Run, don’t walk to Portland.
Last year, we had a girls getaway to Los Angeles. We decided to make it an annual thing and this year we picked Portland which was so impressive, I want to move there!
Portland is very service-oriented, more so than any other urban place I’ve traveled to. There are Ubers/Lyfts, Airbnbs, and bikes all over the city. Stores have refreshments for you to enjoy while you shop. The greeter at a swimsuit boutique asked what kind of beer we would like!
I didn’t think Portland was weird (contrary to the popular slogan), but laidback, culturally-diverse, and proud.
One other important reason to travel to Portland is to keep costs down. There’s no sales tax! I didn’t know this until I got there and a salesperson said it. At which point, I started shopping like a crazy person. Coming from San Francisco, where the sales tax is 8.5% and a Healthy San Francisco tax is added by restaurants to cover uninsured residents, not paying a cent on tax is a welcome surprise. We couldn’t believe how cheap (comparatively) our lavish meals were.
Stay
We stayed at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in downtown which I thought was ok, although walking distance to the Pearl District. It probably would have been better to get an Airbnb.
Eat
From the food trucks to the best restaurants, we ate like royalty. Everything was delish.
- Ava Gene’s. Family-style Italian. All food sourced locally.
- Tasty n Alder. Brunch options: lemon ricotta pancakes, Korean fried chicken, seared foie gras, hangtown fry, and duck..duck..steak!
- Toro Bravo. Lines that wrap around the block are a good sign, right? Totally worth the wait. Spanish tapas that don’t disappoint. Regarded as one of the best restaurants in Portland.
- Andina. Peruvian tapas.
Do
Go ahead and be a shopaholic. Lots of cute boutiques all around the city.
- Powell’s. This is the world’s largest independent bookstore. I could spend hours there.
- Loyly. Scandinavian communal spa with two locations. We went to the smaller one in Southeast Portland. Simple facility with a small sauna and steam room.
- Saturday Market. Arts+Crafts+Food. Largest continually-running open-air market in the country.
Take a look at pictures I took over the June 2-4 weekend.
Have you been to Portland?
What did we miss?
Other city guides here, including Seattle, Paris, and wine country.
I have never been to Portland, but judging from your review and pics might have to add this one to my bucket list now! 🙂
Run.. or fly!!
I’ve never been but I’m obsessed with little hippie towns and mountains. So.. yeah.
People call our town “Little Portland” but our mountains aren’t quite so big. It’s still awesome.
I haven’t been here in YEARS!!! Granted my previous experience was a bit weird, due to visiting a college friend who had other plans while I was there (??)… Thankfully my bestie came with me though and we had hilarious adventures together anyway! Regardless, I always think about that trip, because there were so many unique and interesting shops and restaurants. LOVE the typing station! Look like an amazing trip. Also, that book store! <3
We wanted to visit Portland last year when we went to Vancouver and Seattle, but there just wasn’t enough time to do it all. I’d love to work my way down the West Coast as a road trip when we are empty nesters, but if that doesn’t pan out we will have to just head to Portland. Or maybe we won’t wait until we are empty nesters…
Very lovely. I really need to go and check out the city, Love it. Great pics.
Thanks for this guide! I’m going to Portland in a few weeks but just for a day on business. I do plan to return with the family though and your guide will come in handy! 🙂
A place with no sales tax! That’s what dreams are made of! Your trip looks so much fun, and I’m so curious with all the food you ate.
Thanks Rea. Seriously, no sales tax…that’s paradise!