Hi everyone! 🙂
Apparently, this week we’re still covering an area in the northern part of America. And this time, we’re flying to Portland in Oregon to see how far you could get with your $10 USD banknote around there.
Yes, in the past few months, we’ve got a lot of submissions to cover various cities in the United States. After covering New Orleans a few weeks ago, you might as well want to check out what cities you could explore with your $10 bill in America.
So in this opportunity, I’m excited to have John Paul from The Hangry Backpacker on this week’s series to see what you could do within the budget. So, is Portland expensive to travel around? Check it out then!
What To Do If You Want To Save A Few Bucks in Portland
Portland, Oregon is not a cheap place to live. For tourists, it’s not the cheapest destination either. That doesn’t mean you can’t save a few bucks in Portland. There is plenty to do on the cheap and even more to do for free in Portland.
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is synonymous with Portland, Oregon. Located just east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge, 620-foot Multnomah Falls is a stunning symbol of the natural beauty in Oregon.
From Portland, there is a shuttle that takes about 30 minutes from Portland. It stops directly at the falls, where visitors can enjoy the view, take photos or go for a hike.
There are several beautiful waterfalls nearby, and hiking up and beyond leads to fun trails and more waterfalls! The shuttle, for a round trip, is only $5 USD. Everything else is free!
Pittock Mansion and Beyond
The best view of Portland is found at Pittock Mansion in the West Hills, a free garden area with a great panorama of the city. On clear days, Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Adams – over 50 miles away! – are all visible.
The easiest way to reach Pittock Mansion is to drive, but the best way is to take the scenic route! The West Hills are largely covered by Forest Park, and there are nearly one hundred miles of trails inside the park. At the top, the view is fantastic.
Other great outdoor spaces include the downtown riverfront, Laurelhurst Park, Mount Tabor Park and Powell Butte Nature Park.
Take A Sip of Their Signature Beer!
Portlanders love their India Pale Ales (IPA). This bitter beer with a sweet finish and a heavy kick is undoubtedly the preferred beverage of choice in Portland.
Every bar in town will have at least one IPA on draft. Most bars have several. For about $5 USD, less during happy hour, an Oregon IPA is the best method to wind down after a long day of sightseeing. Best of all, it’s the local way!
Portland alone has over 80 – yes, more than EIGHTY! – breweries from which to choose.
Cheap Eat in Portland
For those who don’t want to spend their last few bucks on beer, there are cheap eating options in Portland.
The city is home to over 500 food carts/trucks. The best and most economically friendly options at food carts are typically tacos or gyros. Though there are dozens of cuisines and ethnicities represented, street tacos in Portland are surprisingly great.
They are cheap and fresh. It is not unusual to pick up two or three tacos for less than $5 USD.
Portland is an expensive city and growing more so each day. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the city on a budget. It starts with nature, food, and beer, and that’s the real Portland experience!
Contributor: John Paul from The Hangry Backpacker
John Paul is a travel and food blogger from Louisiana, based out of Portland, Oregon, USA. His focus is on eating delicious, local food off the beaten path. Presenting travel in an honest, unfiltered way for prospective travelers is his goal.
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