An ever-evolving travel guide to Portland, OR

One of the invisible strings that tie Alec and me together is our love for food and exploring the local cuisine wherever we move and travel. When we moved to Portland two years ago we made a wishlist of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops that we wanted to visit. I'm happy to say that despite moving to a new city in the middle of a pandemic and only being able to use takeout for a while, we put a pretty big dent in that list!

We love celebrating all the wonderful ingredients this region has to offer and experiencing the incredible talent in the Portland restaurant scene. One thing Portland does not fall short on is setting a vibe wherever you eat or drink and there is truly something for everyone here. Below are our favorite spots that we can’t wait to share. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. <3

Note: Updated 4/2024 for accuracy as some places have unfortunately closed and of course, we've visited some new spots since 2022! This list was originally intended as a travel guide for our wedding guests so the locations for the most part are central to the neighborhood , SE Portland, where we lived and our guests stayed.

Eats

Breakfast/Brunch

Fried Egg I’m in Love Before we lived in Portland, we would frequently drive here to pick up visiting friends and family from PDX airport. Every time, we would stop at Fried Egg for an egg sandwich! Located on Hawthorne Blvd, one of Portland’s quirky and walkable main streets, you can find it nestled among shops, cafes, and other eateries. P.S. They make the perfect hangover breakfast, just sayin’!
Sparrow Bakery A second location to Bend, OR’s iconic bakery in the St. Johns neighborhood, Sparrow has incredible pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. Their specialty is an Ocean Roll, a cozy cinnamon-bun like pastry with swirls of cardamom and sprinkled with sugar. It’s my favorite pastry in the world (and I’ve had many!). Grab a coffee and pastry and head on over to nearby Cathedral Park.
Henry’s Boiled Bagels Henry’s is a gem just around the corner from where we live in Central Eastside. They make amazing bagel egg sandwiches perfect for breakfast on-the-go for on the way to a hike!
Broder Cafe One of three locations in the Broder group, Broder Cafe is a cute Scandinavian restaurant located in Southeast Portland serving incredible authentic dishes, pastries, and drinks. Our favorite time to go is for brunch and the Danish Bloody Mary is a must if you enjoy pickled things.
Ken’s Artisan Bakery Ken’s in Northwest Portland has the kind of pastries you would wait in a line around the block for. And people do. Every weekend! They have incredible pastries, both sweet and savory. Try the raspberry escargot roll, trust me.
Proud Mary Coffee A funky Australian-inspired industrial cafe on NE Alberta with great house-roasted coffee, cocktails, and breakfast/brunch menu. Fun fact: The shop where I bought my wedding dress, a and bé, is just next door!

Some spots that come highly recommended, but we haven’t had the chance to try out ourselves (yet!):

Matutina A panaderia / bakery and cafe serving absolutely stunning breakfasts and pastries in a bright and vibrant yet cozy and inviting space.

Lunch/Dinner

Tope Taqueria Rooftop bar via Instagram @tope_pdx

Fermenter A 100% plant-based gem tucked away in the Central Eastside, Fermenter offers a wide variety of locally-sourced vegan options as well as house-fermented kombucha, kefir, koji, tempeh, and plant-based cheeses. I highly recommend the Tempeh burger!
Tusk Tusk is one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. When Alec and I first visited Oregon, we came to this Central Eastside gem for our big night out and have returned for almost every big occasion since. They offer a locally-sourced, seasonal menu of Mediterranean style tapas and you’re encouraged to share them family style with your table. Tusk is the home of my all time favorite cocktail, The Hazy Jane, a bright bubblegum-pink vodka drink with rose, almond, lemon, and yogurt. It changed my life and I just know it will change yours, too.
Screen Door Screen Door is modern southern food at its best. They have an incredible brunch spread and are home to sensational chicken and waffles; perfectly crisp fried chicken paired with a *perfectly* fluffy and toasted sweet potato waffle. There are a few locations in Portland; hit up the East Burnside location for cozy Portland vibes, and the downtown Pearl location for more modern upscale digs.
Hat Yai Until moving to Portland, I had never eaten or even heard of Thai fried chicken. Let me tell you, I don’t know how I’ll ever live without it. Hat Yai is the type of place that you get a distinct craving for like clockwork every few weeks. For the first year and a half, we only had Hat Yai as delivery. When delivery fried chicken blows your mind, you know the fresh out of the fryer in-restaurant version will change your life. On a bustling corner in the Central Eastside, Hat Yai offers outdoor benches as well as cozy indoor seating, where the smell of fried chicken and Thai spices reach far and wide. If you’re going with a friend/friends, I recommend getting Hat Yai for 2 / Hat Yai for 4: fried chicken, sticky rice, curry, and roti.
Fire on the Mountain Another fried-chicken gem, Fire on the Mountain offers incredible wings with a wide range of amazing, unique sauces as well as beer from their very own microbrewery. I highly recommend the Raspberry Habanero sauce!
Lardo If you’re into sandwiches, and honestly even if you’re not, Lardo is a must visit for a quintessential Portland bite. They have a few locations around the city and are home to the best Bahn Mi I’ve ever had - a lovely balance between rich pork meatballs, fresh veggies and herbs, and finished with a punchy sriracha mayo. They also offer a rotation feature sandwich in collaboration with other Portland chefs. Other favorites of friends include the Griddled Mortadella and Korean Pork Shoulder.

Shalom Y’all via Instagram @shalomyallpdx

Flying Fish Flying Fish is the perfect way to wrap up an adventure day. They offer fresh seafood to take home, or you can enjoy a small rotating menu of fresh local catches at this Central Eastside spot. The fish and chips are my favorite!
West West is a dreamy Italian-inspired spot tucked away in the Slab Town neighborhood. They offer a cozy yet minimalist decor with bright whites, warm woods, and lots of thriving greenery as well as a menu overflowing with local, organic ingredients and thoughtfully created dishes. Brunch at West is a must.
Oma’s Hideaway A newer spot in Southeast that has made a lot of buzz. James Beard Award kind of buzz. Oma’s offers a taste of Malaysian street food and really comes out swinging with BIG flavors, some of which I have never tasted before. Alec and I spent Valentine’s Day dinner with Oma’s and the sweet potato dumplings and fried market squash were some of our favorite bites of all time.
Toki During my bachelorette weekend, my MOH, Lucy, created a game to see how well Alec and I knew each other. One of the questions each of us were asked was something like, “If it was your last day on Earth, what would you want your last meal to be?” Alec and I both answered Toki’s sweet garlic soy-glazed Korean fried chicken. I know I say restaurants and food changed my life a lot (and its certainly true), but when I tell you these wings changed my life… These wings really changed my life!! They are perfectly sticky and crunchy in the most magical way, both sweet and savory, and are spot on perfect every time we go. While you’re visiting this downtown gem, also check out the kimchilada, korean beer mixed with kimchi like Mexico’s famous michelada. You won’t regret it!

Cafe Olli Northeast’s Cafe Olli is home to the best bite of pizza I’ve probably had in my whole life. Their offerings are maybe not for the pizza purist, but they really nail the brick oven pizza. Cafe Olli is part of the same restaurant group as Tusk, and it delivers the same sensational cozy-meets-modern atmosphere that Portland is known for and consistently delicious locally-sourced food. I highly recommend the Pomodoro pizza with stracciatella, a perfect balance of charred chewy bread, and sweet and tangy tomato sauce. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the whey soda - a fermented kefir-like beverage made from the leftover water of their house-made mozzarella.
Sugar Pine Drive-in Sugar Pine is one of my favorite places in Oregon. A revamped old gas station and located adjacent to a park in Troutdale, Sugar Pine is home to your perfect post-hike bite. After putting in work hiking the Columbia River Gorge, enjoy a rotating menu of locally sourced and nourishing sammies, soups, and killer salads (not a soggy piece of lettuce in sight, I promise!). Oh and did I mention they have soft serve ice cream with the most fun toppings? Think miso caramel, matcha shell, and honeycomb toffee ;)
Shalom Ya’ll Tucked in the Eastside, Shalom Ya’ll offers delicious authentic family-style Mediterranean cuisine and is home to the best pita we’ve ever had. The interior is just as impressive with subway tile, wood, plants, and on their eight-top- a copper lazy Susan ideal for sharing dishes. If you’re exploring downtown instead, you should check out the owner’s daughter’s spot, Lil’ Shalom which offers more street-food style Mediterranean like handheld pitas.
Gumba A former food truck turned brick and mortar in NE Alberta, Gumba offers a sensational rotating menu of handmade pastas with a unique atmosphere. The front dining room is on the smaller side so tucked away in back is a bustling bar for those awaiting tables. Gumba feels like a secret club that’s busy every night of the week and the pasta is well worth the wait.
Portland City Grill I first want to say that Portland City Grill in downtown is not known for it’s food, it is actually pretty mediocre. But the view tho!! On a clear day, the Portland City Grill gives you a stunning view of the city and our surrounding mountains. There used to be a happy hour which was a lovely way to enjoy it without paying inflated prices for medium food, but I would still recommend going and having some drinks and apps like a DIY happy hour!
Chin’s Kitchen A recent takeout favorite of ours, Chin’s has the best Chinese food we have ever had. Their General Tso’s is spectacular and their house-made noodles send me straight to Heaven. Alec also tells me that he found it on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, so there’s that, too! We haven’t dined in (they are located on the Eastside) so I can’t speak to the atmosphere of the restaurant itself but if their takeout is this good, dining in must be transcendental!
Eem Nestled in Northeast Portland, Eem is home to Thai BBQ and their fried rice is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. They also have a great selection of unique cocktails, including a frozen coconut pandan drink topped with a nostalgic frosted animal cracker that was truly out of this world. Their dining room is the perfect balance of dark and moody and bright and vibrant thanks to tons of dreamy plants.
Tope Taqueria Tope sits a top the Hoxton Hotel in downtown Portland and is one of the most vibey rooftop restaurant/bars I have ever seen. Their wait can get quite long and there are often weather closures but having happy hour on that roof is truly a 5 star Portland experience.
Ox One thing we missed dearly from Pittsburgh is an Argentinian place with wood-fire grilled meats. Ox, in Northeast, offers just that in Portland and comes with high accolades, including James Beard Awards for Best Chef in the Northwest! It’s home to one of the most unique and decadent dishes I’ve ever experienced — clam chowder with whole clams and smoked bone marrow. I can’t wait to go back some day!
Paadee A modern Thai spot down the street from us on the Eastside that we walked past 1000 times and said “we really need to go there”. They have rave reviews, always have a bustling line waiting to get in, and a beautiful dining room filled with gorgeous Thai decor and, you guessed it, plants (I certainly have a type, don’t I?). When we finally went, it did not disappoint! The food and atmosphere made it such an amazing experience and well worth the wait.

Some spots that come highly recommended, but we haven’t had the chance to try out ourselves (yet!):

Han Oak At the tippy top of our restaurant list lives Han Oak, a minimalist family-run Korean restaurant. I have seen this restaurant featured on numerous food shows and it truly looks incredible. After an almost two year hiatus, they have reopened their Eastside spot with their famous hot pots and I cannot wait to visit.
Gado Gado A quick google search describes it as a “Bustling hangout with pan-Asian & Dutch-Indonesian offerings, plus specialty cocktails.” And really, need anyone say more? A sister restaurant to Oma’s Hideaway in Northeast, it’s surely to be incredible.
Gracie’s Apizza A wood fired pizza shop in St. Johns. From the rest of this list, I’m sure it comes to no one’s surprise that we are pizza people and that Portland is without a doubt, a pizza city.
Cicoria Another pizza place, this time by the same restaurant group as Tusk. This group also catered our rehearsal dinner and I can attest they make a damn good slice!
Kann A newer spot in Portland from James Beard winner and 2023 finalist for Best New Restaurant, Gregory Gourdet, Kann has made a huge splash in the local and national food scene. It offers gorgeous, intentional Haitian cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients and a passion for sustainability. Recognized as the “Best New Restaurant” by NYT and Eater and “#1 Best New Restaurant in America” by Esquire, reservations far in advance is a must.
G-love Located in Slabtown, G-love has a focus on showcasing seasonal, locally grown produce and boasts themselves as Portland’s first “reverse steakhouse”. The indoor space and outdoor patio are chic and inviting and seemingly always packed with happy people.
Dolly Olive A newer Southern Mediterranean spot downtown. The space is a beautiful homage to PNW contemporary design and the food looks incredible, too! Can’t wait to visit!

Sweets

Fifty Licks Ice Cream via Instagram @fiftylicks

Fifty Licks Ice Cream Another invisible string that ties Alec and I together is our visceral need to live in a space in good proximity to quality ice cream. What started as us driving 20 minutes for good mochi in Pittsburgh has ended with us choosing an apartment down the street from Fifty Licks. They have a few locations around the city and offer really unique flavors with seasonal features and a lot of vegan options if you’re into that, too. To name a few of our past and present favorites: Hood Strawberry (the most sensational strawberry ice cream you’ll ever have, it’s BRIGHT pink!), Mango Sticky Rice, Cereal Milk, Cornbread Honey butter, and Gingerbread.
Salt and Straw Ice Cream Salt and Straw is a famous Portland spot that has now opened locations elsewhere, including LA. They offer classic flavors with a much larger rotation seasonal menu that are themed - like cereals or summer berries. In March, Salt and Straw is home to one of my all time favorite ice creams, Pots of Gold which is made from Lucky Charms oat cereal milk and has the marshmallows mixed in!!
Sugar Pine Drive-in As I mentioned before, Sugar Pine is great for a post-hike ice cream treat especially if you’re into soft serve. I am not typically a soft-serve person but their toppings make me giddy. Just ask Alec! A recent combo I made was vanilla SS, matcha shell, with honeycomb toffee and candied rose petals. *SWOON*
Pips Original Doughnuts and Chai Pips in Northeast is truly iconic. The combo of fresh (literally fried to order) mini cake donuts and chai is so unique. Following them on instagram through the pandemic has made me appreciate them even more because they really truly care about this community and go above and beyond to take care and advocate for their team. When you can get quality food from quality people, that’s amore. Plus, they give you a free Pip’s dozen on your birthday, how sweet is that?!

Blue Star Donuts via Instagram @bluestardonuts

Doe Donuts If you’re vegan and you’re in town, you absolutely must try Doe’s. Alec is not vegan but basically paid for Doe’s electricity bill during his rotations in the Hollywood neighborhood. He went literally every work day he liked them so much! They offer really unique sweet and savory options as well as vegan ice cream and milkshakes.

Blue Star Donuts Blue Star was one of our first stops on our OG Portland Food Tour back in 2018. Their flavor combos are fun but not too crazy (see below), like Raspberry Rosemary Buttermilk and Blueberry Bourbon Basil. We liked them so much, we asked them to cater the dessert at our wedding!
Voodoo Doughnuts Another famous Portland spot that has expanded to other locations, including Disney Land. They have really wild flavors that are just too much for me, if I am totally honest. They pile them high with toppings and while that is not my vibe, I get the appeal because they are really photogenic and super unique. You will see their iconic pink boxes all over the city and when you get your own, I dare you not to Instagram it.

Drinks (Non-Alcoholic)

Good Coffee A vibey coffee shop with several locations ‘round town.
Heart Roasters A cute coffee shop with a small selection of fresh pastries located on East Burnside. We often walk there on sunny weekend mornings and sit outside in front with Clem.
Proud Mary Coffee See description in Breakfast/Brunch above.

Good Coffee via Instagram @goodcoffeepnw

Tea Bar Tea Bar is a really awesome chain owned by an Asian-American woman in her early twenties who just seems like a total boss. All of their interiors are super bright and chic, with plants and lots of lighting - perfect for IG photos if that’s your vibe! They also have a cute selection of local goodies, superfoods, and trendy water bottles and such. Alec and I both are obsessed with their iced Mango Matcha which is not always on the real menu but they always make it! Add boba if you’re feeling wild.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Stumptown is an OG Portland coffee roaster, and there are so, so many. Their shops have a moody vibe that offsets the minimalist-chic that encapsulates the rest of Portland. I really love it. I also love suggesting bags of coffee beans as souvenirs for visiting guests and they even have a bean of the month type club where they ship you beans year round!
Keeper Coffee Located in Woodstock, Keeper has one of the cutest store-fronts I have ever seen. It’s basically a dreamy cottage filled with delicious sweet and savory house-made pastries and gooood coffee.

Some spots that come highly recommended, but we haven’t had the chance to try out ourselves (yet!):

Prince Coffee With a few locations around town, Prince offers unique coffee and tea drinks, mouthwatering pastries and a small breakfast menu. They also have wine and sharable plates including a proscuitto potato chip tower?! * swoon *
Neverlab With two locations in SE and Downtown, Never is a beautiful colorful, modern space packed with plants and fun merch to grab a locally roasted cup of coffee.

Drinks (Alcoholic)

Abigail Hall via Instagram @abigailhallpdx

Heylove In short, Heylove is what I imagine my heaven to be like. This little Central Eastside gem has the most incredible vibrant plant decor, with silver pothos traipsed across the ceiling like party streamers and gorgeous gold and rattan accents. It is a plant-lovers dream and the drinks are just as good. Their website describes them as a “garden and a house party, all wrapped into one”, and that nails it. In winter, they hang Christmas lights and turn into “Sleighlove” and offer incredible (strong) winter-themed dranks. It’s FUN. It’s sexy. It’s paradise.
Neighbor’s Taproom Another recent addition to our Central Eastside neighborhood, Neighbor’s is owned by two lovely women who bought the space from a brewery they used to bartend for. Together they’ve transformed the space into a modern beer lovers oasis with plants, a huge wooden letter board menu, cozy chairs, and a lot of local brews on tap. They feature local DJs and artists, and host trivia nights, paint nights, flower and pastry pop-ups and more.
Ecliptic Brewing With one location in Central Eastside and another on Mississippi Avenue, Ecliptic is a fun local brewery. The Mississippi location has a large outdoor seating area adjacent to one of the most fun places in Portland. Mississippi Avenue is home to many shops, bars and breweries, restaurants, and live music. If you’re looking for a fun place to bar hop to see the best of Portland, Mississippi is where it’s at.

Scotch Lodge via Instagram, @scotchlodge

Cascade Brewing Barrel House If you enjoy patio drinks and sour beers, be sure to check out Cascade on the Eastside. Their menu features 20+ sour beers as well as a smaller selection of non-sour beers from local guest breweries.

Scotch Lodge With an unassuming exterior, Scotch Lodge in the Central Eastside has a feel like one of the best kept secrets for whiskey lovers in Portland. It’s interior has a dark and moody vintage-y aesthetic. They have a wide selection of whiskeys and offer thorough table-side tastings as well as other delicious craft cocktails for those not so into whiskey (me). It’s gorgeous and cozy and although we’ve only gone once (so far), is easily one of our favorite spots in Portland.
Loyal Legion A historic building on the Central Eastside turned beer hall packed with all local Oregon beer. Fun fact, this bar is below our wedding venue space (The Evergreen) and will host our cocktail hour. It’s a moody bar with wood, leather, and vintage art. If you’re lucky you might grab the leather booth below the neon White Stag sign for a cool vibe and even cooler photo op. Be sure to snap a photo of their vintage Beer Hall sign above the entrance on your way out, too!

Voysey Located underneath Loyal Legion, is speakeasy-esque Voysey. It’s dark, edgy, with unique art, murals, and a disco ball. Drinking there makes you feel instantly cooler. They often feature themed drink menus, like a Hitchcock inspired menu for Halloween. Having room for just fifty guests, it feels cozy and exclusive but just keep that in mind while planning your night.
Wild Roots Spirits Tasting Room Located on East Burnside, Wild Roots Spirits offers unique infused gin and vodkas like local Marionberry vodka. Call ahead to reserve a table for a tasting in this chic tasting room with a really friendly staff!
Revolution Hall A seasonal roof-top bar on the Central Eastside with an amazing view of the city atop an old school turned music venue. I’m not sure anything can be more Portland. As a bonus, if you go during the day you can watch people in the field below playing with their dogs!
Multnomah Whiskey Library This is Alec’s heaven. A vintage-inspired moody and cozy lounge downtown, the whiskey library has shelves from floor to ceiling with thousands of unique whiskeys from around the world. They have a membership club but non-members are able to get on a waitlist as a walk-in. It can take hours to make your way up on the list so it’s best to plan ahead!
Abigail Hall A dreamy bright art-deco inspired bar in the first floor of the Woodlark’s Hotel downtown. An homage to femininity and named after Oregon suffragette Abigail Scott Duniway, it’s a must visit spot for every chic feminist and lover of pink and velvet.
Lulubar A stunning leather and wood clad bar in Southeast with a gorgeous bar set up and contemporary Vietnamese bites.
Sugar Hill A vibey 70’s themed bar in SE with lots of plants, moody modern decor, and fun drinks.
Jackie’s A sports bar that doesn’t feel like a sports bar. An inclusive and fun atmosphere, there’s (of course) plenty of screens for all the big games, dancing, fun cocktails on tap, and although I haven’t eaten there, the brunch looks incredible!

Some spots that come highly recommended, but we haven’t had the chance to try out ourselves (yet!):

Wonderly A gorgeous, minimalist marble dream cocktail bar in Northeast with stunning cocktails, plants, and New American bites.
Coopers Hall An auto body shop turned winery and taproom in Central Eastside, the Coopers Hall interior features floor to ceiling windows, plants, and beautiful wooden barrels. Although it is a popular wedding reception and event space, those looking for a casual drink are welcome, too.
Dirty Pretty Located on East Burnside and definitely not your mother’s tiki bar, Dirty Pretty is a new cocktail bar and kitchen that pairs Hawaiian flavors with a moody, modern space.
Bar Diane A stunning wine bar and kitchen tucked away in NW. Think twinkly lights, modern seating, floral garnishes, and lots of plants.
Lovely Rita In the lobby of The Hoxton hotel (also the home of Tope!), Lovely Rita offers a gorgeous and moody elevated hotel restaurant experience fit for both working remotely and happy hour.
Street Disco Tucked away in seasonal restaurant and wine bar proudly serving “food, vibes, and natural wines”. Say less!

Adventures

Outdoors

Another invisible string that ties Alec and me together is our love for exploring the unique scenery in the places we move and travel to. I wouldn’t say I’ve always been an outdoorsy gal, but after moving to the PNW it’s really hard not to be! The views are too good not to put in work to visit. And don’t get me started on the waterfalls. Here are some of our favorite highlights of living in Oregon.

In and around Portland:

Columbia River Gorge A national scenic area along the Columbia River which separates Oregon from Washington. It’s known for it’s large concentration of waterfalls and beautiful views. Some of our favorite hikes in the gorge include:
- Walchella Falls
- Wahkeena Falls
- Angel’s Rest
- Tom McCall Point Trail (wildflowers when in season)
- Latourell Falls
Multnomah Falls, located in the Gorge, is one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon and easily the most popular tourist spot in the Portland area. You can hike around it, but can also walk right up to it and enjoy it’s magnificent beauty!
Tom McCall Waterfront Riverwalk From late March to Mid-April the Waterfront lights up with a stunning super-bloom of Cherry Blossom trees, a gift from Japan to commemorate the dedication of the Japanese Historical Plaza. The riverwalk is bustling all year-round with walkers, bikers, runners, and picnic-ers.
Cathedral Park Located in the St. Johns neighborhood, Cathedral Park has gorgeous views of the cathedral-like gothic supports of St. Johns Bridge. A popular spot for wedding ceremonies and first looks, as well as picnics and sunbathing alike.

Clementine at The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival 2019

Forest Park One of the largest Urban forests in the country, Forest Park offers hiking in the middle of the city. There are a lot of trails and interesting sites including the Pittock Mansion.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival This festival in Woodburn runs late March to early May for the peak of the spring bloom. There is a hot air balloon, a collection of food trucks and of course, rows and rows of stunning tulips.
Hoyt Arboretum Located in Washington Park, the Hoyt Arboretum provides beautiful views of Portland’s redwood trees.
The Portland Japanese Garden Also in Washington Park, the Japanese Garden is a great spot to spend an afternoon in nature. The garden looks best in Spring, but you can find beauty in it all year.
International Rose Test Garden Best visited May - October, the Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is a collection of over 610 varieties of roses and serves as a testing center for new rose varieties. It also influenced Portland’s title as the Rose City.

Take a drive:

Mt. Hood National Forest A gorgeous scenic forest located a 60-90 minute drive from the city centered around the tallest peak in Oregon, Mt. Hood. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in specific hikes that we’ve done.
Hood River Lavender Farm A stunning farm perfect for any lavender lover, photographer, or nature enthusiast. The farm offers u-pick through spring and summer as well as handmade lavender goods from lavender soaps to chocolates available for purchase.
Silver Falls State Park About an hour and ten minutes away from Portland in Silverton, Silver Falls is a collection of ten breathtaking waterfalls in the largest state park in the state. The Trail of Ten Falls, 7-ish mile loop, will take you to each one.

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach. Photo by Kevin Wheeler

Bend, OR A 3 hour-ish drive east from the city, Bend is truly a mountain oasis. Technically the high desert, Bend offers a dry climate giving powdery snow in the winter and sunshine 250+ days a year, on average. With incredible skiing and snowboarding in the winter and a long river to float on in the sunshine of summer, Bend has something for everyone. Like any idyllic mountain town you can find an abundance breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants with outdoor seating. An iconic Bend hike, Smith Rock, is one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon and was one of my favorite memories from my bachelorette trip there this past November. We’d recommend a trip to Bend to last at least two or three days, there’s a lot you’ll want to take in.
The Coast. About 90 minutes from the city, the Oregon Coast is an easy day trip jam-packed with adventure and good food. Cannon Beach and its iconic Haystack Rock, and Astoria are two of our favorite areas to visit with unique breweries, restaurants, and scenery of their own.
Crater Lake National Park is lake formed from a volcano with stunning blue water and unbelievable views. It’s about a four hour drive from the city and is understandably one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon.

Painted Hills Located in the John Day Fossil Beds, the Painted Hills offer an incredibly unique view of history up close. Named for the stunning layers of colorful stratifications in the hills’ soil. The colors change over time with moisture and temperature changes, making each visit potentially unique and easily solidifying its place as one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon.

Blue Pool via McKenzie River Trail One of our favorite hikes in Central Oregon, Blue Pool is a stunning turquoise blue pool at the bottom of a waterfall.
Koosah and Sahalie Falls Trail Nestled in the Willamette National Forest, this hike is one of our all time favorites. The first time we visited Sahalie Falls was so magical that Alec decided to ask me to marry him there!

Shopping

Tender Loving Empire With several locations, including inside the PDX airport, TLE is a record-label-gift-shop combo with unique handmade gifts from makers all over Portland. It’s one of my favorite spots to bring visitors and to shop for Portland-themed gifts.
Cargo Inc. An Eastside shop featuring local makers, pop-ups, and funky, cool gifts. One of my favorite plant shops, Appetite, has a set-up there which offers vintage home goods, pots and baskets, and of course, plants.
Dano A vibey little apothecary meets vintage clothing store meets handmade home goods shop with lots of warm cozy sun. Located on Division St. and neighboring to lots of other cute shops and eateries.
Gone West A gift shop, just down the street from Dano on SE Division St. featuring women makers, bath and beauty, kitchen, and home goods.

Pistils Nursery via Instagram, @pistilsnursery

Little Rituals A woman and Latina-owned chic high-vibe spot in Southeast with plants, thoughtfully curated gifts, and size-inclusive clothing.

Ecovibe - A woman and Black-owned sustainable lifestyles shop. It’s just down the street from Proud Mary’s in Alberta if you want to grab a coffee or bite before shopping!
The Yo Store A cute European lifestyle store in Northwest with bright ceramics, quirky clothing, and fun gifts. There’s a lot of kids stuff here as well if you have a mini-hipster to shop for!
Pistil’s Nursery Portland’s iconic plant nursery. With a few locations (although I’m partial to the one on Mississippi Ave), Pistils is popping with crazy healthy plants, and unique vessels to put them in. Anyone who’s into green girls, even if you’re traveling and can’t physically bring one home, should visit. It’s an oasis.

Hey, I think you’ll be into these:

lifestyle

My Tacoma’s Greatest Hits

My Portland’s Greatest Hits

A Few of My Favorite Things: The TBHB Holiday Gift Guide