I just got back from a fabulous trip to Portland, OR for my cousin’s wedding! As most of you know, I grew up in Idaho and have a love affair with the Pacific Northwest. Any time I get a chance to talk about the PNW or visit, I get really excited.
Because I love Portland so much, I’ve decided to put together a list of my recommendations plus a few from close friends and family (who I trust)! Hope this helps you on your future adventures in Portland!
Fun Things to Do in Portland, Oregon….
First, let’s start with….brunch. 🙂
Best Brunch Spots:
Pine State Biscuits – Try the Reggie Deluxe! Fried chicken, bacon, gravy, cheese on a biscuit (YUM!). That’s it above and they make the biscuits right there in front of you.
Gravy – Located on the retro/hipster street of Mississippi Ave. Very YUM!
Screen Door
Broder
Mother’s Bistro – A Portland staple. I had the breakfast nachos!
Kenny and Zuke’s
Inside of Bollywood Theatre (a great lunch and dinner spot)
Cool Things to Do:
Portland Japanese Tea Garden
Portland Saturday Market – amazing vendors and shops. Walkable from VooDoo Donuts and Powell’s! I always go to the jewelry vendors and buy cute, delicate rings.
Shops on Mississippi Ave. – It’s so awesome just walking down the street because there are SO many urban, hipster and eclectic shops to pop into.
Powell’s Bookstore – I come here every time I’m in Portland! You can get lost inside the store since it takes up an entire block.
Portland Farmer’s Market
Pittock Mansion
Rose Test Garden
Hawthorne District – Tons of thrift shops and 2nd hand stores with really cool clothes and trinkets!
St. John’s Bridge
Portland Art Museum
Cocktails at The Ace Hotel
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Boat Tour around the river
Pearl District – It’s fun to walk around this district and I recommend staying in this part of town since it’s so central!
Northwest Portland/Alphabet District – tons of great shops and food!
My fam and I outside of the Portland Saturday market Hanging out on Mississippi Ave.
Lunch/Dinner:
Portland City Grill
Portland Food Carts – These are literally all over the city. You can’t miss them. Try going to get the Schnitzelwich if you can find it!
Bollywood Theatre – order all of the things! It’s got such a cool Indian/Bollywood vibe inside and the food is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before.
Little Bird Bistro
Henry’s Tavern
Bamboo Sushi – best rated sushi in the city
Treats:
Salt & Straw Ice Cream – amazing hand made ice cream!
Blue Star Donuts – Lemon Poppyseed donut FTW
VooDoo Doughnuts – this is a Portland tourist hotspot! Go early to avoid lines!
Breweries:
Deschutes Brewery – this is about 1 block away from Powell’s. Great spot for happy hour!
Rogue Alehouse – The famous Rogue brewery that serves bacon maple ale to mimic the bacon maple VooDoo donut. I don’t recommend this beer….tastes super weird. 🙂
Laurelwood
Hair of the Dog
BaseCamp Brewery – try the S’more’s Stout!
Commons Brewery
Breakside Brewery
Coffee Shops:
Stumptown Coffee – long line, but yummy! They also have cold brew to go!
Ristrettro Roasters
Heart Coffee Roasters
The Albina Press
Outside of Portland:
Multnomah Falls
Wahclella Falls
Go on a hike to Oneonta Gorge
Visit a fruit stand on the way to the Oregon Coast
Drive to the Oregon Coast (roughly 1.5 hours from Portland)
I’m sure I’ve missed some great reccs! Any more to add?
wow As most of you know, I grew up in Idaho and have a love affair with the Pacific Northwest. And I have relatives there. I’ve been there once and I hope to visit this country.
Yes hopefully you do one day 🙂