WELCOME TO OREGON: THE TREE-HUGGING, GUN-LOVING STATE!
Okay, so actually it's The Beaver State, but visitors are often taken aback by the pleasant paradox of its citizenry. Oregon is a land of individuality and community, and nowhere is this quirky contradiction of terms more evident than the state's crown jewel (sorry, Salem,) Portland. Many out-of-towners new to the Portland area may be under the impression that us web-foots are just a bunch nature-lovin', gun-rackin' coffeeholics (albeit many of us are), but there's a lot more to our beloved Stumptown than patouli, taxidermy, and lattes.
Nestled between Seattle and San Francisco, Portland shares a reputation with these cities as a laid back rendezvous for self-styled artists and innovators, and it shows. From our galleries, to our incredible outdoor attractions, to a nightlife that never lets up, you'll be hard pressed not to find your niche. So whether you've got just a weekend or an extended stay in our fair city of roses, grab a delicious local microbrew, kick your feet up, and enjoy. Cheers!
PISS FEST! T-SHIRTS, THE DIGS, THE GREAT OUTDOORS, THE TOWN, THE ARTS, THE EATS, THE DRINKS
PISS FEST! T-SHIRTS 
Available through our super-cool friends at Babywit (check out their other stuff!) and featuring the roaring mini logo (right) on a sweatshop-free American Apparel tshirt. Top
THE DIGS
The swanky Jupiter Hotel (800 E Burnside St) woos its guests with affordable, ultra-modern rooms, and an on-site restaurant and music venue, the Doug Fir, which could only be described as "astro-lodge". The Jupiter--one of our generous 2006 sponsors--is set to be PISS Fest! central this year. We set a block of rooms aside at a discounted rate specifically for PISS Fest! visitors.
The Jupiter will also be hosting our opening night party and filmmakers' panel. Just up the street from the Hollywood Theatre and a stone's throw from downtown, the Jupiter will put you in the center of the action and leave money in your pocket to explore the city. Top
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
If you've got a hankering to get outdoors, then Portland's the perfect hub for the adventurous appetite. Plenty of sights, hikes, and natural remedies for a serious case wanderlust lie just outside the city. Take an afternoon off with a relaxing drive up historic Columbia River Highway (off I-84), as it winds alongside the awesome Columbia River Gorge. Along with incredible vistas, at 620 feet, the towering Multnomah Falls (Exit 31 from eastbound I-84) will take your breath away. Hike to the top for a vertigo-inducing look from the observation platform's rail. One caveat: getting to the top will reacquaint you with muscles you forgot you had.Top
IN AND OUT OF TOWN
Maybe you want to stay in town but still want to get out and enjoy that crisp Oregon air. No worries! Plenty of activities are accessible by foot, bike, or a short bus ride from downtown Portland. Stroll along Gov Tom McCall Waterfront Park or the Eastbank Esplanade for great views of the Willamette River. For a full walking tour of the river, use the pedestrian-friendly Hawthorne Bridge and Steel Bridge to cut across. Or head up to Forest Park (NW 29th Ave and Upshur St) in Northwest Portland to visit one of the nation's largest urban forests. Also in Northwest Portland you can check out the Victorian charm of the International Rose Test Garden (400 SW Kingston Ave), clear out some negative headspace and get Zen at the Chinese Garden (NW 3rd and Everett St), or go wild with the whole family at the Oregon Zoo (4001 SW Canyon Rd).
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THE ARTS
For the hardcore art hound, Portland's your playground. The posh Pearl District is home to numerous galleries and caters to all kinds of taste. On every first Thursday, galleries open their doors to a citywide soiree of cheese, wine, and, um…oh yeah, art. The Alberta Arts District also plays host to many a funky gallery and boutique, and throws their own art-walk party on every last Thursday of the month. And for those with a fondness for kitsch, don't miss the Velveteria (518 NE 28 Ave), the world's (or at least Portland's) one and only gallery solely dedicated to the art of velvet painting. Top
THE EATS
By now you've probably worked up a goodly appetite, so head out to any of Portland's eateries for cuisine as various as your server's hair color. If you're looking for ethnic fare, some favorites are Chinatown's Dim Sum Mecca, House of Louie (331 NW Davis St), a savory Ethiopian spread at Northeast's Queen of Sheba (2413 NE ML King Blvd), or the killer green curry from Thai Pod (2014 NE Broadway St). For standard hearty fare, try out the Doug Fir's ominously but aptly titled Fir Burger, or a fully loaded slice of pie at Bella Facia's Pizza. Top
THE DRINKS
Is it cocktail hour yet? Good, 'cause if Portland takes anything seriously it's their booze and beer. Over the past twenty years, Portland is pretty much responsible for the microbrewing revival in America. Some of the choicest libations to spring from our city's numerous breweries are Widmer Brothers' Hefeweizen (great with a lemon wedge), and Bridgeport's IPA, but there are plenty of smaller brewpubs that only shill their brews from over the bar. A couple of definite winners are the easily overlooked Tugboat Brewpub (711 Southwest Ankeny St) and Amnesia Brewing Company (832 N Beech St). Top
Portland is such a major bar town you could throw a bottle out a window (though we recommend you recycle it) and hit some charming dive or shmancy lounge. Pop in for a game of Pac Man at the neighborhood favorite, Beaulahland (118 Northeast 28th Ave), a bar that boasts "twelve pretty waitresses and one ugly one". Or slip drunkenly out of the present and into something a little more comfortable--say, Portland's shady past at the "historic hipster" hangout, the Shanghai Tunnel (211 Southwest Ankeny St), downtown. The drinks are just strong enough that you won't notice that tiny sting of a blowdart, just before you find yourself on a ship destined for the orient. And if getting shanghaied isn't your bag, but danger is, just walk a couple of blocks over to Tube (18 Northwest 3rd Ave), which happens to be an exact replica of a punk rock bar on a very dirty space station. Top
