Why Did I Wait So Long to Visit Portland? (Car-Free Edition) 🚆

Getting There: Took the Starlight Train from Seattle (4 hours—slower but scenic!). The dining car was gorgeous, and I ended up sharing a table with a lovely retired couple who ride this route 3-4 times a year all the way to LA! They highly recommended the winter ride for the snowy peaks → coastal views transition. Winter trip = booked! ❄️🏖️ Day 1: Downtown Adventure! 🏨 Stayed at Hyatt House (amazing transit access). Hopped on the NS Line and hit: 📚 Powell’s City of Books (heaven for book nerds) 🛍️ MUJI + Kinokuniya Bookstore (tax-free shopping = YES) 🎧 Best Buy – Snagged AirPods Max for $529 (vs. Apple’s $549)! Still not China-level discounts, but way better than Seattle. 💸 Day 2: Washington Park Bliss 🌸 Japanese Garden (serene AF) 🌹 International Rose Test Garden (*550+ varieties!*) 📸 Pro tip: Wear something flowery for pics! Day 3: Multnomah Falls (No Car? No Problem!) 🚌 Public Transit Hack: Take the Columbia Gorge Express from Gateway Transit Center ($10, 35 mins). ⚠️ WARNING: Only 3 daily departures (e.g., 8:50AM, 10:20AM, 1:20PM)—miss one and you’re stranded! Hike time: ~3 hours round-trip. 🚗 "Oops, I Missed the Bus" Emergency Plan: No permit? Drive to Wahkeena Falls instead (free parking, no permit). Follow signs for a 10-min walk to Multnomah Falls. *(Yes, I learned this the hard way after missing the bus by 5 mins and panic-Ubering…)* 😅 Final Verdict: Portland’s summer = just as dreamy as Seattle’s, with tax-free perks and stellar transit options. Already planning my next trip—maybe winter for that train ride! ❄️📚 #Portland #PortlandTravel #NoCarNeeded #TaxFreeHaul #TravelHacks 🌟