Hotel at a Glance: Shilo Inn Hotel & Suites Beaverton

It sits just outside of Portland, but this cozy inn gives you plenty of reasons to stick around rather than venture into the big city. The beautifully landscaped property showcases local flora, which shades the inn’s spacious courtyard and gazebo.

• Guest rooms feature views of the wooded property; some options have patios.
• Start each day with a complimentary continental breakfast.
• Portland-area attractions, including the Portland Japanese Gardens (5.6 mi) and the Portland Children’s Museum (3.5 mi) are within driving distance.

Portland, Oregon: Quirky Riverfront City Known for Its City Parks

Extensive bikeways, edgy chefs, indie-rock bands, and progressive environmentalists—counterculture is almost a way of life in Portland. And it’s certainly a source of civic pride. Locals have adopted the slogan “Keep Portland Weird,” which is brandished on bumper stickers and in business all over the town. The city has always been a little ahead of its time; it was originally planned with strict urban-growth boundaries that left plenty of room for parks and other green spaces. Today, in new developments, shops are built at street level with apartments above them—following a European model that complements Portland’s slightly European, laid-back atmosphere.

The downtown area is a refreshing mix of the traditional and the offbeat: high-rise buildings are interspersed with clothing boutiques and restaurants serving sustainable cuisine. Streets here are narrow and the blocks are compact to encourage walking, which visitors are wont to do to take in the parks, plazas, and fountains. A popular place to hang out is Pioneer Courthouse Square, a 40,000-square-foot public space often referred to as “Portland’s living room.” In warmer months, the square hosts free shows and festivals, as does Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which was named 1 of 10 Great Public Spaces in America in 2012 by the American Planning Association.