We love Portland, and we think you will too. While Steve’s adventure page has all of the best hikes, this page has a list of city centre recommendations. All of these tips can be found on the excellent Travel Portland website (which you should definitely check out).
Powell’s Books
Powell’s Books is the largest independent bookstore in the world. Head to Powell’s downtown for a coffee and a good read (as well as good gifts).
Restaurants
Food! We love food in Portland. It’s the best. Here are some of our favourite restaurants:
Eem Thai Barbeque (N Williams Avenue Street), Tusk (E Burnside Street), Luce (E Burnside Street), Bluto’s (SE Belmont Street), ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria (SE Hawthorne Blvd, N Mississippi Avenue), Broder (excellent Nordic fare—go here for breakfast and get the aebleskivers! N Mississippi Ave), Lovely’s FiftyFifty (pizza! N Mississippi Avenue), Apizza Scholls (more pizza! SE Hawthorne Blvd), and Shalom Y’all (SE Taylor Street).
Washington Park
We love Washington Parks for long walks, the famous Portland Japanese Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum. Visit the brilliant Washington Park website to learn more.
Coffee
Stumptown Coffee is Portland’s famous coffee roastery. Be certain to take home some of their coffee beans! Check out their website for the list of locations.
Other coffee shops include Barista (NW 23rd Avenue, NW 13th Avenue and NE Alberta Street), Sister’s Coffee Company (NW Marshall Street), Broder Nord (…for breakfast, too! N Mississippi Avenue), and Dragonfly Coffee House (NW Thurman Street).
Breweries
Portland (and the West Coast in general) is famous for its beer. Head to a brewery for great beer and food. We recommend Breakside (NW 22nd Ave), Deschutes (210 NW 11th Ave), Cascade Brewing (SE Belmont), Culmination (NE Oregon Street), and Little Beast Brewing (SE Division).
NW 23rd Avenue
We highly recommend a walk down 23rd Avenue. It’s not too far from Marah’s family home, and boasts a beautiful collection of shops, coffee shops (including Barista), restaurants (A Slice of New York Pizza!) and the Meadow.
The Meadow
Salt, chocolate, bitters and gifts—you have to visit the Meadow. There are a few locations, but the shop on NW 23rd Avenue is our favourite.
The Pearl District
The Pearl is home to wonderful shops, galleries and restaurants.