Weekend Getaway: Portland, OR

/ Yale Wanders

If you like to shop and eat, Portland is the town for you. Usually, when I’m in the PNW, it’s to visit Seattle, so I haven’t spent as much time in Portland as I’d like. If you’re visiting for the weekend, get ready for days filled with walking all over the city, popping into shops and eating and drinking all of the delicious things.

My list of favorite places admittedly doesn’t scratch the surface of what Portland has to offer. Putting this post together has me yearning for another trip to this hipster-friendly town.

Interesting Attractions

  • Explore Nob Hill: Walk up and down NW 23rd avenue, window shopping as you go. I love this stretch of shops because most of them are small businesses
  • Taste different craft brews at Deschutes Brewery, Rogue Brewery and Base Camp Brewing. Portland is home to 60+ breweries, so you’re bound to come across at least one of them on your trip
  • Check out Portland’s famed food carts: I dig this map to use as a guide to all the carts
  • Relax at the Japanese Gardens: I haven’t been to these gardens, but they’re a repeat recommendation from friends who’ve visited Portland in the spring or fall
  • Spend time in nature: If you have enough time, I recommend leaving the city for a day trip to visit either Canon Beach or The Oneonta Gorge. Although I’ve never been, I’ve heard Multnomah Falls are also worth a trip

Screen Shot 2016-03-19 at 11.59.06 PMScreen Shot 2016-02-08 at 11.12.19 PMScreen Shot 2016-02-22 at 2.48.14 PM

Where to Shop

  • Powell’s City of Books: Swoon. Shelves upon shelves of books, I could easily spend a few hours browsing here
  • Canoe: Adorable furniture store
  • Alder & Co: Clothing, cool jewelry and home goods
  • Cargo: Love, love, love this shop- it began as a local project to connect the city with artisans from around the world. Cool place to browse imported architectural pieces, textiles, jewelry and party goods

  • Schoolhouse Electric Supply Company: Amazing place to shop for housewares

  • Union Way: Shopping gallery inspired by the passageways in Paris. Two of my fav shops to check out if you wander through: Danner for leather goods and Spruce Apothecary for lotions

Screen Shot 2016-03-20 at 12.00.02 AM

Where to Eat

Where to start? So many great places, I’ve organized my list by coffee/cafes, doughnuts, lunch/dinner options, and finally dessert picks

  • Heart: Great lattes and cold brew 
  • Stumptown: A PDX classic, fuel up on coffee and then head across the street to the Ace Hotel to take a picture in the iconic photo booth
  • Good Coffee: The chai has a nice flavor, but they’re known for their espresso drinks
  • Voodoo Doughnuts: Famous for a reason, definitely get a jelly-filled voodoo doughnut, but also try one of their daily flavors- love the one covered in chocolate and Oreos
  • Blue Star Donuts: IMO, these taste better than Voodoo, but I think going to Voodoo is fun for the experience. If they have the blueberry bourbon with basil when you visit, def order it

  • Pip’s: The cutest baby doughnuts, and a great homemade chai  

  • Sweedeedee: Top-notch breakfast cafe, order the breakfast burrito and honey pie

  • Mother’s Bistro: Another great breakfast/brunch option with solid kitchen classics, like scrambles, Belgian waffles and fluffy, homemade biscuits
  • Por Que No: A good brunch place on the weekend or spot for weeknight dinner. For sure order the chips and salsa and have a margarita. Really enjoyed the tacos here as well 
  • Hot Lips: Veggie pizza is on point here, but asparagus eggplant pizza whaaat! If you’re into kombucha, try their local brew
  • Bamboo Sushi: Some of the best sushi I’ve ever had, lots of different veggie options to try if raw fish isn’t quite your thing
  • Ava Gene’s: Delicious Italian dishes, a lot of which are vegetarian friendly. Get the burrata, you won’t regret it. Not sure if it’s still on the menu, but the corn agnolotti lobster was to-die-for 
  • Salt & Straw Ice Cream: Small batch ice cream with inventive flavors. The honey balsamic strawberry was my fav when I visited
  • Moonstruck Chocolate Company: Try the Mayan hot chocolate and sample a few of the mini chocolates, they’re all delicious

Screen Shot 2016-03-19 at 11.59.28 PMScreen Shot 2016-03-19 at 11.58.56 PMScreen Shot 2016-03-19 at 11.58.44 PMScreen Shot 2016-03-19 at 11.59.51 PM

Where to Drink: 

  • Deschutes Brewery, Rogue Brewery,  Base Camp Brewing or any of the city’s other breweries for a craft brew
  • Cooper’s Hall: Wine on tap, two thumbs up. Also love the ceiling here- white, industrial with cool lighting 
  • Shift Drinks: Cool spot downtown to grab a drink with a good cocktail menu
  • Multnomah Whisky Library: Perfect place for pre-dinner cocktails- speakeasy-esque bar in an old piano building. If you’re a whiskey drinker, you need to come here
  • Teardrop: Let the mixologists make you a drink, just tell them what kind of flavor profiles you like
  • Reverand Nats Cider: I’m a big cider fan, so it’s no surprise I really enjoyed the taproom here- definitely try the seasonal varieties if you visit

 

Getting Around Portland

  • When I was in Portland, I walked everywhere or took the TriMet (bus or Max Light Rail). If you want to make the most of your time in Portland, or want to check out some of the natural wonders just outside the city, I recommend renting a car.

Screen Shot 2016-03-19 at 11.59.16 PM

PS. Love this ultimate bucket list, 101 Things to Do in Portland.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

2 thoughts on “Weekend Getaway: Portland, OR”

Leave a Reply