Portland Spoke - The Official Blog of Travel Portland

Giving Voice to Portland

Greg Newland — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:42:03 +0000

Check out our new radio ads, in which the City of Roses — brought to life by Live Wire radio’s Courtenay Hameister — invites Seattleites to come down for a different kind of weekend getaway, and different kind of discount: $72 off a two-night stay. In these spots, produced by our friends at Sockeye, Courtenay gives our neighbors [...]

Wine Tasting, Every Day

Lila Martin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:41:07 +0000

Okay, so maybe you won’t go wine tasting every day, but in Oregon, you could go wine tasting on any day. The winter is one of the best times to do it, because the tasting rooms are quieter, and you’re likely to find the winemaker around during their slow season to chat about their wines. [...]

New Years’ Resolutions: Portland-style

Amy Stoner — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:46:00 +0000

With a new year upon us, most people take stock of what they’d like to accomplish in the next year – everything from exercising more, losing weight and breaking bad habits. However, I’m focusing on my Portland New Years’ resolutions – to explore more of the city, and its surrounding adventure, in the next year. [...]

Historic Steam Locomotives to Get New Home

Alacia Lauer — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:45:40 +0000

Out of the six largest operating steam locomotives in the world, Portland owns two — more than any other American city. These engines and more Oregon rail transport history (which predates the transcontinental railroad), will be showcased at the new Oregon Enginehouse and Rail Heritage Center set to open later this year in Portland’s Central [...]

Holiday Leftovers

Greg Newland — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:05:23 +0000

Cute kid alert: I was digging through my e-mail and came across this photo from my colleague Megan, whose daughters enjoyed a holiday shopping spree in downtown Portland.

The American Burrito in Portland

Tim Mongin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:05:46 +0000

Seeing that we are in the season of giving thanks, I would like to say “thank you” for the gift that gives year-round: the American Burrito, also known as the sandwich. The sandwich is enjoying a long-overdue renaissance in Portland thanks to a few key players who have upped the ante on three very important [...]

Where to Ring in 2012

Karen Martwick — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:59:32 +0000

The holiday season isn’t over yet! This Saturday, Portland has plenty of ways to say goodbye to 2011 and hello to a brand new year. Here’s a quick round-up of resources to help you plan the last night of the year: Portland Food and Drink has a comprehensive list of 45 restaurants offering New Year’s [...]

Sharing Recipes, and a Chance to Win

Greg Newland — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:26:15 +0000

Working with our friend Mike Thelin — co-founder of the much-anticipated food and drink festival, Feast Portland (Sept. 20-23, 2012) — we recently wrapped up some fun video shoots at three leading restaurants, which shared their recipes for chocolate hazelnut toffee (Country Cat), butternut squash soup (Metrovino) and a seasonal Manhattan (Nostrana). Visit the “Flavors of Portland” tab on our [...]

A Designer, a Florist and a Barista Walk into a Warehouse …

Laura Guimond — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:24:41 +0000

When Brian Faherty discovered a set of cast-iron glass molds in 2002, he thought a new craft lighting business would be a fun side project. Lo and behold, Schoolhouse Electric’s hand-blown shades and lighting fixtures inspired by American craftsman and mid-century modern styles took off. Soon Brian was searching for a bigger production facility, and [...]

An Easy Way to Explore Mount Hood

Lila Martin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:12:40 +0000

All year down in Portland we look up at Mount Hood’s beautiful snowy peak. In the wintertime it’s at its brightest, covered in a blanket of powder. Of course there’s skiing and snowboarding for all of you speed demons, but snowshoeing is such a peaceful way to spend time with friends on the mountain with [...]