Travel article: Getting to Know the Eco Friendly City of Portland, Oregon

It’s probably no surprise that Portland, Oregon is one of the nation’s most eco-friendly cities—it’s a place that’s as celebrated for its commitment to eco-conscious endeavors as it is for its strong coffee, rampant microbreweries, vibrant music scene, and (much parodied) hipster culture. Recently named one of the greenest cities in the country by Insider, Portland is brimming with lush green parks, over 300 miles of bikeways, widespread public transit, and dozens of citywide sustainability initiatives.

If you’re lucky enough to travel to Portland, there are several ways you can go green and be an eco-friendly tourist. Here are some of our favorites:

Explore the city on two wheels

Portland has long been considered one of America’s most bike-friendly cities (if not the most bike-friendly city); rather than renting a car, plan on exploring the city by bike. If you don’t have a bicycle, no worries—Portland has an official bike share program, BikeTown, and there are over 100 stations scattered around the city. Simply download the BikeTown app on your phone, register your membership, unlock your bike, and you’re good to go. Getting around on two wheels is a total breeze (and way more enjoyable than seeing everything by car, anyway!)

Visit a farmer’s market

In general, Oregon farmer’s markets have been booming for some time now, and Portland is no exception. There are tons of markets in the Portland area—and this is a great tourist activity since, in addition to selling fresh fruits and veggies, farmers markets often have live music, children’s events, and local souvenirs for sale. Some of the most popular local farmers markets include the Beaverton Farmers Market and the Hollywood Farmers Market, but you can’t go wrong with any of them.  

Always recycle

Portlanders recycle—in fact, over 60 percent of locals recycle the waste that’s produced by the city. Recycling and compost bins are all over the city, so there’s no excuse not to recycle your trash whenever possible.

Eat vegan

Eating vegetarian and vegan fare is much better for the environment, of course, and as such, Portland is a veritable haven for (utterly delicious!) veggie-heavy, meat-free fare. Longtime fave Nectar Café is a fabulous spot for breakfast, Vegan Gorditos Mexican Food serves up delectable vegan Mexican meals, and Farm Spirit is one of the best vegan dinner spots in town.

Be in nature

Portland’s natural scenery is incredibly gorgeous—think pockets of deep forests, sprawling greenery, hiking trails, and clusters of urban parks. What better way to spend an afternoon here than packing up a picnic and visiting one of the city’s gorgeous parks? Washington Park, Forest Park, Waterfront Park, and the International Rose Test Garden are all great places to explore. In addition, there are dozens of wonderful hikes in the area. Tryon Creek State Park is lovely, Mount Tabor is accessible and offers a vast trail system, and the Pittock Mansion Hike is considered by many to be the city’s most iconic hike. The latter boasts a panoramic hilltop view that’ll take your breath away, plus you can tour a 100-year-old mansion. The nature in Portland is unlike that of any other city in the country; be sure to take advantage of it as much as possible.

Know which eco-friendly companies are making a difference

Of course, there are several local companies that are doing their part to ensure that Portland stays as eco-friendly as possible, even despite the flood of tourists that flock to the city every year. One of these companies, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, effectively removes and disposes of junk in the area and provides recycling removal. In addition, there are several co-ops and local shops, from New Seasons Market to GladRags, that are focused on green initiatives, both in their products and practices. There’s no shortage of sustainably focused companies in Portland; if you want to be an eco-friendly visitor, support these businesses as much as you can.

It's easy being green in Portland. If you're visiting, be sure to do your part: Recycle, bike around, eat yummy vegan food, explore the natural scenery, and shop at one of the city's many eco-conscious businesses.