Welcome to Portland

Parks & Outdoor Recreation

The city of Portland maintains 9,000 acres of parkland within its borders, including the Japanese Garden, the world famous Rose Garden and the award-winning Washington Park Zoo. Prime outdoor recreational areas, such as the Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood, the Cascades, Pacific ocean beaches and Oregon's growing wine country, are all within a one-hour radius. Wilderness areas, year-round skiing, mountain climbing, hiking, camping, sport fishing, sailing and some of the best wind-surfing in the world are major draws to the region.

Cultural Offerings

Cultural offerings include the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, the Portland Opera, the West Coast Chamber Orchestra and the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, which offers a range of touring concerts and stage shows. Local musicians and performers offer everything from street theatre to live comedy, from jazz to rock-and-roll, to traditional folk and chamber music. Coffee houses and book stores abound in the downtown area.

Climate
Portland receives 37.4 inches of precipitation each year with 88 percent of this falling between October and May. The city with a "rainy" reputation actually receives less rainfall than Houston (44.8 inches), Baltimore (41.8 inches), Atlanta (48.6 inches) and many other large metropolitan areas. January is typically the coolest month with an average low temperature of 34°F (1.6°C). Summers are warm, dry and sunny with an average high temperature of 79°F (26°C).

Transportation
The university provides transit passes, which cover all days, hours, and transit zones. Portland's award winning transit system combines bus and light rail, with connections to OHSU at 15-20 minute intervals during peak hours. The city also is routinely listed as among the most bike-friendly cities in the country.

Metropolitan Museums/Libraries

• The Oregon Historical Society/Regional Research Library
• Multnomah County Library
• The Portland Art Museum
• Northwest Film Center
• Pacific Northwest College of Art
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
• The American Advertising Museum
• The Pittock Mansion
• Oregon College of Arts and Crafts
• World Forestry Center
• Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

Spectator Events/Festivals

• NBA: Portland Trailblazers
• Hockey: Portland Winter Hawks
• Baseball: Portland Rockies (Colorado Rockies farm team)
• Annual Rose Festival and Grand Floral Parade
• ArtQuake
• Washington Park Summer Concert Festival
• Mt. Hood Jazz Festival
• Chamber Music Northwest