Today, “Keep Austin Weird” is as synonymous Texas capital as Willie Nelson and breakfast tacos.

The slogan, “ The City that Works,” is accompanied by the city/county information and referral line number, 50, and the name of the bureau that operates the vehicle. But addicts strung out on drugs also act weird, and a backlash against the slogan has grown since the start of 2013. When did keep Santa Cruz weird start?Ĭoonerty was referring to the town’s colorful counter-culture and street performers. The city’s easygoing informality, access to forests and mountains, and relatively mild climate continue to act as magnets for so-called hipsters everywhere. See also Does A River Run Through Portland Oregon? Why does Portland have so many hipsters? In Portland, almost everyone is a hipster. Portland isn’t like other cities where you have hipsters, and non-hipsters. Portland has been affectionately referred to as “weird” for decades – perhaps because it has the most strip clubs per capita in the nation or the high prevalence of man buns and mustaches. Wassenich’s radio donation, the phrase was brought to Portland by Terry Currier, a Portland-local record store owner. The new saying caught on and started becoming a common phrase–and eventually a slogan–for Austin, Texas. Who had keep it weird first Austin or Portland? In 2000, Wassenich phoned into KOOP Radio’s The Lounge Show to donate money. A simple question asked by a radio host and a pointed answer from Austin Community College librarian Red Wassenich created the phrase now synonymous with Austin. Keep Austin Weird first appeared in 2002. The city’s denizens proudly displayed the slogan on their cars and food trucks and unicycles. Book your flights at now or through your travel agent.Portland’s reputation became official in the early 2000s, after Music Millennium owner Terry Currier began printing up “Keep Portland Weird” bumper stickers. WestJet offers connecting flights to Portland from Vancouver and flies non-stop to Portland from Calgary. Couch Street has the intimate Big Legrowlski (sound semi-familiar?) beer and cocktail bar where you can catch a live music show - and take it easy.įeeling inspired to visit Portland yet? We’ve only touched the surface of incredibly weird and fun things to do in this Oregon city you’ll discover the rest when you get there. Meanwhile, Ground Kontrol is a fun-time arcade where visitors can order drinks like the princess peach cocktail and play games until close (usually 2 am).

Oh, it was also voted one of “Portland’s Weirdest Bars.” It’s a wild cabaret of sorts where you can grab a drink and take in entertainment ranging from comedy to burlesque, to storytelling. Funhouse Lounge on the corner of SE 11th and Division is a prime example. Nightlife in Portland is unlike anything in Vancouver, and there are some very interesting places to go for drinks.įor instance, themed bars are extremely popular in the city. Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade/ Orange Photography You’ll even find a musician playing the Tesla Coil (an electrical transformer circuit) as an instrument. Once back on the surface, drink in epic skyline views from the lookout at Renaissance-style château Pittock Mansion.ĭon’t forget a bizarre musical experience at Quarterworld pinball and arcade palace on the Eastside. The ruins are reportedly haunted, but you’ll have to hike the half-mile there to see for yourself.ĭid you know that Portland has underground tunnels? Take a tour deep beneath the city to discover what they were once used for. Keep those spooky vibes going by visiting The Witch’s Castle on the Lower Macleay Trail. To explore strange and creepy exhibits that celebrate sci-fi and urban legends, check out The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum on Thurman Street. Learn about the history of the vacuum and see the most loved models of all time. Consider yourself a cleaning aficionado? A visit to Stark’s Vaccum Museum has got to be top of your list. You’ll never be bored during a trip to Portland because the list of quirky attractions is endless.

Portland keep it weird video