Portland in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Portland is a city that can be perfectly covered in 3 days, especially if you know how to organize your itinerary. In any case, I would start with the Old Town, which surprisingly is the very same Chinatown. Here you can't miss the Lan Su Chinese Garden and its incomparable natural beauty.

The idea is to take advantage of the best things to do in Portland, so you should also stop by the East Side and the waterfront. On the following days, be sure to include stops at the Pittock Mansion, the International Rose Test Garden and Nob Hill. Still not sure how to organize yourself? Here's a guide to make the most of your 3 days in Oregon's largest city!

Portland's Chinatown is also its oldest district, so it makes sense to start where it all began. Afterwards, head to the East Side, another popular area that's best explored on foot. At the end of the afternoon, be sure to give the waterfront a space or a romantic boat experience.

Cadillac Café

Start your day at Callidac Café to fill up on energy. From 10 euros you can have a nutritious American-style breakfast. Note that this place is a special stop, as it is a historic restaurant that opened in 1989 and serves huevos rancheros, Monte Cristo sandwich, omelette and traditional pancakes.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

It's time to start with the historic district surrounding the Willamette River. While the world's largest Chinatown is in Toronto, I have to tell you that Portland's is no slouch. This area preserves Asian traditions and, during the tour, you can see cultural manifestations that will transport you to China. Especially in places like the Lan Su Chinese Garden, which you can reach through Portland TriMet, on the 8 and 77 bus line or the red and blue streetcar route.

Spend at least two hours meandering through its spaces, where real pagodas, pavilions and Chinese cherry trees are preserved. Inside you will live an enriching experience in a natural environment that preserves more than 400 species. In fact, it is believed that 90% of the garden is home to plant species native to China.

Before you leave, be sure to enter with a respectful attitude into the Heavenly Hall Impregnated with Fragrance and used by expert scholars. I also encourage you to join the tea ritual to feel like an Asian.

East Side

The next stop is East Side, where in the mid-afternoon it is a good place to go to take advantage of the vibrant atmosphere. From the garden you can take a cab to get there in eight minutes, or save a few euros on the bus that connects in less than twenty minutes. You can start by touring the neighborhood at your own pace to see the highlights which include a contrast of industrial, old and contemporary buildings.

Here the main attraction is the microbreweries, where you can do a tasting of craft spirits. Portland' s best tours offer guided experiences to get to know the neighborhood and sample different types of beers.

Portland Boardwalk

To watch the sunset in one of the best locations in the city just take a cab that will take you in fifteen minutes to the boardwalk. Here you can choose what to do depending on your mood, but if you like thrills you have to end the day on the waterfront, where by the way is the Oaks amusement park with trains through the facilities, roller coasters and a host of activities ideal for children.

Another reason why the waterfront is so popular is for the boat rides, ideal for dining under the stars, and for the Segway tours that border the river and offer a refreshing experience.

By the second day you'll likely have a clearer sense of the city, so you'll be ready to take it up a notch and stop by Downtown. Here you can see a rose sanctuary, see the iconic Washington Park, dip your toes in Poet's Beach, and join learning tours of the Art Museum and Pittock Mansion.

Poet's Beach

A good option is to rent a bike or join a guided tour to visit Poet's Beach. It is known for its crystal clear waters and is easily accessible by bus, streetcar or bike lanes. In the morning it is clear and an excellent proposition to watch the sunrise.

The water is warm most of the year, especially in summer. Here you can spend the morning splashing and sunbathing. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most interesting visits to do in Portland for its authenticity and tranquility.

Washington Park

The next destination is a ten-minute cab ride away, although if you don't mind taking public transportation, you have the option of the streetcar. This will take you to one of Portland's most popular outdoor spaces, which you'll probably hear about as soon as you set foot in the city. This is Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo's neighbor, noted for its quiet areas available for watching outdoor movies and playing escape games.

In addition, this is home to the Jewish Holocaust Memorial, which will leave you pondering for a while. Considering the zoo is right next door, if you plan to visit Portland with kids you can go inside to see plenty of animals, participate in educational workshops, ride the train in their facility and much more.

International Rose Test Garden

To continue your itinerary you have a proposal right next to Washington Park. However, as it is so large and has an extension of more than 1,600 meters, you will have to take a cab or bus. If you are near the exit that connects both points, you only have to walk a short distance. Then you can get to appreciate the International Rose Test Garden, a place with a large collection of rose bushes.

Specifically, it has more than 7,000 rose bushes of about 550 species. In addition, you can see miniature sizes and stroll through the Shakespeare Garden, where all the flowers are named after his works.

Portland Museum of Art

Seven minutes away by cab you have the Portland Art Museum, ideal to delight yourself with the artistic proposals of the city. This place has an extensive collection with more than 42,000 pieces that can be seen in permanent exhibitions. It is best to take a tour with an expert guide, but in general it is easy to get to know the museum.

It is divided into areas according to the origin of the works, so you will find rooms of European, American and Asian art. They are also arranged according to periods of history or chronology, making it easier to understand. Would you like to know it? You can find tickets from 24 euros.

Pittock Mansion

Another seven-minute cab ride will change the mood, taking you to discover the legacy of a legendary American family. You may have heard of the Pittock Mansion, a family home that now serves as a museum and houses personal items, period newspapers and even an antique piano.

It was built around 1909 and belonged to Henry Pittock, the pioneering publisher of one of Portland's most important newspapers. For decades it was lived in by his family members, who tried to continue the legacy. However, it was sold to the government, which fortunately took charge of converting it into a cultural space for the general public. You can find tickets from 15 euros

Its interior is wonderful, but it also has a very popular spot that offers panoramic views of the entire city. In addition, the beauty of its gardens rivals other green spaces in Portland, as they have been cared for to honor their predecessors.

Portland is a very privileged metropolis, as it is connected to destinations full of nature. The best thing is that you don't have to travel long distances to get to know them, and you can organize everything on your own or hire a guided experience from the city.

There are many getaways that you can take advantage of, but for the brevity of your itinerary on this last day I suggest you opt for nearby routes such as the Columbia Falls or Mount Hood. On your way back to the city you can have fun at Nob Hill and/or the Willamette River Canal.

Columbia Gorge Waterfalls

There are many reasons to visit the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls, starting with its proximity to Portland. The route can be completed in about an hour and a half, depending on the type of transportation you use. As the farthest destination for this day, I recommend that it tops your plans. Of course, you'll have to get up early to perform every second, but I promise you it's worth it.

Here you'll see the Columbia River George Gorge and be surrounded by over 90 waterfalls that sprawl through the area. The soothing sound is unparalleled and ideal to accompany your breakfast or sunrise. Another option is to take a light aircraft flight from the city to fly over the falls and save time. This way, you will see the Multnomah and Latourell waterfalls, the beacon rock that surrounds the coast and a sand river that creates a peculiar desert in the middle of the jungle.

Mount Hood

The next destination is the peak of Mount Hood, located about an hour's drive away. It is difficult to get transportation between the two areas, so I suggest combining both activities into one organized tour from Portland so you don't have to worry about any details. This place is a dream year-round, although its winter beauty is unparalleled.

Regardless of the season you choose, it's a wonderful retreat with outdoor activities such as skiing, local wine tasting, trails to the historic Refuge in the Woods, hiking or mountain biking, camping under the stars, boating or fishing as a family.

Nob Hill

It's time to head back to the city, and if you still have a little time left, you can explore the charm of the Nob Hill neighborhood. This area is characterized by restaurants with the tastiest flavors in Portland, as well as vintage stores, craft spaces and quirky vibes emanating from the Peculiarium and Museum. This is a museum with bizarre exhibits and scary products. While it's fun for adults, I wouldn't take the kids.

Admission starts at 6 euros and gives you an interactive experience with an option to buy some unique souvenirs.

Willamette River

It's a shame to say goodbye to Portland, but to end the tour in style I suggest you take a cruise on the Willamette River which usually starts at sunset. It offers over two hours of delight with a delicious dinner included that is accompanied by live music and piano, as well as interesting stories of the city.

The ride takes you past the sights and curiosities that envelop Oregon's largest city, so keep an eye out for the Hawthorne Bridge and other architectural gems with modern and antique designs that are sure to captivate you.

• Breaks: surely, when you see the attractive images of Portland on the Internet, a lot of things to do come to your mind. However, the healthiest thing to do is to create an itinerary with breaks to enjoy the trip to the fullest and not end up overwhelmed.
• Route: as you can see, I have suggested one area per day, as this is the best way to get to know Portland and its best activities.
• Transportation: in the city it is easy to move between destinations by public transportation, but it is clearly faster to take a cab (although also more expensive).
• Food: make stops to eat and fall in love with the local cuisine, which fuses Mediterranean, Mexican and Asian elements with typical American fare.
• Time: consider that there may be unexpected delays or changes in the itinerary, so be flexible and have alternative plans so you don't get stuck in the hotel or at a standstill.
• Weather: to take advantage of the outdoor activities and outstanding tours of the city, the best time is from June to August, although it is also the busiest time of the year.