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Photo by Sandra via Trover.com

Portland has become a popular destination in the last couple of decades, especially among travelers in their 20s and 30s. The hip and progressive vibe of the city has attracted a lot of people to check out the Portland scene for themselves.

So you’ve booked your trip, reserved a stay at one of the great hotels in Portland, and are now wondering what you should do. Every traveler plans their own itinerary, but there are certain experiences and places that visitors should not miss when they visit the eco-friendly oasis of Portland. Make sure you enjoy the city like the locals do with the following six tips.

Explore Portland by Bike

Portland is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US, and locals love to take in the crisp Pacific Northwest air while riding around town. Rent a bicycle and take advantage of the city’s bike paths to get a real feel of the streets and the neighborhoods, rather than whipping past storefronts in a car.

Check out the Wineries

Take a little day trip outside of the city to indulge in the wonderful wines of the region. Most of the vineyards are only 30 to 45 minutes away from downtown Portland, but if you want to spend a full day and night at a winery, there are plenty of cozy Portland hotels that cater to wine lovers. Some hotels, like the Guesthouse Vineyard Inn McMinnville Hotel, are just minutes from the region’s best wineries, such as the famous Eyrie Vineyards.

Hike Through Forest Park

Nowhere is Portland’s environmentally friendly nature more obvious than at Forest Park. This huge urban park is an active traveler’s dream, as it has miles of hiking and biking trails for fans of the outdoors. Get out of your hotel for a little while and spend the day at Forest Park; you will feel as if you have left the city entirely.

Stop by the International Rose Test Garden

The International Rose Test Garden is a unique destination, especially if you visit Portland in the summer. During this time, the garden is open almost all day long and offers free public tours every day at 1 p.m.

Become a Microbrew Connoisseur

Wine is not the only beverage of choice in the Portland area; locals have a love affair with craft beers and microbrews as well. You will find plenty of great pubs serving local beers, as Portland has 31 microbreweries within its city limits—the highest number of breweries of any city in the world. If you want to get beer right from the source, check out Distillery Row, where many breweries hold tours and tastings every Saturday.

Take a Food Cart Tour

Granted, locals would probably not take a food cart tour because they have already found their favorite food truck around town, but as a tourist, you should definitely get a taste of all the delicious and diverse street food Portland offers. You can find food from anywhere in the world, ranging from Norwegian cuisine at Viking Food Truck to Thai food at Nong’s Khao Man Gai.

Use these tips to get the most out of your Portland experience!