez

Top attractions in Portland

Viewing point Pittock Mansion 

Pittock Mansion is a century-old house that once belonged to newspaper tycoon Henry Pittock and is now operated by a non-profit organization.
The house was completed in 1914 and adopts the French Renaissance architectural style
. For most tourists, Pittock Mansion is a good place to overlook the city of Portland

. How long to play : 10-30 minutes
How to play :
‣ Enjoy the scenery in front of the old house, no charge. When the weather is clear, you can overlook the dormant volcano Mt. Hood
‣ You can also pay to enter the old house for a visit ( it is said that this place is famous for paranormal phenomena ). The adult ticket is US$15.5 and the opening hours are 10am-4/5pm ( open at noon every Tuesday ). Watch the video here and the official website here.
Address : Parking is US$2/hour, 3229 NW Pittock Drive Portland, OR
Aerial video : Pittock Mansion views Recommended video : VLOG021. Portland








Rowena Crest Viewpoint, Horseshoe Highway

75 miles/120 kilometers from downtown Portland, about 1.5 hours by car
You can see the Horseshoe Highway and Columbia River, which is a popular online viewing spot

. How long to play : 15 minutes
How to play : Viewing, taking photos, and wildflowers nearby in spring
Address : Free parking, 6500 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Mosier, OR

by Tyler Collins

Photography :

You can only take popular photos by climbing over the wall, safety first, do what you can
by Marissa&Eric | Karsten Winegeart


by Cameron Stewart

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, a tulip farm

It is 35 miles/56 kilometers from downtown Portland, and takes about 40 minutes by car.
It is the largest tulip field nearby

. Flowering period : late March to early May, most beautiful in mid-to-late April.
Opening hours : 9am - 6pm on weekdays, 8am - 7pm on weekends
. Tickets : about $15 on weekdays, about $22 on weekends, reservations are required . How
long to play : 1 hour.
How to play :
‣ Portland has a lot of rain in April, and the ground is muddy after the rain, so you need to choose the right shoes‣
You can buy tulips on site, and there are also facilities and projects suitable for children to play ( extra fees are required ).
Official website : See here.
Address : Free parking, 33814 S. Meridian Rd. Woodburn, OR.
Aerial video : Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival 2024 Recommended video : Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm Oregon







Silver Falls State Park, waterfall park

57 miles/92 kilometers from downtown Portland, about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car
You can see 10 waterfalls of different shapes.

Opening hours : 8am - 6/7/8pm depending on the month.
Tickets : free, parking $5, self-service payment
. How long to play : 4 hours
. How to play :
‣ Take the Trail of Ten Falls , starting from South Falls, hiking clockwise, the loop is 7.3 miles/11.9 kilometers, the elevation rise is 363 meters, and the difficulty is medium.
‣ It is recommended to wear waterproof hiking shoes‣
The water volume is the largest in spring, and it is suitable for summer vacation in summer.
Official website : See here .
Address : Silver Falls State Park - South Falls Day Use Area   
Recommended video : Oregon's Best Waterfall Hike Photography works : by Peter Robbins | David Kovalenko | Eric Muhr | Intricate Explorer ◉Other attractions in Oregon If you have enough time for the trip, you can also read " Oregon Travel Guide " ~ End ~ Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a happy time! *⸜( •ᴗ• )⸝*