When people hear “Portland, OR” they instantly assume TV’s "Portlandia’s" adaptation of the city is 100 percent correct, and as much as a lot of us want to deny it, I think the show is relatively spot on. As someone who wasn’t born and raised here in Portland, I’m not as obsessed with the city as everyone else who was born and raised here -- being a California native is dangerous in Portland. With that being said, Portland natives get excruciatingly defensive over Portland, and as far as "Portlandia" goes, obviously it’s a little exaggerated (and by a little I mean a lot) and Portland natives don’t find it all that amusing. Now, just because I’m not as obsessed with Portland, doesn’t mean I don’t love it with all of my heart. Portland has a special place in my heart, always and forever. A lot of has to do with the fact that Portland is every foodie’s wet dream come true. Plus we’re always doing outdoors-y things and Oregon in general is just one big play ground.
1. For the foodies.
Highly recommend places like: Screen Door, Jam Cafe, and Slappy Cakes for brunch. For lunch/dinner, Papa Haydn is a personal fan favorite, plus their dessert is to die for. To be fair, you can just wander around Portland and you’re bound to run into over a hundred different options. Doughnuts: Voodoo Doughnuts is famous for a reason! I suggest going to the Voodoo Too location on Davis, the line is much shorter. Also, Blue Star. If you like dense doughnuts with delicious icing, go to Blue Star.
2. Go to a Trail Blazer game.
Honestly when I finally went to one it changed my life. Blazer fans are some of the most amazing fans I’ve seen.
3. Soccer fan? Catch a Timbers game.
You won’t regret it.
4. Interested in doing touristy things?
Go on a tour of the underground Shanghai tunnels. Just watch your head.
5. For visitors 21 and over, check out the local breweries.
Like Rogue, Deschutes, 10 Barrel, and dozens more.
6. Get outside the city and see the Gorge.
Take the historic highway to places like Crown Point (Vista House), and see all of the waterfalls, like Multnomah Falls.
7. Don’t miss the Saturday market downtown.
If you're traveling during spring / summer time.
8. Take a trip to our science museum, OMSI.
9. Hungry for a snack? You’re bound to run into food carts!
And your biggest regret will be not stopping at them.
10. Powell’s books.
Ever wondered what a mansion library would look like?
11. Try out our train system: MAX.
It’s really inexpensive, convenient, and easy.
12. We have fun events by the water front.
From Blues fests, to beer fests, to our famous Rose Parade.