Guidebook for Portland
Parks & Nature
Just walk up Gilham, make a right on Stark, then your first left. Keep going until you get to the end of the street and you will see stairs that take you up to the trails in Mount Tabor! So gorgeous and peaceful anytime of day. You can see the best sunsets in Portland when it's not raining.
420 locals recommend
Mount Tabor
Just walk up Gilham, make a right on Stark, then your first left. Keep going until you get to the end of the street and you will see stairs that take you up to the trails in Mount Tabor! So gorgeous and peaceful anytime of day. You can see the best sunsets in Portland when it's not raining.
A rain forrest in the city. Walk under the ferns and trees for hours and lose yourself in the greenery with a cup of tea. Amazing.
137 locals recommend
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
11321 SW Terwilliger BlvdA rain forrest in the city. Walk under the ferns and trees for hours and lose yourself in the greenery with a cup of tea. Amazing.
Breathtaking! Drive East on the 84 and get off on exit 22 for the Scenic Highway through the Columbia river gorge. There are many waterfall hikes along the route. Bring hiking boots and a rain jacket.
974 locals recommend
Multnomah Falls station
Breathtaking! Drive East on the 84 and get off on exit 22 for the Scenic Highway through the Columbia river gorge. There are many waterfall hikes along the route. Bring hiking boots and a rain jacket.
Enjoy miles of secluded gorgeous trails, just across the Willamette river. Old growth forest gives you a taste of the authentic Pacific North West terrain.
940 locals recommend
Forest Park
Enjoy miles of secluded gorgeous trails, just across the Willamette river. Old growth forest gives you a taste of the authentic Pacific North West terrain.
Beautiful gardens, please bring your camera! While up there, you can also hike in Forest Park, check out the Pearl district for dinner.
1015 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveBeautiful gardens, please bring your camera! While up there, you can also hike in Forest Park, check out the Pearl district for dinner.
Beautiful gardens, waterfalls, geese, ducks, reeds, and flowers!! I actually got married there (side note). I would check out SE Portland (maybe Sellwood) after the visit.
195 locals recommend
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
5801 SE 28th AveBeautiful gardens, waterfalls, geese, ducks, reeds, and flowers!! I actually got married there (side note). I would check out SE Portland (maybe Sellwood) after the visit.
A fun park to visit! In the summer there are lots of locals enjoying the space (you can find people playing music, little art fairs etc). There is a duck pond, a dog park and across the street a kids playground. It is also just a few minutes away by car.
437 locals recommend
Laurelhurst Park
SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark StA fun park to visit! In the summer there are lots of locals enjoying the space (you can find people playing music, little art fairs etc). There is a duck pond, a dog park and across the street a kids playground. It is also just a few minutes away by car.
My favorite beach at the coast! Just between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. You get to walk down a trail (rain forest) to find a gorgeous beach with tide pools, amazing cliffs...lots to see and explore!
76 locals recommend
Oswald West State Park
My favorite beach at the coast! Just between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. You get to walk down a trail (rain forest) to find a gorgeous beach with tide pools, amazing cliffs...lots to see and explore!
Absolutely gorgeous Rose Garden and it is free! Right across from the Japanese Gardens and close to the Zoo and Forest Park. Beautiful!
627 locals recommend
International Rose Test Garden
400 SW Kingston AveAbsolutely gorgeous Rose Garden and it is free! Right across from the Japanese Gardens and close to the Zoo and Forest Park. Beautiful!
Sauvie Island is a great place to visit for the day. On the way, you'll see house boats and there are many farms on the island where you can pick your own berries, or find pumpkins. There is also a long stretch of beach on the far side of the island and the water is clean and not too cold to swim in. (in the summer)
21 locals recommend
Sauvie Island Farms
19818 NW Sauvie Island RdSauvie Island is a great place to visit for the day. On the way, you'll see house boats and there are many farms on the island where you can pick your own berries, or find pumpkins. There is also a long stretch of beach on the far side of the island and the water is clean and not too cold to swim in. (in the summer)
Essentials
Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne BlvdThis store has everything you need and it's reasonably priced.
Fun store with good cheap wine, great variety of fun snack food, good coffee selection and friendly staff. In non-Covid times, enjoy samples. I always get in a good mood when I shop there.
480 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
2122 NW Glisan StFun store with good cheap wine, great variety of fun snack food, good coffee selection and friendly staff. In non-Covid times, enjoy samples. I always get in a good mood when I shop there.
Local chain market with fresh, organic and delicious produce. Also good quality meat, poultry and fish. While on Hawthorne Blvd, you can enjoy a stroll down the street to people watch, get coffee, go to a cafe, or a local shop. Lots of Portland color on SE Hawthorne.
1022 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveLocal chain market with fresh, organic and delicious produce. Also good quality meat, poultry and fish. While on Hawthorne Blvd, you can enjoy a stroll down the street to people watch, get coffee, go to a cafe, or a local shop. Lots of Portland color on SE Hawthorne.
Food scene
Great for on the go food options and social distancing! They even have a brewery.
23 locals recommend
The Barley Pod
6035 NE Halsey StGreat for on the go food options and social distancing! They even have a brewery.
Best Thai food in Portland and next door to amazing Indian food if the place is too crowded.
62 locals recommend
Kati Portland
2932 SE Division StBest Thai food in Portland and next door to amazing Indian food if the place is too crowded.
Really fun atmosphere, great cider and amazing twist on Indian food. Delicious and fun.
625 locals recommend
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StReally fun atmosphere, great cider and amazing twist on Indian food. Delicious and fun.
Okay! Every single food cart I've tried at the Zipper has been outstanding. You can't go wrong. It looks like a dump from outside, but go in and enjoy! Please.
25 locals recommend
The Zipper
2705 NE Sandy BlvdOkay! Every single food cart I've tried at the Zipper has been outstanding. You can't go wrong. It looks like a dump from outside, but go in and enjoy! Please.
If you are a foody, you will enjoy this farm to table, family owned, restaurant for a special brunch or an evening out. A bit pricey, but worth it. Nice outdoor seating, and just a few blocks away. They also have a small market if you need some farm fresh food!
101 locals recommend
Coquine
6839 SE Belmont StIf you are a foody, you will enjoy this farm to table, family owned, restaurant for a special brunch or an evening out. A bit pricey, but worth it. Nice outdoor seating, and just a few blocks away. They also have a small market if you need some farm fresh food!
Nice outdoor seating in the back. Tasty Mexican food and margaritas! Just down the hill on SE Hawthorne.
318 locals recommend
¿Por Qué No?
4635 Southeast Hawthorne BoulevardNice outdoor seating in the back. Tasty Mexican food and margaritas! Just down the hill on SE Hawthorne.
Sunday mornings! Just down the street in Montavilla, you can find local produce and foods at an open farmers market.
39 locals recommend
Montavilla Farmers Market
7700 SE Stark StSunday mornings! Just down the street in Montavilla, you can find local produce and foods at an open farmers market.
Local food carts with a variety of flavors from around the world! The Hawthorne Asylum can get "crazy", but if you go on a week day it might not be as crowded, and the food options are fabulous.
45 locals recommend
Hawthorne Asylum
1080 SE Madison StLocal food carts with a variety of flavors from around the world! The Hawthorne Asylum can get "crazy", but if you go on a week day it might not be as crowded, and the food options are fabulous.
The Bite on Belmont
4255 SE Belmont StGreat food carts just down the street on Belmont.
A little pricey, but also a little fancy, and just down the street. You could walk home after trying a fancy drink. The atmosphere is fun, the food is great and there is tons of outdoor seating.
6 locals recommend
Lazy Susan
7937 Southeast Stark StreetA little pricey, but also a little fancy, and just down the street. You could walk home after trying a fancy drink. The atmosphere is fun, the food is great and there is tons of outdoor seating.
Just down the street in Montavilla, and the veggie kababs, naan, and basically the whole menu is delicious. No outdoor seating, but great for takeout.
60 locals recommend
Ya Hala Lebanese Cuisine
8005 SE Stark StJust down the street in Montavilla, and the veggie kababs, naan, and basically the whole menu is delicious. No outdoor seating, but great for takeout.
Great place for breakfast. Tasty food, fun atmosphere, great coffee, and just a few minutes drive away.
165 locals recommend
Jam On Hawthorne
2239 SE Hawthorne BlvdGreat place for breakfast. Tasty food, fun atmosphere, great coffee, and just a few minutes drive away.
Sightseeing
One of my absolute favorite little gems in the middle of downtown. You walk in and are surrounded by gentle aesthetic beauty and peace. Take the tour and find out the history of this authentic Chinese garden and then be sure to visit the tea house. The Tao of Tea (fabulous veggie dumplings) and have a tea ceremony. They often have events going on. Soooo worth it! It will recharge you. I often go the the Chinese Gardens before or after visiting the Art Museum.
405 locals recommend
Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 NW Everett StOne of my absolute favorite little gems in the middle of downtown. You walk in and are surrounded by gentle aesthetic beauty and peace. Take the tour and find out the history of this authentic Chinese garden and then be sure to visit the tea house. The Tao of Tea (fabulous veggie dumplings) and have a tea ceremony. They often have events going on. Soooo worth it! It will recharge you. I often go the the Chinese Gardens before or after visiting the Art Museum.
When we are allowed to go in again, please visit this iconic book store. It is more like a book museum. You can come hear authors speak about their work, or just get lost in books for days and days.....
976 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StWhen we are allowed to go in again, please visit this iconic book store. It is more like a book museum. You can come hear authors speak about their work, or just get lost in books for days and days.....
Small and sweet and just right for an afternoon of culture. If you visit the museum on Saturday, you can also stop by the Farmers market up the street on Park Avenue. Just lovely!
17 locals recommend
Art Museum station
Small and sweet and just right for an afternoon of culture. If you visit the museum on Saturday, you can also stop by the Farmers market up the street on Park Avenue. Just lovely!
See how the old time really rich Portlanders lived. The views from the gardens are amazing, and while up there you can visit the Rose Gardens, The Japanese Gardens, The Zoo, The Children's Museum...so much.
622 locals recommend
Pittock Mansion
3229 NW Pittock DrSee how the old time really rich Portlanders lived. The views from the gardens are amazing, and while up there you can visit the Rose Gardens, The Japanese Gardens, The Zoo, The Children's Museum...so much.
As far as Zoos go, this is my favorite. It is up in the West Hills. Like much in this beautiful city, you will be surrounded not only by animals, but gorgeous foliage. Also, there are many wonderful habitat restorations, and lots of research going on to help the animals.
524 locals recommend
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon RdAs far as Zoos go, this is my favorite. It is up in the West Hills. Like much in this beautiful city, you will be surrounded not only by animals, but gorgeous foliage. Also, there are many wonderful habitat restorations, and lots of research going on to help the animals.
LOVE this place. It is a wonderful place to discover and have fun for the whole family. They even have a submarine to tour in the Willamette. You can also board the speed boat tours just behind OMSI. If you happen to have young children, this is a MUST.
646 locals recommend
OMSI
1945 SE Water AveLOVE this place. It is a wonderful place to discover and have fun for the whole family. They even have a submarine to tour in the Willamette. You can also board the speed boat tours just behind OMSI. If you happen to have young children, this is a MUST.
Remember The Shining with Jack Nicholson? Well, up in Mount Hood, about an hour away, you'll find the Timberline Lodge where the movie was filmed. A beautiful drive, lots of hikes, and a grand lodge. You can even stay there for the night!
338 locals recommend
Timberline Lodge Ski Area
27500 E Timberline RoadRemember The Shining with Jack Nicholson? Well, up in Mount Hood, about an hour away, you'll find the Timberline Lodge where the movie was filmed. A beautiful drive, lots of hikes, and a grand lodge. You can even stay there for the night!
Just in Portland
If you love old movies, you should stop by and take a look at this joint! It's like a movie library and museum with original props and costumes from many old classics! Just down the street. A hidden Portland gem.
27 locals recommend
Movie Madness Video and More
4320 SE Belmont StIf you love old movies, you should stop by and take a look at this joint! It's like a movie library and museum with original props and costumes from many old classics! Just down the street. A hidden Portland gem.
Really fun outdoor market with local artisans selling their goods. Just across the river on Saturdays and Sundays until 5. Open seasonally.
425 locals recommend
Portland Saturday Market
2 SW Naito PkwyReally fun outdoor market with local artisans selling their goods. Just across the river on Saturdays and Sundays until 5. Open seasonally.