Even if you’ve never been to Portland, you’ve probably heard a few rumors going around that it’s one of the coolest cities in the country. As the largest city in Oregon, countless people make their way here every single year to check out the rumors for themselves. Of course, when faced with such a large city, it can be hard to know where to start. What should you do? Where should you start? What are the must-sees?

Head to Downtown Portland

Many people know Portland for its independent shops, coffee houses, and craft breweries. All of these places can be found in Downtown Portland, which is considered to be the coolest area of the city itself. If you hang around in the Pioneer Courthouse Square, you may even come across an impromptu concert or entertainment of some sort.

Wander around Washington Park

There’s a high chance that you’ve been to a park before, but have you ever been to Washington Park? This park takes up a whopping 410-acres, and while you can find amazing woodland trails and open spaces for you to enjoy, you can also make your way to some fun attractions here. That’s because Washington Park is home to the zoo and the Japanese Garden.

Explore the Lan Su Chinese Garden

What you might not know about Portland is that it’s twinned with Suzhou in China. While many twinned cities don’t really acknowledge their relationship, that isn’t the case with these two. In fact, Portland is home to the most authentic Chinese garden that can be found outside of China. The Lan Su Chinese Garden is truly beautiful and needs to be seen to be believed.

Check out the food trucks

Exploring Portland is going to make you pretty hungry, so why not grab a bite to eat? Because this place is full of creative and artists who love to push boundaries, there are so many amazing chefs who work from food trucks in this city. These trucks are often called “Pods,” and we have no doubts that you’ll find something delicious.

Take new heights on the aerial tram

One of the best ways to see a new city is to see it from above, which is why the Portland Aerial Tram has proved to be so popular over the years. This tram travels from the South Waterfront up to the Oregon Health and Science University. The four-minute journey will give you an amazing view over the city – if you’re not afraid of heights, that is.

Visit the Pittock Mansion

Although stately homes might not really be up your street, it’s fair to say that the Pittock Mansion is a huge part of Portland life. It was first built in 1914 and has since passed hands to be owned by the city, which is why you can now go and visit the house and the museum itself. It will provide you with a beautiful slice of history.

If you’re traveling to Portland but don’t know where to start, these attractions should definitely be on your to-do list.