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Top spots in Portland
Powell's City of Books
CulturePearl District
The largest independent bookstore in the world — a full city block, plan an afternoon.
Forest Park
OutdoorsNorthwest
5,200 acres of urban old-growth — Wildwood Trail runs 30 miles.
Portland Japanese Garden
CultureWashington Park
Among the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan.
Alberta Arts District
Food & DrinkNortheast
Walkable strip of food carts, taprooms and the Last Thursday street fair.
Multnomah Falls Day Trip
OutdoorsColumbia Gorge
620-foot waterfall 30 minutes east — pair with Hood River wineries.
Where to eat
Pok Pok
$$$Thai · Division
Andy Ricker's Northern Thai — get the fish sauce wings, lines move.
Le Pigeon
$$$$French · Lower Burnside
Counter dining, brave menu — foie gras profiteroles are legendary.
Salt & Straw
$Ice cream · Multiple
Pear-and-blue-cheese ice cream made it nationally famous — the line is the experience.
Nong's Khao Man Gai
$Thai chicken & rice · Multiple
One menu item, perfectly executed — the ginger sauce is everything.
Apizza Scholls
$$Pizza · Hawthorne
Arrive early — they cap dough daily and walk-ins disappear.
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Powell's City of Books, Forest Park, Portland Japanese Garden. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Portland and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.