If you’re planning a future trip and are looking for a fun and exciting city that still has a hint of a small-town charm, consider visiting the beautiful Pacific Northwest city of Portland, Oregon. Located in the northwest portion of the state, this city is located along the banks of the Willamette River and at the foot of some beautiful mountains. Portland has everything you could want from a city but is so close to incredible nature and outdoor attractions. 

Here are some can’t-miss Portland, Oregon things to do and see:

Stay at The Heathman Hotel

The Heathman Hotel is a unique hotel due to its dedication to literature! The hotel’s lobby is connected to a stunning library with high ceilings and a sliding ladder. The books that line the shelves are all first editions – some are actually signed by the authors. Many authors have stayed at this beautiful hotel, and they all have left at least one work behind. 

Eat at Waffle Window

Waffle Window is an incredible and unique quick bite to eat. There are multiple locations throughout the city, and each offers a selection of sweet or savory liege waffles. If you’ve never had liege waffles, they are a type of waffle that is made with pearl sugar in the batter so you get small bursts of sweetness throughout the neutral batter. One of the best waffles is the Three B’s, which features a liege waffle topped with bacon, brie, and basil. 

Grab a Drink at the McMenamins Kennedy School

This Northeast Portland restaurant and bar is notable for the incredible food and drinks you can enjoy while inside a historic building. As the name suggests, the Kennedy School is located in what used to be the John D. Kennedy Elementary School. The structure was originally built in 1915 and today is not only a restaurant and bar, but also a hotel, soaking pool, and movie theater.

Stop and Smell the Roses at the International Rose Test Garden

The International Rose Test Garden is, on one level, exactly what you’d think it would be: a rose garden. On the other hand, it’s far more than you could probably imagine. This historic rose garden features over 650 varieties of roses across 10,000 bushes! It was started after World War II when roses were sent to Portland from Europe to create a haven for the world’s best rose species as many feared that the bombings and destructions from the war would destroy some rare types of the flower. Today many new species of roses are grown here. 

Explore Portland’s Urban Legend at the Witches Castle in Forest Park

Portland is home to one of the largest urban parks in the United States: Forest Park. This beautiful park is over 5,200 acres and has 80 miles of hiking trails. One of the most well-known features of the park is Witches Castle. The interesting ruins are in actuality what’s left of a Forest Service building, but according to local legend, it played an important part in a love story and eventual historic murder. In the 1800s, a man named Danford Balch moved into the area with his family. He hired a man named Mortimer Stump to help around the house, but Mortimer fell in love with Balch’s eldest daughter Anna, who was falling in love with him as well. The pair eloped, and instead of blessing the union, Danford Balch shot Mortimer Stump. He tried to blame his wife for bewitching him into committing the crime, but that excuse didn’t fly. The Balch house is not the one that is known as the Witches Castle, but it’s still a famous local spot that you can see after a short hike.

If you’ve been to Portland, let us know what your favorite things in the city are down in the comments below!

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