Things To Do in Portland
For those making a weekend of it… welcome to our weird and wonderful city. Find lots of recommendations below!
Coffee & Breakfast
- Woodlawn Coffee & Pastry – Our neighborhood favorite. Tiny, warm, and unpretentious, with strong coffee and exceptional scones. Go early if you want the best pastry picks.
- Ps & Qs – Neighborhood café-meets-grocery with hearty breakfast sandwiches, seasonal specials, and a big outdoor patio perfect for families or groups. Casual, friendly, and a great place to caffeinate without standing in line for 45 minutes.
- Navarre – Tucked along NE 28th, this quiet gem shines at brunch, especially for two. Think European-style small plates, house-cured meats, and perfect baked eggs. Best if you want to linger, sip espresso, and pretend you’re in Europe.
- Tin Shed Garden Café – Portland brunch in full form: scrambles, hashes, vegan options, dog-friendly patio, and wait times that prove it’s beloved. Great for families or groups willing to wait with coffee in hand.
- Little Griddle – A true locals’ spot on either NE 42nd or SE Hawthorne. No frills, just generous breakfasts, great hashbrowns, and friendly vibes. Uses yelp waitlist.
- Jam on Hawthorne – Colorful, funky, and very Portland. Massive portions, GF/vegan options galore, and the kind of energy that says “we’ve seen it all and we’re still smiling.” Go for the mimosa flights, stay for the loaded scrambles.
- Petite Provence – A cozy, French-inspired café and bakery with rich coffee, perfect pastries, and decadent brunch plates. Ideal for a slightly fancier morning that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
- Mother’s Bistro & Bar – Comfort food, big portions, very Portland-mom vibes. Takes reservations and can fit big groups.
- Screen Door – Famous for Southern brunch (yes, there might be a line).
🌲 Easy Nature Escapes
Because Portland is a forest wearing a city costume. All of the places below can be reached through bus or easy rideshare.
- Pittock Mansion via Upper Macleay Trail – One of our favorites to see the whole city! (2.6 mile loop).
- Wildwood Trail & Lower Macleay Trail – Also a very beautiful loop through the forest with a creek, shady. (In and out, as long as you want)
- Tryon Creek Bridge Loop – Over three bridges and through the woods (3.4 miles)
- Hoyt Arboretum – Chill forest trails and trees from around the world.
- Japanese Garden & Washington Park – Tranquil paths, stunning views, and strolls to the Rose Garden. There’s also an awesome playground in Washington Park.
- Mt. Tabor – A volcano in the city! Great for low-key hikes and sunrise views.
- Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden – Dreamy blooms and peaceful vibes ($5 entry).
- Kelley Point Park – River beach meets forest. Good for wandering and wading.
- Cathedral Park – Iconic views under the St. Johns Bridge. Looks like a cathedral made of trees and steel.
🛍️ Only-in-Portland Experiences
- Powell’s City of Books – The world’s largest independent bookstore. It’s magic.
- Portland Art Museum – Thoughtfully curated and easy to wander.
- Portland Saturday Market – Crafts, global eats, live music, henna tattoos, and peak Portland people-watching under the bridges downtown.
- Hollywood Theatre – We love this place (we’re members!) — classic Portland cinema with indie films, cult classics, old-school popcorn, and surprise themes like “B Movie Bingo.”
- Rimsky-Korsakoffee House – Spooky, candlelit café in a haunted old house. The tables move. The piano plays itself. The desserts slap. Go late and stay weird.
- Psychic Sister – Crystal-drenched, incense-scented, and full of witchy wonder. Get your tarot read, buy some flower essences, and find a charm for protection or seduction.
- Hopscotch – Interactive art museum meets adult funhouse. Glowing rooms, projection tunnels, immersive weirdness. Great for selfies and altered states.
- Rose City Rollers (Roller Derby) – See badass humans on wheels slam each other for sport. High energy, big queer vibes, strong drinks. Check their schedule for weekend bouts.
- Oaks Amusement Park – Vintage roller rink, mini golf, and carnival rides along the river. Equal parts kitsch and genuine fun. Bring your inner child and maybe some Dramamine.
🎡 Seasonal Fun: Rose Festival & More
- Portland Rose Festival – It’ll be happening that weekend! Think parades, food, riverfront carnival rides, and fireworks. Check the schedule here.
- Forest Park Hikes – Go deeper into the 5,000-acre green expanse if you want something longer.
- The Gorge or Hood River – Make a day of it with views, waterfalls, or wine tasting, just 1–1.5 hours outside of town.
- Astoria or Cannon Beach – Head towards the coast and visit the quaint city of Astoria (where The Goonies was filmed) or stroll around the beautiful rocks of Cannon Beach
🎭 For the Adventurous or Indoorsy
- Escape Games PDX – There are several great escape rooms in Portland, but we highly recommend the Portlandia room here for folks who are visiting. You will not be disappointed!
- iFLY Indoor Skydiving – Float like a moth in a wind tunnel. Yes, really. This is one of our fave things to do.
- Bike the Esplanade Loop – Rent a bike and ride the river paths for breezy views and a little exercise.
🍸 Cool Bars for Meetups
- Pacific Standard – Run by our officiant, Reverend Banjo — modern, elevated, and always a good time.
- Tinker Tavern – Cozy and owned by groomsman Nick Lasik. Amazing wings, cozy booths, and a mashup of Star Trek, Twin Peaks and Buffalo Bills energy.
- Hey Love – Tropical lushness, indoor plants, and funky cocktails.
- Expatriate – Sultry lighting, curated cocktails, and some of the best bar snacks you’ll ever meet.
🍽️ Dinner Favorites We Love
Many of these require reservations, so please plan accordingly. 😉
- Hat Yai – Thai fried chicken, roti, and curry that will absolutely ruin you for all other fried chicken. No reservations, no problem—just go early.
- Porqué No – Portland’s most beloved taco shack: bright flavors, strong margaritas, and the kind of vibe that makes you want to move to Nayarit.
- Kachka – One of our absolute favorites; bold, modern Eastern European food with Soviet kitsch and horseradish vodka. You’ve never had dumplings like these.
- Kann – Impossible to get into for a reason: Gregory Gourdet’s James Beard-winning Haitian menu is a spiritual experience. If you scored a table, we’re jealous.
- Navarre – Seasonal, European-style small plates paired with good wine and handwritten menus. Cozy, thoughtful, and a perfect place to linger.
- Yaowarat – Funky Thai-Chinese fusion with killer cocktails and unapologetically big flavors. Order something you’ve never heard of.
- Tropicale – Lush, Latin, and full of joy: perfect for tropical cocktails, plantain everything, and your most colorfully dressed friend. Easy, no reservations required.
- Mole Mole – A food cart that’s a mole lover’s paradise with multiple regional styles, tender meats, and cozy lighting. Go spicy or go home.
- Canard – French-ish in all the best ways: duck stacks, steam burgers, fancy wine, and zero pretension. It’s fun, weird, and wildly good.
- Campana – A cozy, pasta-centric Italian spot with rotating dishes, low light, and a “let’s open another bottle” energy. Romantic but not stuffy.
- Jacqueline – Seafood-forward and lightly Wes Anderson–themed with great oysters, playful plating, and a subtle sense of humor.
- Chelo – Mexican-inspired, fire-cooked dishes in a minimal, artful space. If you’re into mezcal, this is your moment.
- Urdaneta – A modern Spanish tapas bar that’s super bold and sexy flavors and full of surprises.
- Noble Rot – Gorgeous city views, wine flights, and a rooftop garden that supplies the kitchen. Go at sunset, toast to Portland.
- Ox – Wood-fired Argentine grill with meaty, smoky, primal satisfaction. Not subtle. Not light. Very, very worth it.
- MEC (Mediterranean Exploration Company) – Elegant Middle Eastern flavors served with Portland precision. Great wine and glowing lighting.