Nestled at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, Portland, Oregon, is more than just a city—it’s an experience, a spirit, and a celebration of what it means to be both grounded and visionary. Known as the Rose City, Portland thrives on a blend of beauty, innovation, and individuality. The nickname itself was first invoked by the Episcopal Church in 1888, but it truly bloomed during the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition. That year, Mayor Harry Lane suggested a “festival of roses,” which sparked what would become the Portland Rose Festival just two years later. Today, the city’s affection for its roses endures in manicured gardens, community parades, and its enduring reputation for blossoming in all the right ways.

 

Portland's past is deeply tied to westward expansion and discovery. The city rose from the ambitions of early pioneers and the landmark journey of Lewis and Clark, who charted their way to the Willamette’s embrace of the mighty Columbia. That spirit of exploration never faded—it simply evolved. The same drive that once pushed covered wagons westward now powers global brands, inventive startups, and fiercely independent creators. More than 100,000 businesses call Portland home, ranging from locally owned bookstores and microbreweries to billion-dollar giants that shape industries.

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Among those giants is Nike, whose World Headquarters in nearby Beaverton includes sports research labs, design studios, and serene outdoor spaces that mirror Oregon’s natural grandeur. It’s not just a corporate campus—it’s a think tank for athletes and designers around the globe. Alongside Nike stand other household names like Columbia Sportswear, Adidas North America, Tektronix, Qorvo, Teledyne FLIR, Cambia Health Solutions, and the renowned creative agency Wieden+Kennedy. Each one reflects a different face of Portland’s economic and cultural dynamism, from cutting-edge thermal imaging to next-gen branding campaigns that define how we see the world.

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This is a city that doesn’t try to fit in. It leads. It experiments. It leans into weirdness not for novelty, but as a form of authenticity. Portland invites everyone to be a little more curious, a little more expressive, and a lot more themselves. Art spills into the streets, creativity pulses from warehouse walls, and rebellion often comes wrapped in flannel and steeped in single-origin espresso. The rhythm of the city is as varied as its neighborhoods, each one offering its own personality, cuisine, and creative energy.

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Celebrating that energy is the heart of the Best of the Rose City program. Each year, BestOfTheRoseCity.com opens nominations and voting to the public in early autumn, asking Portlanders to shine a spotlight on the people and places that represent the city’s very best. It’s not just a poll—it’s a declaration of what matters most to the community. From your favorite indie café to the trusted bike shop, from beloved chefs to bold entrepreneurs, these recognitions are stitched together by thousands of local voices celebrating who and what makes Portland Portland.

In a world that often prizes conformity, Portland is a place of colorful contrasts. Where forests meet freeways. Where the past is honored but not idolized. Where business and bohemia share sidewalks. It’s a city that prizes its roses—but never forgets its thorns, its quirks, or its relentless spirit. To understand Portland is to appreciate that it’s not trying to be anyone else. It’s trying to be more of itself, every day.

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To discover what the city loves and who’s shaping its future, explore BestOfTheRoseCity.com and join the conversation. Because in Portland, the best is always yet to bloom.

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