Portland
Second stop, and where the group starts growing. Coast Starlight from Chico arrives at Union Station. Portland has more going on than its reputation suggests — strong food and coffee culture, good walkable neighborhoods (Hawthorne, Mississippi Ave, NW 23rd), the Gorge is 45 min east. People can join here or meet us later in Bellingham.
By train: Coast Starlight from Chico to Portland Union Station (~9 hrs). Amtrak Cascades continues north to Seattle and Bellingham. PDX airport 25 min from downtown if anyone is flying in. MAX light rail connects most of the city — a car is optional for town but needed for Gorge day trips.
Pearl District. Mid-century industrial vibe, Stumptown in the lobby, great bar. The original Ace — others are derivative. Central, walkable, good value for what it is.
Goose Hollow neighborhood, boutique, art deco. Quieter than the Pearl but still central. Driftwood Room bar is worth stopping in even if you stay elsewhere.
East side, near Division. Converted 1960s motor lodge. Outdoor fire pits, Doug Fir Lounge attached (great for music and late-night food). Best if the group wants the east side neighborhoods.
Airbnb or VRBO in Hawthorne or Alberta Arts District. Best for a group — kitchen, porch, walkable to restaurants and coffee. Portland has a large stock.
East Burnside, James Beard award. French-ish, inventive, locally sourced. One of the best restaurants in the city. Counter seating gets you in without reservations.
Argentine wood-fire cooking. Parrilla grill, excellent meat and vegetables. NE MLK, unpretentious room, one of Portland's best dinners.
Natural wine bar next door to Le Pigeon. Snacks, tinned fish, funky wine, late-night. Good for a spontaneous evening or pre-dinner drinks.
All-day brunch/lunch downtown. Sweet and savory, communal tables, great cocktails. One of the better brunch spots in a city that takes brunch seriously.
The original Portland location (NW 23rd). Rotating seasonal flavors, locally sourced. Worth the line.
SE Grand Ave, inside a converted 1920s warehouse. Single-origin, spectacular building, excellent espresso. One of the best specialty coffee spaces in the country.
The original Stumptown location is technically on SW 3rd, but the Ace Hotel café is the best room. Good espresso that started a movement.
Covers a full city block. World's largest used/new bookstore. A Portland institution — plan at least an hour, probably two. Rare books room in the back.
NE Alberta Street — galleries, food, street art, vintage shops. Last Thursday art walk is the main event (last Thursday of each month). Neighborhood energy is genuine.
N Mississippi — bars, coffee, vintage, and good restaurants on a walkable stretch. Less touristy than Alberta. Good for an afternoon wander.
Largest urban forest park in the US — 5,200 acres, 80+ miles of trails. Wildwood Trail is the spine. Feels completely removed from the city within 10 minutes.
French Renaissance château, 1914. Grounds are free and have panoramic views of the city and Mt. Hood. Interior tour $16. Worth going just for the view from the grounds.
One of the great drives in the country. Historic Columbia River Highway (Hwy 30) runs through it — Vista House, Multnomah Falls, Crown Point. About 30 miles east. Can do in a half-day or turn into a full day.
WPA-era lodge at 6,000 ft, year-round snowfield, incredible stonework and woodworking. 60 miles east. The exterior is in The Shining. Worth the drive.
Farm island 15 miles northwest of downtown. Beaches, U-pick farms, great swimming at Collins Beach in July. Bike-able from the bridge. Very Portland.
Select your name above to join the discussion.