portland, oregon | travel guide
TRAVEL TIPS
- The bike paths are huge and everywhere, it would be a shame to not bike at least one day (weather permitting). Everybody’s Bike Rentals is great for multi-day rentals (Mississippi) or BIKETOWN for short commutes and popping around town.
- Portland is a great city for walking, but there are gaps between the more condensed neighborhoods. Some of our favorite places to stroll: Pearl District, Central Eastside, Mississippi/Williams, Hawthorne & Alberta.
- Rent a car maybe for the day to visit Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls, but mainly I'd rely on Uber, large network here and cheap.
TO SLEEP
Airbnb Always a great option, check out our wishlist for future stays here.
Ace Hotel In the old Clyde Hotel building Downtown. Serves Stumptown coffee, has a cozy bar, allows dogs, awesome decor, bike rentals!, and close to many, many great restaurants.
The Society Hotel More hostel style spot with both shared and private rooms, originally built in 1881 as a boarding house for sailors. It is a quick walk from the Old Town/Chinatown with a cool bar, roof deck and chic decor.
TO EAT
Breakfast
Kenny and Zukes Lively downtown staple, Jewish deli & bagel shop. Also next door to Stumptown coffee.
Screen Door Opens at 9am, but get there before as the lines get long. Famous for their fried chicken + waffles.
Blue Star Donuts Gourmet donuts, this is where the locals go as opposed to the crowded and touristy Voodoo.
Pine State Biscuits Modernized diner famous for their fresh biscuits. Opens at 7am and recommended to get there early as this place is very hot right now.
Kure Healthy (& delicious) breakfast - smoothies, juices and bowls.
LUNCH & BRUNCH
Beast Fixed price meals set at communal tables – no substitutions, eat what you're served. It is delicious and such a fun experience.
Tasty n’ Alder (downtown) or Tasty n’ Sons (williams) Portland twist on American diner cuisine. Fun crowd for brunch on the weekends.
Shalom Y'all Israeli street food - mostly served at counter tops or at the bar. Great place for a snack and drinks.
Olympia Provisions {central eastside} Famous for their charcuterie that is shipped around the country. In an old industrial warehouse, this space is beautiful and the food & craft cocktails are an experience.
Little Bird Bistro (sister of Le Pigeon) Fun take on French cuisine, in a very energetic space.
Pine Street Market {downtown} Huge multi-story food fall with a variety of vendors and communal seating.
Bollywood Theater {SE portland} Insanely good Indian food with some modern twists - try the Kati Roll. They also play old movies and the decor is straight out of an Indian fairytale.
Bunk, Lardo, & Meet Cheese Bread for some of the best and most unique sandwiches you've had.
Adler Street Food Carts {downtown} @ O’Bryant Square, holds the city’s largest collection of famed food trucks.
DINNER
Le Pigeon {central eastside} Rotating menu of creative french inspired fare served at communal tables or the bar in a snug room.
PokPok {SE portland} Insanely delicious thai, must try the spicy hot chicken wings.
Mediterranean Exploration Company {pearl district} Upscale Mediterranean food and craft cocktails in an old dock warehouse. Great for large groups!
Roe {SE portland} Sushi/seafood with a speakeasy-esque entrance to the back of a bar.
Clyde Common {downtown} Centrally located and connected to the Ace Hotel, this place has always been popular. Their food is constantly changing for the better and they boast the best barrel aged craft cocktails in town.
Ned Ludd {NE portland} Everything served comes out of the wood fired oven - try the whole roasted trout.
¿Por Que No? {mississippi} Upscale taqueria with other good Mexican dishes in the typical PDX sustainable fashion.
Ava Gene’s {SE portland} Family style Italian that is slightly upscale and the place to be seen. Food is extremely authentic and unique, in the bar they offer a deep amaro selection and some fun takes on a negroni.
Toro Bravos {NE portland} Delicious Spanish tapas and full cocktail bar.
TO drink
COCKTAILS
Bye and Bye Hipster bar with a big front patio - fun to bike here during the day. Also have Southern vegan food that is supposed to be good.
Kask Downtown craft cocktail bar that is small and cozy.
Pepe Le Moko Hottest craft cocktail bar in town with eccentric mixology in a beautiful basement space. Get a reservation as they fill up quickly.
Mississippi Studios Great bar, good food and fun live music venue. Huge patio that is perfect for warm nights.
Multnomah Whiskey Library A must see vintage cocktail bar; long wait, so put your name in before dinner. Also check out The Green Room downstairs.
River Pig Saloon Old western feel with taxidermy all over the walls. Fun place to watch sports, especially the beloved Timbers.
McMenamins Kennedy School Built in 1915 as an elementary school, this place still holds a lot of the history and original artifacts. Today it is a restored hotel, bar(s), outdoor theater and pool, soaking room, brewery and more. Clearly it's unique and worth the trip.
The Rambler Great for a patio drink, bocce ball and people watching (food is good too).
Rontoms One of the city’s busiest bars with a massive back patio with dozens of picnic tables, a fire pit, and ping pong. It doesn’t matter what the weather’s like, this place always has a great ambiance.
COFFEE
Stumptown Coffee Credited with revolutionizing the coffee business and being the premier name of 'Third Wave' movement.. All started here in PDX, but now have shops in NYC, Seattle, LA & New Orleans.
Extracto House roasted beans, a large patio and espresso & milk concoctions.
The Fresh Pot Hipster coffee shop with very local vibes, a strong cup of joe and really good pastries.
BEER
Prost {mississippi} German beer hall & outdoor garden with food cart.
10 Barrel Brewing {pearl} Great roof patio overlooking the city and mountains.
Deschutes & Rogue Brewery {pearl} Two of the most famous breweries, both have great pubs to try their beer and food (which is surprisingly good).
to shop
WESTSIDE
Union Way {downtown} Connects Downtown with the Pearl district and the ultimate indoor/outdoor space for eating, drinking, and shopping.
Lizard Lounge {pearl} In an old warehouse, they have denim, men/women's fashion and other fun things to buy. They always serve free coffee as you peruse.
Filson {pearl} Since 1897 (HQ'd in Seattle) they have been selling rugged outdoor clothing, travel bags and watches. Their stuff is expensive, but lasts forever.
MadeHere PDX {pearl} Hipster-ish store that only sells locally main goods. Incredible to see their unique offerings and if you want to hang for a while, they have ping pong and beer.
Canoe {SW portland} Trendy contemporary furniture & home goods, also great online store.
Poler {SW portland} Stylish camping and outdoors gear - famous for their 'napsack' sleeping bag.
Shinola {downtown} Detroit based high-er end watch and bicycle company.
Powell's {downtown} World's largest independent bookstore. Locally famous and on most lists to see when downtown.
EASTSIDE
Worn Path & Animal Traffic {mississippi} Eclectic and awesome stores across the street from each other.
Tanner Goods {mississippi & downtown} The original hipster leather store in PDX. This is their beautiful flagship and the original location is downtown.
Grand Marketplace {central eastside} Huge industrial antique warehouse that houses multiple independent vendors.
Beam and Anchor {NE portland}Artisanal home furniture and other decor. Warning - you will want to buy everything here.
to explore
Loyly Scandanivian inspired spa; if it's cold outside and you need to rejuvenate from all the eating & drinking - come here.
Doug Fir Lounge & Crystal Ballroom Two iconic music venues in town, both with awesome old bars that you should grab a drink at - show or not.
Bagdad Theater Pub, vintage theater, & pool hall by the legendary McMenamin brothers.
Mount Tabor Portland's most iconic {volcanic} park with hiking trails, skyline views of downtown Portland, picnic areas, off-leash dog areas, tennis/volleyball/basketball courts — not to mention the picturesque outdoor reservoirs that once held the city’s drinking water.
Japanese Garden Known as one of the most beautiful gardens in the US, depending on your time of year - the experience will be varied. Fall for the coziest color scheme.
THE OUTDOORS
Multnomah Falls The photo famous waterfalls (45 mins from Portland) are definitely worth seeing, but get here early and on a weekday if possible - real touristy.
Punchbowl Falls Just down the road from the falls is this 5 mile roundtrip hike to another lush and gorgeous waterfall. For something a little more intense, get there early and hike the Eagle Creek trail to Tunnel Falls (12 miles round trip). Can also camp here too.
Hood River An easy choice for outdoor lovers - it’s full of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails...not to mention craft breweries, wineries and farm-to-table eateries. I recommend grabbing lunch at The Gorge White House, which has a great food truck and views of Mt. Hood. Stop for a huckleberry milkshake at Apple Valley Country Store (soooo good) and a dip in the river.
McMenamins Edgefield Set on a 100 year old farm is a huge funky resort-like compound with outdoor concerts, par 3 golf, brewery, winery, bikes on property, etc. I would definitely stay a night when we go back, but at the very least stop on your way back to see it.
Columbia River Gorge If you have a larger group or a friend with a boat, highly recommend boating the Columbia. Not far out of downtown and you are on the water, docking at sand beaches with little to no one around.
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