Guide to Portland, Oregon

After having stayed in Portland for nearly a year, I guess it’s about time I write up a Portland travel series! I’ve had an interesting relationship with Portland as it is a place where I’ve lived the past year and beyond but also a place where I feel sometimes distant from the local life as work hours have extended long into the night. However in between my free time I have dabbled with checking out some awesome places and highly recommend visiting the town. There’s honestly a lot to offer here in its own special, Portland way.

Some sights I recommend checking out are:

1. Portland Waterfront:

The waterfront section of downtown Portland is absolutely beautiful. There is just an endless stretch of greenery right by the river and a great place to relax in the day time. Bring some food, a blanket, and friends for a fun afternoon. For those of you who are runners, the waterfront has some pretty extensive running trails along both sides of the Willamette river and across the bridges for a scenic run. Towards the southern end of the waterfront as the greenery slowly goes away is a small row of boutique shops and restaurants.

2. Food Carts:

Most of you probably know Portland for the food carts. It’s a long standing concept that has been here before the trend became widespread throughout the rest of the states. Most carts are found grouped together in a parking lot and each group of food carts is called a pod. Chez Dodo is one of my absolute favorites! I recommend trying the mee foon (stir fried rice noodles) with lamb. It’s also gluten free! Other food carts may not have a gluten free menu (for those with allergies and sensitivities) but it never hurts to ask if any dishes can be made allergen free. I've tried my luck with Kingsland and thoroughly enjoyed the bangers and mash there.

3. Rose Garden:

There are hundreds on hundreds of roses here! It’s a large garden with nothing but roses and smells wonderful! Come during the late spring/early summer months when the roses are in full bloom for quite the sight!

4. Pittock Mansion:

The Pittock Mansion is going require a car to reach but offers a great view of the entire city and Mount Hood. It’s a mansion/amazing castle owned by Henry Pittock that has been converted to a museum. There are wonderful gardens up here and space for a small picnic.

5. Pearl District Bars and Restaurants:

The Pearl District is a great place for a night out on the town. Located next to downtown Portland, there are a ton of bars and restaurants to explore, most of which are walking distance from one another. Some of my favorite restaurants include Adina’s (Peruvian) and Mediterranean Exploration Company (tapas).

6. Coffee Shops:

Portland has a great coffee culture and a plethora of cafes around town. There are so many places to choose from in which to read a book and warm up with a hot chocolate or latte. Although I do not frequent cafés, I am a fan of Case Study Coffee as they have a wide range of options, even for those who are dairy intolerant. So try a mocha with soy, almond, or hemp milk!

7. Wander Downtown Portland

Downtown Portland hosts a plethora of shops and occasional temporary food stands depending on the hour of the day. Take the chance to grab food and relax at Pioneer Square or wander through the downtown shopping mall and window shop. There are also many restaurants in the area so the choices of what to eat are endless!

Happy travels!