Since moving to the west coast, I’ve been scheming up ways to make it down to Portland. From what I’d heard, Portland’s a foodie heaven with a self-proclaimed “weird” vibe – a seemingly perfect place to spend a few days. So when the boyfriend found out he had to make a trip south for work, I jumped on board (or in truck) and made the trek with him.
I contacted Travel Portland, Portland’s Visitors Bureau for tips on what makes their city so special. (Sidebar: Visitors Bureaus are an excellent resource to check before embarking on a trip. They usually have insider info and can point you in the direction of great lodging, restaurants and activities while you’re in town. Often overlooked, they’re perfect for finding locals spots without knowing any locals!)
Travel Portland came through for me in a big way. They put me up at the Hotel DeLuxe, an awesome Hollywood-inspired, art-deco-meets-modern-day hotel within walking distance to the Pearl District. And walk I did. Portland is fairly accessible by foot or public transit and I spent my first day visiting a number of boutique clothing stores. Unique to Portland, these independent shops are packed with great finds (and no sales tax!) Among my favorites was Frances May, for jackets and layering pieces, Bonnet, for hat and accessories, 3 Monkeys for collectibles and gifts, and Gilt for the most amazing collection of vintage and artisan jewelry I’ve ever come across. And, of course, if you’re in Portland, you must visit Powell’s Bookstore, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. If you’re a reader, this cannot be missed.
Thoroughly exhausted after shopping, I stopped by one of the many food carts in the city for a quick bite. Now, I love a food cart as much as the next girl but Portland has revolutionized street food as I know it. Everywhere I 
went, there was another cluster of carts. And the best part? They were good! Following recommendations by a few friends and the trusty interwebs, I ate my way through the streets during my stay. Among the most impressive were Perierra Creperie (sweet and savory, regular and gluten-free crepes), Brunch Box (burgers with grilled onions and cheddar cheese) and Nong’s Khao Man Gai (an incredible mix of chicken, rice and soybean sauce with garlic, chili and ginger). And if you want to rival the best coffee you’ve EVER had in the States, pay a visit to Spella coffee truck. You won’t regret it.
If you’re more of a brick and mortar restaurant eater, you won’t find too much in the way of cheap eats but for a true taste of the Pacific Northwest, check out a Portland institution, Jake’s Famous Crawfish. The menu at Jake’s is new everyday and lists the freshest seafood they have to offer. With drinks, it’ll set you back a pretty penny but it’s a must-eat on my list.
Looking to get a bit off the beaten path and indulge in some adult beverages? Take the bus over to Hip Chicks Do Wine, a “hidden” urban winery in the industrial area. It’s about 30 minutes from the Pearl District by bus but it gave me a chance to see parts of the city without having to heel-toe my way around. Hip Chicks started in 1999 and is 100% women owned and operated. Though I enjoyed tasting their different wine series and blends, I’d recommend holding out for one of their events like Ladies Night or their annual Harvest Party, which invites customers to come help them crush grapes from local vineyards.
Portland also has a vibrant theater scene. While in town, The Portland Center Stage invited me to a showing of Snow Falling on the Cedars, a story about the Japanese-American internment camps of WWII and the racism in the years that followed. Set in the Puget Sound in 1954, it’s a tale of love, loss and sacrifice through the eyes of Ishmael, played beautifully by New York City actor Vince Nappo. The showing of Snow Falling on the Cedars ends February 7, so be sure to buy tickets soon if you plan to be in the area.
If you have any energy left on your way home, get up early and drive out to Mt. Hood Meadows Resort for a day of snowboarding and skiing. Meadows is in a prime location to get pounded with snow and the conditions there are almost always spectacular. The Meadows invited me to be their guest for the day and I’m seriously contemplating making them a staple in my mountain rotation. A quick 4.5 hour drive every other weekend from Seattle is totally logical…right?
Have any great Portland stories or stops to share? Leave a comment or tweet at me on Twitter @TheFlyingSalmon!