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    • About Portland, OR

    A spectacular place for outdoor and cultural activities

    Portland is located approximately 70 miles from the Pacific ocean, about 80 miles from Mt. Hood (which offers nearly year-round skiing), just minutes from the Columbia River gorge (a site not to be missed) and less than an hour away from wine country where some of the world’s finest pinot noirs are produced.

    Portland’s downtown offers an historic Old Town area, China Town (with a classical Chinese garden), galleries and museums, Saturday Market, award-winning restaurants, a vibrant live music scene and numerous theater productions.

    Portland also boasts many local parks in or near downtown. Washington Park is home to the Japanese Gardens and the famed rose gardens associated with Portland’s moniker as the “City of Roses.” Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. with over 5,000 acres of hills, forests and meadows filled with hiking and mountain biking trails. In fact, it was recently included in the book, “1000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die.”

    Getting Around

    Portland’s award-winning mass transit system is, called TriMet, is one of the most extensive and advanced in the U.S. The transit system includes buses, streetcars, historic trolleys and the MAX – an urban light rail line. You can access any of these from Portland’s downtown transit mall and you can ride for free within Fareless Square.

    The closest MAX station to Pacific NW Pilates’ studio is the Washington Park MAX station at the Oregon Zoo. It departs from many locations in the city center going westbound to the Zoo or eastbound from Beaverton.

    Named the number one most bike-friendly city in the nation by “Bicycling Magazine,” there are plenty of places to ride in and around Portland – including the downtown waterfront on both sides of the Willamette River. See the links below to find out where to rent bikes.

    Nightlife

    There is always something to do in downtown Portland and it’s generally a safe city for hanging out after hours. Performing arts offerings include ballet, Shakespeare, Broadway musicals, modern dance, the Oregon Symphony, jazz clubs and plenty of opportunities to soak up the Pacific Northwest’s famed indie rock scene.

    First Thursday in downtown’s Pearl District (and beyond) is when the galleries stay open late. It’s a great opportunity to see the work of many local and international artists. The sidewalks are often jammed with pedestrians on warm nights, so it’s also a great place for people watching! The Last Thursday art walk on Portland’s up-and-coming Alberta Street is a similar event with a more bohemian vibe.

    Oregon Zoo concerts are a summer treat, with local and national acts occupying the big stage near the elephants. Washington Park also hosts a series of free summer concerts.

    Food and Drink

    Portland has the second highest number of restaurants per capita in the U.S. Its vibrant culinary scene is dominated by independent, yet nationally renowned restaurants and chefs, with many offering locally grown and/or organic ingredients on their menus. Of course, Portland is also the unofficial microbrew capital of the world and you’ll find an espresso bar on every corner in town.

    Prices in Portland are lower than many large metropolitan areas, and some of the best places are concentrated in downtown, the Pearl District, and “trendy” Northwest Portland – all of which are easy to reach on foot from the downtown area.

    Shopping

    Downtown is a shopping mecca, with large retailers such as Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, Sak’s and a beautiful urban mall called Pioneer Place. The Pearl District includes smaller stores by national retailers (Adidas, Lucy, Anthropologie, etc.) and unique local retailers. Northwest Portland is dominated by independent specialty boutiques.

    Portland is home to one of the world’s largest independent bookstores: Powell’s City of Books. Occupying an entire city block downtown, it is a haven for literati, students, slackers, business professionals, the perennially curious, and tourists.

    No sales tax!

    That’s right. There is no sales tax in Oregon. That means no tax on shopping or restaurants. The price you see is what you pay. However, there is a lodging tax of approximately 10 percent on hotel/motel rooms.

    Places to Stay

    Lodging in or near downtown Portland will offer you the most convenience to Pacific NW Pilates and the best options for enjoying your stay here. We’ve compiled a short list of lodging options and you can find many more via online travel sites.