Portland

Answer 1

Vacationers these days are looking for something different - a deviation away from the stereotypical overcrowded beaches and overpriced frozen coconut drinks. Nowadays, people seek a unique experience for their vacation and what better place to relax than Portland, Oregon?

Rapidly becoming one of the country's hippest cities, Portland offers a variety of exciting and unique attractions to please even the pickiest of people. Located pristinely close to the Pacific Ocean on the Northwestern coast of the U.S., Portland offers a gorgeous view of the Willamette River, which runs through the city, as well as Mount St. Helens, Mount Tabor and Mount Hood that envelop its border. The amiable climate and friendly faces of the area are just a few of the many appeals that draw people to Portland year after year.

The city's cuisine, for instance, is quickly becoming a contestable force of ingenuity fused with exquisite flavors. Restaurants such as Higgin's Restaurant and Bar offer a variety of delicious plates including Olive-oil poached Alaskan halibut and Totten Inlet mussels steamed in white wine with onions and crispy chorizo polenta. I think it goes without saying that they offer some of the freshest fish you may ever find as they are located so closely to their supply. Additionally, places like Paley's Place Bistro and Bar and The Heathman Restaurant offer up their own renditions of classic seafood dishes and a few with a twist. Make sure and check out the local culinary masterpieces for a meal you'll be sure to enjoy.

After you dine you may want to walk off a few of those extra pounds and the city allows you to do just that on any one of its many historical and cultural tours. From a walking tour through Portland's Chinese district on the Chinese American Heritage Tour to a stroll through the public and private floral gardens around the city in the Japanese American Heritage Tour, the city offers a diverse range of excursions to enlighten and entertain.

For the avid sports fan, Portland once again doesn't disappoint. Not only does the city facilitate a professional NBA team (the Trail Blazers) but they also have an indoor Lacrosse team (the LumberJax), a hockey team (the Winter Hawks), a triple-A Baseball team (the Beavers), an A-league soccer team (the Timbers) as well as the Portland International Raceway for racing fans. Sports enthusiasts of every genre will be more than happy to visit the city with so much to offer.

Of course when you're there you can't pass up the Portland Art Museum, one of the nation's top 25 largest galleries. And then there's the Oregon Museum of Science and History that you simply can't miss. The list goes on and on.

So keep Portland in mind the next time you and your loved ones are planning your next getaway. You'll be glad you gave the 'The City of Roses' a chance.

Answer 2

Nestled between Maine's beautiful forest-covered mountains and its spectacular rugged coast is the vibrant and historic city of Portland. Portland offers beautiful vistas, unspoiled landscapes, succulent lobster, majestic lighthouses, outdoor adventures, excellent shopping, and much more. In Portland, you will experience a bit of "everything Maine,' from the picturesque mountains to lakes, inland to coast, city to country, nature to nightlife.

Whether you are interested in a self-guided walking tour, a tour on land, or a tour on the water, you will find everything you need in Portland. Trolley busses, schooners, pedi cabs, water taxis and duck tours are all available in Portland. You can take the mail boat on the Casco Bay Lines to see all the island communities of Portland.

Day and night, the waterfront in Portland is alive with activity and people: sightseeing cruises and pleasure boats; fishermen and ferries; restaurants and shops. Portland is a four-season recreational wonderland.

Art can be experienced in an exciting way in Portland's art district. The Portland Museum of Art showcases a permanent collection of paintings by Picasso, Monet, Winslow Homer, Degas, Renoir and other masters. The Merrill Auditorium, The Maine Historical Society and adjacent Longfellow House; The Portland Symphony Orchestra; the Portland Stage Company and the award winning Children's Museum of Maine are all within a ten minute walk. Portland supports a lively community of visual and performing artists and a changing array of exhibits, concerts and festivals and has come to be known popularly as an antique shopper's dream.

Shopping in Portland is second to none. If you are looking for vintage clothing, book stores, antique stores or unique household goods, Portland is the place to come shopping. Shopping in the arts district includes locally-owned shops and the LL Bean Factory Outlet, insuring that you will experience the best that customer service can provide. The '2 Note Botanical Perfumery' offers hand crafted botanical perfumes and natural and organic products. You can also find an extensive collection of handcrafted jewelry in gold, platinum and silver available in many of the jewelry stores in Portland.

Food and drink is an experience not to be missed in Portland. You will never go hungry or thirsty, from the delicious homemade ice cream to local or ethnic fare; you will always find something to tempt your taste buds on every corner. There are coffee houses featuring local artists, nightclubs and bars that showcase local music. You can also relax on outdoor decks during the summer season. Casual fine dining restaurant are available for lunch and dinner at places like the Wharf Restaurant & Ultra Lounge. Wharf also features classy live entertainment by night.

Accommodation is never a problem. Portland has an assorted mix of hotels, many with water views and all within walking distance of the arts district and the old port. If you prefer full service hotels, you can chose from a wide range of rehabilitated historic buildings to contemporary design.