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Things to Do in Portland

Portland is known for offering some of the most genuine culinary wonders and craft beers on the west coast. With coffee shops on every block and so many restaurants and bars to pick from, it’s a difficult task to determine which ones are the absolute best. But Portland goes beyond its active city lights and busy streets. Past its urban boundary, the region is filled to the brim with trees, trails, and streams, creating an approachable and tranquil escape for the city dwellers and those traveling through. With lots of parks and impeccable plant life, cultural spots, boutique shops and natural scenery to take in, uncover some of our favorite Portland gems with our guide to the city.

EAT

Bistro Alder

Address: 750 Alder St. Portland, OR 97205

Sip on expertly crafted cocktails that elevate your taste experience, each one a little masterpiece. Our eclectic array of unique and delightful flavors is curated to offer an extraordinary dining adventure. With ample room for friends and family, you’ll find plenty of space to enjoy Portland’s flavorful haven for cocktails and cuisine together.

Lovely’s Fifty Fifty

Address: 4039 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217

Situated on Mississippi Ave, Lovely’s is a haven for all things food and drink. It is a lively setting for wood-fired pies, plus other casual eats including salads & house-made ice cream.

Gracie's

Address: 729 SW 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Gracie's offers an elegant dining experience, serving classic brunch favorites and afternoon tea in a timeless setting.

Driftwood Room

Address: 729 SW 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Driftwood Room is a sophisticated cocktail lounge, renowned for its expertly crafted drinks, mid-century charm, and inviting ambiance—perfect for an evening of elegance and indulgence.

Pine Street Market

Address: 126 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Pine Street Market, the city's first food hall, feels a bit like a refined and grown-up school cafeteria, full of gourmet offerings and communal tables. The Market features nine of Portland’s best chefs and purveyors gathered under one roof — perfect for groups of travelers who can’t agree on what to eat.

Fortune

Address: 614 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Situated in Sentinel, this sleek and new plant-based bar offers all the classics minus the meat, dreamed up by none other than Chef Jewan Manuel aka Plant Based Papi. With vibrant colors and lively murals, plus weekly DJ sets, this bar provides a very bright and lively atmosphere.
- Breakside Brewery - NW Slabtown
  
  Address: 1570 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
  
  This truly unique neighborhood brewpub features a full-service restaurant with two levels and a wide selection (16 taps!) of locally brewed Breakside craft beers. The large outdoor patio is a refreshing spot for sipping an ice-cold Breakside Pilsner on a warm, sunny day — especially if you add a giant Bavarian pretzel to go with it — and you definitely should.
  
  Expatriate
  
  Address: 5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
  
  From a den of dark shadows and dripping candles comes exacting cocktails, turntable spins, and the spicy surprise of Burmese noodles, courtesy of budding bar star Kyle Webster and his James Beard-winning wife, chef Naomi Pomeroy. Order whatever you like, but the eight nightly specials are the show, each formulated to the drop and accompanied by a historic footnote.
  
  Coopers Hall Winery & Taproom
  
  Address: 404 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97215
  
  A taproom charming enough to get married in! This converted auto-body shop displays loads of natural illumination that nurtures the hanging ferns and immense plant life all around. What better way to discover new wines than to swirl them under soft globe lights while taking in the fragrant scent of oak barrels.
- Distillery Row
  
  Each distillery in the Row is open on weekends for drop-in spirits tastings also open to the public on weekdays. See the listings on the right for each Distillery’s address, as well as information about their behind-the-scenes tours. Several local companies also offer tour packages of the Row to help you experience the amazing variety and distinctive quality that only locally distilled spirits can offer.
  
  New Deal Distillery
  
  Address: 900 SE Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97209
  
  New Deal Distillery has been proudly crafting small-batch, award-winning spirits in Portland’s Southeast Industrial District since 2004. Visit our Tasting Room & Distiller’s Workshop to sample and see what we’re playing with or take a hands-on whiskey-making class taught by owner and distiller, Tom Burkleaux. Find New Deal at local farmer's markets, a spirit's event around town, or on the shelf of your local liquor store.
  
  Freeland
  
  Address: 2671 NW Vaughn Street, Portland, OR 97209
  
  Locally run Freeland Free Spirits, one of very few women-owned and -run distilleries in the world, has gorgeous jewel-toned bottles of gin and bourbon, and cans of lovingly formulated cocktails created with locally sourced herbs and ingredients. Any spirits connoisseur needs a Freeland creation in their suitcase.
- Deadstock Coffee
  
  Address: 408 NW Couch St, Portland OR, 97209
  
  Part coffee shop, part shoe gallery, Deadstock Coffee is a stylish haven where sneakerheads and coffee enthusiasts converge. Like the latte you’re sipping (with the sneaker stenciled on the foam)? Buy some freshly roasted Deadstock beans to take home.
  
  Stumptown Coffee
  
  Address: 1026 SW Stark Street, Portland, OR 97205
  
  Stumptown Coffee Roasters is a coffee roaster and retailer based in Portland, Oregon. The chain's flagship café and roastery opened in 1999. Three other cafes, a roastery and a tasting annex have since opened in Portland, as well as locations in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Orleans.
  
  Water Avenue Coffee
  
  Address: 1028 SE Water Ave. Portland, OR 97214
  
  Seizing the moment in 2009, WAC purchased a vintage, French-built 1974 Samiac roaster from a company in Switzerland and set about building a new business around it. Having dozens of years of experience in training and consulting in the specialty coffee industry, Bruce and Matt saw a great opportunity to develop and showcase a retail and roasting business in the same building as the American Barista & Coffee School and share with new Water Avenue Coffee customers the decades of combined experience to offer an unsurpassed level of support.
  
  Never Coffee
  
  Address: 537 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
  
  Colorful and artsy coffee bar with an extensive respect for coffee, herbs, and wildflowers. Follow the bright neon sign and pastel packaging to take home a bag of beans with an enamel prize in every blend.
  
  St. Honoré
  
  Address: 501 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
  
  St. Honoré opens up their doors bright and early to let that freshly baked pastry and ground coffee scent drift into the streets of Portland. Luring in downtown dwellers and guests alike, start your morning off right with honey-glazed croissants, soft baguettes, or French macarons.
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park
  
  Address: 98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204
  
  Easily accessible from downtown, Tom McCall Waterfront Park runs adjacent to the Willamette River and is often bustling with joggers, cyclists, picnickers, and others who want to enjoy the fresh air and the water. You definitely do not want to miss it in the spring, when the park’s numerous cherry trees absolutely explode with blossoms — it’s a sight to behold.
  
  Hoyt Arboretum
  
  Address: 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221
  
  With twelve miles of both relaxing and challenging hiking trails winding through 189-acres, Washington Park’s Hoyt Arboretum provides access to a globally diverse landscape, from stands of stately redwoods to groves of flowering dogwoods and cherries, exhibiting many rare and threatened species along the way.
  
  International Rose Test Garden
  
  Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205
  
  Located in Washington Park, the International Rose Test Garden is home to over 10,000 rose bushes of approximately 650 varieties. Visit between April and October to see the blooms, with the peak happening around June. Take a peaceful and fragrant stroll through the rows and forget your cares. Enjoy the unbeatable skyline view or snap some amazing floral selfies.
  
  Forest Park
  
  Address: 4099 NW Thurman Street, Portland, OR 97205
  
  At 5,200-acres, Forest Park is the largest urban park in the country and is a gorgeous, forested oasis alongside the city. Forest Park’s extensive system of trails, fire lanes and gravel roads provide excellent accessible opportunities for hiking, walking, running, and simply escaping the urban atmosphere. You’ll be amazed at the lush canopy of deep forest and ferns, wildlife and birdsong, just minutes from downtown.
  
  Mount Tabor Park
  
  Address: 6220 SE Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97215
  
  This large, forested park covers an extinct volcano with tennis courts, a playground & 360-degree views. Portland’s historic water reservoirs on Mount Tabor are still maintained and a local favorite pastime to enjoy as reflective pools.
  
  Washington Park
  
  Address: 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
  
  Washington Park is an urban park that includes the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum, International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, amphitheater, memorials, archery range, tennis courts, soccer field, picnic areas, playgrounds, public art and many acres of tranquil wild forest with miles of trails for hiking. It’s easily accessible via either car or the Max from downtown.
- Oregon Museum of Science & Industry
  
  Address: 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214
  
  The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation's leading science centers and a featured attraction located along Portland’s waterfront. Lean back and gaze upon the milky way in their planetarium, practice chemistry in their lab, sink down into their submarine, or tour one of their many rotating exhibits.
  
  Portland Art Museum
  
  Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
  
  The Portland Art Museum's mission is to engage and enrich diverse communities through the presentation, interpretation, and conservation of art and film. Take an afternoon to admire fine art and sculpture, then discuss and gather at the café behind the museum.
  
  Next Adventure
  
  Address: 426 SE. Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97214
  
  Next Adventure is Portland's alternative outdoor store. Find the best selection of apparel, climbing, kayaking, paddling, snowboarding, skiing, hiking and camping gear as well as rentals for all of your outdoor activities.
  
  Portland Paddle Sports Center
  
  Address: 624 SE. 7th Ave., Portland, OR 97214
  
  Local outpost specializing in sales & rental of gear for paddle sports such as kayaking & rafting. Strap on a life jacket then paddle down the Willamette River. Examine the bridges from underneath, wave at the sailboats cruising by, and admire the city of Portland from the water.
  
  Cycle Portland
  
  Address: 117 NW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97204
  
  A full-service bike shop that also offers rentals, repairs, and awesome themed tours of the city, Cycle Portland is a must if you’re inclined to push the pedals in PDX. Show up hungry and take the Foodie Field Trip tour, which spans 7-8 miles and hits several local hotspots, or rent a set of wheels and set out on your own path — they have everything from easy-going e-bikes to uber-hip single speeds.
  
  BurnCycle
  
  Address: 910 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
  
  BurnCycle is a local fitness favorite — a signature 45-minute indoor cycling workout that incorporates drills to target your entire body. They’re all about community and positivity, so show up for this low-impact, high-intensity workout with a smile on your face, and you’ll be met with endless words of encouragement, and you’ll leave feeling like a million bucks — body and soul.
  
  Ground Kontrol
  
  Address: 115 NW 5th Ave., Portland, OR 97204
  
  Welcome to the West Coast’s premier retro arcade, with two stories of classic video games, pinball machines, a full bar, yummy eats, and live music. Play Atari and Nintendo Classic games from your youth while you snack on Frito pie and sip Montucky Cold Snacks. And if you’re lucky, you may even get to take part in a pinball tournament with some serious paddle pros.
  
  Mission Theater
  
  Address: 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209
  
  A remodeled evangelical mission theater owned by Portland’s favorite restaurant chain, McMenamins (pronounced mehk·meh·nuh·mehnz, try saying that five times fast). Munch on crispy Cajun tater tots and sip on a rich and malty dark beer while viewing entertaining shows.
- Serra Cannabis
  
  Address: 220 SW 1st Ave., Portland, OR 97204
  
  With a clean, light-filled, and modern design, Serra Cannabis is easy and comfortable to navigate and makes it easy for newbies to cannabis to shop. Just fill out a Feelings card to help you express what kind of experience you’d like to have with your cannabis (relaxed, focused, creative, happy, energetic, or relief), and a guide will help you choose the appropriate strain to suit your needs.
  
  House of Vintage
  
  Address: 3315 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
  
  House of Vintage is like no other vintage shop or thrift store you’ve ever visited. Rather than a house, it’s more like a small city full of quirky vintage clothes, housewares, furniture, and knick-knacks — some new items, as well. A collective of over 60 dealers within the 13,000 square feet, you can easily spend an entire day simply getting lost in the various rooms, just playing dress-up — and doing so just might be the perfect rainy-day activity.
  
  Music Millennium
  
  Address: 3158 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
  
  Founded in 1969 and the oldest record store in the Pacific Northwest, Music Millennium specializes in mostly underground music and homegrown Portland talents. Aside from hard-to-find vinyl and the latest new releases, you can also catch in-store performances at the shop from time to time.
  
  Tender Loving Empire
  
  Address: 412 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
  
  A local record label that’s also a local handmade goods shop — how very Portland! We dare you to walk into the boutique without uttering the word “cute” at least once; full of handmade jewelry, baby items and stuffies adorned with cheerful faces, intricately illustrated prints, apparel, candles and other housewares — we also dare you to leave without buying anything.
  
  Wildfang
  
  Address: 404 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
  
  WILDFANG is a whole mood. A female-founded, women-run clothing and lifestyle shop, Wildfang makes undeniably stylish clothes for gender-non-conforming womxn and tomboys. The Portland flagship store has a wall where you can carve your name and permanently make your mark, like the boss that you are!
  
  Portland Gear
  
  Address: 627 SW 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
  
  Hip merchant offering Portland-branded T-shirts, accessories and hats for all genders, plus souvenirs. Take home a piece of that PDX carpeting, rock the roses on your sleeves, and show off your downtown drapery.
  
  Frances May
  
  Address: 403 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
  
  Modern boutique with independent-designer tops, pants, knits, shoes & accessories for all genders. Pick up a stylish hat, rugby shorts with expressive patch designs, and even some tasteful home décor!

Things to Do in Portland

EAT

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