Home of the hip: what to do in Portland

Portland, Oregon, or PDX as we call it locally, is one of America’s hipster capitals and the home of TV shows such as Portlandia and Grimm. The West coast pearl is a spectacular city in which you can indulge in everything from the great outdoors to cozy, timbered bars and long walks (or bike rides) across its many bridges.

Getting there

Not to be confused with the much smaller Portland Maine, Portland, Oregon, is located close to the West Coast of the United States, just under 3 hours by car from Seattle’s main airport. The drive south is simply mythical; you will cruise past sinuous rivers such as the Cowlitz, active volcanoes (Mt. St Helen’s) and the mighty woodlands of Oregon. You could also skip the scenic overload and fly directly to Portland International airport.

Best Portland hotels

The Heathman Hotel

If you are looking for a comfortable, central location to spend the night, The Heathman Hotel will cater to your needs with aplomb. Located adjacent to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and other must-see sites in downtown Portland, the hotel is an artsy if not iconic landmark revered for its trim aesthetic, sleek service and romantic touch.

In addition to a stunning art gallery, this luxury hotel features a Mezzanine library stocked with volumes signed by former presidents and Nobel peace prize laureates. You may recognise The Heathman Hotel from the novel or film Fifty Shades of Grey, which it features prominently in. Fans of this revered fictional work can write their own romantic (and hopefully less dramatic) chapter by purchasing the Fifty Shades of Oregon Fictional Adventure Package. This includes a stay at the hotel as well as visits to other locations that feature in the adventures of the book characters, Anastacia Steeel and Christian Grey.

Rates start at $151 per person, per night

Where: 1001 SW Broadway, OR 97205

Tel: 503 241 4100

Find a room at The Heathman Hotel

Days Inn Portland Central

Days Inn Portland Central is a stone’s throw away from Portland’s light rail system and interstate 84. Located close to Portland international airport, this affordable hotel offers free parking and free accommodation for teenagers aged 17 and below, who are accompanied by parents. Add complimentary daybreak continental breakfast into the mix and you’re looking at a location that offers great value for money.

Rates start at $86 per person, per night

Where: 9930 N Whitaker Rd, OR 97217-7702

Tel: 800 329 1992

Find a room at Days Inn Portland Central

Where to eat in Portland

Toro Bravo

Feeling peckish? Toro Bravo is a Spanish inspired tapas eatery that serves a varied menu of Pinchos, Tapas, Charcuteria, and Raciones. Using local produce from a wide range of farmers, Toro Bravo merges the best of the Pacific Northwest and the Iberian Peninsula with verve. Choose from a wide range of fairly priced dishes, (typically ‘tapas’ style) in a setting that is replete with Spanish influences and serves a diverse clientele.

Where: 120 NE Russell Street, OR 97212,

Tel: 503 281 4464

Ned Ludd

Coined from the anti-industrial legend from which Britain’s anti-industrialist luddite movement takes its name, Ned Ludd is a homely American craft kitchen located in the historical King neighborhood. Meals are prepared in wood-fired ovens, giving them a smoky, authentic feel that compliments the wooded surroundings of the city. Choose from wholesome dishes such as smoked cod, roasted whole trout and a delicious selection of cheeses that are slightly on the pricier side of things. Every detail at Ned Ludd has been well thought through, giving a welcoming, if not pristine ambiance.

Where: 3925 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, OR 97212

Tel: 503 288 6900

Nuvrei

Treat yourself to a mouthwatering pastry or a scrumptious croissant in one of Portland’s best patisseries, Nuvrei. The menu is basic, affordable and includes salmon, vegetarian and turkey sandwich variants, if the array of sweet treats isn’t enough for you. Nuvrei is not the largest of establishments and people queue in large numbers for a taste of their famous pastries and French macaroons so brace yourself (or take your bag of treats with you outdoors, weather permitting).

Where: 404 NW 10th Ave, OR 97209

Spella Caffè

Undervalue the effect of a good cup of coffee at your peril. Portland is a city where coffee is taken seriously. Andrea Spella is the genius behind Spella Caffè and the man credited with bringing the Italian espresso tradition to PDX. Sip coffee variants such as espresso, macchiato and cappuccino crafted to brilliance using hand-pulled extraction and roasting techniques. A slice of Italy in Portland, Spella Caffè also serves a selection of Italian sodas, gelato, sorbetto and Portland’s best affogato (ice cream topped with a shot of espresso).

Where: 520 SW 5th Ave, OR 97204

Tel: 503 752 0264

What to do in Portland

Cross a bridge or two – or five

Drive, run, bike or unicycle over Portland’s many bridges

The City of Roses also goes by the moniker Bridge City, with good reason. There are a dozen bridges of different sizes and constructions linking East to West across the Willamette river. You can walk, ride or unicycle – this is Portland, after all – over almost all of them, so plan an itinerary that lets you criss-cross as many as possible.

Each bridge has its own unique personality and construction heritage, from the iconic Hawthorne Bridge (the oldest operating lift bridge in the U.S.) to the brand new, state of the art, pedestrian-only Tilikum Bridge.

Visit McMenamins Kennedy School

Brace yourself for some adorable interior design at the McMenamins School © Silvio Figueiredo

Founded by a couple of brothers, McMenamins is a Pacific Northwest-based company known for transforming historic sites into an eccentric mix of hotels, pubs and music venues. The Kennedy School is, as the name suggests, a former primary school converted into a massive venue now home to several bars, restaurants, a movie theatre and a swimming pool (free for locals). There’s even a cheeky cigar bar housed in the old Detention Room. Swing by to roam the halls and check out the artwork, mosaics and historic photos

Where: 5736 NE 33rd Ave, OR 97211

Tel: 503 249 3983

Visit Portland Saturday market

Portland has a rich artisanal heritage and where better to experience this than at the Portland Saturday market? Located in Portland’s Old Town, alongside the meandering Willamette river, the market is home to numerous vendors of arts and crafts and is the largest continuously operated market in the country.

Running from March through to the end of December, the market is also open on Sundays.

Where: Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 2 SW Naito Pkwy, OR 97204

Tel: 503 241 4188

Indulge your inner bookworm: Powell’s City of Books

Grab your pastry from Nurvei, a five-minute walk away, and dig in to a good book at Powell’s. Extending over an entire city block, this place is as close to Borges’ Library of Babel as any real-world venue is likely to get. With roughly a million books in stock, chances are pretty likely that it has what you’re after. In fact, Powell’s City of Books is the largest used and new bookstore in the world, occupying an entire city block and housing approximately one million books. Roam the nine different color-coded rooms, and make sure to pop into the sumptuously decorated rare books room for a peek at a slew of first editions and hard-to-find titles.

Where: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209

Tel: 503 228 4651

Find inner peace at the Grotto

A Catholic shrine meets botanical garden; the Grotto is a tad different from Portland’s usual offerings. 62 acres of firs, rhododendrons and other lush natives wrap around the Grotto’s heart: a carved rock cave featuring a stunning marble replica of Michelangelo’s Pieta. Peace and reflection is the theme of the Grotto, and your explorations will take you to a quiet peace garden, a meditation chapel, several shrines and a medieval-style labyrinth, just to name a few.

Where: 8840 NE Skidmore St, OR 97220, United States

Tel: 503 254 7371

Explore Portland’s vibrant art scene

Portland is becoming increasingly relevant on the national art scene, punching above its weight with several prominent galleries, exhibition spaces and art walks. Portland’s art walks began with its First Thursday event, when the galleries in the Pearl district opened up to the public in a street-based celebration of art and booze. Take public transport (or bike) because parking’s tough at the best of times. If the thronging crowds are too much, walk down to the Portland Art Museum, which has free entry from 5-8pm on the first Thursday of the month. If you’ve arrived later in the month, try Alberta Street’s Last Thursday event, a grassroots outing with a homespun, local artist feel.

Where: Various locations around the city

Tel: 207 370 4784

Hang out on Broadway, Visit the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Located next to The Heatman hotel, this historically significant theater building doubles as a performing arts center that is home to the Oregon Symphony, Portland Youth Philharmonic, Metropolitan Youth Symphony and others. Known locally as “The Schnitz,” the concert hall is the last surviving (Portland) Broadway venue.

Where: Portland’5 Centers for the Arts Box Office, 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, United States

Tel: 503 248 4335

Going out in Portland

Raise a glass to free brewery tours

PDX has a proud history of craft brewing, and there are dozens of breweries scattered throughout the city. Time things right, and you can find yourself on a free brewery tour in a city that has over 52 breweries! Portlanders take their beer seriously and regard beer drinking as an art form. Full Sail Brewing offers daily afternoon walks through its brew house, while Hopworks and Portland Brewery both host boozy tours every Saturday.

Where: In various breweries around Portland, call ahead of time to secure a spot

Wine and dine above the city skyline at Noble Rot

Perched high above the city skyline, with over 300 wines to choose from, Noble Rot caters to all your wine needs while offering a jaw-dropping view of the city from its rooftop terrace. Embark on one of Noble Rot’s famous wine flights (tastings of multiple wines) and discover wines of all tastes and origins. Doubling as a restaurant, Noble Rot’s menu is as varied as its wines, serving prized onion tarts, macaroni and cheese and a crème brulee at mid-range prices. In the summer months, fresh produce from an on-site 3000 square foot rooftop garden gives meals at Noble Rot a distinctly local quality.

Where: 1111 E Burnside St, OR 97214

Tel: 503 233 1999

Tap your toe at the Laurelthirst Pub

One of Portland’s hidden gems: The Laurelthirst pub

Cheap beer and free music – what’s not to love? Running from 6-8pm every night, the Laurelthirst’s happy hour serves up bluegrass, folk and other toe-tappy live music in a venue that juxtaposes a red brick and frosted glass aesthetic in an intimate setting. Toss in a selection of local brews (craft beers included) and you’re looking at a venue that is as local as they come. When happy hour comes to a close, stroll a few blocks over to the old-school Laurelhurst Theatre and continue your frugal evening with $4 arthouse and second-run movies.

Where: 2958 NE Glisan St, OR 97232

Tel: 503 232 1504

Make merry at The Doug Fir Lounge

With over 25 concerts per month, The Doug Fir Lounge is as primetime a location as any if you’re looking for an evening of music and merrymaking. Boasting a varied music palette, The Doug Fir has previously played host to the likes of M83, The Shins, MGMT, Vampire Weekend and Alabama Shakes, so there’s something for every taste. Featuring an immersive, acoustically bewildering red lounge designed in collaboration with the Art institution of Portland, The Doug Fir Lounge, like Portland itself, is small enough to be intimate but big enough to have a metropolitan feel to it. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office from 19:30 every evening, or in advance, online.

Where: 830 E Burnside St, OR 97214

Tel: 503-231-966

Prepare for the ultimate road trip to Portland with our rundown of 17 tips for the perfect road trip and learn more about Portland in our guide to the top secret underground cities