Allison & Dan
Things To Do
Northwest 23rd Avenue
NW 23rd, sometimes called trendy-third, is a fun place to walk, shop, and eat.
Powell's City of Books
Shop for new, used, and rare books at Powell's Books, the world's largest independent bookstore, based in Portland, Oregon.
Portland Japanese Garden
Tucked into the scenic West Hills of Portland, above Washington Park and near the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden is one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Asia. The garden is open Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesdays) with timed entry.
International Rose Test Garden
Portland is known as the City of Roses. The Portland International Rose Test Garden is the oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. The space features more than 10,000 roses. Close to Japanese Garden and Washington Park.
Oregon Zoo
Founded in 1888, it is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River. The 64-acre zoo is a fun place for all ages.
Washington Park
Washington Park is a public urban park. It includes the zoo, forestry museum, arboretum, children's museum, the rose garden, the Japanese garden, amphitheatre, memorials, archery range, tennis courts, soccer field, picnic areas, playgrounds, public art and many acres of wild forest with miles of trails. We took our parents for a long walk in Washington Park; wear comfortable shoes and enjoy nature right next to our neighborhood.
Mt. Tabor Park
Mt. Tabor Park is an easy hike/walk within the city. It is a large forested park covering an extinct volcano with tennis courts, a playground & 360-degree views.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Tranquil botanical garden featuring rare plants native to China, decorative stonework & a tea shop.
Voodoo Doughnut - Old Town
This is Voodoo Donuts' first location. They opened in 2003. The donuts have fun, sometimes interesting names (Old Dirty Bastard). Stand in line and get your iconic, pink box of donuts.
Blue Star Donuts
Blue Star Donuts call themselves donuts for grownups. Dan and I prefer these to Voodoo Donuts.
Rose City Food Park
Food Truck Pods are located all around Portland and are an incredibly popular way for everyone to try something different for lunch or dinner.
City Brew Tours Portland
Hop on the bus for an all-inclusive tasting experience providing insider access to discover the best breweries, cideries, distilleries, donut shops, and coffee roasters in Portland, OR.
Lloyd Center
Lloyd Center is a shopping mall in the Lloyd District of Portland, just northeast of downtown. They have an ice rink inside, who knows if you'll see a partnered skate like Dan and I did the first time we visited Portland together!
Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum was founded in 1892, making it one of the oldest art museums on the West Coast and seventh oldest in the US.
Pittock Mansion
Built in 1914, Pittock Mansion tells the story of Portland’s transformation from pioneer town to modern, industrialized city through the history and legacy of one its most influential families.
OMSI Planetarium
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation's leading science centers.
Portland Saturday Market
The Portland Saturday Market is an outdoor arts and crafts market. It is the largest continuously operated outdoor market in the United States.
Alberta Arts District
Stroll Alberta's main street to discover local art, live music and a wide range of bars and restaurants.
Forest Park
Forest Park, at 5,200 acres, provides critical refuge for hundreds of native wildlife and plant species and acts as an important air and water filter. With more than 80 miles of trails, it also provides invaluable access to nature, exercise, and educational opportunities for our region.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
A unique 9-acre garden containing an outstanding collection of rare species and hybrid rhododendrons, azaleas, and other lesser-known shrubs, as well as many companion plants and unusual trees.
Salt & Straw
Small-batch, chef-driven ice cream, handmade using local ingredients. Flavors change regularly and the waffle cones smell heavenly. We stayed across the street for our first visit to Portland and Allison went there almost every night for a new flavor.
Fifty Licks Ice Cream
We go here for ice cream regularly! Dan's choice is Matcha Mochi and Allison likes Hood Strawberry.
St. Johns Bridge
Go to Cathedral Park and see St. John's Bridge. It is believed to be one of the 14 Lewis and Clark landing sites in the Vancouver-Portland area: William Clark and eight men camped there on April 2, 1806. This spot had been a fishing and camping site for many area Indian tribes. In 1847, the founder of St Johns, James John, settled on the site and operated a ferry to Linnton across the Willamette River. In 1931, the St Johns Bridge was built on the site with 400-ft towers and a main span of 1,207 feet. It is the only steel suspension bridge in Portland.
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is a waterfall located on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. This is a 30 minute drive from The Hoxton. You should reserve a time to hike; it costs $1.
Sauvie Island U-Pick
Sauvie Island Farms offers a variety of 'pick your own' fruits and vegetables for those who desire the freshest produce right from the field. Our season begins in June with strawberries. Bring the whole family and experience the farm just 10 miles from downtown Portland.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
In 1999, Stumptown Coffee Roasters took Portland caffeine lovers by storm. What started as a single roastery on Southeast Division Street quickly expanded to the rest of Portland — and now, to the rest of the country.
Botto’s BBQ
Our favorite place to get BBQ! Botto's BBQ offers craft barbecue, cut to order. They source all natural meats and smoke them low and slow.
Justa Pasta Co.
Our favorite place for pasta! This unassuming hideaway offers handmade pastas such as lasagna along with other Italian classics & wine.
Bamboo Sushi
Bamboo Sushi is the world's first certified sustainable sushi restaurant and their sushi is delicious.
TANAKA
Japanese Comfort Food; inspired by Osaka, created in Tokyo, baked in Portland. Known for their katsu sandwiches on house baked milkbread, they also have a selection of burgers, baked goods, and desserts.
Mediterranean Exploration Company
Serving cuisine from the Mediterranean and beyond.
St. Honoré Bakery
Step inside their cozy, rustic boulangerie and you instantly feel a connection with the old-world charms of France.
Elephants at World Trade Center
This popular and vibrant market option specializes in gourmet deli fare, plus prepared foods, and wine.
Jojo
Portland's famous Jojo restaurant (and food truck) serves outrageously delicious chicken sandwiches, burgers, jojos (potato wedges), and more, plus a full bar.