Discovery Series – Portland
We reviewed the ornament yesterday, let’s do the same for the Discovery Series – Portland mug. Here are more symbols and points of interest from the design of the bigger sibling:
Donuts
Portland is practically synonymous with donuts, thanks to its quirky and creative donut shops. Voodoo Doughnut put the city on the map with its wild toppings and tongue-in-cheek attitude. But locals often favor Blue Star Donuts for its brioche dough and bold flavors like blueberry bourbon basil. Whether you’re craving something bizarre or gourmet, Portland has a donut for it.
Mt. Hood
Towering over the region, Mt. Hood is Portland’s constant, snow-capped backdrop and a key part of its identity. It’s more than just a pretty peak — it’s home to year-round skiing, alpine hiking trails, and hidden lakes. On clear days, you can see it from almost anywhere in the city, standing sharp against the sky. For many, it’s a symbol of escape, adventure, and Oregon’s raw natural power.
St. Johns Bridge
The St. Johns Bridge is Portland’s most elegant piece of infrastructure — a Gothic-style suspension bridge that spans the Willamette River. Its mint-green towers and sweeping arches look like something out of a fairytale. Beneath it, Cathedral Park offers a peaceful view framed by its soaring pillars. The bridge is both a practical route and a poetic landmark beloved by photographers and locals.
Exploring Nature Around Portland
Nature isn’t just nearby — it’s wrapped around Portland like a second skin. The Columbia River Gorge offers waterfalls and cliffs less than an hour from the city, while Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the country. Sauvie Island, just northwest, has beaches, trails, and birdwatching. The options are endless, making the city a basecamp for anyone who craves the outdoors.
Portland Skyline
Portland’s skyline may not be massive, but it tells a story. The Wells Fargo Center and Big Pink mark the downtown cluster, but the city avoids towering sprawl in favour of human-scale charm. Bridges slice across the Willamette River, connecting neighbourhoods and framing the skyline with personality. At sunrise or sunset, the view from the Eastbank Esplanade feels timeless.
Portland Craft Beer Festival
The Portland Craft Beer Festival is a mecca for beer lovers and a celebration of the city’s brewing prowess. Held every summer, it features only Portland-based breweries — a rare spotlight on local talent. It’s laid-back, dog-friendly, and packed with flavour, from hazy IPAs to tart sours. For a city with more breweries per capita than anywhere else, this festival is its hop-soaked heartbeat.
Mill Ends Park
Mill Ends Park is officially the smallest park in the world — a two-foot circle of greenery tucked into a median downtown. What started as a joke by a local journalist became a beloved Portland oddity. It’s tiny, sure, but it punches above its weight as a symbol of the city’s weird and wonderful spirit. In Portland, even a flower bed can be a landmark.
