Portland, Oregon - Discover the Romance of This Award-winning Town

by Barbara Wade

Would it surprise you to know the town named North America's "Best Big City" (according to Money magazine) is Portland, Oregon? Luxury hotels, natural beauty, theaters and local attractions combine to create a sophisticated city that's quickly gaining the attention of the entire nation.

Arts & Culture in Portland

Luxury hotel accommodations are not the only sign of sophistication in this northwestern town. A vibrant cultural scene has attracted worldwide attention recently, centering on the Cultural District downtown. Two primary venues offer exceptional theater, symphony, opera and other performances: Artists Repertory Theatre and Portland Center for the Performing Arts.

The Artists Repertory Theatre is located downtown, five minutes from the famed Hotel Monaco Portland luxury hotel. Portland's oldest professional theater company presents classic performances along with new releases. The Portland Center for the Performing Arts is host to a wide range of cultural entertainment including the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony, the Portland Opera, White Bird Dance Series as well as various lectures. Portland is even a stop on the Cultural Cascades tour, which takes passengers through hotbeds of culture, cuisine, art and artists.

Romance Abounds

From the grace of the Classical Chinese Garden to the delight of performances and events at Rose Quarter, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the romance of Portland, Oregon. Hotels throughout the city offer packages designed to dissolve the stress of everyday life and release the inner Cupid in all of us.

Tour a working vineyard and experience a world-class wine tasting. Dine at award-winning, nationally ranked restaurants serving quiet, candlelight dinners for two. Or take your sweetheart by the hand, stroll down Main Street at night and watch the skyline sparkle.

Food, Fun and Festivals

Year round, Portland is abuzz with festivals and special events. Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland's "living room") hosts more than 300 events per year. Welcoming over nine million visitors annually, this square includes a 75-seat surround sound theater, an amphitheater with echo chamber and a stunning garden bursting with colorful blooms.

The Rose Festival offers interesting activities from parades to dragon boat races while the Platform Animation Festival delivers laughs via retrospectives, rare screenings and guest speakers. The Waterfront Blues Festival, the second largest in the country, is always popular and draws big crowds, as does the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, the nation's longest-running event of its kind. Attending the Bite of Oregon festival in August is also a must, with plenty of entertainment, beer or wine tastings, and plenty of delectable dishes, courtesy of the top chefs from the area.

The next time thoughts of a romantic getaway occur, think of Portland, Oregon. With riverfront views, a vibrant nightlife and gorgeous natural beauty, this is the perfect place for love.