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Many people think of Portlandia when they arrive in Portland. While Oregon's largest city certainly benefits from the atmosphere created by the free thinkers (opens in new tab), eco-warriors, and cool-headed craftsmen satirized by Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein's infamous show, pop culture It is worth bearing in mind that we are only telling part of the story.

Located in the Pacific Northwest, just below the Washington state border, Portland benefits from relatively mild winters and mild summers. Citizens are inextricably linked to their environment, as they can quickly escape the concrete jungle and escape into nature. This has helped the city attract the largest number of athletic apparel and outdoor recreation companies in the United States. If you "need a jogging or biking buddy," you'll find one. If you're feeling ambitious, you can bike to Portland International Airport and deposit your ride on the rack out front. (Just don't forget to take a picture of the ugly/iconic carpet (opens in new tab) as you leave.)

If your sense of adventure is more highball than hiking, you'll find plenty to do while in the city. Window shop in the Alberta Arts District; switch from coffee to tea at Smiths (open in new tab) and sample some at Tea Chai Te (open in new tab); ADX Portland (open in new tab) is for those who want to learn woodworking, metalworking, jewelry design, or printmaking, It is a collective work space that provides tools without high entry fees. (They also offer one-off learning classes, so check out their course catalog.) Freehand Spirits (opens in new tab) and Vin Distillery (opens in new tab), which boasts the only Chinese makers on Portland's Distillery Row, and the LGBTQ-friendly Santé Bar (opens in new tab).

I have no idea where to start. ...... We can help you with that. Here are some of the city's most interesting, Instagrammable, and just plain fun places to visit.

You can't say you've been to Portland without snapping one of the city's iconic welcome signs! The sign, which has sold everything from sugar to specialty products, became Portland's local welcome sign after the city bought the property in 2009 and changed the lettering. If you visit during the Christmas season, be sure to capture the moment when the white stag magically transforms into a red-nosed reindeer. A bonus: Voodoo Donuts (opens in a new tab) is right down the street. Whatever you choose to do with this information is your business.

Pittock Mansion (opens in new tab) is an impressive 46-room mansion in Portland's West Hills neighborhood. Even if you're not an architecture buff with a penchant for French chateau-like ambience and manicured flower gardens, this mansion is a must-visit for its sweeping views of the city and the five major Cascade Mountains. (They are Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, Mount Rainer, and Mount Jefferson.) Picnics are encouraged, so enjoy the view, toast to a brilliant sunset, and nibble on a surreptitious snack.

There is plenty of greenery around town. (Local green spaces like Forest Park have over 70 miles of trails, so it's quite possible to disappear into the wilderness for a bit. But you don't have to go for a wild experience. For a less challenging, but certainly rewarding, walk in the woods, try to point your feet in the direction of the Witch's Castle. Located on the Lower Maclay Trail, this hike takes you about 8 kilometers into a storybook forest (pictured) to reach a former restroom facility that has been reclaimed by nature and is steeped in local lore. (Not pictured, but worth seeing for yourself.) Whether it is the scene of a heinous murder or witchcraft, or just a local hangout that is a clean place to rest your feet, who knows?

If dirty hiking shoes aren't your thing, get natural at the Portland Japanese Garden. The manicured 5.5-acre garden is a plant lover's dream, with lush greenery in the summer and reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall. Gaze at the Zen rock garden, admire the koi ponds, and walk along the bonsai-lined pathways as you slow your heart rate and catch your breath. Then, refresh yourself with a cup of tea at Umami Café, a building whose design was inspired by Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple.

You don't have to eat fine dining to enjoy a memorable food experience in Portland. (Although given that chefs like Naomi Pomeroy of the Ripe Collective (open in new tab) and Sam Smith of Tusk (open in new tab) call Portland home, you can certainly indulge in fine dining.) If you're looking for a less budget-friendly meal, head to one of Portland's many food cart pods. Pick up a traditional Japanese sandwich at Katsu Sando (open in new tab), tuck into a traditional Chinese crepe at Bing Mee (open in new tab), or stick your face in local produce at Farmer and the Beast (open in new tab).

And don't forget dessert. Portland is a donut town, and while you're likely to offend the locals, it's worth stopping by Voodoo (opens in new tab) and having one of their iconic pink boxes. Be sure to stop by Blue Star (opens in new tab), which has become famous for its complex "doughnut for adults" flavors, including blueberry bourbon basil, Cointreau crème brûlée, and raspberry rosemary buttermilk. Finally, add ice cream to this obscene sugar buzz with Salt and Straw (opens in new tab). Salt and Straw is a local favorite specializing in complex seasonal flavors, vegan options, and unlimited taste testing. (COVID approved.)

While it's not always birds (open in new tab), Portland artists are creating masterpieces everywhere: the Velvet Underground/art fills the void tribute (SE 12th & Division street) and Untitled flying old woman (412 SW 12th Ave) have permanent homes, while others are hard to find. Be sure to check Portland Street Art (opens in new tab) for an up-to-date list and functional map.

If reading makes you more attractive, Powell's may be the sexiest place in town. (With apologies to Portland's Vegan Strip Club (opens in new tab)). The flagship Powell's City of Books store (1005 W. Burnside St.) is the largest independent bookstore in the world. Wander through the city block-sized store, take selfies with the iconic signage, and turn your reading list into an armful of books. Look out for special events and cheeky staircase motivational messages. (Sample here: "What Walt Whitman, Gertrude Stein, Beatrix Potter, and D.H. Lawrence Have in Common. You're Next.")

Portland, one of the original home of the Ace Hotel (opens in new tab), knows a thing or two about artsy retreats. Hoxton (opens in new tab), the second U.S. branch of the iconic British hotel, features artwork by local curator Upfor. McMenamins Kennedy School (opens in new tab), a 57-room boutique hotel in a repurposed Art Nouveau schoolhouse that also has a brewery on site. Or relax at Hotel Lucia (opens in new tab) (above), a landmark hotel built in 1909 with a modern, Instagram-worthy lobby.

If you've fallen in love with Portland, book your trip here (opens in new tab).