Portland is the cleanest, greenest, most unassuming town in the Northwest. Where else can you find two coffee shops and two microbreweries at a single intersection? Not to mention it's just plain comfortable here. We've pooled our resources to come up with our recommendations for the "best in Portland" experience.
Best way to experience Portland
May through October – yeah, yeah, we know, the rain seems to never end, but seriously, there are very few places more beautiful than our little corner of the country during the summer!
Best place for a hike
Forest Park - It's the largest city park west of the Mississippi.
Best outdoor spots
The South Park Blocks are beautiful just about any time of the year, but especially Spring – Fall. Best Hotel
McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale. You have to experience it.
Best live music
It's tough to beat a great show at the Schnitz, home of the Oregon Symphony. Some really great performers enjoy this beautiful venue...but for the "intimate" experience, be sure to check out the "Low Dough Shows" Thursday nights at Dante's – seriously, three of four bands for 5 bucks. That's what we're talking about. Best music store
Music Millennium is pretty much a Portland institution, and we prefer the E. Burnside location. True Portland.
Best bookstore
Who hasn't heard of Powell's Books? Set aside ten hours and pack a lunch. Best pizza
You haven't even eaten pizza until you've enjoyed a hand-tossed Flying Pie Pizza on SE Stark. And man, they PILE ON the toppings! Best Indian food
Bombay Cricket Club on SE Hawthorne – Viva la Mangorita!
Best BBQ
The Portland team is always ready at the drop of a hat to hop a flight to Austin for Rudy's BBQ! Nothing in Portland even compares! Best Mexican food
Los Volcanes in Gladstone is such a great little family-run restaurant with fantastic grub.
Best sweet potato fries
Best home cooking
Aaron's house or Jeremy's house...perhaps even Chris's house.
Best late, LATE night dining
The Roxy on SW Stark downtown. The people-watching from here is worth a meal between midnight and 4 am. Trust us.
Best coffee and dessert
Pix Patisserie for dessert. Rimsky's has always been fun for a bit of both, sitting in an old house filled with tables and perhaps a little live music.
Best shopping
Best Buy…no wait, Safeway...hold on, what are we shopping for?
Best view
Portland City Grill at the top of the US Bank Tower if you want to be inside, Council Crest if you want to be outside overlooking downtown Portland to the east, and the valley to the west.
Best place to see a movie
The Bagdad – dude, you can drink McMenamins beer and eat pizza during the show.
Best martini
Gonna have to go with El Gaucho downtown. Best margarita with a view
Jeremy's house...poolside in the summer, when you have a clear view of Mt. Hood. Best festival
Most in Portland would say the Rose Festival, but that's because they probably forgot about the Oregon Brew Fest. Best karaoke
Stop on by Suki's on a Saturday night and say hi to Dick! |
