Travel
24 Hours In… Portland
portland introPDX, Rose City, Bridgetown, Beervana, Stumptown – whatever you want to call it, Portland has become a travel hot spot. This is the city of hipsters and hippies, fixed-gear bikes and unicycles, craft beer and impeccable coffee, a haven for young artists and musicians. And here is our guide to making the most of a day in it. [Photo: Jeff Gunn/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
stumptown9am: Stumptown Coffee In The Ace Hotel Lobby: Portland brews amazing coffee, and Stumptown beans can be found in the best coffee shops worth their salt. Grab a large mug with a pastry and hang out in the super cool Ace Hotel lounge area to get ready for a day of Portlandia adventures. Your first stop is just a few blocks away… [Photo: John M/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
10am: Get lost in Powell’s City Of Books:10am: Get lost in Powell’s City Of Books: It’s called a city for a reason – Powell’s is the largest independent bookstore in the world. There are over four million new, used and rare books on every subject imaginable to discover in this literary wonderland. Our tip: Plan to spend at least a couple hours here; this place sucks you in like a good mystery novel. [Photo: Mobilus In Mobili/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
brunch12pm Bike To Brunch: Two things that Portlanders love: biking and brunching. Borrow a bike from the hotel and head to the Hawthorne Bridge. You’ll get great views of the Willamette River as you cross over to the Southeast side of the city. If you’re lucky, you might spot a double-decker bike. [Photo:travelportland.com]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
jam on hawthorne12:30pm Brunch At Jam On Hawthorne: Everyone has their favourite brunch spot in PDX (they’re ALL delicious), but if you’re in the Hawthorne District, Jam is one of the best. This spacious eatery serves heaps of breakfast goodness until 3pm for meat-lovers and vegans alike. Try their famous jam with biscuits (hence the name) and take in the local art on display. [Photo: Jam on Hawthorne]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
roam2pm: Roam The Hawthorne District: Now that your stomach is full of brunch, go for a stroll or bike your way down Hawthorne Blvd. There are tons of quirky little shops to peek in and vintage boutiques to explore. If you’re looking for a weird vintage tie or one-of-a-kind old bowling shirt, check out the huge House of Vintage and The Red Light Clothing Exchange. [Photo: Andrew/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
donuts3:30pm: Stop For Some Blue Star Donuts: Lots of people visiting Portland ask, “Where is Voodoo Donuts?” Yes, Voodoo is delicious and delightfully strange, but you have to stand in a line out the door to get your hands on a pink box of their donuts. Our insider tip: Go to Blue Star Donuts on Hawthorne instead. With the rotating roster ranging from classic to strange flavours, you won’t be disappointed. [Photo: Andrew/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
tabor park4:30pm: Stroll Through Mt Tabor Park: Take a break from the streets and retreat to Mt Tabor Park overlooking Southeast Portland. If you could never understand how people stand all the rain that falls in the Pacific Northwest, you will when you trek up Mt Tabor – the fresh smell of pine needles and green living things calms the soul. [Photo: Jamie Francis/travelportland.com]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
view5pm: Take In The View From The Top: It’s been a long day of biking and walking around, but it’s worth it, we promise! The view over the city from the top of Mt Tabor is one of the best. Plop down on a bench and enjoy it. You’ll be able to see Mt Hood looming in the distance on a good day. [Photo: Jamie Francis/travelportland.com]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
dinner6:30pm: Dinner At The Food Carts: We could tell you to go to a fancy restaurant for dinner, but the more ‘Portland’ thing to do would be to order something delicious at a food cart. Check out foodcartsportland.com to find what you’re in the mood for. PDX boasts stands with everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to Ethiopian cuisine. [Photo: Jamie Francis/travelportland.com]
9/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
beer8pm: Beer tasting Tour In The Pearl District: You can’t leave ‘Beervana’ without trying its craft brew. Portlanders are proud beer snobs – understandable, since there are over 65 breweries housed here. To get a good taste, the historic Pearl District is your best bet. Get samplers at the inventive Rogue Distillery, fast-growing 10 Barrel Brewing, the legendary Deschutes Brewery and the newcomer Fat Head’s Brewery all within a few blocks of each other. [Photo: jpc.raleigh/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
bye and bye12am: Bye And Byes At The Bye And Bye: So if craft beer isn’t your thing: (1) maybe don’t mention that to the locals and (2) head over to the Bye and Bye in the artsy northeast Alberta District (another great neighbourhood to explore). Order a Bye and Bye cocktail, which comes in a mason jar, and relax on the expansive patio. This hip spot is also known for its amazing vegan food. thebyeandbye.com [Photo: entouriste.com/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
readRead Before You Go: Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, OR, by Chuck Palahniuk, is basically Palahniuk’s personal guide to his hometown in all its weirdness and glory. Reading this will help you understand why the city’s motto is ‘Keep Portland Weird’. amazon.com
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
watchWatch Before You Go: Portlandia. This show stars the fantastic duo of native Portlander Carrie Brownstein (also a member of Portland’s riot grrl band Sleater Kinney) and comedian Fred Armisen. Their sketch-comedy take on the city’s culture is spot on, serving as both a love letter to and a parody of PDX. “The dream of the ‘90s is alive in Portland!”
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
listenListen Before You Go: Indie music was pretty much invented here in the Pacific Northwest, with bands like The Decemberists and The Shins hailing from Portland. Blind Pilot’s debut album, 3 Rounds and a Sound, encapsulates the folk-indie feel of the city that they waited tables and served coffee in before making it big.
14/16
Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
tipsLast Tips: (1) Yes, it rains a lot in Portland. Take a good rain jacket (NOT an umbrella – you’ll stick out like a sore thumb). (2) Keep your eyes peeled for the unipiper (can’t explain, just watch youtube.com). [Photo: Christopher Porter/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Portland.
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