The "Rose City's" culture simmers in hip coffeehouses, Native American art galleries, ubiquitous bookstores, numerous musical and theatrical events, and lively brewpubs. Classical and modern art of all kinds is currently displayed at the Portland Art Museum. Built on a European model, Portland is a walker's paradise. The city's streets, which feature statues, fountains and half-size city blocks, prompted Portland's selection in 1998 as one of America's best walking towns by Walking Magazine. For visitors covering a larger portion of the city, public transportation is both accessible and user-friendly. Light rail trains (MAX), the Central City Streetcar and an easy-to-navigate bus system move travelers through the town efficiently - and all offer free service within downtown Portland. Crowning the city's skyline is Mount Hood, the tallest peak in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range. Within the metro area are 37,000 acres of parks and green spaces that include sizeable chunks of prime downtown real estate, fabulous rose gardens and the brand new Classical Chinese Garden. For hikers and mountain bikers, the city is proud to host the nation's largest urban wilderness, the nearly 5,000-acre Forest Park.
Adjacent to Portland itself are the outstanding recreational opportunities of the Pacific Northwest. Windswept beaches, verdant forests, and snow-capped peaks give way to sweeping rangelands, towering rock formations, and dramatic river valleys in this incredibly diverse land. ICSE 2003 is planning to make a number of local excursions and tours available, immediately before, after and, for spouses and family of attendees, during the conference.
If you'd like to bring your family and require child care services during your stay, here are two sources of information that may help:
The reception, Wednesday evening, May 7, is a time for attendees to mingle and relax together. Extra tickets will be available for purchase. *Funds to support this reception have been graciously provided by Northrop Grumman.