Three nights is a nice amount of time for Portland, especially if you’re renting a car.
For where to stay, I’d look at the Pearl District or Northwest Portland. Both are walkable, feel pretty safe, and have tons of food, shops, and coffee. Alberta Arts is fun too if you want something a little more local feeling.
Nature wise, don’t miss the Columbia River Gorge. Multnomah Falls is the obvious stop, but there are a bunch of shorter hikes nearby that are just as good. If you’re heading to the coast, Cannon Beach or Manzanita are easy and really scenic day trips.
In the city, Powell’s is a must even if you’re not a big reader. The food scene is great and casual. Food carts, bakeries, and coffee everywhere. The Portland Art Museum is worth a stop, and wandering different neighborhoods is half the fun.
Portland is pretty relaxed and easy to do solo. June or July is perfect weather for it.
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