Portland has grown exponentially in the last decade. While Portland may have the personality of a small city, budget for big city prices on food and drinks and try to avoid traveling on the freeway during rush hour. You don’t necessarily need to rent a car in Portland, though it can be convenient for travelers wanting to explore the diverse array of neighborhoods.

There’s a reason Portland is so green! If you are visiting outside the summer months of late June-early September, chances are rain might be in the forecast. But don’t let that turn you off from visiting during the (long) shoulder season. If you want to blend in with the locals, bring a good rain jacket and leave the umbrella at home.

If you’re looking for easy access to the outdoors, Portland’s Forest Park is the largest major city park in the country with 5,200 acres of hiking, biking, and birdwatching trails. Since there are no zoos, observatories, or other man-made attractions, Forest Park feels completely immersive in nature, with trails that accommodate everyone from avid trail runners to folks traveling with strollers or wheelchairs.

With such a vibrant and everchanging restaurant scene, there is no singular BEST place to eat in Portland, so this is the city to branch out for unique dining concepts. Grab Egyptian coffee in a double-decker bus at ToV Coffee or indulge in a specialized mezcal flight at Bar Comala. And of course, don’t forget the numerous food carts with cuisines ranging from Haitian comforts at Tap Tap Cuisine to Filipino fast casual at Makulít. Approach your dinner table with an open mind and an even more open stomach, and you will be tastily rewarded.

Portland is fueled by its small businesses, so take advantage of Oregon’s zero sales tax and do some shopping while you’re in town. Check out the popular shopping areas like 23rd street in the Nob Hill neighborhood, the Pearl District, and Hawthorne and Division Street in the southeast area of Portland.