Portland, Oregon
I have had one of my closest friends “visit” Portland with the intent of staying the length of a normal vacation and simply never came back to Arizona. Once I finally went to this stunning city myself, I could immediately see why she made it her permanent home. Portland, in my eyes, is a gem in the left coast of the United States that everyone should visit at least once. Everything is ALIVE and a brilliant shade of green. Yes, it does rain often but if you’re from the kind of state where the sun just won’t quit and the temperatures reach 120 degrees, a little rain is a blessing. Since it is notorious for having gloomy weather we recommend visiting in the end of July or beginning of August. We barely got a light drizzle the entire week of our stay so we were outside constantly. Portland is filled with countless adventures which means you will never find yourself without something awesome to do. An added bonus is that the food scene is fantastic and as a person who enjoys eating AND goes out to eat more than she cooks, I would never mislead you.
1. Mt. Tabor
I have to say that if I lived in Portland you would probably find me here almost every single day. The path to the top weaves its way through the gorgeous greenery that makes up the forest and starts its climb toward the top of the old volcanic cinder cone. Along the way you will find folks playing pleasant music and tons of locals jogging and biking their way up and down the trail with ease. I enjoyed this short hike so much I lingered at the end of the path for a while, winding through the trees and snapping photos trying desperately to capture the raw beauty of this moment through the lens. Although, as you know, it is always more stunning in person.
2. Cannon Beach
Most people recognize Cannon Beach because of the famous Haystack Rock and of course part of the Goonies was filmed there! Even though that is reason enough to check it out, it has a lot more to offer than just that piece of history. It is a delightful little town that was covered in a light fog when we arrived. We went quite early so it wasn’t over crowded when we got there which is nice so I always recommend doing the same. It’s about a 2 hour drive outside of Portland and it is a great day trip. Also, there is a great café called the Lazy Susan so if you brought an appetite with you, you can grab an excellent breakfast there. If you have the extra time during your stay you definitely shouldn’t miss it!
3. Freakybuttrue
This small museum is chalked full of..well – freaky stuff. Just make a quick detour, stop by and pay the small fee just to wander around and gaze at creepy works of art or venture inside a “zombies brain”. We appreciated this strange place and if you have some time to kill before your plans for the night, I think you’d enjoy it too.
4.Day Trip to Seattle (why not?)
Seattle is merely three hours from Portland everybody!! You definitely have to make the trip out to see all of the neat adventures it has to offer! In just one day we saw the Fremont Troll, the Space Needle, the First Starbucks, and we even got to pay our respects to the two legends- Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee. Rent a car and start driving!
5. Deschutes!
Deschutes brewery is located in Portland’s own Pearl District and it is gorgeous on the inside. There will most likely be a wait since this brewing company is pretty well known but it is worth it once you get inside. We had to go all out and order the beer flight to try several different kinds at once. They also have great food for when you work up that boozy appetite.
6. Worlds Smallest Park
Yes, the Worlds Smallest Park or Mill Ends Park is located in the heart of Portland, Oregon. It is an interesting addition to the town and has been celebrated by the locals for years now. This tiny park is something you shouldn’t miss since it is unique and it actually does hold the title for ‘worlds smallest park” so you won’t fine one more miniscule anywhere else!
7. Sandy River
This wonderful place is located just outside of Portland in a small city called Troutdale. My friend that moved out here a few years ago took us to this treasure of Troutdale and it was one of my favorite parts of our trip. We grabbed a Styrofoam cooler, filled it with our favorite local brews and took the journey down to the river side. (We took all of our trash with us afterwards!) Once you arrive you take a short walk down the sandy trail and find yourself surrounded by many other friendly people taking a dip in the cool water. This was where we found a plethora of blackberry bushes as well. There is no required parking permit so just make a half-day trip out of it and relax!
8. Witches Castle
I absolutely adore this trail. It takes you down a curvy path in between lime green leaves hanging from the limbs of eerie, crooked tree trunks. The hike itself is an easy one and it isn’t very long but your surroundings are what make it so wonderful. Once you reach the witches castle you can stop and climb all over it, investigate every nook and cranny that it has to offer. There were hardly any other people on the trail and we went in the late afternoon so it was even more creepy. I hope you love it as much as we did!
9. Keep Portland Weird
The well known ‘Keep Portland Weird’ sign! It was a pleasant surprise that when we pulled up to the sign it was not crowded with a sea of people trying to snap that perfect picture. In fact, Michael and I were the only two at that moment which I prefer since you don’t have to feel rushed to get out of the way. Another good thing about this sign is that it is located across the street from VooDoo donuts! So park your car, capture your photo, and run across the street to grab a box of those famous donuts before the line gets too long! And don’t forget to embrace your weird.
10. Pick Blackberries
Apparently, there are so many blackberry bushes in Portland that they are actually considered weeds. This was music to my ears because I LOVE fruit! We found so many lined up and down the shore of the Sandy River and I was in paradise. We brought a small cooler filled with our favorite locals brews, jumped into the river and plucked the plump blackberries off the vine, savoring the little treats that nature has to offer.
11. 10 Barrel
“Where’s a great spot to grab a delicious beer?” 10 Barrel brewing was one of the names we heard come up the most often when we asked the daunting question. There are SO MANY breweries in Portland it can be a bit mind boggling. So of course when in doubt- ask a local. I can see why many people referred us to 10 Barrel. One reason being that they have an incredible rooftop bar and you can see the city come to life beneath you as you sip a tasty beer brewed right there in Oregon. Every brew we put to our lips passed the taste test and by the time we left we had a nice, warm buzz going, protecting us from the chilly night breeze. We would recommend checking this one out.
12. McMenamins EdgeFeild
I am not even sure how to put McMenamins into words. It is, in all honesty, like a playground for adults. They have mini bars set up all over the place that resemble tiny houses that serve up alcohol. The restaurant is AMAZING so if you plan on splurging at least once you should do it here. They have sunflower fields and soaking pools. We didn’t even get to explore the entirety of the place because it is enormous. Please do not miss out on Edgefield when you go to Portland!!
13. Whiskey Library
My boyfriend Michael is a huge fan of fine whiskey. I, on the other hand, shudder at the thought of it. Luckily, the Multnomah Whiskey library has other liquor to offer than the one incorporated into their name. They provide over 900 different kinds of whiskey and the inside of the bar is stunning. When you first walk in (I recommend arriving early if you didn’t make a reservation) they have a small lobby that you wait around in before venturing upstairs. Once the host comes down to collect you, you follow him up a flight of stairs and through a large door where you will be dazzled by the sight of hundreds of whiskey bottles glistening on the walls. To top it all off the people who serve you are trained and man, do they know their stuff! I ordered a drink with silver tequila and all I had to do was tell him I prefer silver liquor and I don’t like sweet. The cocktail still visits me in my dreams.
14. Multnomah Falls
Yes, it is by far one of the most popular hikes in Portland but it is absolutely stunning when you finally reach the tippy top. The hike is moderate and with this one I would also recommend arriving early to beat the crowds. We visited in the beginning of August and the weather was perfect. It was so nice to be outdoors and hardly break a sweat during a hike. Once we got to the top of the falls we spent about an hour taking photos and pulling off our socks and shoes to wade in the chilly water.
15. International Rose Test Garden
This gorgeous garden has about 550 varieties of roses! It is perfect for a romantic afternoon or if you have a couple hours to kill before lunch or dinner. The colors of the roses are so vibrant and they look so beautiful lined up next to each other. All you can see are rows and rows of delicate petals bursting with pinks, reds, whites, and yellows. It is a peaceful environment and a must do.
LET’S EAT!
16. Voodoo Donuts
I know this is “typical” but come on, when you’re in Portland you have to try VooDoo donuts. they have plenty of funky and entertaining shapes and flavors and they must be doing something right because there is almost always a line out of the door. They are open 24 hours so if possible, come during the week early in the morning to snag yourself your very own pink box.
17. Salty’s on the Columbia
We loved this place!! Their happy hour is the absolute best and if you’re lucky you can grab a patio seat up stairs and sit right above the water while you eat! The seafood is high quality and tastes incredible. Combining the excellent happy hour prices, the sea, and a cold beer makes for an unforgettable time.
18. Wolf & Bears
This little food cart cooks up arguably the best falafel in Portland! I am infatuated with Mediterranean food so this was right up my ally. If you have a sudden craving for a pita then look no further. You’ve got to try the falafel so you can determine if it truly is the best. In my opinion it was excellent and completely satisfied my taste bud’s needs.
19. Mother’s Bistro & Bar
This one was recommended by our friends that I have mentioned above that has lived in Oregon for (give or take) the past 7 years. They told us to go, promising we would leave with full bellies and no regrets. They were 150% right- the food was to die for. It is a popular place for breakfast so there will most likely be a wait. It is so worth it.
20. Cartopia
Cartopia is a small collection of the most phenomenal food carts you could ever imagine. We decided to grab a bite from one that specializes in PB&J’s. This is not your average peanut/almond butter and jelly everybody!! They make their butters from scratch and they have some of the most unique sandwiches I’ve ever come across. The one I chose was made up of olive bread, goat cheese, bacon, almond butter, and apricot jam. Does it sound strange? Yes. BUT IT TASTES LIKE HEAVEN, UNICORNS, AND RAINBOWS. The flavors swirl together so delicately in your mouth it is like an explosion on your tongue. I never wanted it to end.
21. Lardo
Lardo is the kind of place you want to visit when you’re either buzzed or just the opposite- hungover. Their food will fix you right up! It is too good for words. They have a pork meatball sub that I still catch myself daydreaming about. If you’re going to have a cheat meal then it better be here!! Oh, and don’t pass up on the dirty fries.
22. Pok Pok’s
When in Portland you’ve got to eat, eat, eat!! There are SO many places to try and it is nearly impossible to find a bad meal. All that aside, you must go to Pok Pok’s not only to check out their awesome menu but to try their famous wings!! I am normally not a huge fan of wings but they were so yummy and they were packed with flavor! If you’re just not feeling the wings, they have plenty of other food to scarf down. I promise they will have something on that menu that will capture your heart!
23. Salt & Straw
If you have a mind set similar to mine then you never believe the hype when everyone says “Oh this is the best ice cream in town”. Well, when it comes to Salt & Straw, BELIEVE THE HYPE. They have some of the most delicious flavors I’ve ever tasted. We had just eaten lunch but passed right by this ice cream shop and since our sin is always Gluttony we had to get a scoop. The ice cream shops in AZ do not even compare to the magic that comes out of this place. I cannot wait to come back to Portland to stuff my face.
24. Toro Bravo
This Spanish restaurant specializes in serving up some fantastic tapas. It is nearly impossible not to go all out and order every last one of them! This is the perfect restaurant for a calm night out with the significant other. You will leave with full bellies and grinning from ear to ear wondering if you should just eat here every night for the rest of your stay.
25. Por Que No
Even if it’s not Tuesday and you’re still jonzin’ for some tacos, Por Que No has you covered! They offer some delicious food for a fair price and they whip up some pretty amazing homemade agua fresca. Go, stuff your face and enjoy!!
26. Prost!
Prost! means Cheers! in German. We originally wandered into this bar to drink a gargantuan boot and were grief stricken when they informed us that we needed at least 3 people to order it. So instead we ordered a couple tall German beers which chased our sorrows away. They also serve traditional dishes from Germany but we were so full we couldn’t fit any more food into our bellies. If you decide to check this place out and want to drink the boot don’t forget to show up with at least 3 people!
27. JAM on Hawthorne
If you’re looking for some of the best breakfast in town then you’ve got to visit the JAM!! There is usually a wait but they do offer free coffee outside which is perfect on a frigid morning. The food is fantastic and they offer variety of mimosas including lavender! I fell in love with everything this place had to offer including the outstanding service. Do not pass this restaurant by!!
28. Tin Shed
The Tin Shed is yet another great breakfast joint in the heart of Portland. Of course with all great food there usually comes a wait. It is WELL worth the wait. They have a dog friendly patio so you can dine in the company of cute canines of all shapes and sizes. After fueling up here I’d recommend going on a beautiful hike! Get outdoors!
BONUS!
Powell’s Books!
If you love to get lost in a great story as much as I do then you will be obsessed with this enormous bookstore! I could’ve spent hours in here, marveling at all of the books that have found a home on these shelves. If it weren’t for Michael reminding me we were limited on time I would have given an entire day to this store.
Thank you for reading my post! I appreciate you more than words! As always, have a great time and a safe trip! We hope you fall in love with Portland too!
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