"Northwest Cool" a Portland Travel Page by Rixie

Portland is often overlooked by visitors from other countries who plan to see the United States. That's a shame, because the city is a rare combination of natural beauty and urban hip.

There are some breathtakingly gorgeous views here from Portland's hills. Three snow-covered peaks are visible on the horizon: Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens, and the Willamette River divides the city into east and west.

Yet it's far from boring. It's a colorful, lively city that values good food and drink (think microbreweries and artisan-made bread) and tolerates out-of-the-ordinary personalities. It's one of those cities that's totally different from the surrounding area, like Austin in Texas, or New Orleans in Louisiana.

Although Portland's nickname is City of Roses, after its famous gardens, I think of it as the City of Bridges, after the many bridges that cross the river.

The Saturday Market is an institution in Portland and a colorful way to get a sense of the city and its residents.

This photo shows two common sights in Portland: bridges and bicycles.