Guidebook for Portland
Working Out after Eating Your Way Through Portland
Some great places to walk to and through as well as our favorite, local studios.
Our happy place. This garden is just truly magical in every way. An oasis in a cityscape.
151 locals recommend
Peninsula Park
Peninsula ParkOur happy place. This garden is just truly magical in every way. An oasis in a cityscape.
Great local studio. You won't be disappointed. First classes are free and they always are running specials for punch cards and such.
19 locals recommend
North Portland Yoga
Great local studio. You won't be disappointed. First classes are free and they always are running specials for punch cards and such.
Another phenomenal, local yoga studio. They're kid friendly and just friendly in general. Great atmosphere with fabulous food next door after your workout.
24 locals recommend
Yoga Shala Wellness
Another phenomenal, local yoga studio. They're kid friendly and just friendly in general. Great atmosphere with fabulous food next door after your workout.
Since we've essentially recommended doing nothing but eating here, we feel obligated to direct you to great workouts. Barre3 is as good as the hype. They'll usually let try your first class free!
36 locals recommend
barre3
4015 N Williams AveSince we've essentially recommended doing nothing but eating here, we feel obligated to direct you to great workouts. Barre3 is as good as the hype. They'll usually let try your first class free!
I absolutely love this yoga studio. I've taken nearly every kind of class they offer and I've never been disappointed. There's hot yoga to restorative yoga to classes that use weights and help you build more muscle.
15 locals recommend
Firelight Yoga
1475 N Killingsworth StI absolutely love this yoga studio. I've taken nearly every kind of class they offer and I've never been disappointed. There's hot yoga to restorative yoga to classes that use weights and help you build more muscle.
This is a sweet yoga studio (one room only) that's attached to a great wellness center with massage and chiropractic. I've never taken a class I didn't like.
8 locals recommend
Drishti Yoga
704 NE Dekum StThis is a sweet yoga studio (one room only) that's attached to a great wellness center with massage and chiropractic. I've never taken a class I didn't like.
Shopping
Sometimes we have passes for entrance. Just ask! It's smaller than Nike and Columbia but still worth a trip. Especially if you like soccer and basketball gear.
10 locals recommend
Adidas Employee Store
2701 NW Vaughn StSometimes we have passes for entrance. Just ask! It's smaller than Nike and Columbia but still worth a trip. Especially if you like soccer and basketball gear.
This is the spot to buy locally handcrafted souvenirs for friends, or just for you.
32 locals recommend
ink & peat - home + lifestyle
3808 N Williams AveThis is the spot to buy locally handcrafted souvenirs for friends, or just for you.
If it's a rainy day and you want to get some crafty items and stay in, this is the spot. They have art supplies to knitting and crochet kits, games and supplies for kids...you name it. We love this local spot.
44 locals recommend
Collage
1639 NE Alberta StIf it's a rainy day and you want to get some crafty items and stay in, this is the spot. They have art supplies to knitting and crochet kits, games and supplies for kids...you name it. We love this local spot.
We occasionally have passes to get in to this store, which gives you 40% and more off of their items. It's amazing but dangerous for your wallet ;-)
9 locals recommend
Columbia Sportswear Company Employee Store
14100 NW Science Park DrWe occasionally have passes to get in to this store, which gives you 40% and more off of their items. It's amazing but dangerous for your wallet ;-)
A beautiful oasis in the middle of a busy, urban center. There's a great tea house here to stretch your stay!
405 locals recommend
Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 NW Everett StA beautiful oasis in the middle of a busy, urban center. There's a great tea house here to stretch your stay!
If you like Nike, you'll love this place and its discounts. If we have passes, we're always happy to share them with guests!
Nike World Headquarters
One Bowerman DriveIf you like Nike, you'll love this place and its discounts. If we have passes, we're always happy to share them with guests!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great prohibition style pub with cocktails to prove it. Eclectic menu that is small enough so that anything you order is done with excellence. One of our local favorites.
138 locals recommend
Interurban
4057 N Mississippi AveGreat prohibition style pub with cocktails to prove it. Eclectic menu that is small enough so that anything you order is done with excellence. One of our local favorites.
Can't go wrong with great pizza. And they have a venue that features local music year round. Highly recommend this spot.
127 locals recommend
Mississippi Pizza
3552 N Mississippi AveCan't go wrong with great pizza. And they have a venue that features local music year round. Highly recommend this spot.
One of our "go to" local brew pubs. Great outdoor seating and tents with fire pits for when the weather turns.
98 locals recommend
StormBreaker Brewing
832 N Beech StOne of our "go to" local brew pubs. Great outdoor seating and tents with fire pits for when the weather turns.
McMenamins' are staples in Oregon, so this might just a be another "must eat" spot. Really beautiful atmosphere and next to the local library.
45 locals recommend
McMenamins Chapel Pub
430 N Killingsworth StMcMenamins' are staples in Oregon, so this might just a be another "must eat" spot. Really beautiful atmosphere and next to the local library.
My husband's favorite, local brewery. Fresh, local ingredients; award winning beer; and really good service.
278 locals recommend
Breakside Brewery - DEKUM
820 NE Dekum StMy husband's favorite, local brewery. Fresh, local ingredients; award winning beer; and really good service.
Great, hip fusion restaurant that's Southern-creole inspired. Lovely environment and great food and drinks.
124 locals recommend
Victoria Bar
4835 N Albina AveGreat, hip fusion restaurant that's Southern-creole inspired. Lovely environment and great food and drinks.
Great beers. Nitro tap rotations. And you can ride their bikes outside to help power the place and get a discount.
96 locals recommend
Hopworks N Williams Pub and Beergarden
3947 N Williams AveGreat beers. Nitro tap rotations. And you can ride their bikes outside to help power the place and get a discount.
Essentials
My new favorite workout. If you wake up early enough, we can even go together! Bring some socks and enthusiasm and be prepared for a booty kicking workout.
Parking in the area requires pay from the hours of 8am-7pm...so workout at 6 with me and you'll be fine! ;-)
The Bar Method
904 NW Hoyt StMy new favorite workout. If you wake up early enough, we can even go together! Bring some socks and enthusiasm and be prepared for a booty kicking workout.
Parking in the area requires pay from the hours of 8am-7pm...so workout at 6 with me and you'll be fine! ;-)
Sightseeing
If you love roses and nature, this is a must. Just beautiful and completely free!
627 locals recommend
International Rose Test Garden
400 SW Kingston AveIf you love roses and nature, this is a must. Just beautiful and completely free!
We can't get enough of this place. It's peaceful beyond imagination for being smack in the middle of a city.
1015 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveWe can't get enough of this place. It's peaceful beyond imagination for being smack in the middle of a city.
Sweet little spot, especially for families. They have fantastic concerts in the summer!
524 locals recommend
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon RdSweet little spot, especially for families. They have fantastic concerts in the summer!
Some of the most beautiful views in Portland, and the house is beautiful, especially during the holidays!
622 locals recommend
Pittock Mansion
3229 NW Pittock DrSome of the most beautiful views in Portland, and the house is beautiful, especially during the holidays!
Food scene
Woodlawn Coffee & Pastry
808 NE Dekum StAlbina Press
4637 N Albina AveArbor Lodge Coffee
1507 N Rosa Parks Way¿Por Qué No?
3524 N Mississippi AveFishwife | Seafood Restaurant
5328 N Lombard StBollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StGreat Notion Brewing and Barrel House
2204 NE Alberta StEcliptic Brewing
825 N Cook StShalom Y'all SE - Eastside Location
117 SE Taylor StBamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th AveMcMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveLovely's Fifty Fifty
4039 N Mississippi AveSwift and Union
8103 N Denver AveCity advice
Ways to save
Happy Hour in famous here for a reason! Great way to save!
You can go to the finest restaurants in Portland, and if they serve Happy Hour food, you'll get their great plates at a fraction of the cost. It's a cultural phenomenon not to be missed!
Customs and culture
Oregon Drivers
Oregon Drivers are very cautious and can be so overly deferential that it can often catch you off guard (like when they slam on the breaks because they predict someone may cross the street, and you are close behind them).
It's illegal to be on your phone unless it's handsfree, so be aware of that and just generally don't look at your phone when you drive because pedestrians are everywhere, and overly hesitant drivers can cause issues if you're not paying attention!
What to pack
Always pack rain gear
Even if you're coming in the summer, it's still best to pack a light rain coat and extra socks and shoes. You just never know what the skies will bring.
Useful phrases
Greeting strangers
You'll find here, that people ask, "How's your day going?" rather than, "How are you?" It's a funny, pervasive habit that you're welcome to return!