Explore

Portland City Guide

⁠

STAY

I highly recommend staying in an AirBnb you can walk to great food. My two favorite neighborhoods to stay/walk around in are highlighted in purple :

between Hawthorne and Division in SE

Alberta in NE

⁠

Loading…⁠

⁠

CITY

Portland is bi-sected west/east by the Willamette River. $ - cost money *- be sure to get a reservation in advance

WEST

Inner-west is “downtown” so lots of commercial businesses, music venues, and very cool restaurants. However, I would... not park around here at night if you can avoid it - and never leave stuff in your car. Further west are beautiful parks and were all the basketball players and Nike execs live.

Portland Japanese Garden - gorgeous peaceful walk through amazing gardens and a tea house. I almost always take folks here and the Rose Garden. $

⁠

Rose Test Garden- Free, a showcase of rose breeding. In the summer this is awesome

Multnomah Whiskey Library - if you like whiskey, this will be spiritual. You need to make a reservation aka “get a Hall Pass” but trust me it is a worth-while experience. *

⁠

Powell’s Books - An entire city block, be sure to check out the rare books room!

Ground Kontrol - epic arcade, be sure to check out the... bathroom

⁠

Lan Su Chinese Garden⁠

- smaller than the Japanese garden but far superior tea house. $

⁠

Portland Zoo - Not unique but still great $

OMSI - Very cool, interactive museum. Check out what’s being shown $

Council Crest Park - if it’s a clear day, you can see Mt. Hood, Jefferson, Rainier and Mt. St. Helen’s

Nearby shopping - Pendleton, Danner, Arc’trex

EAST

This is my side of town. Lots of neighborhoods are a blast to just walk around, grab snacks, check out cool local shops, food cart pods, visit record stores, etc

McMenamins Edgefield - If you have some time and like wine this is an epic, historically restored property that has their own distillery, winery, farm, movie theater, like three restaurants. (McMenamins is a local chain. They buy old properties and fill them with local artists murals, tiny themed bars. It’s such a thing that they have a passport and you collect stamps. It’s fun)

Kennedy School - If you want to stay closer to town, this is a must. It’s a restored school with A MAGNIFICIENT SOAKING POOL. *

⁠

Hollywood Theater/McMenamin Bagdad - gorgeous landmark theaters

Revolution Hall - Rooftop bar with great views and close to food carts

⁠

Hopscotch⁠

- immersive, installation (I haven’t been but have heard great things, like TeamLab) $*

FOOD

Kann - Chef just won a James Beard so it’s near impossible to get a resy but it’s great*

Oma’s Hideaway or Gado Gado - Malaysian/Pan spots. I go to these religiously. Unique but always delicious

Broder Nord - my fav breakfast, scandi food. Get the Lost Egg and their coffee.

Bonus: Get Blue Star donuts to go

Salt & Straw - ice cream must

Bollywood Theater - Indian food goodness

Angel Face - so fun, the bartenders make a cocktail to you taste

NATURE

If you have a car here are some farther-off options

Columbia River Gorge

Multnomah Falls

This is a busy spot. If there’s no parking, drive by slowly and check out a dif waterfall below. You may need tickets, be sure to check here

Open link

⁠

Oneta gorge & tunnel - park here and walk around!

Edgefield - see above, do this on the way back!

Hood River

Ferment Brewery

Mt. Hood

Timberline Lodge

Fruit Loop

EVENTS

⁠

Portland Adult Soapbox Derby⁠

- Mid-August, The absolute silliest, best thing ever.

⁠

Pedalpalooza⁠

- June to August, themed bike rides (cat, David Bowie,

⁠

Night Market⁠

- select weekends, very cool market with local vendors and great food

⁠

Winter Lights Festival⁠

- early Feb, light based installations, performances

⁠

Loading…⁠

⁠

Resources

⁠

Loading traveloregon.com⁠

⁠

Willamette Week We'll send you a newsletter with what you need to know every week. www.wweek.com⁠

⁠

Loading…⁠

⁠

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.