Portland

Over the past couple months I’ve gotten the chance to take the train down from Seattle and spend a few weekends in Portland. I spent a number of years living in Eugene, Oregon when I was younger, so Portland is a city I’m relatively familiar with. I’d always visited with my family in the past, so exploring the different restaurants, bars and fun areas as a young adult has been refreshing. There’s so much more to Portland than I had remembered, and much more for young people to do than I assumed! Here I detail some of the best spots I’ve hit over my recent weekend stays.

Restaurants

Cibo - 📍Division

I’m a huge fan of Italian food, so I was thoroughly pleased with Cibo, a modern establishment with a delicious, classic menu. The service was great and I loved the fresh bread. We tried the mussels and hangar steak along with some red wine from a local Oregon winery. It was absolutely delicious and I’ll definitely be returning.

Petite Provence - 📍 Division

All of my brunch cravings were satisfied with a visit to Petite Provence, a bakery and breakfast chain with multiple locations in Oregon and Washington. We stopped at the location in Division and I ordered the “Raspberry mojito french toast” — absolutely addicting. I actually came back and ordered the exact same thing as soon as I was back in the city! The wait time can be a bit long and they don’t take online reservations, but it’s a cute neighborhood to walk around while you wait and the food is definitely worth it!

Bluto’s - 📍Sunnyside

So far Bluto’s gets my favorite award for restaurants in PDX. Eating here was one of those experiences where everyone stops talking for about ten minutes because the food is that good. For the relatively informal setting, I was super surprised by the range and depth of flavors and quality of the menu. We tried the traditional hummus plate, Greek fries, charred broccoli and lentils, spiced lamb and wild shrimp. It can get to be a little expensive depending on how much you order, but the incredible food is 100% worth at least going once.

Tartuca - 📍Overlook

The incredible attention to detail combined with the friendly staff makes this restaurant perfect for a date night, solo meal or group gathering. The menu offers a selection of unique and delicious choices with frequently rotating dishes. I ordered the special of the night which was a buttery stuffed pasta. Tartuca also does brunch and does take reservations, which you’ll want to make in advance.

Hinterland Bar and Food Carts - 📍Hawthorne

There’s a fun collection of food carts and seating options at Hinterland. Whether you’re craving tacos, thai food or a drink in the sun, you can find it here. This is a great place to stop for a light meal, quick lunch or just hangout with friends.

Lilia - 📍South Waterfront

This restaurant is a gem of Portland, with an incredible menu and a wide range of unique styles. The New York Times nominated it as one of the top 50 restaurants in the country. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance and dress classy.

Photo credit: Open Table

Bars

The Pink Rabbit - 📍Pearl District

I love the atmosphere, decor and cocktails at this bar. The menu is creative and fun and I love the seating design. Although the music on the night I went was too loud for the relatively small space, I can imagine it would be a perfect spot on nights with either no live music or a more lowkey DJ.

La Patroncita - 📍Sunnyside

The interior decor and vibe of this bar is the real draw for me. With several cozy seating spots, a super cool bar design and tasty cocktails, this is a great place for a date night or post-dinner drink. There’s a bit of a wait sometimes, so be prepared to put your name down before getting a seat.

Activities

McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub - 📍Hawthorne

I love going to movie theaters in new cities and this was a really special experience for multiple reasons. Having lived in Oregon in the past and visited several times since, it was a habit for my family to go to the various McMenamins hotel locations. It’s been fun to discover all the other locations and bars, theaters and restaurants. I was seeing Dune 2 at this theater and the whole place was packed. The high ceilings, giant screen, upper balcony and classic theater decor made this one of the coolest movie theaters I’ve been to. Not to mention, there’s a bar behind the movie screen!

Soaking Pools at McMenamins Kennedy School Hotel - 📍NE Portland

The McMenamins Kennedy School has been one of my favorite hotels since I was quite young. I have fond memories of staying with my family, enjoying movies in their large renovated theater (which used to be a gym), and wandering the hallways which used to be school corridors. My favorite part of this location is easily the soaking pool. Located in the middle of the hotel, this tranquil spot feels like a mini jungle. You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy this amenity, just make sure you make a reservation in advance — spots fill up quick! Reservations aren’t required for hotel guests. For visitors 12 and older, it’s $10 an hour.

Photo credit: McMenamins website

Mt. Tabor Park - 📍

The views from Mt. Tabor can’t be beat, it literally covers an extinct volcano. This was a fun spot to see views of the city, enjoy the morning sunshine and get out in the fresh air. There’s plenty of people walking their dogs and stretching their logs strolling up and down the hills.

Powell’s Bookstore - 📍Pearl District/Downtown

I would come to Powell’s as a child often and it was a magical experience to get lost in the meandering rooms full of books stretching to the ceiling. As an adult, this is still a really special place and there’s always a new area to explore. There’s color coded rooms for all the genres you could imagine and over 3,500 unique sections. Getting lost in the stacks here on a rainy day is a quintessential Portland experience.

The Everett House - 📍Kerns

Looking for the ultimate relaxation experience? The Everett House is the perfect little getaway within the city, complete with an outdoor hot tub, steam room, indoor and outdoor showers, cold tubs and massage services. I was really pleased with my experience here, especially considering the low price of $25 per hour. It’s a relaxed, respectful space with very pleasant staff. This is a clothing optional facility and there are certain blocks of time during the week allocated for women and LGBTQ members. If it’s your first time you’ll need to watch the training video at sign up.

Photos from The Everett House website.

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear about your favorite Portland spots or your experience trying any of the suggested spots listed here. Feel free to send me a message @calliesolberg on Instagram or csolberg555@gmail.com.