One Fine Day In... Portland
I love sharing stories and memories from my travels. But those are uniquely mine and I imagine not always helpful for others who might be planning their own getaways. I'm toying with the idea of interspersing trip ideas and planning tips with my usual stories, sharing suggestions and potential itineraries. To kick this off, I'm sharing one example of a perfect day in Portland. Of course, there are lots of ways to have a perfect day in Portland, but this is what I would do with 24-ish hours in one of my favorite cities.
Friday 6:30 pm: Catch the end of happy hour at the quirky and cool Teardrop Lounge. With craft cocktails priced at $7 from 4-7 Monday through Friday, there really is no bad choice. I might try the Neverland - vodka, cocchi americano, raspberry, lemon, and sparkling wine.
Friday 8 pm: Make reservations for a late dinner at LeChon. Portland has plenty of great restaurants, but this is my favorite. Definitely get the empanadas. Honestly, if I could try one of everything on the menu, I would.
Friday 9:30 pm: This is the point at which I should make the caveat that I am not much of a nightlife person. This will probably be reflected in the suggestions I make - I would rather save my energy to explore a place during the daytime, not stay up all night being crazy. So, if you're looking for info on the best clubs and nightlife, then this is probably not the blog for you. That being said, Ground Kontrol is a place I actually enjoy. Arcade by day and bar and arcade by night, this spot has everything from pinball machines to classic arcade games.
Friday Late: End your night waiting in line at the original Voodoo Doughnuts. These donuts are cheap, uniquely "Portland," and just what you want after a night out. Bring cash and plan to buy a whole box because it will be impossible to choose just one or two. These aren't the best donuts in Portland (check out Blue Star for that), but they are the perfect late night food.
Friday Post Donuts: Return to your room at the Hotel Vintage. This tastefully wine-themed, boutique hotel is also pet friendly. The daily wine hour, comfortable and stylish rooms, and convenient location make this one of my favorite hotels in Portland. Perfect for sleeping in after a potentially late night.
Saturday 10 am-ish: After dragging yourself out of your cozy bed, plan on doing brunch. If there is one thing Portlanders do well and with enthusiasm, it is brunch. There are so many great spots, but the best ones will likely have a wait. Perhaps grab one of your leftover donuts and a cup of the hotel's complimentary coffee to tide you over. Although narrowing the options down is next to impossible, a couple of recommendations are Tasty n Alder (I love anyplace that goes beyond the basic mimosa for breakfast cocktails) and Mother's Bistro.
Saturday noon: After breakfast, head to the Portland Saturday Market. Meander, browse, and buy to your heart's content. There is truly something for everyone here and you know when a city's slogan is "Keep Portland Weird," there will lots of interesting things to see. If you are somehow hungry, make your way to one of the many delicious food carts spread throughout they city.
Saturday 2:00 pm: Join Portland Walking Tours for either the Underground Tour or the Best of Portland Tour. Both will give you a glimpse of the past, but the Underground Tour will provide more information on the darker side of Portland's history. Go on, make yourself feel better about that giant brunch you ate by walking for a couple of hours.
Saturday 4:15 pm: No trip to Portland would be complete without spending some time at Powell's Books. A book lover's paradise, I could spend literal hours in this place, taking in deep breaths of the unmistakable scent of books, carefully narrowing down which ones I would eventually purchase. Even if you do not have hours to spend wandering the aisles, Powell's is worth a stop.
Saturday 5:30 pm: Drop off the day's purchases in your room before joining the social hour at the hotel, which includes complimentary local wines.
Saturday 7:00 pm: It is almost impossible to narrow down restaurant options in Portland. So many choices, so little time. If you are looking for great food and an unbeatable view of the city, make reservations for Portland City Grill. Another splurge spot is Le Pigeon or try Pok Pok if you're in the mood for Thai food. If, like me, you are an erstwhile Southerner who sometimes longs for a literal taste of home, Screen Door is a must.
There you have it. An itinerary for a jam-packed, delicious, and fun-filled day in Portland that will leave you planning your next trip to Oregon.
So, let me know what you think. More stuff like this? If so, where would you like to have One Fine Day? And, if you are looking for a customized itinerary, I am happy to help! Just check out my travel planning services.