Portland is home to the nation's largest wooded urban park—Forest Park. A short hike in, and you'll find it hard to believe that civilization is just steps away. With 70 miles of trails winding through the forest and offering views of the Willamette River, you'll often have nature all to yourself. However, you're also likely to run into locals jogging or walking their dogs—expect to be greeted with a friendly "hello." If you have the time, hike up to Pittock Mansion, a stunning French Renaissance-style château that once belonged to Henry Pittock, a prominent publisher and businessman. Today, the mansion serves as a historic house museum open to visitors, offering panoramic views of the city. Another popular destination within Forest Park is the so-called "Witch's Castle"—the moss-covered ruins of an abandoned stone house. Despite its eerie name, there’s no record of witchcraft here. However, legend has it that its original inhabitant was the first person in Oregon to be sentenced to execution for murder in 1859.

Formerly the Carousel Mall theater, this Regal Theater now houses an IMAX theater and is one of fewer than 50 national theaters to have a new RPX theater, which stands for Regal Premium Experience and promises to be the ultimate movie-viewing experience.

Built to commemorate World War I, World War II, and the Aroostook War, this 6,159 seat, multi-purpose arena is home to the Syracuse Crunch American Hockey League team and the Syracuse Silver Knights, a Major Indoor Soccer League team. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

The Royal Opera House is a relatively recent (it opened in 2011), yet critical addition to the Omani cultural scene where the Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said himself is a regular. Sleek on the outside, the white-stone building boasts elaborate inner décor that serves as the backdrop to some of the world’s finest performances.