Things To Do
Forest Park
How often do you find a forest in the middle of a city? Forest Park is huge and SO gorgeous. The main trail is Wildwood Trail, and there's 30 miles worth of it!
Washington Park
We love hiking around the Hoyt Arboretum (home to 6000 trees and shrubs of more than 2000 species from all over the world). There's also the International Rose Test Garden (Portland is known as the City of Roses after all) but peak rose season is in earlier summer.
Latourell Falls
If you have some time to travel 40 min out of the city, there's a series of waterfalls with beautiful hiking trails. Latourell Falls is the closest one to the city with a satisfying hike; Multnomah Falls is the most popular one 5 min up the road but is a bit tourist-trappy so skip if the parking lot is full; and there are a bunch more within minutes on that road with nice hikes.
Portland Saturday Market
We love perusing the booths from HUNDREDS of local artists! There's always live music and lots of food trucks to choose from.
Portland Farmers Market
Open on Saturdays from 8.30-2. A really happy place with lots of local farmers and vendors - fill up on berries and pastries and cheeses and other delicious nibbles!
Alberta Arts District
There's an annual Alberta Street Fair on Aug 10, and we hear it is "eclectic". We've never been, but we love walking around the Alberta Arts District on a regular day - it's artsy, craftsy, colorful, and has lots of food options. Boutiques, galleries, craft supplies, ice cream, coffee shops, vegan tacos ... there's a bit of everything.
Portland Nursery
We're obsessed with plants. If you are too, you can check out this mammoth nursery. It's where our plant dreams come true. Other plant shops that are small but magical: Pistils Nursery, Solabee.
Powell's City of Books
For the bookworms. One of the largest new/used bookstores you'll every find yourself in (it's supposed to be the world's largest independent bookstore??) - it occupies an entire block!
Ground Kontrol
Bigo's favorite arcade bar with all the classics like pac-man, streetfighter 2, and tetris. It's kid-friendly and booze-free until 5 pm.
Pok Pok Wing
Best. Asian. Chicken. Wings. Ever. We never knew this was a thing until we tried these and we're addicted. They have a couple of locations around town - this particular location has a limited menu that focuses on wings but is a little more quiet, with an almost-hidden patio seating area round the back. (You'd find this place in many lists of Top Places To Eat In Portland.)
Nong's Khao Man Gai
The closest thing we've found to Singapore's national dish: chicken rice. The sauces aren't the same but this Thai version is still really delicious and comforting. We eat this way too often. They also have a Thai Iced Tea Float (!). (You'd find this place in many lists of Top Places To Eat In Portland.)
Blossoming Lotus
Vegan restaurant - one of the first places we tried in Portland. Our minds were blown! So good!! It looks fancy but prices are reasonable.
NOLA Doughnuts
Portland is known for its donuts: Voodoo is most famous (i.e. touristy) but honestly pretty junky, Blue Star is artisanal but pricey, so NOLA wins hands down for us. They're very decadent: croissant-style donuts. (They're square-shaped to minimize dough wastage - brilliant.)
Salt & Straw
The famous Salt & Straw ice cream chain began as a food truck in Portland on Alberta St. They let you taste anything before you commit to a flavor :)
Coffee Shops
Portland takes pride in all its coffees! Look out for local roasters in coffee shops near you: Stumptown, Coava, Nossa Familia. Or, come over to our place and we'll make you a latte with our espresso machine, one of the first things we bought here in an attempt to feel like we belong in Portland ;)
Breweries
Portland is known for its microbreweries. Pick from a long list based on what kind of beers you like.
No Sales Tax
Oregon is one of 5 states that don't charge a sales tax ... just sayin' ...