Weekend Getaway: Pockets of Portland

Portland Oregon, a PNW city situation on the Willamette and Columbia rivers. We flew in from Nashville which had no direct flights so we did layovers in Atlanta on the way there and Los Angelas on the way back. Portlands airport, PDX, is about a 20-minute drive to the downtown area.

WHERE TO VISIT

Pearl District: An artsy urban area in the heart of downtown. Clean streets filled with good shopping, art galleries, and cuisines. Easy walking distance to other neighborhoods and sights. This is where we stayed and found it very convent to be able to have so many things walking distance or a short car ride across the river. We stayed at the Moxy Hotel which felt like a up-scale hub for young professionals. We loved the staff, free welcome drinks, comfy beds, and gym (at the time was only $135/night).

Hosford-Abernathy & Hawthorne: Boho-vibes are welcome here. A eclectic and quirky neighborhood thats a slower pace. Filled with fun vintage shops. Great local craft beer stores next to yummy dinner options and luscious parks. This was my favorite place to be in Portland.

Nob Hill: Northwest Portland is this European high end neighborhood. Great shopping and amazing houses to walk around the neighborhood in. Visit the Japanese Garden or Forest Park that has 70 miles of trails

Boise AKA Mississippi Avenue: Trendy shops, good cafes, night life, and food options that are off the charts. Lot’s of art and unique people watching this is a hipsters paradise complete with Experience Paxton Gate, the show featured in Portlandia.

WHAT TO DO

• Washington Park: A zoo, rose garden, Japanese garden, tennis courts and more. This park boasts beautiful scenery while maintaining a secluded feel on the trails. We did the MAX to MAC trail which is about a 4mile easy hike that takes you to many of the attractions within the park.
• Multnomah Falls: About a half hour drive from downtown Portland is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific northwest. If you are driving you will need to get a permit, or, no permit required if you are doing public transit or a tour. You can take the 2.6 mile out-and-back trail
• Ecola State Park: 1hr and 30 minute drive outside Portland to the coast lies Ecola State Park. A 7-mile trail with views of Haystack Rock, a lighthouse & isolated beaches. For Ecola point & Indian state peach information click here. You will need a $5 day use permit.
• Vineyards: Elk Cove Vineyard (1st winery in the area with estate-grown grapes), Cooper Mountain Vineyards (organic & biodynamic wines), Villa Catalana Cellars (Spanish inspired) all under 45 minutes from downtown.
• Hawthorne Blvd: We spent an entire day here and barely scratched the surface. Hawthone Aslyum Food Trucks, Vintage shops, delicious foods. There are such fun and unique stores it was our favorite part of the whole trip.
• Striperokie: Sing on stage while stripers dance next to you – need I say more? This plays is awesome and fun for everyone. Devil’s Point is where you go!
• Art Walk/Markets: 1st Thursday of every month there is the First Thursday Street Gallery for free exhibits and art galleries filled with work by local artist.

WHERE TO EAT

Breakfast/Brunch

• Jam On Hawthorne: amazing drinks, large portions, and INCREDIBLY affordable. There usually is a wait but they have a to-go window you can order a cocktail or coffee at to kill time. Wander up the street if it’s a longer wait to the many fun shops on Hawthorne blvd. Do not take reservations.
• Hey Love: filled with plants & good cocktails they do not take reservations.
• HunnyMilk: sweet & savory plates downtown
• ScreenDoor: we went to the pearl district location, it does fill up fast so go early

Lunch/Dinner

• Oma’s Hideaway: the best meal we have had on our trip and maybe in our life. Southeast Asian food that is equally as creative as it is delicious. coconut rice, Roti canai, sweet potato dumplings, and the crab sandwich was the highlight
• Tope: rooftop bar with the best views of Portland. Tacos are yummy and so are their drinks. It is on the pricer side so if you’re trying to save money just go for drinks/happy hour
• Phuket Cafe: New Thai restaurant. Embodies the creative energy in Bangkok where the owner grew up.
• Elephants Delicatessen: We stopped here for lunch before our hike in Washington Park. Sit at the bar and have Andrew make you a cocktail. They have tons of options and is an outstanding deli.
• Lechon: great tapas spot right on the river
• Gado Gado: cocktail slushes, dumplings, and Indonesian street food
• G-Love: known for their amazing cocktails and fresh menu

WHERE TO DRINK

• Tropicale: tropical cocktail bar
• Expatriate: craft cocktail bar with small bites
• Voysey: speak easy underneath the brewery called loyal legion cocktail & win bar, super vibey
• Pink Rabbit: fun tiki bar with small bites
• Scotch Lodge: cocktail & whiskey bar serving french small plates
• Flora: Speak easy hidden at the loyal legion – reservation only

Portland, you are a true gem. Our top highlights were Oma’s Hideaway for dinner, wandering the shops on Hawthorne Blvd, and exploring Washington Park. See you next time!