Portland is underwhelming. The bones of the waterfront are great but have not been leveraged. As you walk down the boardwalk, it simply looks like an industrial wasteland. City center is not focussed. Minimal effectiveness on food. Public transit is excellent but the attractions are not as advertised. I have seen several Japanese gardens throughout the world. For claims that it qualifies as in the top echelon outside of Japan is a stretch. Oregon is home to some of the greatest natural beauty in the world. Canon beach is beautiful only to be surpassed by the drive along 26 to Portland. Unfortunately Portland leaves you with a sense of longing. There does not seem to be an emphasis on museum or non natural things to see. Any city that I have visited understands the importance of both leveraging the physical beauty of the environment they posess while also providing some form of intellectual challenge in the attractions they set up. I know that this may be sacrilege however Seattle who I visited for the first time seems to have struck that balance. I know that each individuals has there own beliefs in terms of what is interesting, however I believe that Portland is working its way to something that could be very special. Unfortunately they are 10 to 15 years away from that time.
