It’s hard to believe it but we just passed our one year mark of living in Portland! It’s been a wild year. There is a ton to do, see and eat in Portland and the surrounding areas. I have a solid list of favorites to share, but also know we have so much more exploring ahead of us.
In the last two places we lived (SF & Barcelona) we knew the exact amount of time we’d be living in each (19 months & 8 months respectively) so we did ALL the things, seeing and doing as much as possible in that time frame. With Portland it’s more open ended. Even so, we’ve been trying to get the most out of our time, checking out restaurants, hikes, neighborhoods, etc.
When we moved here I was pregnant so basically the entire time we’ve been here I’ve either been pregnant or caring for a newborn. I’ll admit that has kept me from some activities, but even so, I think we’ve done a pretty good job of getting out and exploring.
When we have visitors or people ask for recommendations, I feel good about the advice I can share, so today I’m sharing it with you!
If you’re planning a trip to Portland, I hope you’ll find this guide helpful as you narrow down the long list of things to do, see and most importantly, eat 🙂 Enjoy!
Portland City Guide: Where to Eat
Brunch:
- Gravy: This spot is just good solid food. Expect basic breakfast items like omelettes and french toast and let me warn you the portions are enormous. I recommend sharing but if not, expect to eat that omelette for breakfast, lunch and dinner (seriously, I did that once).
- Sweedeedee: A cute breakfast spot in North Portland.
- Harlow: Not sure how to describe this brunch spot but it’s vegan-ish (though there are eggs) and healthy-ish and I’m a fan.
- Radar: Another good brunch spot in North Portland.
- Tasty n Alder: An always good spot in downtown Portland. Get there early because the line gets long and the tend to cut off the brunch list at a certain point.
- Pine State Biscuits: Really good and interesting biscuit sandwiches. Definitely get one of those, but also get a hash, mmm.
- Proud Mary: A bougie coffee and brunch spot but I love it. $6-$13 for a coffee is pretty wild but sometimes you just need to go for it. Also the avocado toast is top notch.
Lunch/Dinner:
- Pok Pok: The whole menu is pretty tasty but the spicy fish sauce wings are a MUST.
- Tusk: Very good Mediterranean in a nice setting.
- Bang Bang: Quaint and delicious Thai food.
- Por Que No: Really good Mexican, yum.
- Virtuous Pie: Vegan pizza. I’m not vegan but I love this spot.
- Eem: Another Thai food spot, really good. Expect a wait so go early!
- Pine Street Market: A mini food market with a handful of restaurants to choose from, also it has Wiz Bang Bar which is the soft serve off shoot of Salt & Straw
Dessert:
- Salt and Straw: Deeeelish ice cream. Not overhyped in my opinion. The Sea Salt Caramel flavor is incredible and then there are monthly specials which I’ll usually get. There’s typically a long line but once you’re at the front you’re encouraged to try as many flavors as you want, do not be shy about this! Try a ton!
- Eb & Bean: Nice and light soft serve with dairy and dairy free options.
- Blue Star Donuts: If you’re into fancy donuts, this is the spot. I like the buttermilk old fashioned.
- Voodoo Donuts: A tourist spot but if you want to say you’ve been, might as well go once! Too sweet for my taste but people tend to enjoy the wild flavors.
Coffee:
Portland is known for coffee so it’s hard to go wrong! But here are some spots worth visiting:
- Stumptown Roasters
- Case Study Coffee Roasters
- Barista
- Albina Press
- Good Coffee
- Coava Coffee
- Proud Mary
- Presso Coffee
Portland City Guide: Where to Stay
- The Hoxton: I haven’t stayed here but have heard great things. It’s downtown which actually is not my ideal area of the city to stay in but if you’re looking for a nice hotel, check this one out.
- Kimpton Vintage: When we visited Portland before moving here we stayed at the Kimpton downtown. Kimpton’s never disappoint and are super dog friendly if you’re traveling with a pup.
- Airbnb: Portland is more of a city of neighborhoods and that’s what I like about it. If you want to be downtown stay at one of the above, but if you want to be in a neighborhood I’d recommend looking into an Airbnb instead.
Portland City Guide: Where to Workout & Be Active
- Firebrand: Full disclosure, I teach here so I’m partial, but it’s a great studio! They currently have Lagree, circuit style classes and a row class.
- Megaburn: Another beautiful Lagree studio (I recommend Chelsea’s class!)
- Barre3: My favorite barre studio! There are locations across the US but it originated in Portland so there are lots of PDX locations to choose from.
- Firelight Yoga: A neighborhood yoga spot that has heated and unheated options.
- NOW Yoga: I love the airy and light studio and friendly vibe.
- Hiking: This is a city for the great outdoors, so while I love a studio workout, there are also tons of hikes to check out as well (more on that below).
Portland City Guide: Where to Day-Trip
- Mt Hood: About 90 minutes outside of the city. If you’re here in the winter, head to the mountain for a day of skiing. I love stopping by Timberline Lodge, grab a hot chocolate and relax there for a bit.
- Hood River: A really cute town about 60 minutes outside the city. Enjoy the town then drive the “Fruit Loop” which is a 30-ish minute loop drive of orchards, wineries, breweries and more. Enjoy epic mountain views along the way.
- Multanomah Falls: Waterfalls about 30 minutes from the city, worth a visit!
- Sandy River Delta: If you’re looking for more of a nature walk than a hike, check out this area, 20 minutes from the city. After you explore the river, grab ice cream at Sugar Pine Drive In.
- Cannon Beach: We love driving for day trips to Cannon Beach, even if it is 90 minutes each way–it’s worth it! It’s a sweet little beach town. Spend some time walking around the shops, grab lunch and take a long leisurely walk along the beach. Make sure to take some pictures by Haystack Rock.
- Tillamook Creamery: Cheese (and ice cream) lovers can visit this enormous cheese factory and grab some samples and an ice cream. Not sure this is worth it for a stand alone drive but it’s a great stop on the way to Cannon Beach.
- Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival: Seasonal (springtime) but a cute little afternoon away from the city if the timing is right.
- Sauvie Island: I think this is technically considered to be in Portland, but doesn’t feel like it. It’s an island full of farms so depending on the time of year, you can head here for a pumpkin patch visit, fruit and/or vegetable picking, farm stand visiting, or a bike/walk around.
Portland City Guide: Activities & Shopping
- Neighborhood Strolls: Portland is a city of small neighborhoods. While there is a downtown that is worth checking out, I prefer all the little neighborhoods full of cute shops and restaurants dispersed throughout the city. My favorites: 23d Street (favorite shop: Tender Loving Empire), Mississippi (favorite shops: MadeHere PDX, Pistils), Alberta Arts District (grab a coffee at Case Study Coffee Roasters).
- The Rose Garden: A huge free garden of roses to explore. Best in the summer months.
- The Japanese Garden: Near the above rose garden, another pretty garden to explore (though there is an entrance fee)
- Forest Park: And also near those gardens is Forest Park, a huge area to hike and explore.
- Mt Tabor: An extinct volcano you can walk/hike around for some light exercise.
- Powell’s Book Shop: A famous spot downtown, a huge bookstore that is an entire city block. You can even take tours of the shop.
And there you have it! I think this guide should keep you pretty busy on your next trip to Portland. I’m still in exploration mode so if you have any favorite spots I missed, please share them in the comments below!
(pin & save for your next trip!)
