As the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, the Portland Art Museum set the bar high for its followers. It is home to Oregon's most prestigious collection, including works from the European masters, Japanese screen prints and contemporary American pieces. There is also a sculpture garden and an area devoted to photography. But the museum's Native American gallery – which houses more than 5,000 ancient and modern objects from more than 200 different tribes – is not to be missed.

Recent travelers admit that they got lost in the art at this Portland museum, which is easy to do since the large collection fills three connected buildings. Because the museum is somewhat of a maze to navigate, some travelers recommend figuring out which exhibits you're interested in ahead of time so you know exactly where to go in the museum before arriving (gallery maps can be found online).

The Portland Art Museum is located in the heart of downtown Portland. The TriMet Bus Mall sits three blocks away as does the SW 6th & Madison MAX station. The A Loop streetcar also stops at the museum. You can visit the museum Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the museum stays open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays); admission costs $20 for adults; $17 for students and seniors and is free for kids ages 17 and younger. The museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, check out the Portland Art Museum's website.