Known as one of the most environmentally friendly or "green" cities in the world, the city and region around Portland are noted for strong land-use planning and investment in light rail, supported by Metro, a distinctive regional government. Portland is also known for its large number of microbreweries and micro distilleries, as well as its passion for coffee.  In sports, it is the home of the Trail Blazers NBA team and the Timbers MLS team.  Located in the Marine west coast climate region, which is marked by warm, dry summers and rainy but mild winters, this climate is ideal for growing roses, and for more than a century, Portland has been known as "The City of Roses" with many rose gardens—most prominently the International Rose Test Garden. Places to Go  Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI):  Located on the east bank of the Willamette River across from downtown Portland, and contains a variety of hands-on exhibits covering the physical sciences, life science, earth science, technology, astronomy, and early childhood education. OMSI also has an OMNIMAX Theater and is home to the USS Blueback submarine, used in the film The Hunt for Red October.  Portland Classical Chinese Garden: An authentic representation of a Suzhou-style walled garden.  International Rose Test Garden: Started by the city fathers in 1917 with the support of the American Rose Society.  Portland had 20 miles of rose-bordered streets as a result of the campaign to draw attention to the Lewis and Clark Exhibition in 1905.  This gave Portland the “City of Roses” moniker.  Washington Park: In the West Hills, is home to some of Portland's most popular recreational sites, including the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Japanese Garden, the World Forestry Center,  and the Hoyt Arboretum.  Oregon Maritime Museum:  Explore the last operating sternwheel steam tug in the United States.  Pittock Mansion:  Located 1,000 feet above the city skyline, it is a symbol of the city’s transformation from a small lumbertown to a bustling city.  Portland Transit Mall:  Downtown Portland's transit hub, it spans more than 20 blocks along 5th and 6th avenues.  Along the Mall, you'll find a great collection of public art by local and regional artists. Art  Portland Art Museum: Owns the city's largest art collection and presents a variety of touring exhibitions each year. With the addition of the Modern and Contemporary Art wing it became one of the United States' twenty-five largest museums.  Portlandia:  A statue on the west side of the Portland Building, is the second-largest hammered-copper statue in the U.S. (after the Statue of Liberty).  Greenline Public Art Tour:  Along the Transit Mall, 14 artists created more than 40 sculptures as part of the 2009 revitalization of the Portland Mall. Bookstores Portland has lots of bookstores where you can browse.  If you are looking for a specific, hard-to-find book, you might try:  Powell's City of Books:  A book lover's paradise, the largest used and new bookstore in the world.  Bookstore is an entire block.  Reading Frenzy: Sells magazines, comic books and regular books.  An Independent Press Emporium -- is a small, specialty bookshop/gallery/event space in Portland, Oregon.  Countermedia:  A wide varierty of books and across the street from City of Books.  Cameron’s Books and Magazines:  Used book store Shopping  Downtown Portland, Nob Hill (NW 21st & 23rd Avenues),  Pearl District:  Shopping, dining and art galleries including the Blue Sky Gallery, Bullseye Gallery, Caplan Art Design and Froelick Gallery, among others.  Lloyd District:  Most of the district lies east of I-5, where the Oregon Convention Center and Lloyd Center Mall are the principal landmarks. The area includes restaurants, shops, hotels, and movie theatres.  Bridgeport Village:  A top notch shopping mall with stores, dining and services, as well as movies.  Washington Square:  A large assortment of chain department stores and speciality stores to choose from.  Clackamas Town Center:  In Happy Valley, this shopping area has a wide variety of stores, restaurants and a movie theater.  Vancouver Mall: Another large mall with lots of clothing stores, gift stores, department stores and places to dine.   Portland Saturday Market, a town bazaar-like environment where many kinds of goods are sold from Artisan Crafts to Tibetan Imports, reflecting the many cultures of Portland.  Centered in Portland’s historic Old Town the Market is one of the most popular shopping destinations for local handcrafted goods Breweries Did we mention beer?  Portland is loaded with brewies, so there’s lots of them to be found!  Here’s a few to whet your whistle. Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House:  Combines a distinct Northwest and classic Scottish Pub feel, this Pearl District destination has become a convivial gathering spot of beer and food lovers since its 2008 opening. Bridgeport Ale House:   Located in the historic Hawthorne shopping district, it offers a casual dining experience with pub fare and award-winning ales and regional wine. Rogue Brewery: Featured at several Meeting Halls in Oregon and San Francisco, you can find Rogue brews at the airport and at the Rogue Hall. Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery:  Handcrafter beer is made on site.  Tugboat Brewing Company:  A small pub featuring British-style strong ale. Weather Our Portland members assure that the weather is likely to be wet in late March.  The average high is 56 degrees F. although it has reached higher temps up to 83 degrees.  In late March, we’re hoping for something in the warmer range.  Lows are just above freezing and the average humidity is about 83%.  There’s a 50% chance of rain.  So, pack things to layer, a warm sweater or jacket for the evening and bring the umbrella!  It’ll still be warmer than some of the temperatures we’ll be leaving behind. About Portland Join Us On For A Great Weekend in Beautiful Portland, Oregon