Eat Your Fill and Hike The Hill In Portland, OR
Portland has recently gotten a bad rap. In the aftermath of the COVID crisis and the George Floyd riots to follow, most of the city’s shops and restaurants had boarded up their windows and prepared for the absolute desolation of a previously vibrant downtown. During our early ‘21 visit to PDX, we found a lot of this to be true. But the pieces were beginning to be picked up, and most of the timeless pillars remained as strong as ever, refusing to shut their doors. We have always loved the Pacific Northwest, and “The City of Roses” has always been one of its crown jewels. Portland, Oregon offers one of the most vibrant food culture scenes in the world and one of the most unique and interesting populations of any urban area in the country. So much remains to be experienced in Portland, and we walked the streets for a few free days to get the lowdown on exactly where the heart of The Rose remains stronger than ever.
WHERE TO STAY
+ If you’re looking for upcycled, refurbished hotels with old bones - Portland is the city for you. Here are our two most highly recommendable hotel stays:
Ace Hotel - One of the first of its kind in the City of Roses, the Ace Hotel has taken an old bones, exposed brick structure and transformed its interior into cozy, elegant, and quirky rooms. Each room is unique and has its own theme and character, but you really can’t go wrong choosing one.
Jupiter Hotel - Located in SE Portland, the Jupiter focuses more on events, a happening bar and multiple lounges, and embracing the local art scene. With equally comfortable rooms, they’re also pet-friendly. So bring your pup like we love to do!
+ Book an Airbnb on either side of the river. If you’re traveling on a budget like us, the best bang for your buck will be to stay on the West side of the river, where you’ll be playing in the daytime anyway.
+ We’ve had luck finding car camping spots outside the city as well. If you head west along the Columbia River toward the ocean, you’ll find numerous secluded pull-offs and more regulated campsites along the way. Our favorite hidden pull-out spot was just a little bit west on I-30 and up Leif Erickson Dr. into Forest Park. There is nothing like waking up surrounded by greenery and morning mist in the PNW.
+ You won’t need to rent a car to get around Portland if you’re staying in town. As far as pedestrian-friendly cities are concerned, PDX is right up there with the easiest to get around. Plus, those Bird and Uber scooters are lying around everywhere. Save your money and use your legs, a scooter, and some public transport.
WHERE TO EAT
Kenny + Zuke’s Classic Pastrami meets its match: James.
+ We’ll be honest. Portland, Oregon is Foodie Paradise. There’s no way around saying it, especially when it comes to offering nearly every cuisine on the planet. Afuri Izakaya was our date night nigiri/sake spot, Kenny & Zuke’s was the first place I wanted to visit (see our Instagram for the pastrami which might be the world’s best sandwich), Grassa is our favorite modern Italian stop, Jam on Hawthorne and Pine State Biscuits offer their take on mouth-watering breakfast foods, while Salt & Straw and Fill Bake Shop provided the sweet spots in between.
+ It’s one of the hot spots in the country - maybe world - for craft breweries. If you’re looking a pint, be it an IPA or a local cider, check out Von Ebert Brewing or Great Notion Brewing.
+ Also overflowing in the City of Roses are the independent Coffee Shops, an M&J Away staple. The three we especially loved - Case Study Coffee Roasters, Proud Mary Coffee and NEVER Coffee Lab
Case Study Coffee, the downtown location.
WHAT TO DO
Pittock Mansion - the best view of Portland.
+ If you’re a book lover and have heard of the dreamy, seemingly endless Powell’s Books - beware. While an incredible landmark, the admittance line wraps around multiple corners and has only gotten worse during COVID-19 times.
+ The ideal sunset view of the city and the entire Willamette Valley can be found at Pittock Mansion. Do you need to pay for the tour of the old rich white peoples’ house-turned historic museum? We think not. Just go park your butts on the grass hill or benches facing the panoramic Portland view.
International Rose Test Garden
+ Speaking of ‘in between’, you’ll probably want to mix in some strolling around amidst all of the eating. The International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park is world famous, and though we haven’t yet been during bloom season, the Garden’s design and pure depth of inventory for the thousands of rose species were breathtaking. To deliver your trip’s most peaceful (one might even say…zen) moment, check out the pristine Portland Japanese Garden. Lush and green and full of flora you’ve likely never seen in person, before.
+ If you’re a frequenter of farmer’s markets, there’s no question you’ll want to spend a few good hours sampling local fare at the Portland State Farmer’s Market. This is our favorite thing about Portland, without a doubt. Saturdays, 8:30a-2:00p.