1. It’s home to the world’s smallest park
Guinness world record-holder Mills End Park is just two feet across. Barely larger than a plant pot, the world’s smallest park is difficult to spot – walk along the waterfront and you’re likely to see bemused visitors near SW Taylor Street trying to match the park on their map with the area around them.
Despite its size, it’s treated like any other park – events and concerts take place around the site (including, apparently, a wedding), and a miniature ferris wheel was once placed into it by a full-size crane.
2. The city takes cycling to extremes
A whole host of bizarre bicycle-themed events are held throughout the year in Portland. Every June sees hundreds of people gather in the nude for the World Naked Bike Ride, which may sound silly, but is for a serious cause: to raise awareness for cyclists’ vulnerability on the roads.
If you’re not up for riding in the buff, there’s the Worst Day Of The Year bike ride to help you get over the February blues (fancy dress encouraged), and a bike-themed film festival in May.
You can take organised cycling tours with Pedal Bike Tours, all of which end up back at their shop where you can talk bikes over a local beer.
3. There’s a selection of strange festivals
As well as the bike film festival, there’s the
Faux Film Festival, which parodies the film industry, creating fake trailers, spoofs, mockumentaries and more.
If you’re into music, head over for the KK Quiet Music Festival: a weekend of “sonic serenity” for those who prefer to turn down the bass.
4. The museums are somewhat unusual
A wheelchair-bound zombie greets you outside The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum, which is home to a creepy collection of oddities, such as blood-splattered rooms and a bath filled with what looks like human organs. Dogs and “decent costumes” get in free, but it’s not for the fainthearted.
For those without a strong stomach, the Stark Vacuum Museum houses, you guessed it, a bemusing selection of vacuum cleaners. It's a wonder no one ever thought of this before.