1. Portland has some great restaurants, and while I will save my prioritized top ten list for another post, which clearly leans French, I'd encourage all to visit Sel Gris, Le Pigeon, Fenouil, Fratelli, and the late-night staple, The Gilt Club.  It's worth noting that Portlanders also have a great local magazine in Portland Monthly, which just launched a comprehensive website that covers everything Portland quite elegantly, and a great blog for serious foodies worth a visit is portlandfoodanddrink.

2. For kids, there is much to do in our wonderful city, but everyone likes a trip to OMSI, The Oregon Zoo, The Children's Museum for the little ones, and last but not least our annual Rose Festival offers many events each summer.

3. Don't forget the Arts! Though we don't go as much as I'd like, the Portland Art Museum is truly Image via Wikipediaa treasure, the Portland Opera and Oregon Ballet are both top notch, and the Oregon Symphony is no slouch either.

4. Portland is a college town (kinda)! Sure, Oregon and Oregon State are not too far away but PSU, UP, Marylhurst, George Fox, and Lewis & Clark College are right here in the Rose City.

5. Beer lovers rejoice year round in Portland with the Oregon Brewer's Festival (the nation's largest microbrewery celebration) in the summer, the upcoming Portland International Beer Festival, and the winter brings us the Holiday Ale Festival in the heart of downtown. Local downtown microbrewery destinations include the first, Bridgetown Brewing, and the latest pub in "The Pearl District" was opened this year by Deschutes Brewery.