Seek and find
Last updated: September 20, 2023
Portland is by far one of the best city break destinations in North America. I visited for the first time a few years ago, and this hip city in Oregon is a must-see for anyone who loves good food and vibrant neighborhoods. What makes Portland special for me is the sheer number of local artisans, small shops, vintage stores, and unique food spots. You'd almost think the word "artisan" was in Portland It's been invented! Another thing that makes Portland a fantastic city break destination is that it combines perfectly with a (mini) road trip through Oregon. From the Pacific Coast to the green hinterlands and vineyards. This state is so incredibly beautiful and there's so much to explore, so put a trip to Portland, Oregon, on your bucket list!
| HOW TO GET THERE: With KLM you can fly directly from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Portland International Airport (PDX)The airport is close to the city and you can reach the heart of downtown by taxi within 15 minutes. More information about the direct flight with KLM (whether or not operated by Delta Air Lines) and the fares can be found here >>
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These are the nicest hotels in Portland
Ace hotel
When I was in Portland, I stayed at the Ace Hotel. It's still one of the city's trendiest hotels! The location couldn't be better; just a few minutes' walk away, you'll find plenty of great restaurants and iconic hotspots like Powell's City of Books. Whether you're a book lover or not, this store is a must-see in Portland and is known nationwide. The rooms at the Ace Hotel have an urban and edgy design, and with a bit of luck, you'll have a beautiful view of downtown Portland from the window!
The Hoxton
Are you, like me, a fan of The Hoxton hotels? Then I have excellent news for you, because there's now a Hoxton in Portland. You'll find the hotel downtown on the edge of Chinatown. The lobby is a welcoming place where freelancers, locals, and hotel guests mingle. And if you're in the mood for a drink after a day in the city, the Tope bar is the place to be!
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Food & Drinks in Portland: from restaurants to food trucks
Eat in a different neighborhood every day
When planning my city trips, I always think in terms of neighborhoods. In the morning I'll go to neighborhood X, in the afternoon to neighborhood Y, and for dinner to neighborhood Z. If you also like this planning, you can indulge yourself in Portland. There is no shortage of fun and trendy neighborhoods in this city! During your city trip to Portland, you will discover that each neighborhood has its own character and vibe. You will also see this reflected in the restaurants! The city is divided into East and West by the river and into North and South by Burnside Street. My favorite neighborhoods in Portland are: Division/Clinton, Hawthorne, Downtown, Old Town Chinatown, Nob Hill, and the Pearl District. Tip: rent a bike to discover the best spots in Portland.
Learn more about Portland's different neighborhoods here >>
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Sample street food at these food cart pods in Portland
One of the things that makes Portland truly unique is the food trucks you'll find all over the city. Not only delicious, but also incredibly fun! Without leaving the city, you can take a culinary trip around the world and sample flavors from a different country every day. In Portland, they call these food trucks food carts, which is handy to know when planning your trip. One of the reasons the food cart scene is so popular in Portland is that they're grouped together in clusters called "pods." It's like a mini food festival every day, where you can visit a different pod in a different neighborhood each time. Save these food cart pods to Google Maps before you head out, and you'll hardly need to make a restaurant reservation: Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland State University, The Cart Blocks, Third Avenue Food Cart Pod, Mid Town Beer Garden, and Multnomah French Quarter. When I was in Portland, the Alder Food Cart Pod was my favorite. This pod no longer exists, but many of the food carts that once stood there can now be found at The Cart Blocks and the renovated Mid Town Beer Garden! Trust me, you'll find the most delicious street food here, from Korean to BBQ and Mexican. Learn more about Portland's food carts here >>
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Best restaurants in Portland you'll want to know
Have you filled your days with food carts and are you ready for a full meal? Portland is the place to be! During my trip, I noticed a huge number of restaurants that operate according to the farm-to-table principle. And nose-to-tail cooking, where every part of an animal is sustainably sourced, is incredibly popular in Portland. Two styles I personally love. This way, you always eat seasonally and it's more sustainable. I would definitely return to Portland just for the food! These restaurants are on my food bucket list: Andina, Berlu, Tercet, Kann, Musca Osteria, and Le Pigeon. Find out more about Portland's food scene here >>
Discover Portland's coffee bars on a third-wave coffee tour
Locals take their coffee seriously in Portland! And that's reflected in the fantastic coffee bar scene. While coffee is something most of us probably drink daily, I highly recommend taking one of the tours in Portland with Thirdwave Coffee Tours. They'll not only take you to the best coffee bars in the city, but you'll also learn all about coffee, the different brewing methods, and sample coffee from small farms around the world. View the various Third Wave Coffee Tours here >>
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Head to Distillery Row for a cocktail tasting
As a former industrial city, Portland boasts numerous warehouses near downtown that now perfectly accommodate small-scale spirit distilleries. Anyone who enjoys drinking cocktails, making cocktails, and crafting spirits will definitely want to schedule an afternoon in the Distillery Row neighborhood. Here, you'll find several small-scale distilleries you can visit, whether for a tasting or to shop for souvenirs to take home that will remind you of your trip. For example, try Westward Whiskey, Wild Roots Spirits, Vinn Distillery, Freeland Spirits, or New Deal Distillery. And have you ever heard of Aviation Gin? This gin is the brainchild of actor Ryan Reynolds, and you can enjoy a tour and a cool escape room there. Want to sample these local spirits later in the evening at a great cocktail bar? Expatriate, Wilder, or Teardrop Cocktail Lounge are the places to be. Read more about Portland's cocktail and spirits scene here >>
Book a food tour and go out with a local
One of the most fun tours to book during a city break is food tours. Especially when I'm traveling solo (which is a frequent occurrence for Your Little Black Book), I find them a great way to get to know the city better in cities I'm new to. But another reason I love food tours is that you can ask the local leading the tour anything you want for tips for the rest of your trip. Locals know best, after all! In Portland, there are several small companies that organize food tours throughout the city. I went with Portland by Mouth, for example, but Forktown Food Tours also offers great tours in various neighborhoods of the city (and even beyond). View all food tours in Portland here >>
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Visit a local brewery
If spirits aren't your thing, but you do enjoy a beer, Portland is the place to be! The city boasts several craft beer and microbreweries, all of which you can visit. A fun alternative to a pub crawl! Sample the unique beers at each brewery, which often change with the seasons. Some breweries offer extensive tours, while others focus on the tasting. Which small breweries shouldn't be missed in Portland? Definitely check out: Wayfinder Beer, StormBreaker Brewing – Mississippi, Baerlic Brewery and Taproom, Lucky Lab, and Ecliptic Brewing – Mothership. During my trip to Portland, I took a bike tour that included several microbreweries. View the various cycling tours here >>
Take a winery tour and discover the Oregon region
If you have time to extend your city trip to Portland by a few days, I can definitely recommend it! Oregon Portland is a beautiful region, with a stunning coastline, beautiful forests, and a surprising inland area dotted with wine estates. Something I didn't know about before I went to Portland, but of course, I didn't want to miss. If you have several days, I'd recommend renting a car and exploring. If, like me, you're only in the city for a midweek break, an organized winery tour is highly recommended. You'll see some of the natural beauty outside Portland and visit various wine estates in the Willamette Valley for tastings. Still have room in your suitcase? Many of the wineries also have a farm shop, where you can buy the tastiest regional products to take home! Great wine estates to visit from Portland include Archery Summit Winery, Wy'East Vineyards, Argyle Winery, and Elk Cove Vineyards. View all wine tours you can book from Portland here >>Don't feel like leaving the city for a whole day because you have less time on your trip? Portland also has a number of urban wineries, such as Winemaking Company Division!
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Shopping in Portland & Oregon
Shop tax-free during your city trip to Portland!
Did you know you can shop tax-free in Portland and Oregon? There's no sales tax here, which means you can shop cheaper! But what makes shopping in Portland even more enjoyable is the abundance of small boutiques throughout the city. From vintage to local designers and concept stores with the cutest items. On the way back from Portland, I even bought an extra bag to carry all my finds home!
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Fun food souvenirs to take home from Portland
The best souvenirs to bring back from a trip, in my opinion, are those related to food and drink. I have a soft spot for canned goods and anything I can bring home in jars. Whether it's condiments or beautiful tableware, I always make sure I have some extra space in my suitcase. Because Portland is truly a city where residents take the concept of "shop local" seriously, you'll find the most delicious things there. Often from makers who make just one thing and excel at it. I personally brought back beautiful bowls and mugs from Wolf Ceramics and among other things the olive oil and wine of DurantPortland has some really great concept stores that sell only products from local makers. Shop at Made Here (near Powell's, so you can't miss it), Tender Loving Empire, and Made in Oregon. All tax-free, of course!
These are the must-see markets in Portland
One of my favorite things to do in a city is visiting local markets. Whether it's for food or crafts, I love the atmosphere and being surprised by the variety of stalls. Portland has several great markets to visit, each one a little different. Stroll and dine at the Portland Night Market in the evening and sample food from all corners of the globe. Or shop for arts & crafts at the Portland Saturday Market or vintage items at the Portland Flea Market. A city institution and the largest open-air crafts market in all of Oregon! Here you'll find the best items from local designers and makers. If, like me, you love good food, the Portland Farmer's Market is also a must. Here they sell the most beautiful seasonal produce straight from the fields. There are also several stalls where you can enjoy a delicious meal. If you're in Portland in December, the My People's Market is the market not to be missed. So I'd say: skip breakfast and head over there. Browse the stalls and enjoy!
Have fun planning your city trip to Portland!
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Anne
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