Things To Do
Exploring Portland's Vibrant Neighborhoods
Portland is a city of neighborhoods all stitched together. We recommend checking out one or more of the following districts. In particular, we recommend Hawthorne and Division Street/Clinton (SE Portland), as well as Alberta Arts District, Mississippi Ave (NE Portland). Northwest/Nob Hill (NW Portland) provides a slightly more sophisticated shopping and dining scene. Even though its slightly further, we adore the St. Johns neighborhood too (North Portland)- so much that we live there! Go to any of these districts and just walk around with a coffee in hand, visit one of the city's iconic food truck pods, poke into some funky gift shops and art galleries, and end the day with visiting a local brewery for many variations of a West Coast IPA. Generally, parking in neighborhoods is widely available and typically free (though paid parking is more prevalent in downtown and NW Portland).
Witnessing (and maybe even participating in?) Pedalpalooza
Pedalpalooza is a summer-long series of bike parties. At any time of the day (but more frequently at night), you may see a gathering of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of cyclists going through the city in a large pack. Expect lots of music, crazy outfits, and classic "Portlanders" in every sense of the word. It's super fun to witness - and even more fun to participate in, if you rent a city bike or scooter! Check out the full calendar of Pedalpalooza rides here: https://www.shift2bikes.org/bike-summer-calendar/. Pedalpalooza events are a key ingredient in Ian and Janetta's annual summer plans.
Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley has over 300 wineries and is world-renowned for its pinot noirs. It's a beautiful place to visit and has the added benefit of being roughly 1 hour outside of Portland. Some of our favorite wineries include: Wild Rose Estate (breathtaking views, sophisticated wines), Sokol Blosser (great for purchasing a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board and picnicking in their lovely fields), and Durant (wine and olive oil tastings, beautiful gardens to tour, and food trucks on property).
Exploring Around Mt. Hood
Mt. Hood (or Wy'East, as she was originally named) is Portland's iconic mountain. The drive to get to Hood is incredibly scenic, and there are numerous walking and hiking trails all around that offer beautiful views. Additionally, at the top of Mt. Hood is Timberline Lodge, built in the 1930s and featured in the Shining. If you head to Hood and are in need of a pick-me-up, we think the chai latte at Mt. Hood Coffee Roasters (located in Rhododendron) is the best there is.
Visiting the Coast
We believe Oregon boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines in the country, where old growth forests practically spill into the mighty Pacific Ocean. Take a drive west to visit a few of our favorite spots and get some sand between your toes. Cannon Beach is home to the iconic Haystack Rock, a marvel by itself that earned even more fame when it was featured in The Goonies! Just south of Cannon Beach is Short Sand Beach, AKA Smuggler’s Cove. Enjoy a short walk through an old growth rainforest that spills out into a wide cove hugged by breathtaking cliffs. This is a popular surfing destination in the summer where surfers of all skill level rip it up. This is our favorite spot on the coast, and we’re not alone! Parking can be tough here so get in early. Hot Tips Locals call it the coast…not the beach! The Pacific Ocean is no joke. Even in the heat of July, the water remains very cold with unpredictable swells and currents. Witness it’s beauty, splash around, explore, but stay smart!