Gresham
Introduction
Gresham sits in the Willamette Valley in Multnomah County, Oregon, bordered by Portland to the northwest and partly to the southwest. The city was first settled in the early 1850s by the Powell brothers and stayed unincorporated until 1905, when it took its name from Walter Quintin Gresham, a Civil War general and U.S. Secretary of State.
Use Gresham as a base for exploring the Willamette Valley, with Portland close at hand to the northwest.
Getting there
Portland International Airport (PDX) is the nearest major airport, roughly 13 miles away. From there you can pick up a rental car, or take the MAX light rail into Gresham by riding the Red Line and transferring to an eastbound Blue Line train at Gateway Transit Center.
The MAX Blue Line runs diagonally across Gresham, so most of the city has reasonable access to it. It connects the line's eastern terminus near downtown Gresham directly with downtown Portland and continues onward to Beaverton and Hillsboro. Several TriMet bus lines also link Gresham with Portland and Troutdale. By car, your best approach depends on where you're headed: Interstate 84 skirts the far north of the city, while US-26 (Powell Blvd.) offers a route from Interstate 205 if you're coming from the south. Travellers arriving from the east will use Interstate 84, or US-26 if coming from Central Oregon.
Getting around
The MAX Blue Line is the backbone of transit in Gresham, cutting diagonally across the city so that most areas can reach a station without much trouble. Its eastern terminus sits near downtown Gresham, putting you close to the start of the route if you stay in the city center, and from there the line runs directly into downtown Portland before continuing west to Beaverton and Hillsboro — the simplest way to make the trip without worrying about traffic or parking. TriMet buses fill in the gaps, connecting Gresham to Portland and to nearby Troutdale and serving parts of the city and neighbouring communities that aren't on the rail line. Because the same regional agency runs both, you can plan a trip that mixes rail and bus, and the same fare media generally covers your whole journey, so a single ticket can carry you from a Gresham bus stop onto the MAX and into Portland.
Walkability depends heavily on where you are: the area around the eastern terminus near downtown is the most naturally walkable for a visitor, but outside that core distances grow and you'll likely want to pair walking with rail or bus. Taxis and ride-hailing are handy for door-to-door trips, late nights, luggage, or destinations away from the transit lines. If you're driving, Interstate 84 runs along the far north of the city, while US-26 (Powell Blvd.) offers another route from Interstate 205 if you're approaching from the south. From Portland International Airport, the most straightforward car-free option is the airport's Red Line with a single transfer to an eastbound Blue Line train at Gateway Transit Center; rental cars are also available at the airport if you'd rather drive.
Where to stay
Gresham's most distinctive place to stay sits just outside town in Troutdale: McMenamins Edgefield, housed in a former county poor farm about fifteen miles east of downtown Portland. Its rooms run the range from suites and family rooms to hostel dorms, so you can choose between a private stay and a bunk depending on your budget and mood.
Within Gresham itself, the Ponderosa Inn on NE Cleveland Avenue is the option to note for a straightforward stay close to the city's own streets.
Food & drink
Gresham has restaurants scattered across the city, though finding one with truly great food takes some looking. For a hearty start to the day, Don Pedros serves breakfast burritos that are tasty and inexpensive, with a green sauce worth seeking out. If you're in the mood for a juicy steak and don't mind shelling peanuts while you wait, Original Roadhouse Grill offers secluded corner booths, attentive wait staff, and the fun of shaking peanut shells out of your shoes before you leave.
- Szechuan Open Kitchen is noted as a notably clean Chinese restaurant, with a lunch menu that includes your choice of soup, fresh hot tea, and steamed rice; the sesame chicken is a must-try.
- Asian Thai Bistro, on N Main Ave, serves Thai food.
- Wall Street Pizza on N Main Ave is a family-style spot with a family fun room featuring arcade games and pool.
- Wok In on N Main Ave offers stir-fry combo plates with a family-owned feel and a pleasantly decorated outdoor patio.
- The Local Cow on N Main Ave is a burger spot serving organic Oregon-grown beef.
For a drink, head to Highland Pub & Brewery on SE 182nd.
What to see and do
Oxbow Park is the place for a family picnic, a barbecue with friends, or a swim in the river, and it also has areas where you can camp overnight; note that pets are not allowed and that parking is charged per car. For live music, the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival takes over Downtown Gresham at 200 NE Hood Avenue each August, produced by the Gresham/Mt. Hood Jazz Association, which also puts on other jazz performances and workshops through the year. Past lineups have included Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente and B. B. King. If you want a movie, head to the Mt. Hood Theater on E. Powell, known for low prices, good films and a comforting atmosphere, with separate pricing for adults and for children or seniors.Three days in Gresham
Day one: Arrive at Portland International Airport and take the MAX Red Line to the Gateway Transit Center, where you can connect onward into Gresham. Once settled, spend your first afternoon getting your bearings in the city centre, where walkability makes it easy to cover the main streets on foot. If you'd rather not walk, taxis are available. In the evening, head to McMenamins Edgefield, a distinctive spot within Gresham for a relaxed meal and a wander around the grounds.
Day two: Use the MAX Blue Line to explore further afield, with connections through the Gateway Transit Center toward Portland and, in the other direction, out to Beaverton and Hillsboro. Several TriMet services make it straightforward to reach Troutdale and the wider Multnomah County area. Return to Gresham in the evening and take a slow walk through the neighbourhood streets to get a feel for local life.
Day three: Take a final morning to explore Gresham's central districts on foot before departing. From Gresham you can connect back to Portland International Airport via the MAX and the Gateway Transit Center. If your travels continue south, the Willamette Valley lies beyond Portland, and travellers heading further into Oregon can use the interstate and highway connections that pass through the area.