Things to do in Portland
Transportation Options
Getting to Portland is easy – with an international airport (PDX) hosting more than 250 daily flights on 17 air carriers. Portland International Airport is home to 17 domestic and international passenger airlines offering nonstop service to 63 domestic destinations and 12 international cities. PDX serves more than 18 million passengers annually. International nonstop destinations from PDX include: Amsterdam; Tokyo; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto; Frankfurt; London; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Guadalajara, San Jose del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. PDX is one of 16 U.S. metro areas with year-round nonstop service to both Europe and Asia. PDX was voted the best U.S. airport in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards reader poll each year from 2013 to 2017. J.D. Power also ranked PDX “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Large Airports” in 2015. PDX’s award-winning concessions program features the best of local, regional and national shops and restaurants. PDX’s 67 shops and restaurants are open 365 days a year.
Airport Transportation options include:
- Portland’s award‐winning MAX light rail runs regularly from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM. The Hotel is 2 blocks from the Skidmore Fountain MAX stop. Cost is $2.50.
- Taxi fare is approx. 30 USD
- Lyft/Uber fare is approx. 20-30 USD
Once here, NMDC attendees will find convenient transportation in and around the city. PDX is a mere nine miles from downtown Portland – 25 minutes by car or 28 minutes by MAX light rail.
Portland’s award‐winning MAX light rail runs regularly from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM. Sleek, European‐style streetcars also connect downtown with popular shopping and dining districts. Cost is $2.50. Plan your trip using Tri Met’s Ride Planner.
Things to Do
The Embassy Suites hotel is two blocks from the nearest MAX light rail stop and one block from Public Transit Mall. It’s near the Willamette River Waterfront Park, Pearl District, Portland Saturday Market, Pioneer Courtyard Square and Pioneer Place Mall. And only 2 blocks from Voodoo Doughnuts (check out the line from your room if you’re on the correct side of the hotel)! Check out their website list of local attractions. And download a list of Portland Attractions (PDF) and a map of Portland Attractions near Hotel (PDF).
When exploring on foot, visitors will find it simple to move about in the compact downtown area with walker friendly blocks.
Portland, also known as the “Rose City,” is a city with an eclectic combination of a scenic waterfront, majestic mountain views, distinctive bridges, endless outdoor activities, fabulous museums, and trendy restaurants along with gallery and shop filled neighborhoods.
Portland is a city with a European feel. Crisscrossed by rivers, mountains and vineyards, Metropolitan Portland offers an urban adventure. Within a few minutes’ drive of downtown Portland are Pinot‐producing wineries (most with year‐round tasting rooms), kayak‐friendly waterways that nudge wildlife preserves and, of course, the glorious foothills of Mount Hood.
Visitors can explore the downtown Portland area, enjoy a tour through Willamette Valley’s world‐class wine country, or experience a day excursion to the scenic towns and beaches on the rugged Oregon coast. Tax‐free shopping at designer boutiques, local markets and the world’s largest independent bookstore, Powell’s Books, are favorites in downtown Portland.
Nationally recognized restaurants in Portland emphasize fresh, local ingredients and innovative cuisine. Diverse neighborhoods are scattered throughout the Portland area offering vibrant coffee shops, brewpubs and plenty of sidewalk dining.
More On-Your-Own Options
Check out the Portland Oregon Visitors Center website for local attractions and things to do on your own.
Also see their Top Attractions page. And Things to do page.
For listing of daily events check out pdxpipeline.com
See this page for ideas on using TriMet, to explore the Portland area without the hassles of traffic, parking and gas. Check out some of the many local destinations you can discover on buses, MAX Light Rail, WES Commuter Rail and Portland Streetcar.
Craft Beer…Long recognized as America’s craft‐brewing mecca, Portland boasts a region perfect for producing excellent beer. Whether a fan of hoppy IPA’s or a nice smooth Porter, beer lovers will delight that the multiple breweries in town will have their favorite on tap.
Oregon Wines…Portland also supports a climate ideal for some of the world’s most exquisite wines. The Willamette Valley, which encompasses Portland, is Oregon’s leading wine region supporting more than 200 wineries. The region has been recognized as one of the premier Pinot Noir producing areas in the world.
Parks and Gardens…Portland’s acclaimed parks and gardens include the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Classical Chinese Garden, Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Forest Park.
Museums…Family‐friendly favorites include the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), Oregon Zoo and the Children’s Museum. Also check out the Portland Art Museum. An hour’s drive south will bring you to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, home of the Spruce Goose or to the Oregon Garden in Silverton.
Sightseeing…Nearby activities for the more adventurous include year‐round skiing on Mount Hood, awe-inspiring vistas and hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, iconic Multnomah Falls, historic Astoria, Oregon’s oldest Euro-American settlement (and site of The Goonies movie), nearby Fort Clatsop where the Lewis & Clark expedition wintered, the southern Washington Coast and Ocean Shores beaches, lighthouses and beaches along the Oregon Coast, and capturing the breathtaking views or visiting steaming Mount St. Helens.