PORTLAND
ortland flies its freak flag high: a kilt-clad, bagpipe-playing unicyclist in a Darth Vader mask regularly cruises the city; the World Naked Bike Ride is held here annually; and local ice cream brand Salt & Straw turned heads with its bone marrow flavour. Some might argue, however, that the droves moving here for the left-of-centre lifestyle are unwittingly changing the city’s identity: cranes now dot the skyline and glass buildings sit beside historic gems. But the truth is that visitors after Portland’s alternative edge needn’t look too hard. Fresh dining areas have popped up, cheerful murals grace the streets and hotels have reopened to brisk business. The best are found west of the Willamette River, in and around bustling downtown.
