Portland, Oregon is one of my favorite cities to travel to. It has a little bit of everything; food, culture, nature, and just a great vibe. So I decided that this city would be the perfect place to start my new Travel Review section on the blog. I was born in Salem but moved away when I was only ten years old. Over the years I have come back to Portland several times and each time I find a new place that intrests me. This time around, I spent two days exploring the city and compiled a list of some of the best things to do (and eat) in Rose City.
This trip was paid for by The Review Girls for review purposes. This post does not contain referral/affiliate links. View our Disclosure to learn more about our process.Â
Getting Around
Public transportation in Portland is convenient and efficient, with buses, light rail, streetcars, aerial tram, and even bike share programs. However, since I drove to the city, I used my SUV the majority of the time. Parking in the city is usually metered, although I never paid more than a few dollars per hour. Even though I didn’t need to take the Aerial Tram, it was on my list of things to do while in town. The air tram runs from the South Waterfront to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). It’s a fun and inexpensive way to get your bearings in Portland, so if you have the time—it’s worth it! I even caught a rainbow while at the OHSU station!
Portland’s Food Scene
The food scene in Portland is impressive! You can find great food from all over the world. There are so many restaurants that I could go on forever about each one, but here are my favorites from this past visit.
Boxwood Cafe
Located inside the Crowne Plaza his place had an exceptional breakfast, I liked it so much that I ate there both mornings. If you are a fan of smoked salmon then I highly recommend you try the Smoked Salmon Toast. And if you aren’t quite that adventurous I suggest the Avacado Toast. Both were spectacular! The service was welcoming and the atmosphere was fantastic. Crowne Plaza does offer rooms with a breakfast option available. Just note that if you opt for this to be added you will receive two $20 vouchers per day. If you have more than two people in your party, this option might not work in your favor.
Dimo’s Apizza
Dimo’s Apizza serves New Haven-style pizza and their selection is guaranteed to make you drool. New Haven-style pizza is characterized by a thin crust and coal-fired cooking process common to the New Haven, Connecticut area. Locally known as apizza, it has been called “the best pie in America.” During my visit, I tried out The Father and also a Pepperoni and Castelvetrano Olive creation. The Father was the perfect combination of rich flavors that made me feel like I had just eaten a delicious meal in Italy. The pepperoni & castelvetrano olive pizza was equally amazing! If you are looking for something different than your classic pie, this place should be on your list! Also, their customer service was the BEST I encountered during the trip. PLUS, they have on-site parking which is a huge help. Two thumbs way up for Dimo’s, I can’t wait to come back!
Voodoo Doughnuts
Voodoo Doughnuts has been featured on a number of TV shows and has got to be one of my favorite things in Portland. They have unconventional flavors like Mango Tango and Viscous Hibiscus that sound odd but taste amazing! Not to mention the Cock & Balls doughnut, whose outlandish shape is only outdone by its risque name. I had to giggle when the employee told me you can even customize it with a message of your choosing. I’ll have to keep that in mind for future reference.
Since this is such a popular stop, keep in mind you most likely will be waiting in line to get your turn to order. The line moves fast though and it is well worth the wait! The doughnuts are baked around the clock so they are always fresh. I couldn’t make up my mind so ended up with a variety of my top 6. My absolute favorite was the Banana Cream Pie. It was so good I ate it before I could snap a picture. Next time, I’ll make sure to get one before biting into it! If you are looking for something sweet and different then stop by Voodoo Doughnuts!
Portland’s Sights
If there was one place I would suggest you spend time, it is North Mississippi Ave! This long stretch features vibrant shops, unique bars, music venues, and restaurants. I could have easily spent the whole day wandering in and out of all the establishments.
I started my journey at Prost Marketplace, which offers visitors a tantalizing introduction to the food cart phenomenon that has taken Portland by storm. It recently was featured on Netflix’s “Somebody Feed Phil.” I wanted to check it out for the overall vibe and also grab a semi-quick lunch before I started my walk down the Ave. A gyro from Awesome Kabob hit the spot.
During my walk down the Ave, I found two unique shops that really stood out from the rest: Paxon Gate and GiftyKitty. Paxon Gate is full of curiosities inspired by the natural world, serving those with a penchant for bizarre oddities such as rare insects, taxidermy, and skeletons. It was like stepping into a museum where everything was for sale. You really have to see it to believe it! GiftyKitty drew me in with the whimsical fairy-like vibe. I don’t have a cat myself, but this store was so remarkable that I had to stop in. While speaking with the owner I learned that they do their best to source products made by local artists. This is definitely a place you want to be included on your list if you love kitties or just need a good old-fashioned dopamine boost.
Accommodations
While in town, I stayed at Crowne Plaza but also checked out the Hyatt Regency. During my stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, several problems arose that detracted from what should have been a pleasant experience. While I don’t want to get into all the details, I was upset by two major issues—a feces-smeared bathroom door and a leaky sink which went unaddressed by staff even after being alerted to it.
After letting their Guest Services Manager know about these issues, I was brushed off with a generic email.
I hope that you’d give us an opportunity with your return to show you that your unsatisfactory stay was an exception.
And after spending time in a room at the Hyatt, which is slightly more expensive than the Crowne Plaza—I considered canceling my reservations and moving there instead. However, knowing that I wouldn’t be refunded if I did so, I ended up staying the duration at the Crowne. At least the view from our room was wonderful.
All things considered if you are looking for a luxury hotel to stay at while in town, I would recommend the Hyatt. Their rooms were beautiful and modern and super clean!
Overall
People often think of Portland as a hipster city, filled with microbreweries and trendy restaurants. And while that image is certainly true to some extent, there’s so much more here than just breweries and food trucks! It is a charming city filled with history, culture, and yes lots of people watching. With so much to see and do in Portland, I will definitely be returning soon as I barely scratched the surface this time around. And remember, Keep Portland Weird!