Portland is a medium sized metro area which makes for a great family trip or a cozy getaway for couples. Oregon gets its fair share of wet weather, but the months of April through October tend to be dryer than wet giving the city it's beautiful backdrop of Mt. Hood and the lush greenery in the Willamette Valley. Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the city of Portland, OR. If you fly into the Portland International Airport (PDX), you can take the MAX light rail system right into downtown and near almost any hotel you decide to stay with. Portland is a walkable city in that you don't need a rental car to do most of the activities available - you can always grab a cab if 8 blocks is too much of a walk. The riverfront area has bridges, walking paths, and lots of events during the warmer summer months. Which hotels are best in Portland? Should you stay near Pioneer Courthouse Square? We answer all those questions down below.
If you want a waterfront hotel in Portland, consider the Marriott on SW Naito Parkway or the RiverPlace Hotel which is at 1510 SW Harbor Way and just steps from the Willamette River that flows through downtown Portland. The views from both hotels are amazing of both the waterfront and Mt. Hood on clear days. When you go further into the heart of downtown, you get to hotels like The Paramount Hotel on SW Taylor Street or the Westin Portland located at 750 SW Alder St. The Benson Hotel is a classic accommodation just a little further down at 309 SW Broadway. The hospitality at the Embassy Suites Portland on SW Pine St is 2nd to none and many families we know come to Portland and stay here. The Mark Spencer Hotel is another quaint lodging spot on SW 11th Ave and Stark. If you cross the river and head east on Burnside, you come across the modern Jupiter Hotel. Rates are very reasonable and you can usually get a queen room for a little over a $100. In terms of best location for a Portland Hotel, it's hard to argue with that of the Paramount Hotel at 808 S.W. Taylor Street. It's just a block or two from the Portland Art Museum, Pioneer Square, Farmer's Market, Max lines, and fine dining. The Governor Hotel has been in existence for almost 100 years and is one of Portlands finest. All these hotels are close to the Pearl District, NW 23 Avenue where shopping and restaurants abound, and the Rose Garden Arena if you are up for a concert or a Blazers game. The Governor Hotel gets a 4 Diamond award from AAA making it a luxury accommodation. There is a map of downtown Portland below with a general layout of the different zones near the heart of the city. You can stay further out in cities like Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, and Wilsonville, but we suggest staying as close as possible to the waterfront and downtown regions.
Portland Vacation Tips, Recommendations, and Advice: Suggestions for a better Trip!:
Portland offers up some of the best family friendly accommodations of all west coast cities. You can stay in the downtown and feel safe while you walk around the city streets and stay busy at museums, along the waterfront, and eating the local cuisine. We suggest venturing out to the Farmer's Market for a few hours on the weekend and definitely don't miss out on the zoo if you have kids. If you are going to rent a car, try driving up to Mt Hood if the weather is good. The lunch at Timberline Lodge is excellent and family members of all ages will love it on the mountain. For trips further afield, consider the Oregon Coast and Seaside or Cannon Beach for the day where the beaches are beautiful. Willamette Valley is a big producer of Pinor Noir and other fine wines, so if you are a wine lover get out to some local vineyards and do some tasting. Be prepared for all types of weather which means bring jackets, hats, and even an umbrella.
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