... and Why Not Portland? Because Who Doesn’t Love a City of Weirdness?
- The Frequent-Fatigue Flyer
- Jan 25, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2024
When planning a trip to the U.S., you never hear someone say, "Oh, I simply must visit Portland!" It's like the forgotten cousin at the family reunion; you know it exists, but you're not exactly sure where it fits in. Portland doesn't flaunt its attractions like other cities; there are no world-famous museums or iconic landmarks that scream, "Hey, look at me!" But Portland is like that unexpectedly charming friend who shows up and ends up being the life of the party. So, keep reading ...
🤷♂️ Was This on Purpose? Probably! The real reason I ended up in Portland? Well, I was on my way to Seattle and thought, "Hey, why not stop by?" Plus, I had some friends living there, so it was the perfect excuse to hit pause on the road trip, stretch my legs, and catch up over a cup of coffee. So I spent a few days there and got completely enchanted by the unique vibe of the city, and now I’m all in on recommending that you dive into the Portland experience. If you're looking for a destination that offer a perfect blend of urban excitement and natural beauty, look no further! Trust me, once you experience the wonderfully weird charm of this city, you'll want to share the magic with others.
First off, where the heck is Portland anyway? Portland is the main squeeze of Oregon, nestled up in the northwest corner of the U.S., just a couple of hours' drive south of Seattle. Now, Portland might not have its toes in the ocean (the Pacific is a solid 90 miles West), but it's got the Willamette River flowing right through its heart and that is a bonus.
As soon as you roll into Portland, you're bound to cross a bridge and that's what had me hooked from the get-go: all these metal monsters spanning the river. With all that steel, you can tell Portland is an industrial powerhouse... with a side of quirkiness!
Impressed by all these bridges, I absolutely had to see them up close. And since Portland isn't exactly sprawling and enormous, the best way to get around town is by bike. Renting a bike is a breeze; Portland, being Nike's hometown, has these neon orange bikes scattered around town like sprinkles on a cupcake ("Just Do It!"). So, I saddle up and... off I pedal, ready to conquer the city's bridges and neighborhoods like a two-wheeled superhero!
There are a dozen bridges in Portland, each with its own personality, some are photogenic, others... well, let's just say they have a face only a mother could love.
For instance, meet the Marquam Bridge (pictured below), the bridge that looks like it's perpetually stuck in Monday morning traffic. It's functional, sure, but let's just say it won't be gracing any postcards soon. Locals have a love-hate relationship with it; they love to hate it, and it's the kind of bridge that makes you want to appreciate the view of the city skyline behind it, just to distract yourself.
Ah, behold the Broadway Bridge (pictured below), Portland's very own contortionist of the bridge world, built back in 1913. It's like the bridge had a mid-life crisis and decided, "You know what? I'm tired of being strait-laced; let's spice things up a bit!" So, it splits right down the middle, showing off its impressive flexibility in front of its more rigid bridge buddies.
Now, originally, it sported a sleek black look, but in the swinging 60s, it decided to embrace its inner diva and got a makeover in a shade best described as "Golden Gate Orange." Because when life gives you a bridge, why not make it pop like a West coast sunset?
Now: the Steel Bridge (pictured below), a masterpiece of industrial design that screams, "I may not be pretty, but I've got character!" Built in 1910, it's like the grandpa of bridges - rusty, creaky, but still standing strong. But wait, there's more! This bridge doesn't just sit there looking grungy; oh no, it's got moves! The middle section slides up vertically between the pillars like a teenager trying to escape curfew. It's like the bridge is saying, "I'm not just a static structure, I'm a rock star!" Who knew bridges could have such attitude?
Behold, the final frontier of bridges, the Hawthorne Bridge (pictured below). It's not exactly a looker, but hey, beauty is subjective, right? This bridge may not win any beauty pageants, but it's got character!
Portland naturally has its downtown area, but unlike other American cities, the skyscrapers here don't quite reach for the stars. Add to that the surrounding forests, the plethora of green parks scattered throughout the city, the majestic view of the mountains (including Mount Hood, casually chilling in the background of the photo below), and the river gracefully cutting through the center.
It's like Mother Nature decided to throw a little party in the midst of industrial vibes, giving the city a quirky charm you just can't resist.
Portland is like that friend who shows up to a fancy dinner party wearing a tuxedo t-shirt, part classy, part quirky, and wholly unforgettable. On one hand, you've got the industrial vibes with buildings that look like they've been wrestling steel beams for fun, and on the other, you've got cozy neighborhoods with Victorian houses that seem straight out of a storybook. But the pièce de résistance? Voodoo Doughnut. This place is the stuff of legends, where you can bite into a maple bacon doughnut while pondering the meaning of life and marveling at the pink box it came in. It's all part of Portland's motto: "Keep Portland Weird." Because why blend in when you were born to stand out?
Above is Portland's Union Station and the downtown skyline peeking just behind. Picture-perfect, isn't it? This shot was taken from the Broadway Bridge, the one that tries so hard to be like the Golden Gate but ends up with an identity crisis.
Below, behold one of the city's iconic landmarks: the headquarters of one of the country's biggest flour producers, Albert Bros Milling Co. Nestled right next to that same Broadway Bridge, it's like the bridge is photobombing every shot!
Some downtown areas are going through a total makeover, and I bet Portland leaves most visitors scratching their heads, pondering, "What's in the air here?" It's like a mixtape of metal, chill vibes, and a dollop of quirkiness.
Another cool aspect of the city is all those food trucks you find in certain neighborhoods. Ideal for a lunch break with a plethora of choices from the trucks. There's nothing cooler than biking into a revamped square surrounded by food trucks to grab a sandwich, a selection of tacos, or some ice cream. There are about 500 food trucks in Portland (and locals are proud of their food trucks!) offering an impressive array of food options (from all around the world!). Definitely a must-try if you're passing through Portland.
To top off the tour, here's a quirky pit stop: behold the iconic "Portland" neon sign, complete with a luminous deer, lighting up the night sky since way back in 1940. Now, it might not scream "Vegas-style glitz," but there's something oddly mesmerizing about it.
Who knows? Just another dose of that Portland magic, I guess!
I regret not having had the time to explore the outskirts of Portland. The city is surrounded by lush greenery, offering plenty of excursions, including the chance to see numerous waterfalls. Next time, for sure!
The Quick Recap (Too Long To Read Edition)
🌟 What Was The Highlight Of My Trip? Let’s start with biking around the city in the sweltering summer heat, because who doesn’t love the feeling of their body turning into a human puddle? Pedaling through Portland was an experience! Despite the heatwave, I have to admit, the city's charm was worth every bead of sweat. And then there are the bridges. Oh, the bridges! They’re like the unsung heroes of Portland, quietly holding the city together and stealing the spotlight without even trying. Each one is a quirky work of art, and I couldn’t get enough of them.
📅 How Many Days? Two jam-packed days were just enough to make me feel like a local, or at least to fake it with impressive confidence. I managed to blend in with the city’s vibe, from casually dropping “I’m just headed to the Pearl District” into conversation to pretending I knew exactly which coffee shop had the best cold brew. I crammed in all the essentials: exploring quirky neighborhoods, snapping photos of iconic bridges, and sampling Portland’s legendary food trucks.
⚡ Energy Level For This Adventure? A weekend in Portland was packed with activities, including a bike ride that had me feeling like I was training for the Tour de France. Despite my usual state of perpetual tiredness, it was surprisingly manageable. Sure, by the end of each day, my legs were ready to stage a protest and my energy levels were operating on low power mode, but it was all part of the fun. For a weekend of non-stop action, it was actually quite doable, even for someone who’s always on the verge of needing a nap.