Susan’s Portland

To mark the release of our March issue (now on newsstands), we’re celebrating cities over the next few weeks, and we’ve asked our readers to share what they love most about their towns. We’ve been overwhelmed by your responses, and don’t worry, we’re going to try to get to them all!

Still haven’t submitted? Here’s your chance. We’ve put together a list of fill-in-the-blank questions that should help get you started and we’d love it if you would copy and paste the list into an email, fill in your answers (as many as you like) and send your responses to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org. Declare your love for that special city in your heart!

Today’s featured city-lover is photographer Susan Seubert, who has most recently captured New York, San Francisco, and Sydney for Traveler. Here’s what she has to say about her favorite Northwest city.

Portland, Oregon, is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Powell’s Books and the Pearl District.

When I crave Italian food I always go to Cafe Allora.

For a great breakfast joint try the Original Pancake House.

To escape the city I head to the Oregon Coast.

If I want to go for a hike I go out my back door to the Marquam Green Space.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at home.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with Portlandia – the giant sculpture on the Portland Building.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Le Pigeon it has to be foie gras profiterols.

City Market is my one-stop shop for great seafood, pasta, meat, bread, and wine.

Locals know to skip any fast food and check out all the great local restaurants instead.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Miso Hapi on NW 23rd Ave.

For a huge splurge I go have a facial at the Aveda Spa.

Photo ops in my city include the downtown area with Mt. Hood and a rising full moon and the best vantage points are from the Japanese Garden.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be Gus Van Sant. Oh, wait, he is already here!

The most random thing about my city is it has an annual naked bike ride. Seriously. Check it out.

My city has the most tattooed men.

My city has the most tattooed women.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves hiking/walking in any park.

My favorite jogging/walking route is the Marquam Trail.

Le Bistro Montage is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read The Mercury.

My city’s best museum is the Velveteria.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they wear Dansko clogs and drive a Subaru.

In the spring you should be prepared for cold rain.

In the summer you should shop at the farmers’ markets and spend as much time outdoors as possible.

In the fall you should be prepared for cold rain.

In the winter you should be prepared for cold rain.

A hidden gem in my city is Sahagun Chocolates.  I would walk miles for the salty caramels.

Just outside my city, you can visit the majestic Columbia River Gorge.

The best way to see my city is on foot.

If my city were a pet it would be a salmon.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live on a tropical island – upcountry or beachfront Maui.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is Singin’ In The Rain.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss the sea lions at the Portland Zoo.

Biblical rain could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because it is the best!

Thanks to Susan for sharing her picks! Share your own by getting our fill-in-the-blank list and emailing it to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org! And check out past picks by clicking here.