Portland

Top Things to See and Do in Portland, Oregon

Portland is a town of industry, bridges, waterways, hillside suburbs, and authentic art deco architecture.  I loved its tree lined streets, quirky eateries, the artistic details around every corner.   It clearly has held on to the charms of a bygone era while welcoming a new generation of connected youth, modern transportation, and engineering feats.  However, I left with very mixed emotions about the City of Roses.  There is an unmistakable problem here.  The prevalent homeless population in the downtown area occupies the sidewalks with tent camps and open drug usage.  I wish I could give it two-thumbs up, but honestly, I think I just feel sad about what I saw.

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Above photos: Downtown Portland

The good news is that Portland is more than just a few problematic neighborhoods.  Beyond those areas lies gorgeous park lands, dreamy waterfalls, farms, and roadsides blanketed with Queen Anne’s Lace.  If you plan your trip and your hotel stays wisely, you can avoid the less pleasant areas and come away with a love and appreciation for the great beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

The Oregon Coast

After arriving at Portland Airport early in the morning, I drove out to the Oregon Coast for the day.  The beaches are a scenic two-hour drive from Portland with breathtaking viewpoints along the way.  There are a number of quaint seaside towns up and down the coast where you can spend the day – or hop from one to the next!  The Oregon coast is a chilly summer reprieve where you can soak up the breezes from the Pacific Ocean, go tide pooling for sea creatures, and venture off on hikes through forests of Sitka Spruce Pines.  I had my heart set on seeing the famous Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach and it was spectacular!

Above photos: Cannon Beach

My post on Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park can be found here. 

The Columbia River Gorge

The following day and a half I had set aside for multiple hikes along the Columbia River Gorge.  The gorge is easily accessible from the Portland area in case your time is limited and can only spend a few hours stopping at the most famous attractions.  If you have more time, there are over 90 waterfalls and hundreds of trails to enjoy.  Despite the area’s ongoing recovery from the Eagle Creek Fire, this has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the United States.  I was in awe.

Above photos: Multnomah Falls (left) and Wahkeena Spring (right) in the Columbia River Gorge

My post on the Columbia River Gorge can be found here.

Downtown Portland

My final day in the Portland area was reserved for Portland itself.  I was excited to experience the Portland vibe and see all sites of a beloved northwestern town.  If you are planning a trip yourself, below is a list of the best things to see, do, and eat while in Portland.  Sections of this post include:

• Where to stay in Portland
• What to see and do in Portland
• Where to eat in Portland
• Some additional info and resources

Where to stay in Portland

Because my visit to Portland was divided between areas outside the city and the downtown area, I also divided my hotel stays.  For the first two nights I stayed in Gresham, between the airport and the Columbia River Gorge.  For the last night of my visit, I stayed at the Hi Lo Autograph Collection Hotel, which was within walking distance to most of the sites in Old Town.

Above photos: Hi-Lo Hotel, Autograph Collection

What to see and do in Portland

Portland is a bit spread out and many of the top attractions outside of the Old Town neighborhood require a car or Uber.  This is fine BUT parking is tricky.  Most of the parking is street parking and it is just the luck of the draw.  When you do find parking, be ready to demonstrate your parallel parking skills. 

Here are some of the best things to see and do while visiting Portland:

• International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park
• Japanese Garden at Washington Park
• Pittock Mansion
• Self-Guided Old Town Walking Tour
• White Stag Sign
• Saturday Market
• Coffee & Donut Tour
• Cathedral Park
• The Grotto

International Rose Test Garden at Washington Park

First of all, the Rose Garden was much larger than I expected.  It has multiple sections divided between all the different rose varieties ranging from climbing roses, miniature, tea roses, knockouts, etc.  Within those sections, there are rows and rows of every different color and bloom you’ve ever seen.  You don’t even have to get your nose close to a flower to smell the incredible, sweet fragrance wafting through the air.  There is a garden map and directory on-site to help you find your way around the plantings or you can just stroll around, taking your time to literally stop and smell the roses.  As a point of reference, these photos were taken in late August when the garden was in full bloom.  The summer months are best for visiting the garden if you would like to see it in its full glory. 

Above photos: International Rose Test Garden

Portland Japanese Garden at Washington Park

The Portland Japanese Garden is located within walking distance from the International Test Rose Garden.  So, it is ideal to combine these two attractions during your visit to Washington Park.  While the Rose Garden is free, the Japanese Garden has an entrance fee.  Tickets can be purchased in advance on the official website here.

Above photos: Portland Japanese Garden

This is a very peaceful place with immaculately manicured gardens, artful sculptures, and soothing water features.  We spent more time here than anticipated because, again, it was much larger than expected.  Plus, we made use of a couple contemplative spots with a bench and shade.  I really enjoyed our summertime visit, but I imagine this place reaches a whole other level of beauty during the autumn months when the Japanese maple trees turn bright red.  I’m doubtful that there is a bad time to visit because every season has its own showcase.

Above photos: Portland Japanese Garden

Pittock Mansion

As a lover of historical residences and architecture, a visit to the Pittock Mansion was high on my list of things-to-do.  These grand homes can transport you do a different time and way of life.  The Pittock Mansion is thoughtfully furnished and staged to do just that.  Many original artifacts of the house remain within the restored rooms, along with prominent works of fine art by local artists of the day. 

Above photos: Pittock Mansion

Above photos: Artwork by Eliza Barchus on exhibit in Pittock Mansion

After our tour of the interiors, we walked the complete perimeter of the grounds, peeked inside the caretaker’s garden home, and ended with views off the top of the hill.  The Pittock Mansion has some of the best views in town.  It is easy to see why this was one of the most desirable building locations for a prominent family.  Advance tickets and time slot reservations are required and can be purchased at the official website here.

Above photo: View of Portland from Pittock Mansion

Self-Guided Old Town Walking Tour

If you really want to experience the Portland vibe, a walking tour of the Old Town neighborhood is a must.  Every block of this area features historical buildings with incredible architectural details rich in art deco ironwork, stained glass windows, and remnants of the past.  We got up early for our walk when the sidewalks were mostly clear and the only traffic was the occasional light-rail trolly.  Graffiti art murals and vintage Portland commercial signage were all in the mix.  It was so varied and interesting.  It is advisable to walk with a buddy and secure your valuables in consideration of the aforementioned tent camps and transient individuals.

Above photos: Portland Old Town

White Stag Sign

I guess the White Stag Sign could be considered part of an Old Town walking tour, but it is one of those things that deserves its own call-out.  If you forgo the walking tour, it is still fun to drive-by this iconic landmark located at the west end of the Burnside Bridge over the Willamette River. Named to the National Register of Historic Landmarks, the neon sign sits on top of the White Stag building and illuminates at dusk.

Above photo: White Stag Sign

Old Town Saturday Market

Not far from the White Stag Sign is the entrance to the Old Town Saturday Market.  If you happen to be in Portland on a Saturday between March – December, this arts-and-crafts market is a super fun way to spend a morning.  The Saturday Market is the longest running market for handcrafted items and produce in the United States.  I missed the market but went by the location anyway just to see the area and the old sign.

Above photo: Old Town Saturday Market

Coffee & Donuts Tour

It is pretty much a known-fact that Portland is synonymous with coffee and donuts.  You can find gourmet roasters and sugary sweets all over Portland.  So, regardless of where you are staying, be sure to map out the cafes and donut shops around you for a super fun tour and taste of Portland.  Our downtown tour included:

Donuts: Coco Donuts | Sesame Donuts | Voodoo Doughnut

Above photos: Coffee & Donut tour in Old Town Portland

Coffee: Umbria | Forte | Stumptown

Above photos: Coffee & Donut tour in Old Town Portland

Cathedral Park

One of the stand-out features of Portland is its many bridges crossing the Columbia River and other waterways.  While most of us just admire the views while driving over the bridges, Cathedral Park offers an opportunity to appreciate the structure from below.  The park is named after the gothic supports and towers of St Johns Bridge. When you stand underneath the bridge, the supports create a cathedral-like appearance, hence the name.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at Cathedral Park, we found the view was obstructed by construction work.  It was still pretty cool to see it from a different angle, but hopefully this site it restored in the near future.

Above photos: The gothic support of St Johns Bridge at Cathedral Park

The Grotto

The Grotto is a Catholic outdoor alter and sanctuary located in the Madison South district. You do not have to be Catholic to visit this beautiful garden area. However, many parishioners come here for contemplation, prayer, and mass.

We visited the church and lower level, which is free for all visitors.  There is a fee to visit the Upper Gardens. The Grotto is less than 15 minutes from the Portland airport, which makes it a great final stop before a return flight. 

Above photos: The Grotto

Where to eat in Portland

So the thing is, there are so many incredible places to eat in Portland ranging from food trucks to trendy hot spots to fine dining.  It isn’t easy to narrow down the options.  The handful of meals that I had while visiting were outstanding.  So, I’m happy to share those!  Of course, there are other extensive dining guides if you are a true foodie and looking for a specific cuisine and/or specific neighborhood.

Eem

My first meal in Portland after returning from a day of hiking in the Columbia River Gorge was Eem, located on North Williams Street. I didn’t know it then, but this place is one of the top restaurants in Portland.  The food is a combo of Thai and Texas BBQ.  Everything on the menu is wildly inventive. I had the Smoked Pork Krapao for dinner and the Coconut Panna Cotta for dessert. It took a minute to acclimate to the spice, but then it was all gooooood. It was surely the culinary highlight of my trip to Portland.

Above photos: Eem Restaurant

Pine State Biscuits

Pine State Biscuits is a local eatery that started out as a farmer’s market food stall. Due to its popularity, the concept evolved to a full-on restaurant and then a couple more locations. My son and I had Sunday brunch at the location on NW 23 Ave (which is a great neighborhood to walk around afterwards!). I had The McIsley, my son had The Reggie, and we shared a plate of fried green tomatoes. It was all akin to Southern comfort food, which makes perfect sense since the owners originally hail from North Carolina.

Above photos: Pine State Biscuits

Salt & Straw

Salt & Straw is an ice cream parlor that probably has the most inventive flavors I have ever seen. Some of them sound so strange, and yet somehow the flavor combinations work. Who would have thought that Cinnamon & Honey Fried Chicken or Chocolate Potato Salad would ever be smushed together in a creamy concoction?

The cult following of this place is real and evident by the ever-present lines out the door. After sampling a few varieties, I settled on single-scoop of Peanut Butter Brittle Caramel Fudge in a waffle cone. It was worth the wait!

Above photos: Salt & Straw

Jake’s Famous Crawfish

I knew I would have to eat seafood when visiting the Pacific Northwest, and Jake’s Famous Crawfish is by far the best place to get it in Portland. This legendary restaurant has been in buisness since 1892 and is consistently named one of the top ten seafood restaurants in the nation.

The vibe here echos its history. The beautiful bar and stained glass windows remind patrons that it has been here for generations. I ordered the Dungeness Crab Leg Saute and it was heavenly. Portion sizes were generous on all accounts – from the appetizer to dessert. This is without a doubt the place to go for a traditional seafood dining experience.

Above photos: Jake’s Famous Crawfish

Flying Elephants Delicatessen

On my final day in Portland, I was actually working from my hotel room most of the day, but wanted to pop out for a casual lunch. Flying Elephants Delicatessen is a perfect place to pick up soup and a sandwich, which is exactly what I would have eaten back home.

This deli is a Portland institution with multiple locations around the city serving freshly made food from local ingredients for decades. I loved the retro design and the friendly guy who made my sandwich-to-order.

Above photos: Flying Elephants Delicatessen

Additional Info & Resources

• Portland has wild swings in the weather. One day it could be a high 90 degrees and the next it only reaches 75 degrees. Little rain showers came in and out despite what the weather app on my phone said. It wasn’t a problem – just saying…
• Parking is a nightmare. I got lucky and found street parking after circling the block a few times. Once I checked-in to my hotel, I walked everywhere until I checked-out. Hotel valet parking was a whopping $55.00 and I’m still bitter about it.
• Don’t limit yourself to Portland. There are so many amazing things to see in the surrounding area! The Columbia River Gorge, the Oregon Coast, and Willamette Valley Wine Region are all waiting for you!

Thank you for reading my post! Please feel free to add friendly comments or questions below!