The present Portland area began to see European settlement in the early 1800s, but the Chinook Indigenous people inhabited it before that. Settlers founded this city in 1843 along the banks of the Willamette River by William Overton and Asa Lovejoy. Previously known as "The Clearing," town leaders chose the name of Portland by a coin toss in 1845. However, some people say they simply used the same name as another town in Maine. Although Portland existed in the shadow of Oregon City, slurred as "Stumptown" or "Mudtown, it had an advantage over Oregon City because of its port accessibility. Consequently, town officials incorporated Portland in 1851, and it soon became an important port. As a result, the town saw much development with critical elements like gas supply in 1857 and the establishment of Washington Park in 1871. The early 1870s brought some hardship to Portland with one of the most severe fires in its history, destroying a sizable portion of the town's buildings. Fortunately, the city recovered significantly soon after by establishing horse-drawn trams in the streets in 1871 and constructing the Pioneer Courthouse in 1875. The 1880s brought further developments such as the Old Church in 1883, the Morrison Bridge in 1887, and the Skidmore Fountain in 1888. Portland city continued to grow over the next few years, and by 1900, it already had a population of 90,000. It experienced a massive population boom after the Lewis and Clark Exposition of 1905, and by 1910 the population was at an all-time high of 207,000. The early 20th century ushered in the development of significant buildings such as the Sentinel Hotel, Jackson Tower, Central Library, the American Bank, and Pittock museum from 1909 to 1914. The city began to experience steady growth in the mid to late 20th century through the rise of different industries and the opening of museums, parks, public gardens, eateries, and retail opportunities. Portland has changed and evolved into the beautiful place it is today, still growing and thriving, with arts, entertainment, and entrepreneurial endeavors being the heart and soul of the city.

As you meander through the city, prepare to be delightfully overwhelmed with the sheer variety of things to see and experience. It can be quite a tough call to decide what to do first, but here are a few that made the top of the list:

Portland Japanese Garden: This haven of tranquility hosts an array of Japanese gardens that are so authentic you may forget you are in Portland. Take a walk in this lovely specimen of nature, and do not forget to grab a bite to eat at Umami Café on your way out.

Troll Bridge: Living up to its weird and wonderful reputation, Portland hosts the most fascinating bridge just off McNamee. This troll bridge, so named for the hundreds of toy trolls hanging from its structure, is a super fun place to visit. The kids will love it, and you can even bring a troll along to add to the collection.

Portland Art Museum: With an impressive collection of Asian-inspired contemporary art pieces, the oldest art museum on the west coast brings art to life in Portland. This stunning multiple-level museum is worth your time.