Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Pine Street Market
126 SW 2nd AveGreat food and drinks, lively scene, many options.
Tabor Tavern
5325 E Burnside StPretty good food close to home.
UFO Pizza
6024 NE Glisan StPizza that's out of this world.
Great wood-fired pizza just down the street. They sling great drinks as well.
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East Glisan Pizza Lounge
8001 NE Glisan StGreat wood-fired pizza just down the street. They sling great drinks as well.
Definitely one of my favorite pizza spots in the city of food. Their wide variety of T-shirts make great souvenirs. Beer and salads here too. This location is open til at least 3AM on the weekends.
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Sizzle Pie Central Eastside
624 E Burnside StDefinitely one of my favorite pizza spots in the city of food. Their wide variety of T-shirts make great souvenirs. Beer and salads here too. This location is open til at least 3AM on the weekends.
This is the eastside location of that famous Portland fixture. The lines downtown can be incredibly insane. This one is usually less busy, though you should still expect lines on the weekend.
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Voodoo Doughnut - Davis
1501 NE Davis StThis is the eastside location of that famous Portland fixture. The lines downtown can be incredibly insane. This one is usually less busy, though you should still expect lines on the weekend.
Several good micro-restaurants with outdoor seating and full bar. Hop on Line 19 bus on Glisan and get off at 24th Avenue (about 15 minutes).
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24th and Meatballs
2341 NE Glisan StSeveral good micro-restaurants with outdoor seating and full bar. Hop on Line 19 bus on Glisan and get off at 24th Avenue (about 15 minutes).
This is a food cart near my work that I frequent. They are only open for lunch (roughly 11am-2pm). Awesome, high-quality food for low prices. I suggest getting a combination half soup, half sandwich, and/or half salad to try as many things as possible before you fill up. I think you'll agree it's amazing they are able to charge the prices they do for the high quality food they offer.
The Portland Soup Company
This is a food cart near my work that I frequent. They are only open for lunch (roughly 11am-2pm). Awesome, high-quality food for low prices. I suggest getting a combination half soup, half sandwich, and/or half salad to try as many things as possible before you fill up. I think you'll agree it's amazing they are able to charge the prices they do for the high quality food they offer.
Highly recommend their brunch on the weekends. Open most nights with great food and craft cocktails. Walkable from the apartment.
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The Tannery Bar
5425 E Burnside StHighly recommend their brunch on the weekends. Open most nights with great food and craft cocktails. Walkable from the apartment.
Southern food, great drinks, and easy atmosphere. This place is extremely popular, so be prepared for a long wait if you don't get there as soon as the doors open. Another strategy is to go for a late dinner, after 8pm. You could easily find yourself with a 1-2 hour wait if you go during the more popular times.
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Screen Door
2337 E Burnside StSouthern food, great drinks, and easy atmosphere. This place is extremely popular, so be prepared for a long wait if you don't get there as soon as the doors open. Another strategy is to go for a late dinner, after 8pm. You could easily find yourself with a 1-2 hour wait if you go during the more popular times.
Fantastic brunch spot and surprisingly less crowded than others. If you don't like to wait for that amazing brunch menu, visit here and the mimosas are fantastic!
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Redwood
7915 SE Stark StFantastic brunch spot and surprisingly less crowded than others. If you don't like to wait for that amazing brunch menu, visit here and the mimosas are fantastic!
This place ticks a lot of boxes. It's an old elementary school that has been repurposed into a combination movie theater, restaurants, bars, soaking pool, and boutique hotel. Lots of history and a great place to stroll through the corridors, but with beer rather than an oversized backpack of books.
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McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveThis place ticks a lot of boxes. It's an old elementary school that has been repurposed into a combination movie theater, restaurants, bars, soaking pool, and boutique hotel. Lots of history and a great place to stroll through the corridors, but with beer rather than an oversized backpack of books.
Some of the best falafel in Portland. Part of a small food hall called "the Zipper".
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ChickPeaDX
2707 NE Sandy BlvdSome of the best falafel in Portland. Part of a small food hall called "the Zipper".
Don't expect a sit down, but you can order delicious island food to go. Waterfront Park is just a few blocks a way to enjoy your food as you people watch.
Chez Dodo
Don't expect a sit down, but you can order delicious island food to go. Waterfront Park is just a few blocks a way to enjoy your food as you people watch.
For some reason, Portlanders flock to this place. Expect long lines and no meat. Might as well try it. They have multiple locations throughout the city, including several downtown.
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The Whole Bowl
4526 SE Hawthorne BlvdFor some reason, Portlanders flock to this place. Expect long lines and no meat. Might as well try it. They have multiple locations throughout the city, including several downtown.
Israeli street food. I can't in good conscience recommend the downtown location because it's ridiculously tiny and I've never been able to actually get a table. The eastside location holds promise. If you can't get a seat there, then might as well hit up Bunk Sandwiches/Bar nearby. If you are able to get food here, the Shalom y'all plate is fantastic as is the falafel pita. But you can't go wrong.
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Shalom Y'all SE - Eastside Location
117 SE Taylor StIsraeli street food. I can't in good conscience recommend the downtown location because it's ridiculously tiny and I've never been able to actually get a table. The eastside location holds promise. If you can't get a seat there, then might as well hit up Bunk Sandwiches/Bar nearby. If you are able to get food here, the Shalom y'all plate is fantastic as is the falafel pita. But you can't go wrong.
Parks & Nature
Extinct volcano park in the middle of the City with great views of downtown and Mt. Hood. My suggestion is to go off the paved roadways and explore many of the trails or pick up some food in advance and have a picnic here. I'm here almost every week with Dexter. You can walk here from the apartment or take the Line #71. From here, you're also close to Montavilla commercial district on SE Stark Street.
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Mount Tabor
Extinct volcano park in the middle of the City with great views of downtown and Mt. Hood. My suggestion is to go off the paved roadways and explore many of the trails or pick up some food in advance and have a picnic here. I'm here almost every week with Dexter. You can walk here from the apartment or take the Line #71. From here, you're also close to Montavilla commercial district on SE Stark Street.
Beautifully landscaped and maintained historic park with paved paths, a central lake, picnic areas, basketball, soccer, horseshoes, children's play areas, art, and more.
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Laurelhurst-Park
SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark StBeautifully landscaped and maintained historic park with paved paths, a central lake, picnic areas, basketball, soccer, horseshoes, children's play areas, art, and more.
An enormous collection of trees from around the world in our very own backyard. If you're a tree lover... Grab a map of the trails at the visitor center and pick your route based on your favorite types of trees, or whatever's in season. You can walk to the visitor center from the Washington Park MAX station (Blue or Red Lines)
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Hoyt Arboretum
4000 SW Fairview BlvdAn enormous collection of trees from around the world in our very own backyard. If you're a tree lover... Grab a map of the trails at the visitor center and pick your route based on your favorite types of trees, or whatever's in season. You can walk to the visitor center from the Washington Park MAX station (Blue or Red Lines)
**UPDATE: the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area has limited hiking since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Check website for more info** A must-see for sightseeing in the Portland area. Don't let rain stop you from this place. However, beware it gets very crowded on nice afternoons in the summer, and almost always every weekend. Get here early (before 10am) to avoid crowds. It's a 20 minute drive from my place on I-84, or hop on a Columbia Gorge shuttle that operates throughout the summer. Shuttle picks up at Gateway Transit Center (2 stops away on the Red/Blue/Green lines from NE 60th) and also stops at Rooster Rock State Park in the Gorge
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Multnomah Falls station
**UPDATE: the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area has limited hiking since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Check website for more info** A must-see for sightseeing in the Portland area. Don't let rain stop you from this place. However, beware it gets very crowded on nice afternoons in the summer, and almost always every weekend. Get here early (before 10am) to avoid crowds. It's a 20 minute drive from my place on I-84, or hop on a Columbia Gorge shuttle that operates throughout the summer. Shuttle picks up at Gateway Transit Center (2 stops away on the Red/Blue/Green lines from NE 60th) and also stops at Rooster Rock State Park in the Gorge
My top recommendation for world class waterfall sightseeing. 10 (yes, TEN) waterfalls on a 7 loop mile trail. Walk behind a wall of water on some of them as the trails have been carved over time by water and the magic of geology. It's a spectacular place and anchored by a 1930's info center/lodge with volunteer docents happy to answer any questions. You'll need to drive here, so plan ahead with a carshare if you aren't already planning to drive.
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Silver Falls State Park
20024 Silver Falls Highway SoutheastMy top recommendation for world class waterfall sightseeing. 10 (yes, TEN) waterfalls on a 7 loop mile trail. Walk behind a wall of water on some of them as the trails have been carved over time by water and the magic of geology. It's a spectacular place and anchored by a 1930's info center/lodge with volunteer docents happy to answer any questions. You'll need to drive here, so plan ahead with a carshare if you aren't already planning to drive.
This is the closest you'll get to an authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan. Includes five garden areas - Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, Natural Garden, and the Sand and Stone Garden. The garden is undergoing a major new expansion to accommodate the increasing patronage of a truly outstanding place in the West Hills of Portland, including a cultural exchange village, tea house and new entry gardens. The expansion is due to open April 1, 2017. If you're visiting before then, you can still view the original garden space since the construction area is all outside of those boundaries.
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Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveThis is the closest you'll get to an authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan. Includes five garden areas - Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, Natural Garden, and the Sand and Stone Garden. The garden is undergoing a major new expansion to accommodate the increasing patronage of a truly outstanding place in the West Hills of Portland, including a cultural exchange village, tea house and new entry gardens. The expansion is due to open April 1, 2017. If you're visiting before then, you can still view the original garden space since the construction area is all outside of those boundaries.
This is a popular spot in the summer with culinary, brewing, and a wide variety of other festivals. Even when there's not a festival or formal event, it's a great place for walking, jogging, or biking, using a loop trail that includes the lower deck of the Steel Bridge and either the Hawthorne Bridge or the new Tilikum Crossing bridge in South Waterfront.
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Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito PkwyThis is a popular spot in the summer with culinary, brewing, and a wide variety of other festivals. Even when there's not a festival or formal event, it's a great place for walking, jogging, or biking, using a loop trail that includes the lower deck of the Steel Bridge and either the Hawthorne Bridge or the new Tilikum Crossing bridge in South Waterfront.
At 5,157 acres, Portland's Forest Park is one of the largest urban forest in the United States. With more than 80 miles of soft-surface trails, fire lanes and forest roads, Forest Park stretches for more than seven miles along the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains, overlooking Northwest Portland and the convergence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Forest Park offers an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to experience a true Northwest forest without leaving the Portland city limits. Trails are accessible from the underground Washington Park MAX station (Red and Blue Lines).
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Forest Park
At 5,157 acres, Portland's Forest Park is one of the largest urban forest in the United States. With more than 80 miles of soft-surface trails, fire lanes and forest roads, Forest Park stretches for more than seven miles along the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains, overlooking Northwest Portland and the convergence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Forest Park offers an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to experience a true Northwest forest without leaving the Portland city limits. Trails are accessible from the underground Washington Park MAX station (Red and Blue Lines).
Essentials
Just a block away, I'm here almost every day. Just about anything and everything you could possibly need is available here - food, clothing, shoes, touristy items, office supplies, kitchen supplies, deli/prepared foods, Starbucks, Chase bank & ATM, florist, and a Redbox.
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Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne BlvdJust a block away, I'm here almost every day. Just about anything and everything you could possibly need is available here - food, clothing, shoes, touristy items, office supplies, kitchen supplies, deli/prepared foods, Starbucks, Chase bank & ATM, florist, and a Redbox.
Open 24 hours if you really need something that late/early, and less than a mile away.
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QFC Pharmacy
5544 E Burnside StOpen 24 hours if you really need something that late/early, and less than a mile away.
Getting Around
The transportation hub of North Tabor. You can catch a Red, Blue, or Green Line here, all with service to downtown. Trains run about every 5 minutes on average through the day. It's a very quick ride to the Lloyd District and Convention Center (about 10 minutes) and a few more minutes to cross the river into Old Town/Chinatown. It's 25 minutes to Pioneer Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown. 20 minutes to PDX airport!
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NE 60th Avenue station
The transportation hub of North Tabor. You can catch a Red, Blue, or Green Line here, all with service to downtown. Trains run about every 5 minutes on average through the day. It's a very quick ride to the Lloyd District and Convention Center (about 10 minutes) and a few more minutes to cross the river into Old Town/Chinatown. It's 25 minutes to Pioneer Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown. 20 minutes to PDX airport!
NE Glisan & 62nd station
The Line 19 picks up here heading to inner Burnside Street and Downtown.
The Amtrak Cascades Line collects here with multiple trips daily south to Salem and Eugene, and even more trips north to Seattle and Vancouver BC. Great views from the train to the west as the train route hugs the Puget Sound from Olympia to Seattle. The trains include a bar and bistro cart so you can have that beer or clam chowder as you make your way.
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Portland Union Station
800 NW 6th AveThe Amtrak Cascades Line collects here with multiple trips daily south to Salem and Eugene, and even more trips north to Seattle and Vancouver BC. Great views from the train to the west as the train route hugs the Puget Sound from Olympia to Seattle. The trains include a bar and bistro cart so you can have that beer or clam chowder as you make your way.
Drinks & Nightlife
Just down the street on NE Glisan, this place has live music most nights and pub trivia.
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The O'Neill Public House
6000 Northeast Glisan StreetJust down the street on NE Glisan, this place has live music most nights and pub trivia.
Just your typical neighborhood sports bar a few blocks away on NE Glisan Street. Pool tables, darts, table tennis, pinball machines, and lots and lots of big screens to watch sports.
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A & L Sports Pub
5933 NE Glisan StJust your typical neighborhood sports bar a few blocks away on NE Glisan Street. Pool tables, darts, table tennis, pinball machines, and lots and lots of big screens to watch sports.
Located on the 30th Floor of "Big Pink" - the tallest building in the city, this place offers stunning views of the city. Even on a somewhat cloudy day, it's worth checking out, but on a clear day the views are worth the drink prices. Check their webpage for happy hour times. Also nice to listen to the piano player most nights who plays songs on request.
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Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th AveLocated on the 30th Floor of "Big Pink" - the tallest building in the city, this place offers stunning views of the city. Even on a somewhat cloudy day, it's worth checking out, but on a clear day the views are worth the drink prices. Check their webpage for happy hour times. Also nice to listen to the piano player most nights who plays songs on request.
One of the few remaining dive bars in downtown. Sit outside in the cozy patio on non-rainy days. Pool table.
Momo's
725 SW 10th AveOne of the few remaining dive bars in downtown. Sit outside in the cozy patio on non-rainy days. Pool table.
Martha's is the bar/restaurant/bakery on the first floor that is open from 7am to 10pm everyday. It's a great little spot in a former Portland Public School building. Revolution Hall is the on-site live music venue. Check their website for music listings. Note: a roof deck bar is now open most evenings! Check website for hours.
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Revolution Hall
1300 SE Stark StMartha's is the bar/restaurant/bakery on the first floor that is open from 7am to 10pm everyday. It's a great little spot in a former Portland Public School building. Revolution Hall is the on-site live music venue. Check their website for music listings. Note: a roof deck bar is now open most evenings! Check website for hours.
This is another local watering hole. Since the demolition of Starkys this has taken on much of the patronage of the local gay community. There's karaoke several nights of the week and the bartender (Mia) provides amazing pours. Can be dead some nights, but good pours and decent Asian-fusion menu worth starting your evening with.
Element Lounge
5827 E Burnside StThis is another local watering hole. Since the demolition of Starkys this has taken on much of the patronage of the local gay community. There's karaoke several nights of the week and the bartender (Mia) provides amazing pours. Can be dead some nights, but good pours and decent Asian-fusion menu worth starting your evening with.
Who doesn't like a dive bar with UFO -themed decor? Did I mention there's keno and gambling? Just do it.
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Space Room & Genie's
4800 SE Hawthorne BlvdWho doesn't like a dive bar with UFO -themed decor? Did I mention there's keno and gambling? Just do it.
Arts & Culture
A really fantastic art museum with international as well as local art and history. The modern wing is impressive as well!
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Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park AveA really fantastic art museum with international as well as local art and history. The modern wing is impressive as well!
If you love history, this is a great place to understand how Portland came to be. You'll find the penny that was flipped over 150 years ago in which "Boston" lost out to "Portland" as the name of the city.
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Oregon Historical Society Museum
1200 SW Park AveIf you love history, this is a great place to understand how Portland came to be. You'll find the penny that was flipped over 150 years ago in which "Boston" lost out to "Portland" as the name of the city.
Most locals don't even know this place exists... Quirky local museum tucked away on the first floor of the Police Bureau building. It's free admission and open weekdays with limited hours. check out how law was enforced in the early days of the wild west, when brothels and opium dens filled the Old Town area, and the city had a single sheriff. Lots of artifacts from the 1800's. Expect to spend at least 30-60 minutes here if you like history.
Portland Police Museum and Historical Society
1111 SW 2nd AveMost locals don't even know this place exists... Quirky local museum tucked away on the first floor of the Police Bureau building. It's free admission and open weekdays with limited hours. check out how law was enforced in the early days of the wild west, when brothels and opium dens filled the Old Town area, and the city had a single sheriff. Lots of artifacts from the 1800's. Expect to spend at least 30-60 minutes here if you like history.
Sightseeing
The International Test Rose Garden is a must-see for travelers who appreciate plants, flowers, and gorgeous views (weather permitting). Very well-maintained, peaceful and provides views of Mt. Hood, the City skyline, and Mt. St. Helens on a clear day. A gift shop and food vendor are usually open on-site. Hike up through Washington Park from Goose Hollow neighborhood just west of downtown. (Blue and Red MAX lines). Located next to Portland's famous Japanese Garden.
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International Rose Test Garden station
The International Test Rose Garden is a must-see for travelers who appreciate plants, flowers, and gorgeous views (weather permitting). Very well-maintained, peaceful and provides views of Mt. Hood, the City skyline, and Mt. St. Helens on a clear day. A gift shop and food vendor are usually open on-site. Hike up through Washington Park from Goose Hollow neighborhood just west of downtown. (Blue and Red MAX lines). Located next to Portland's famous Japanese Garden.
Lots to see and do on this fun, active street. Check out Paxton Gate for some taxidermy or Prost to drink your beer by the liter while watching soccer.
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North Mississippi Avenue
North Mississippi AvenueLots to see and do on this fun, active street. Check out Paxton Gate for some taxidermy or Prost to drink your beer by the liter while watching soccer.
From SE 32nd to SE 50th, there's plenty to see and do along one of the original famous neighborhood streets that gave Portland that quirky vibe. Check out the Gold Dust Meridian for great happy hour and mid-century dive bar vibe, or the Space Room for another unique dive bar experience.
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Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
Southeast Hawthorne BoulevardFrom SE 32nd to SE 50th, there's plenty to see and do along one of the original famous neighborhood streets that gave Portland that quirky vibe. Check out the Gold Dust Meridian for great happy hour and mid-century dive bar vibe, or the Space Room for another unique dive bar experience.
Walk, shop, eat/drink, etc. in one of Portland's historic neighborhoods. Accessible via streetcar from downtown Portland. Stray from the commercial streets of NW 21st and 23rd Avenues to Couch Park and wander through the historic Alphabet District.
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Northwest 23rd Avenue
Northwest 23rd AvenueWalk, shop, eat/drink, etc. in one of Portland's historic neighborhoods. Accessible via streetcar from downtown Portland. Stray from the commercial streets of NW 21st and 23rd Avenues to Couch Park and wander through the historic Alphabet District.
Originally a poor house, this large historic site has been improved with several restaurants, bars, a hotel, live outdoor music venue, winery and tasting room, gift shop, arts and crafts, a miniature golf course, and more. Accessible by transit on the #77, but may about an hour to get there. Driving can get you there in 20 minutes or less usually.
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McMenamins Edgefield Winery Tasting Room
2126 SW Halsey StOriginally a poor house, this large historic site has been improved with several restaurants, bars, a hotel, live outdoor music venue, winery and tasting room, gift shop, arts and crafts, a miniature golf course, and more. Accessible by transit on the #77, but may about an hour to get there. Driving can get you there in 20 minutes or less usually.