Portland, Oregon, is dubbed “The City of Roses” for its colorful flower gardens, but the city’s commitment to responsible urban development and sustainable living is just as notable. Portland offers a walkable downtown, organic restaurants, green accommodations, good public transportation and acres of urban gardens, including the Lan Su Chinese Garden, which supplanted a parking lot.
Eating
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Organic beer and pizza with local ingredients in a green-built pub.
2944 SE Powell Blvd.
Laughing Planet Café
Simple, fast, homemade food at six locations. (The organic bean burrito fits in your bike’s water-bottle holder!)
Meriwether’s
Harvests of the day are from this restaurant’s organic farm.
2601 NW Vaughn
Paley’s Place
French-influenced bistro in a Nob Hill Victorian offers local, organic cuisine.
1204 NW 21st Ave.
Getting Around
Bicycle
Portland has 270 miles of bike lanes and two community bike rides, including the “Worst Day of the Year” ride in February.
Max Light Rail and Streetcar
This extensive system whisks you around the city and to the airport. There’s no charge in downtown’s Free Zone.
Portland Walking Tours
Request the “Cutting Edge Green” tour.
Zipcar
Members can rent a car by the hour or day. Hybrids available.
Sleeping
The Nines
This sophisticated luxury hotel, in a sustainably renovated historic building on Pioneer Square, features the work of local artists.
525 SW Morrison
Couryard Marriott–Portland City Center
Built to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold standard, this comfy business- and family-friendly hotel is in the heart of Portland’s downtown business district.
550 SW Oak Street
