Over winter break, I visited my cousins who reside in Portland, Oregon. It was my second visit to the progressive city in the Pacific Northwest. Being 3 hours from Seattle, Washington, a one-hour flight from San Francisco, California, and 90 minutes from the beautiful Pacific Coast, Portland is an up-and-coming city that’s worth a stay.

Plus, with two feet of snow on the ground in New York, Portland’s 65 degrees and sunshine was sublime.

The best way to get around town is by bike. Grab a cup of coffee and explore- the city is abundant in eclectic thrift shops, beautiful parks, and excellent bookstores. Hungry? Portland contains tasty food carts- over 600 of them, scattered throughout the city. Bored? Ski, hike, shop, go to a museum, see live music- all in one city. My favorite destinations include the Portland Japanese Garden, Powell’s Bookstore, Mt. Tabor Park, House of Vintage, and Pad Thai Kitchen. (Any coffee shop is exceptional- you can’t go wrong!)

For many Portlanders, creativity, intellect, and originality are highly valued. Self-expression is trendy here- from clothing to jobs to music taste. I may attend college in Portland next year. If I do, I doubt I’ll leave the breathtaking city. Portland has it all. Head over to the West Coast and see for yourself!