“That’s right on par. Welcome to Portland,”
were the first words spoken to us by a Tri-Met regular as the man
in the row in front of us puked all over the wall and continued as if nothing happened.
This was the first, and last time, we used the public transportation in Portland.
We quickly learned that Portland wasn’t quite what we were expecting. We stayed downtown, and while the food and shopping were great, homelessness is an epidemic, and the streets didn’t always feel safe to walk.
But we made the best of it! It was our anniversary, our baby-moon, and we were together in Portland without kids; there was no alternative but to live our best lives that weekend.
So here we go… I tried to break down my recommendations if you happen to find yourself in Portland or Oregon.
HOTEL
The Nines Hotel
This is a 5-star luxury, hotel in downtown Portland, and it’s right across from the Pioneer Square shopping. It has a rooftop bar and restaurant, plenty of food options, a fitness center, and it’s down the street from the Japanese and Rose Gardens and Portland Zoo.
Our room was really nice, and this is where I’d recommend you stay if in downtown Portland.
RESTAURANT LUNCH/DINNER RECOMMENDATIONS
Mucca Osteria
THIS IS THE SPOT!
$95 chef’s tasting menu is 5 courses
Make a reservation!
It’s walking distance from The Nines Hotel
Mucca is amazing food, amazing service, and a fun experience.
I wouldn’t recommend bringing kids to this one. It’s a quiet, small space, and fine dining.
Portland Night Market
This is fun if you’re looking for food trucks, casual options, and a party night scene.
It has artisan vendors and unique shopping.
It’s crowded! We purchased a fast pass online for $10 to skip the line.
Departure
This is the roof-top restaurant in The Nines Hotel.
The bar and roof atmosphere are a vibe.
The food is Asian fusion, and it’s pretty good, but it can’t compete with Mucca Osteria.
We went downstairs to Urban Farmer to grab drinks in the lounge while we waited for our table.
Ranch PDX
This was recommended on a lot of websites, but it was just ok.
We still shoved our faces.
It was oddly located in a residential area, across from a bar.
It’s deep-dish pizza.
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
We wanted to make it here, but we didn’t get to!
It was on Netflix’s “The Chef’s Table,” so I heard lines can get long.
No reservations, but you can also do take-out.
It’s pizza and ice cream, and a total foodie stop.
RESTAURANT BREAKFAST RECOMMENDATIONS
Kingsland Kitchen
This restaurant is walking distance from The Nines Hotel.
We went around 9:30-10:00am on a Saturday morning, and there was no wait.
They put a unique spin on breakfast, so check out the menu! They have cotton candy pancakes.
Mother’s Bistro and Bar
This restaurant is walking distance from The Nines Hotel.
This restaurant is beautiful, but it can get crowded!
We got there when it opened and didn’t have to wait
Cinnamon roll was delicious. Atmosphere was chic.
And the theme is Mamas!
VooDoo Donuts
Donuts are meh, but the experience is worth it.
The line was pretty short, and the shop was funky!
It’s walking distance from The Nines Hotel.
If you’re looking for good donuts, try Blue Star Donuts.
It’s right next to the Portland Saturday Market, if you’re in the mood for swap meet-like shopping.
COFFEEEEEEE
Stumptown
Good coffee, simple menu
It was right across from Mother’s Bistro and Bar.
We recommend!
Java Man Coffee
This is walking distance from The Nines Hotel.
Lots of plants and teas vibes.
They have a lot of options on their menu. I ordered a London Fog, and it was yummy.
SIGHT-SEEING AND TO-DO
Multnomah Falls
This is a must-do for nature lovers in Portland.
But it’s gotten crowded!
There’s hikes all around the falls, and other falls, so you could spend the day exploring.
We Ubered there, but with the crowds and location, we took the CAT bus back.
CAT bus was $10 per person.
Japanese Gardens
It’s up the street from The Nines Hotel, but you would need to drive.
We Ubered there and back.
It was worth it! It’s beautiful, serene, and you’re immersed in forest.
It’s $20 per adult.
The Rose Test International Garden is also here, as well as the Portland Zoo!
You could make a day out of this area in Washington Park.
Powell’s Books
This is walking distance from The Nines Hotel.
It’s the largest, independent bookstore in the world! It’s absolutely huge…
We grabbed a pass to go into The Rare Book Room and browse the valuable books.
Fun Fact: The most expensive book in the Rare Book Room is $350,000, it’s the two volume History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark to the Sources of the Missouri.
Shopping Downtown
Pioneer Square is right across from The Nines Hotel, so there’s of luxury shopping walking distance.
There’s an indoor mall worth checking out.
Our favorite store was Kiriko. It’s traditional Japanese textiles, and it’s so beautiful and unique.
Forest Park
This was another stop that we didn’t get to go to, but I wish we did.
It’s a huge urban forest.
It’s 5,200 acres.
The forest has lots of beautiful photo-ops.
We’ve been to Oregon twice now, and while the foodie stops were fun downtown, we both prefer the coast and forests.
I’m sure we’ll take the girls to the Oregon coast some time in the future!
Save this post for a future trip to Portland!
And please comment below any places that I missed or recommendations for the coast and forests.
XOXO
Powell’s Books is a day long destination for me. Love that place! The sour beer in Portland is also epic.
good times!