When to Visit - Arts and Events

Portland is a city of many festivals that cater for all cultural tastes. The Portland Rose Festival in early June is the oldest and most prestigious Portland festival and encompasses beautiful flower exhibitions, parades and fairs. The Portland locals manage to make the festivities last for two weeks. For music lovers, the Waterfront Blues Festival brings life to downtown's riverside park in July, while in August, the Mt Hood Jazz Festival attracts major artists to the city.

Portland Dining

Portland's dining experience has been wonderfully enhanced by the recent influx of Pacific Rim immigrants who have brought with them their own unique tastes and recipies. However, Portland has a proud heritage of its own local produce and it is this that dominates most restaurant menus.

Portland Tipping Advice

Management in Portland's many restaurants don't usually add gratuities to the bill, so a recommended tip is 15 percent, where you're happy with the service. Should the meal and service be excellent then a gratuity of 20 percent might be in order. Tips in taxis should be paid along similar lines. The recommended rate for doormen, parking attendants and valets is one USD.