If you had one day to explore Portland, where would you start? It would be hard to choose, since the Rose City is comprised of six distinct geographic regions, each with its own personality and diversity of shops, restaurants and attractions. In fact, Portland’s regions started out decades ago as quadrants — Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest — framed by the Willamette River, Burnside Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. But the city grew to encompass North and most recently South Portland thanks to the growth of neighborhoods, visitor-friendly businesses and gathering spaces.
The good news is that it’s a breeze to get around, so you can easily explore the city in one day, or spend a week soaking up the culture of each nook if you choose. Whether you’re going by foot, car, bike or public transit, there’s no shortage of ways to shop, dine, play and indulge in Stumptown’s finest. Here’s a quick primer on how to start.
North Portland
Located west of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, between the Willamette and Columbia rivers, North Portland is a mix of old and new. The most popular spots are the historically Black neighborhoods of North Williams and North Mississippi avenues — parallel streets with several blocks each of not-to-miss spots. North Williams’ Either/Or Cafe offers a great space to sip and mingle over an espresso or a decadent brunch cocktail. Find great pizza and a taste of Portland’s diverse music scene at Mississippi Studios. Art enthusiasts must visit North Mississippi’s Ori Gallery, which showcases some of the city’s most thought-provoking works by queer and trans artists of color. In the nearby Albina District, get a taste of the African diaspora at noteworthy African food cart Kabba’s Kitchen. Venture to North Lombard to indulge in Peruvian cuisine at Casa Zoraya or to the quiet neighborhood of St. Johns for exciting, only-in-Portland spots like Homies Japanese comfort food at the St. Johns Food & Beer Porch, Signal Station Pizza (housed in a repurposed vintage gas station) and Pastificio d’Oro, which serves up handmade pasta.
Explore more of North Portland’s neighborhoods: St. Johns, Mississippi, North Williams area.
Northeast Portland
Perhaps no place embodies the diversity of the city quite like Northeast Portland, located on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and north of Burnside Avenue. Anchored by the Lloyd Center and Moda Center at the Rose Quarter for sports, concerts and other performances, the Lloyd District and Alberta Arts District are full of local shops, breweries, boutiques and brunch spots — all best accessed on foot or by bike. Don’t miss Kee’s #Loaded Kitchen in the King neighborhood and Twisted Croissantfor innovative creations based on the namesake flaky pastries. A bit farther east, in the Hollywood District, the Hollywood Theatre is a neighborhood gathering spot that hosts top-notch films and events year-round. Try some of the city’s award-winning Indonesian cuisine from Gado Gado and or hit up a cooking event at Vivienne Kitchen & Pantry, a book store focused on the culinary arts. A few miles east, grab a locally sourced beverage or treat from the Native-owned Bison Coffee House in the Cully neighborhood or creative small plates and big burgers at Arrowood. Grab your takeout for a picnic at Irving Park, Grant Park or Rose City Park.
Explore more of Northeast Portland’s neighborhoods: Alberta Arts District, Lloyd District, 28th Avenue, Beaumont, Cully, Roseway, Sandy Boulevard, 42nd Avenue.
Southeast Portland
Stretching across the area south of Burnside Street and east of the Willamette River, Southeast Portland includes family-friendly attractions like the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and natural spaces like Mt. Tabor Park and Powell Butte Nature Park. When it comes to markets, visit CORE food-cart pod and Portland Mercado for their selection of dozens of food carts from around the globe, both with expansive outdoor seating. Other top spots include Nicholas Restaurant for authentic Lebanese cuisine and My Brother’s Crawfish near Southeast 82nd Avenue for a Southern-style seafood boil. Find unique basketball memorabilia and vintage sneakers that celebrate Portland’s love of hoops culture at Back to the Basket on Southeast Hawthorne, a district known for eclectic shops and casual eats. If comic books are your thing, explore the best selection of rare and popular titles at Books With Pictures on Southeast Division, where you’ll also find some of the buzziest Portland restaurants and cool boutiques for browsing.
Explore more of Southeast Portland’s neighborhoods: Hawthorne, Foster-Powell, Belmont, Central Eastside, Division-Clinton, Sellwood-Moreland, Montavilla, Jade District, where you can feast on Asian food of all sorts.
South Portland
Located on the west bank of the Willamette River, the South Waterfront is known for its high-rise buildings, riverfront shops, elegant restaurants, wine bars, coffee shops and cafes. Take in panoramic views of the city with a walk, bike ride or Portland Streetcar ride across the car-free Tilikum Crossing, or try a trip on the Portland Aerial Tram (temporarily suspended for the public). For more walking and cycling trails, hop onto the South Waterfront Greenway, which stretches from the River Forum Building to the west end of the Marquam Bridge. Dining highlights include Al-Hawr Lebanese cuisine, Zaiqa Indian fare and weekend brunch at JoLa Cafe. Find easy access to the river at Willamette Park, where you can launch your kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard and paddle your way upriver under Portland’s urban bridges. Look for dragon boaters practicing in the summertime.
Explore more of South Portland.
Southwest Portland
Encompassing the friendly westside neighborhoods of Hillsdale, Multnomah Village and Goose Hollow, Southwest Portland also includes the heart of the city, downtown Portland. From the trendy West End district to the walkable and bikeable Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette River, you’ll find a mix of upscale dining, food carts, boutiques, hotels and bars. Shoppers will enjoy downtown’s Pioneer Place, home to high-fashion hot spot N’Kossi Boutique, and the charming gift shops in Multnomah Village. The Portland Art Museum is a must-visit both for its exhibits and its trendsetting community collaborations. Among the dozens of dining options, try Seasons & Regions for fresh seafood or Duck House Chinese. Kelly’s Olympian, the Jack London Revue and Dante’s offer some of the best opportunities for indulging in Portland nightlife. Just west of downtown, there’s plenty of green space at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. West of downtown, there’s plenty of green space, a zoo and Japanese gardens at 410-acre Washington Park.
Explore more of Southwest Portland’s neighborhoods: Old Town/Chinatown, Goose Hollow, Multnomah Village, Downtown.
Northwest Portland
Northwest Portland is famous for literary haven Powell’s Books, historically iconic attractions like the Pittock Mansion, and the vintage shops and stylish restaurants of Northwest 23rd Avenue. Forest Park, with its vast, wooded areas, is a favorite for hikers and cyclists. You can feel like you’re miles away from the city as you travel north along Highway 30 to Sauvie Island, where you’ll find U-pick berries, pumpkins, flowers and produce at places like Topaz Farm. Back near downtown, the Old Town/Chinatown district is rich with the history of some of the first immigrants to settle in Portland. Visit the Japanese American Museum of Oregon and the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Just north of Old Town, the Pearl District shines with high-end boutiques and plenty of outdoor patios and cafes. Look for Kashmiri specialties at Bhuna as well as Vietnamese classics at Lela’s Bistro. When it comes to nightlife, sip a drink at Brix Tavern in the Pearl District, play a vintage video game with a cocktail in hand at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade in Old Town/Chinatown, or sample the local beer scene and award-winning Irish fare at Kells Brewery.
Explore more of Northwest Portland’s neighborhoods: Northwest/Nob Hill, Pearl District, Old Town/Chinatown.
