Those looking to vacation in Portland won't have to give up their commitments to a healthy lifestyle while they're there. In fact, Portland recently has been named just below neighboring Seattle as one of the best cities for the health conscious by Cooking Light. Whether it's going for long walks, spending the entire visit on a bike or simply enjoying fresh local foods, the city has a lot to offer to help maintain a healthy lifestyle while enjoying its attractions.
Biking Around Town
Whether as a visitor or a resident of the city, one of the best ways to stay active around Portland is to take advantage of its extensive infrastructure for bikers. Biking helps turn otherwise lazy commutes into an opportunity for fitness, and is a chance to experience a different view of the city. And despite the city's reputation for rainy and dreary weather, it is consistently ranked one of the best cities in the United States for bikers. Check out some of the bike trails and routes available to cyclists on either Google Maps or the Portland Transportation website.
Willamette River Water Trail
Paddlers and other non-motorized boaters might especially enjoy the opportunity for water sports that the city's Willamette River has to offer. The recently completed Willamette River Water Trail was developed by Oregon's State Parks Trust, and not only offers freshwater recreation within Portland, but also extends some 216 miles upriver to the city of Albany, near Eugene. A water trail is a reserved right-of-way for paddlers, helping to protect them from the traffic of barges and ships that usually dominate the river. The recently completed section opens the project to those visiting and living in Portland, completing the trail to the point where the Willamette meets the Columbia.
Farmers Markets
For those looking to eat fresh and healthy, farmers markets are often a great opportunity to get a good price on organic and locally produced fruits and vegetables while learning more about agricultural practices. Fresh vegetables are an important component of any healthy diet, so being able to buy produce straight from the farm can be a valuable asset to both the health-conscious Portlander and those just visiting. The Portland Farmers Market, which moves around the city, takes place every other day in central Portland, so it's hard to miss even on a short visit.
Hiking Forest Park
Within a short train ride of downtown, hikers can find themselves in the midst of wilderness in Portland's Forest Park, which is a wooded natural area interspersed with trails and hiking paths that covers more than 5,000 acres of city land. According to the Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation, this hiker's attraction is the largest forested natural area within city limits in the United States. Topographical maps of the park's trail system can be found online from the Forest Park Conservancy or at local outdoor stores such as REI.
Rock Climbing
Portland's nearby mountains and hiking grounds are known for their climbing venues, but many are surprised to learn there are plenty of places to climb inside the city as well. The Portland Rock Gym, located in downtown Portland, enjoys the distinction of being one of the world's first modular indoor rock gym. Today, the facility also provides bouldering areas where climbers can get a better feel for the difficult challenges present on real-life landscapes.
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