Things To Do
Powell's City of Books
Like reading? Check out the world's largest used and new book store, occupying an entire city block in the heart of Portland, OR. It's locally owned and unionized too!
Portland Farmers Market at PSU
Located downtown at the Portland State University campus, Saturday market is such a fun and colorful way to start the weekend! We love coming here, especially for the vegan pierogi. ;)
Paxton Gate
If you're into peculiar collectibles, this is the place for you! Two-headed snake skeleton? Taxidermy tarantula? Preserved eyeballs? They've got it! Christian bought a preserved Atlas moth on one of his trips to visit Steph, and it hangs in their living room, today. So romantic! But really, if you enjoy gems and minerals and strange organic artifacts, this is a really fun place to peruse.
Forest Park Trailhead
One of the largest urban parks in the US, Forest Park is the quintessential woodsy Oregon hiking hot spot. Whether you feel like you're on Endor, waiting for the ewoks to greet you, or think you're actually in Jurassic Park, we love coming here! Just don't forget some granola! PS - within walking distance of the trailhead (see link) is the Alphabet District - a super cute neighborhood with great coffee (hello BARISTA cafe), and sweet boutiques. Check out the epic historic Victorian homes, too.
International Rose Test Garden
Yup, we love gardens! The prime season for roses begins in June, so you're just in time. Steph likes to come here once a year to quite literally "wake up and smell the roses." The view of downtown isn't bad, either. There is no entrance fee (except ~ $1 for parking), and it's actually located IN Forest Park. In fact, there are a lot of other attractions within the park itself. Check out the website for more details!
El Nutri Taco
A freakin' delicious authentic hole-in-the-wall that delivers both vegan and omnivorous Mexican cuisine! We stumbled upon this place accidentally (after an evening of soaking in the Kennedy School pool), and we've been mildly obsessed ever since. Steph's go-to: Vegan Wet Burrito with soy curls, use verde sauce instead of red sauce!
Harlow
Food in bowls always tastes better, at least that's what Steph believes. This is her favorite place in PDX. Veggies galore and antioxidant-rich smoothies and juices are precisely her language! Don't worry, there are plenty of vegan desserts and immunity-boosting lattes. Christian's go-to: Biscuits & Gravy with Market Vegetables (all vegan, GF) with added tempeh. Super Greens Lemonade Steph's go-to: the Urban Bowl with added tempeh. Sweetgreens juice.
XinhXinh Vietnamese Bistro
Mmm.... noodle soup! Ok, as pho connoisseurs, this has got to be the best. We get the Pho Chay, or vegan pho (with extra tofu, because we can!). The broth is shiitake-based so there is a ton of flavor. We will love this place pho-ever.
¿Por Qué No?
More deliciousness in bowls! This is a quirky, colorfully decorated Mexican joint that has a lot of personality. Steph vividly remembers taking Christian here after a hike in February 2016. They sat in a dimly-lit corner at an oil-cloth covered table outside (thank you, heat lamps!). Steph had stepped in a small creek on their hike, and got to enjoy dinner with one wet, cold squishy shoe. Cool story. This place has meat, for all you carnivores. Psshht not ALL of Portland is vegan, come on! (But we wish it were so). We recommend: Bryan's Bowl. Because why not?
Sizzle Pie Downtown
Did you know that the pizza in Portland was recently rated better than pizza in NYC? It's kind of an outrageous concept, but we encourage you to check out Sizzle Pie, especially if you go to Powell's Books downtown. There are multiple locations, but pizza and books pair well.
Salt & Straw
Best icecream ever. Enough said. Vegan and GF options available, and they do not disappoint! Makes a great meal for lunch ;)
Doe Donuts
Vegan donuts, anyone? This is a woman-owned vegan bakery with the most bangin' donuts around. They come out with seasonal flavors each month. The donuts are so good, Christian surprised Steph with a box of 5 after a race she ran, and she ate *almost* the entire box! Couldn't recommend more!