Portland Local Customs

  • Rain isn't enough to keep TA out long before game
      Rain isn't enough to keep TA out long...
    by mtncorg
  • TA supporters line stadium long before match
      TA supporters line stadium long before...
    by mtncorg
  • Pregame beer at Southern Front - TA end is full
      Pregame beer at Southern Front - TA end...
    by mtncorg

Most Viewed Local Customs in Portland

  • umbrellas? Not for locals!, Portland

    1. umbrellas? Not for locals!

    This is a weather related tip and thus doesn't fit into any of the currently available VirtualTourst categories: Portland has a well-earned reputation as a place where it rains a lot. The local...   more
  • Stay in your car, Portland

    2. Stay in your car

    In this day and age, self service is the norm. But not in Portland, at least not when it comes to gasoline. Oregon is only one of two states in the US where you cannot pump your own gasoline. In 2003,...   more
  • Blackberries for everyone, Portland

    3. Blackberries for everyone

    Blackberries are everywhere in the Portland area, and to a lesser extent all over the northwest. The most common type was introduced and is now considered an invasive species because they take over...   more
  • Rose Queen, Portland

    4. Rose Queen

    The Rose Festival Court is comprised of 14 outstanding women who are selected from 14 Portland-area high schools by their respective student bodies. Each court member represents her school throughout...   more
  • Harvey W Scott 1838 - 1910, Portland

    5. Harvey W Scott 1838 - 1910

    Harvey Scott was an early Portland resident, and a statue to his honor is located in Mt. Tabor Park on the east side of Portland. The statue claims that he was...   more
  • Timbers Army, Portland

    6. Timbers Army

    The largest fan supporter group in the Major League Soccer - top level for US and Canada - resides in Portland. The group began in days when the Timbers were...   more
  • Timber Joey, Portland

    7. Timber Joey

    Professional soccer has been around Portland since the late 1970's when the first Portland Timbers team competed in the now-defunct NASL against the likes of...   more
  • The most eco-friendly city in the US, Portland

    8. The most eco-friendly city in the US

    I'm not sure exactly how it all started, but whenever a list is made of the "greenest" cities in the world, Portland always comes up near the top. Portlanders...   more
  • Such a happy place!, Portland

    9. Such a happy place!

    Another thing Portland is famous for is its high number of microbreweries, earning the city such nicknames as "Beervana" and "Brewtopia". At the moment there...   more
  • Food carts of Portland, Portland

    10. Food carts of Portland

    Nowhere else in the world will you see such a high concentration of food carts as in downtown Portland. It's estimated that there are now over 400 food carts in...   more
  • Don't call them water fountains!, Portland

    11. Don't call them water fountains!

    I thought it was funny to see how proud Portlanders seem to be of their Benson Bubblers - our walking tour guide even told us he'd once seen a woman with a...   more
  • Portland is a beer mecca, Portland

    12. Portland is a beer mecca

    There are many great reasons to visit Portland but if you are a beer connoisseur, the most important one is to sample what are admittedly some of the finest...   more
  • Benson Bubbler Drinking Fountains, Portland

    13. Benson Bubbler Drinking Fountains

    Simon Benson was one of the early Portland eccentrics, and was involved with a number of odd ventures including an attempt to start automobile manufacturing in...   more
  • Oregon Grape, Portland

    14. Oregon Grape

    I have more photos about this one at my Oregon Grape tip for Oregon customs and traditions as well.Every once in a while, you will hear new comers and visitors...   more
  • Do Not Hit the Cyclists, Portland

    15. Do Not Hit the Cyclists

    Portland has bike lanes, which are located to the right of the regular car lanes. Importantly, when you're making a right turn in a car (or parallel parking!),...   more
  • Meier & Frank / Macy's / Christmas Decorations, Portland

    16. Meier & Frank / Macy's / Christmas Decorations

    Meier & Frank was one of Portland's first dry goods and general stores, having been founded in 1857. In 2006, the name Meier & Frank, after a series of...   more
  • Community Gardens, Portland

    17. Community Gardens

    If you only have the money to live in an appartment, but want to be able to grow things, especially things to eat because you don't trust the local food supply,...   more
  • The Public Process and Required Notices, Portland

    18. The Public Process and Required Notices

    Some who are new to Portland and find they can't remove trees from their land without "the process" get upset that neighbors are allowed to comment on these...   more
  • Eccentric Neighborhood Art, Portland

    19. Eccentric Neighborhood Art

    In recent years Portland has become known for attracting eccentric people, but the fact is that years before this was known to the outside world, Portland had...   more
  • Rhododendrons, Portland

    20. Rhododendrons

    Rhododendrons grow wild in the Cascade mountains. Naturally, Portland would be well suited for many of the domestic varieties. So, despite the fact that the...   more
  • Portland Fire Hydrants - and Web Guide to Them, Portland

    21. Portland Fire Hydrants - and Web Guide to Them

    Unless something catches fire, most people don't think about the nearest fire hydrant, its location, or how reliable it might or might not be, or what type of...   more
  • Divide & Conquer, Portland

    22. Divide & Conquer

    Update: September 2007Portland is bisected by the Willamette River, dividing East from West. Locals pronounce it WIL-lam-it; Easterners seem to prefer...   more
  • Big Pink: US Bank Tower, Portland

    23. Big Pink: US Bank Tower

    If you hear Portland residents refer to "Big Pink", it is most likely the US Bank Tower in downtown Portland.Built in the 1980s, the building stood out among...   more
  • Portland's Engraved Sidewalks and Curbs, Portland

    24. Portland's Engraved Sidewalks and Curbs

    When Portland first made the transition from wooden sidewalks to concrete, the company, date, and name of streets at intersections were engraved.Photo 1 shows...   more
  • Roses: a Portland Tradition, Portland

    25. Roses: a Portland Tradition

    One of the reasons why the Willamette River valley was such an attraction for early settlers was the fertile soil, pleantiful rain and ideal climate. Early on,...   more

  • Portland Hotels

    151 Hotels in Portland

    979 Reviews and Opinions

  • Ask a Question

    Got a question about Portland? Get an answer from our Location locals and frequent travelers
Local traditions and culture in Portland
  • Show Prices
  • Show Prices
  • Show Prices
  • Show Prices

View all Portland hotels

Comments

Save up to 50% off Hotels Everyday
Expedia.com Photos, Reviews and the Guaranteed Lowest Prices
Book now for big savings!
Hotels.com Outstanding choice of hotels all over the world at fantastic prices.

Sponsored Links

Portland Travel Guide

Portland Local Customs

Reviews and photos of Portland local customs posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Portland sightseeing.

Portland Map

Map of Portland

Experience Portland

  • 1,420 Tips
  • 2,753 Photos
  • 6 Videos
  • 1,508 members live here
  • 721 Travel Answers

Best Hotels

Highest Star Rating Hotels

Best VT Value Hotels

View all Portland hotels

Top Portland Writers

glabah profile photo

Nearest Big City

 ...as mush as our city's reputation says it does. But it is true that we get rain!!! Universities, the Portland visitors association, and others who promote the city of Portland go on and on about how... 

mtncorg profile photo

City of Roses, Rivers and the Mountain Corgi

 Many times we feel home is simply home, not a destination to be mixed up with the likes of Paris or London or Venice. Growing up here in Portland, I do not remember many tourists wandering the streets... 

Shaft28 profile photo

Portland, an great liveable city

 For a long time I pondered what to write about on my Portland page, about this fine city. And today it came to me. Portland rules. I know this is very 70' elementary school style, but it just... 

Jefie profile photo

The Pearl of the Pacific Northwest

 Some people call it the City of Roses or the City of Bridges, others like to call it P-Town, Stumptown or PDX. After having spent 4 days in Portland, I'd like to think that the variety of nicknames...... 

IncogNeat-0 profile photo

If it's tourist season, can we shoot them?

 This is my birthtown, was, and for better or worse, is again my hometown. I'll leave tourist attractions, which I seldom or never see anyway, to the tourists. Emphasis will be on less well known,... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Portland page

Click here for best deals for Portland

Save up to 50% on hotels.
Hotwire.com Hotwire: Get a 4-star hotel for a 2-star price.
Save money, Book now !
Booking.com Excellent choice, Low rates
Hotels Up to 50% off!
www.priceline.com Great Low Prices, Pictures, and Guest Reviews. Book Now!
Great Rooms. Great Rates.
Travelocity Hotel rooms at up to 50% off. 

Sponsored Links