Things To Do
Activity: Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum
Part museum, part family-friendy pinball arcade! This just might be the largest functioning collection of pinball machines in the world. Buy a game pass and play all you want! Have some good ol' fashioned fun!
Dessert: Salt & Straw
Absolutely delicious, unique ice cream with new monthly flavors! They have a few locations, Cedar Hills being the closest to Hillsboro.
Activity: KingPins Family Entertainment Center
Dust off your bowling shoes and polish that ball, because three strikes and it's turkey time! It's fun for the entire family.
Activity: Big Al's
It's a bowling alley, arcade, and a restaurant!
Food: Happy Panda Restaurant
A La Haie family favorite for decades! Countless birthday celebrations and family gatherings have been had by the La Haie family at this small American-Chinese Restaurant.
Activity: The Maize at The Pumpkin Patch
It's Fall in Portland, and that means heading to Sauvie Island to visit the pumpkin patch and corn maze...it's a maze of maize!!! This has become an annual tradition for us!
Food: Bastion PDX
This is our all time favorite breakfast-brunch-lunch spot! Beyond being completely gluten free, they are soy free, dairy free, refined sugar free, and gum free! An absolute gem!
Dive Bar: Yukon Tavern
Our local watering hole, less than a 5 minute walk from our place in Sellwood. We recommend the burger or the chicken tendies!
Food: The Focacceria by Montelupo
A quaint Italian market offering freshly made focaccia and sandwiches. One of our neighborhood favorites, stop by for a quick square!
Dive Bar: Kay's Bar
It's a legendary local spot. Grab a drink and relax...great burgers too.
Activity: Moreland Theater
Portland is full of unique, historic, and independently owned theaters. Each theater is surrounded by very walk-able neighborhoods. Enjoy a movie with some fresh popcorn, and then afterwards go explore!
Food: Brooklyn Carreta Bar & Carts
Food carts with a fun bar!
Food: Ken's Artisan Pizza
A world famous wood-fired pizza place!
Food: Pizzeria Otto
Danielle's favorite gluten-free pizza (they have amazing regular pies, too!)
Food: Botto’s BBQ
I know this isn't Texas, but this BBQ is pretty darn close. Brisket time!
Food: Monty's Red Sauce
Solid Italian restaurant. We recommend the Chicken Parmigiana and the Polenta & Meatballs...try both, why not!
Food: Reverend's BBQ
We have been here a bunch of times. St. Louis-style BBQ in our neighborhood. Try a bourbon slushy.
Dessert: Cloud City Ice Cream
Another locally owned and operated delightful Portland ice cream joint with fun flavors!
Food: The Heist Bar & Food Carts
These food carts are fantastic. Woodstock's food cart pods attached to a bar in a converted historic bank! Try a little something from each of them! We suggest starting at Bark BBQ, take a nap, and then repeat!
Activity: McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub
McMenamins is a beloved local chain of restaurants and bars usually housed in restored historic buildings, and the Bagdad Theater is definitely one of their crown jewels. Best popcorn in the city!
Activity: Orangetheory Fitness
Danielle's Studio! Pop-in for one of her exercise classes, and get ready to get sweaty!
Food: kann
James Beard Award Winning and one of our favorites! Fancy Haitian-Inspired Delights (all gluten free!)...great drinks and even better food. Definitely need a reservation for this spot.
Brewery: Ground Breaker Brewing
One of the best Gluten-Free Breweries in the country! Stop in and try some new brews.
Activity: Academy Theater
Fun theater in a fun neighborhood. Grab a beer at Threshold Brewing or Montavilla Brew Works, and then stop in to watch a movie!
Food: Ruse Crust Collective Slabtown
Our favorite Detroit-style pizza, we recommend pairing it with a tasty beer sampler!
Food: Scottie's Pizza Parlor NW
A wonderful place to grab a slice...definitely try the DeFino!
Activity: Cinema 21
Great theater for watching some classic films! The concession stand is stocked with all the essentials: local pizza, cold beer, Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches, and more!
Activity: Powell's City of Books
A Portland icon, Powell's truly is a small city of books! Powell's has multiple locations, but the main location on Burnside is a must see for anyone that loves a good book.
Food: Oven and Shaker
The place where it all began. Where Eli and Danielle met on their first date! :)
Food: RingSide Steakhouse
The Best Classic American Steakhouse in Portland. A great place for a special occasion! Their onion rings are a must. Reservation recommended for this spot.
Food: Ken's Artisan Bakery
One of the best bakeries around. Stop in and try a sandwich made with fresh rustic bread, enjoy a Canelé, and indulge in anything else that catches your eye...it's all great!
Dessert: Artisserie Fine Bakery
A proper place for fine patisserie. All the desserts are little artisanal masterpieces that taste even better than they look!
Food: G-Love New American Kitchen
A fancy dinner spot that focuses on local produce, healthy natural ingredients, and elevating flavors to the next level! We have been several times, and will keep coming back.
Food: Bentley's Bagels
Our favorite bagel spot!
Gift shop/Chocolate: The Meadow
The Meadow is a premier salt and chocolate gift shop! The Meadow has 3 locations, but our favorite is on NW 23rd. Pop in to admire their (small) walls of chocolate and sea salt!
Food: Stepping Stone Cafe
Home of the MANCAKE (as seen on Man vs Food)- an entire dinner plate sized pancake! Expect a little wait during peak hours, but this small diner is worth the wait. We absolutely love their homemade cinnamon rolls, too!
Food: Spielman Bagels and Coffee Roasters
Eat more bagels...Spielman can help with that!
Activity: Aviation American Gin
Swing by for a fun tour experience...you just might get to see Ryan Reynold's personal office. There are several other distillers in the area too, so make an afternoon of it and visit Freeland Spirits, Aria Gin, and Bull Run Distillery.
Food/Activity: Mox Boarding House
Grab a board game from the rental counter and play for free while you enjoy some snacks and drinks! Providence Park is right around the corner, so pre-game here before going to the Thorns game!
Activity: Portland Thorns - Providence Park
The Thorns are in town on Saturday, September 20, 2025. So after the wedding, head into town and support the team!
Activity: Forest Park
A perfect place to enjoy a nice long stroll through the woods. Start at the top of Balch Gulch Bridge. If it is a nice clear day, you should be able to see both Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood! Then head down the Balch Gulch Bridge stairs and start explore!
Activity: Portland Japanese Garden
Home of the most authentic Japanese-style gardens outside of Japan, contemplate your purpose and let worldy stresses ripple away in the Zen rock garden.
Activity: Portland Farmers Market at PSU
Swing by the Farmer's Market at Portland State University. It's a great way to see all the unique and local products Oregon and Portland have to offer.
Food: Le Pigeon
Portland's Finest, this is as fancy as it gets! James Beard Award Winning Seasonal tasting menu. Definitely need a reservation for this spot.
Food: Lovely's Fifty Fifty
As seen on Netflix's Chef's Table: Pizza in 2022. A spectacularly delicious place for pizza, and they have tasty house-made ice cream too! Expect a wait, but very well worth it!
Dessert: Voodoo Doughnut
VooDoo doughnut is another Portland icon. With over 40 unique and wacky flavors (the VooDoo being the original!) your taste buds will not be disappointed. They have 3 locations, with the original location on NE Davis. Be sure to check out their website or visit the location that works best for you!
Brewery: Steeplejack Brewing Company
It's a brewery in a renovated church!
Food: Stammtisch
Our 3rd date together! Authentic German Food and Beer. Stammtisch means a gathering table for socializing...Eli learned all about this during his time at the Patent Office Training Academy :)
Brewery: Migration Brewing - Glisan
Solid selection of local beers. There pub food is decent too. After you have a pint, you can walk around the block to Stammtisch and grab a schnitzel!
Brewery: Upright Brewing
Top-notch Classic Belgian-style beers. Perfect spot if you are looking for something other than IPAs. If you are lucky, there will be a food truck visiting their parking lot.
Food: Decibel Sound & Drink
Our favorite spot for expertly-crafted unique cocktails. Try their deviled-eggs and maybe a brisket taco or two.
Food: Mike's Drive-In
Burgers, soft serve ice cream, and more!!! Walk up to their window and let the ordering begin...
Brewery: pFriem Family Brewers - Milwaukie Tasting Room
Great beer located in quiet downtown Milwaukie. If you are feeling like a mini road-trip, then go visit them in Hood River and enjoy the Columbia River Gorge!
Food: Canard
Fancy American spot that makes a White Castle-esque Steam Burger. Oysters! Danielle took Eli here for his 40th Birthday!
Brewery: Oregon City Brewing Company & Foodcarts
Cool area in Oregon City. Great beer and a food truck pod is across the street.
Activity: Astoria to Tillamook - the Pacific Coast
The Pacific is calling! Head out west to Astoria. A quiet coastal town with great views of the ocean, interesting bridges, and great beers. Fort George Brewing and Buoy Brewing...check them out! Ready for more beer...head south to Cannon Beach, check out Public Coast Brewing Co. (their Coconut Brown is one of Eli's favorites), and then look for Pelican Brewing Company. Drive through Rockaway Beach and grab a famous corndog, and then finish off the day at Tilllamook Creamery for a self-guided dairy-focused tour.
Activity: Multnomah Falls
Head out of town and take a drive through the Columbia River Gorge. Breathtaking views abound, and you won't want to miss taking a picture or two at Oregon's tallest waterfall.
Activity: Timberline Lodge
It's not quite snowboarding season, but there is still plenty to see and do up at Timberline Lodge. Take a ride up the Magic Mile Lift...it's one of the best ways to see the Cascades! If you are lucky, you might meet Bruno, their mascot St. Bernard! Plenty of hiking trails, and when you are ready for a break Mt. Hood Brewing Co. is in the neighborhood.
Activity: Kiyokawa Family Orchards
Our favorite orchard for picking apples. It's a great way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon and enjoy some fresh air. Explore the surrounding area for local wineries, then head north to Hood River for a pizza at Solstice or Double Mountain Brewery.