History, Parks And Neighborhoods Of Portland

History, Parks And Neighborhoods Of Portland Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Learn the secrets of this city from a local!

You would think that after several visits, I would know all the secrets here, but it took this friendly tour to show me all I missed in the past!

With a lively local guide, enjoy a glimpse into the magic of Portland, named one of the best cities to travel to in 2017! That is a big claim considering the competition, so this city--also called the City of Roses, Stumptown, Bridgetown, Rip City, Little Beirut, Beervana, and Beertown, all dependent on your personal tastes and interests--must have something special that may take an expert to reveal to you.

Portland is the most populated city in Oregon and the third largest in the Pacific Northwest. The city has neighborhoods, as do most, and they are divided by location and attractions. There is the Cultural District downtown, as well as the warehouses in the very trendy Pearl District. Portland is well-known for its microbreweries, its gathering of food trucks, great coffee, strong land-planning, super public transportation, and a very progressive government.

Get to know each other over coffee while taking in the views of the city and the volcanic peaks from the location of the Pittock Mansion. This estate was home to two vey influential Portland pioneers, Henry and Georgina Pittock, who lived here from 1914 to 1919. The home now anchors a park and is a treasured landmark. From here you will become immersed in the four main quadrants of the city--Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest. Those designations make it pretty easy to figure out where you are. Each district has unique attractions and characteristics as they are full of galleries, cafes, boutiques, and performance spaces. While enjoying your introduction, your guide will tell you about the 10 famous bridges that connect the quadrants, and you will most likely travel over some of them. Besides these four districts, there is also the Pearl District, Nob Hill, and Hawthorne. Any local you speak to will tell you that the area they reside in is the best of all!

This is an urban city that caters to nature and the ability to enjoy it. Parks and open spaces are its legacy and John Charles Olmsted can be thanked for his foresight in planning over 8,100 acres of ecologically-valuable natural areas that were purchased and permanently protected with his plan. At least two of those parks will be on your itinerary. There are so many that on any one day, the parks may be Washington Park, Mt. Tabor Park, McCall Waterfront Park, and, depending on the season of your visit, the International Rose Test Garden. As Portland has been called the most environmentally friendly "green" city in the US, your guide will explain the urban ecosystems and the natural history that brought Portland to this point.

You can end the tour where you started or you can choose to leave the tour at Powell's Books, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world! The choice is yours.

- Food and beverages mentioned in the tour description are included. Gratuities are not included in the price of this tour.
- Please dress comfortably. There is some easy walking during this excursion.
- If you are staying at a hotel you will be picked up from your hotel by your guide. If you are arriving by cruise ship, then you can either walk half a mile to the meeting point, or take a taxi, which will cost $5-$10 USD.

- You must be 10 years old to participate in this tour.
- There is a maximum of 10 people per tour. If you have a larger group, please contact ShoreTrips.

Days offered: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Departures:

• 08:00 AM, duration: 4 hours Please confirm your pickup time the day before as there may be several pickups on any one day.