Portland, OR
Explore Portland, Oregon known as the “City of Roses” nesting between the Columbia and Willamette rivers, with the majestic Mount Hood as a stunning backdrop. Famous for its eco-friendly initiatives. Portland offers a bustling food scene, coffee shops, microbreweries, wineries, art, cultural festivals, and natural beauty parks/famous waterfalls. Portland makes a compelling destination for residents and visitors alike.
Hello, Portland
When searching for Portland, Oregon don’t get confused. There are two Oregon’s: Portland and Maine, OR. This is a guide list for Portland, Oregon!
Airport/ Transportation
Airport: United Airlines or Southwest (Fly into Portland International Airport PDX)
Transportation: Rent a Car or Uber. I suggest renting a car if you want to do a day trip out to the hot springs or Cannon Beach/Haystack Rock.
Where to Stay?
- The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton (rooftop bar).
- Canopy by Hilton Portland Pearl District (Beautiful)
- Tiny Digs – Hotel of Tiny Houses (Unique)
- Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
- Jupiter NEXT
- Hotel Lucia
- Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center
- Woodlark
- The Hi-Lo, Autograph Collection
- The Ritz-Carlton (Luxury)
Where to Eat?
- Jake’s Famous Crawfish (must-go)
- ScreenDoor (must-go) Southern Brunch Spot
- OK Omens (must-go) Contemporary American
- Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine Pearl District (must-try)
- Morton’s The Steakhouse- Portland
- RingSide Steakhouse –Uptown (Steakhouse)
- Laurelhurst Market
- Portland City Grill
- Naan-n-Cury (Authentic Pakistani Dishes)
- Explore Food trucks @ southwest 10th Ave & alder St. Downtown Portland
- Captain’s Choice Cajun Seafood
- Chart House Restaurant (Seafood)
- Love Belizean (Caribbean food) Togo
- LeChon (Fav Spot-South American)
- Arden (Contemporary American)
- Noble Rot (American)
- Canard – Burnside (Contemporary American)
- Le Pigeon (Contemporary American)
- Brix Downtown Portland (Comfort Food)
- Oven and Shaker (Pizzeria)
- Olympia Provisions Southeast
- Clark Lewis
- Top Burmese Bistro Royale
- Departure Restaurant and Lounge (Asian)
- Shalom Y’all (Mediterranean)
- Oma’s Hideaway
- Voodoo Doughnut (since 2003) homeland
- Amalfi’s ( Italian Restaurant)
- Nostrana (Italian)
- Dolly Olive (Italian)
- Nostra Tavola (Italian)
- Serratto (Italian)
Bars, Lounges, Speakeasies, and Rooftop Bars
Bars and Lounges
- Dead Shot
- Swift Lounge
- Driftwood Room
- The Box Social
- Olive or Twist
- Roscoes’
- Black n Gold Pub
- Mingle Lounge (Hip-Hop + R&B)
- The Portland Wine Bar
- Sante Bar 🏳️🌈
- Hale Pele (Tiki bar)
- Wahi Hana (cocktail bar)
Speakeasies
- Circa 33 (book shelf entry)
- Voysey (book reservations on resy.com)
- Sugarhill
- 2NW5 Basement Bar – The Horton Chinatown)
- Nalu Kava Bar
- Flora (popular)
- Giatti’s Speakeasy (popular)
- Multnomah Whiskey Library
- Grandma Secret
- Mingle Lounge (Blk owned /neo-soul, hip hop/ R&B)
Rooftop Lounges
- The Xport Rooftop Lounge (inside The Porter Hotel)
- Departure Restaurant and Lounge (Pan-Asian)
- Noble Rot (rooftop garden)
- Palomar (Cuban-inspired bar)
- Tope (the best rooftop bar for tequila and mezcal)
- 10 Barrel Brewing Company (popular rooftop patio)
- Radio Room (Unique with Live DJ)
What to Explore?
Things to Do
- Portland Spirit Bruch Cruise
- Willamette Winery Tour (small group- exit 28 -Uber drop-off point)
- Abbey creek vineyard
- Pittock Mansion Park + Viewpoint
- Bagby Hot Springs, inside the city. (please read important link information).
- Portland International Rose Test Garden (Popular)
- Portland Saturday Farmers Market (Downtown -Every Saturday @ 8:30-2 pm)
- Powell’s Books
- Forest Park (morning walk or run)
- Portland Art Museum
- Portland Zoo
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Hale Pele (Popular-Tiki bar)
- Oregon Coast Beach Tours
- Mount Hood Railroad train scenic route
Viewing Sites + Water Falls
- Multnomah Falls -Popular (exit 28 -Uber drop off point): View of Latourell Falls, Hood River, Columbia Gorge Falls, and other various hiking waterfalls.
- Mount Hood & Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Tour
- Vista Point (House Viewpoint).
Other Suggestions?
- Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon (located in Umpqua, OR 2+ hour Drive out) hiking to hot springs.
- Cannon Beach/ Haystack Rock: Beach (1.5 drive from Portland)
- Portland’s Only Food Cart Tour (Airbnb experiences)
- Immersive Chinese Tea Experience in a Private Tea House
- Multnomah Zen, a four waterfall scenic hiking experience
- Downtown Portland Coffee & Donut Tour
- Portland River Boat Tours
Best Photo Spots to Visit
- Latourell Falls
- Multnomah Falls /Columbia Gorge Waterfalls
- Cannon Beach/ Haystack Rock: Beach
- Pittock Mansion Park (panoramic view of downtown Portland)
- Cathedral Park & St. John’s Bridge
- Portland International Rose Test Garden
- Portland Oregon Sign: located in Tom McCall Waterfront Park (the north side of the sidewalk of Burns Bridge is the best viewpoint)
- Mt. Tabor Park
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Keep Portland weird sign: located off SW Third Ave. parking lot across from Voodoo Doughnut
Travel Tips
- Get some hiking boots if you plan to hike
- It rains a lot in Portland, off and on……so be prepared
- Always be aware of your surroundings
Gallery
Cannon Beach/ Haystack Rock (1.5 hours drive from Portland).
Multnomah Falls route, along the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls. (Several waterfall viewing points).
Popular brunch spot, “Screen Door”. There is always a line outside the door: Must-go, really good southern food.
Views from the Portland Spirit Brunch Cruise.
