Portland quickly lived up to the indie vibes I had seen in almost every travel guide or website I scrolled through before visiting. Coffee shops on every street corner, vintage boutiques interspersed between breweries, and of course, the infamous Powell’s Books, make Portland stand out as one-of-a-kind.
With over five distinct neighborhoods within Portland itself, it’s difficult to reach all of them in the time frame of a weekend. However, I did the treacherous and dirty digging myself and found the must-see highlights of the city for you! Follow this weekend guide to Portland to hit the highlights!
Stroll through the Japanese Gardens
Entering the Japanese Gardens suddenly transports you to another part of the world, where culture, beauty, and nature merge. Slow down and take in the scenery, sounds, and smells — it can bring peace and tranquility. Listen to the flowing water in the small creeks and breathe in the various tree and plant scents.
The Japanese Gardens is open from 10-4 in the winter and 10-7 in the summer, except Mondays when it opens at noon. It’s quite a hike up through Washington Park, so plan accordingly.
Get a Snack at Blue Star Donuts
Whether you want a tasty snack or a filling breakfast, Blue Star Donuts is sure to do the trick. Their homemade donuts are some of the best donuts I’ve ever tasted (and, no, they did not pay me to say this)! I got the Chocolate Almond Ganache and the Chocolate Buttermilk Old-Fashioned. I HIGHLY recommend the old-fashioned.
There are a few locations around Portland, so it’s pretty easy to add to your itinerary!
Food Guide to Portland: Dine at Pok Pok
It doesn’t matter what website you look on or who you run into on the streets of Portland, they will without a doubt tell you go to Pok Pok for dinner. So add me to that list, I am now telling you, go to Pok Pok! Just be sure to get the fish sauce wings (get the spicy) and the khao soi (apparently the go-to as well as what I recommend).
There are several locations, but from what I heard, the Division Street location is the one to go to as Salt and Straw and the Whiskey Soda Lounge are right next door if you happen to run into a wait.
Wander Mississippi Ave
If you want the real Portland experience, head over to the east side of the river to Mississippi Ave. Filled with hipster boutiques, breweries, bars, and historic sites, you’ll get the local Portland vibe here.
The main part of the street runs from North Fremont to North Skidmore street.
Re-energize at Stumptown Coffee
If you need a cafe to relax in, a quick breakfast option, or a coffee to keep you going to see all of the highlights, stop by Stumptown Coffee — a Portland original.
With several locations throughout Portland, whichever you stumble into, I recommend the nitro cold brew and the lemon turmeric overnight oats!
Wait in Line at Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw has THE most flavorful ice cream I have ever tasted in my life. (That’s a promise — I AM an ice cream expert). Carmel ice cream? It’s more flavorful than the actual candy. Brownie? You bet it has actual chunks in it.
I don’t doubt that there will be a line when you go, BUT it’s worth it my friends. Wait in line. Ice cream awaits.
There are three locations around Portland, so again, it definitely should be squeezed onto your itinerary as a quick snack (or while you wait for Pok Pok).
Get Lost in Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books, which claims to be the biggest independent bookseller in the world, is a literal maze of books. Not only does it have every possible book you’d ever want, there are actually rooms that separate the bookstore by genre. One thing I LOVED about Powell’s was the little notes below certain books. Each one tells you why it’s recommended, a quick snippet, or a simple quote.
You can get lost in here for hours, so plan accordingly! Maybe get yourself a coffee from Stumptown before heading over or one from the cafe inside the bookstore.
Sip a Beer at Deschutes Brewery
Whether you’re looking for a spot to have a beer, book a brewery tour, or grab a bite to eat, Deschutes is the place to go – and you can go solo or with your travel buddies! Try a tasting flight to find your favorite — you may even find your favorite distributed over on the east coast!
Deschutes is a sustainable brewery and has some really good beer. Check out their practices here.
Day trip to Mount Hood from Portland
Mount Hood is only about an hours drive southeast of Portland, however, this can easily be made into a day trip. Drive through the Colombia River Gorge and visit Multnomah Falls on the way. Stop in Hood River for a beer and some lunch and continue onto the Lavender Fields for a picturesque view of Mount Hood. Around Mount Hood, you can hike around Trilium Lake and have a drink at Timberline Lodge or visit a brewery in Government Camp.
Depending on the season, beware of what is open and what is not. Check the websites for what there is to do at each stop along your way to Mount Hood. And don’t forget to check the road conditions!
When visiting Portland, I can assure you if you follow this itinerary and guide to Portland, you will not be disappointed. If you want a more detailed itinerary, check out Portland day-by-day coming out soon!?
What are some of the highlights you’ve been to in Portland? Comment below!
Sounds and looks like a spectacular destination! I can’t wait to work it into my next West Coast junket. In the meantime I think I’ll practice my beer and coffee drinking….sounds like I’ll need some stamina.
Author
So easy to add to your west coast list! Highly recommend!