At FOX and American Idol, we’re big on Greening It and Meaning It, and Portland, Oregon is an environmental trailblazer. Popular Science rated it the Greenest City in America and it’s among the top five greenest cities in the world. Portland has a great indie music scene, so catch a live show at one of Oregon’s vibrant venues and get inspired for your audition.
Transportation
There are plenty of eco-friendly and wallet-friendly ways to get to Portland and around the town. As the first city to be designated a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, you can get around the city on more than 315 miles of bike path. If you’re flying to Portland, you’ll probably end up at Portland International Airport (PDX), which has light rail service from the airport into downtown. The public light rail system, known as MAX (Metropolitan Area Express), connects the city and suburbs. Best of all, there’s a 330-square-block area in the center of the city where there is no charge for light rail and streetcar rides. You can ride the Amtrak into Portland’s Union Station, just one block from the Portland Transit Mall, which is the hub for bus and rail services.
Sightseeing
Portland is known as The City of Roses due to the number of rose gardens in the city, including the popular International Rose Test Garden. You can stop and smell the roses at this free attraction. The Oregon Zoo hosts summer concerts on the zoo grounds, and a variety of musicians and singers perform at the live outdoor concerts. OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, is a popular site for tourists. Tickets are $12 for adults and the exhibits within the museum change often. For an additional cost you can check out OMSI’s planetarium,