fbpx

Portland, Oregon, Destination Guide

Portland, Oregon’s forested landscape shrouds the city’s swaths of different neighborhoods, each one different from the last. Calling it a hipster haven would be an understatement: thoroughfares here are replete with independent boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops; chains aren’t the norm in this Pacific Northwest city — and we at HAP love that. We share our Portland Destination Guide below. 


TO STAY:

Hotel Grand Stark 

Hotel Grand Stark sits in Portland’s Central Eastside neighborhood. The 57-key boutique stay’s contemporary classic interior understatedly pays homage to the Pacific Northwest, with hunter green, vintage furnishings, and marble accents occupying the lobby.

The Hoxton, Portland

Located in Portland’s Chinatown neighborhood, The Hoxton Portland is one of the city’s most famous boutique hotels.


TO EAT:

Kachka

You’ve never seen a restaurant outside of Eastern Europe as thoughtfully decorated to reflect the aesthetic of the former Soviet Union as Kachka. The interior sports semblances to a Russian farmhouse: a Turkish rug hangs in the back, black-and-white pictures plus zeitgeisty communist-era artwork adorn walls; old postcards and matryoshka dolls dangle from the ceiling. The vodka menu outranks, with over 50 different types sourced from places such as Russia and Moldova. The dishes, just like the décor and vodka selection, pay homage to the cuisine of the former Soviet Union — ordering any of the Pelmeni & Vareniki Dumplings is a fantastic decision (you heard it here: everything on this restaurant’s menu is exceedingly tasty!). 

Voodoo Doughnut

Voodoo Doughnuts is a Portland staple. One cannot go to Portland without trying one of the doughnut delights here (there are over 50 kinds) — the Bacon Maple Bar is their signature (don’t let the unassuming combination of bacon and a donut fool you — it’s beyond delicious).


TO DRINK:

credit: Jordan Hughes

The Pink Rabbit

The neon-lit Pink Rabbit Bar sits in Northwest Portland. Expect elevated cocktails (we love the Moon Rabbit, which comprises Roku Gin, Combier Watermelon, Momo Sake, Agave, Lemon), and Asian-inspired small bites on the menu).


TO VISIT:

CREDIT: David M. Cobb

Portland Japanese Garden

The Portland Japanese Garden is a must-visit. Whether you like botany or not, the setting is serene, with tranquil pathways and flushing streams swerving throughout its verdant acreage. Among the five different garden styles here, two of our favorites include The Tea Garden — which equips a stone walking path intended to appease visitors’ worries of the outside world — plus the Sand and Stone Garden — a space using elements of Zen Buddhism to invoke focalized quiet contemplation. Following your trot around the garden, opt to enjoy a cup of tea at the eye-catching Japanese Tea House. 

CREDIT: Travel Portland

 Nob Hill/ NW 23rd Avenue

This buzzy neighborhood is one of Portland’s most eclectic. Pop into independent establishments (if you ask us, one of Portland’s coolest hallmarks is its plethora of unique businesses) such as Paxton Gate — a boutique known for its oddities and curiosities specially curated to broaden the mind (think porcupine quills, rabbit skeletons, and vintage taxidermy); Aria Portland Dry Gin — a gin distillery that makes its own gin, sourcing ingredients from more than ten different botanicals around the world; as well as Betsy & Iya — a boutique jewelry house selling artisanal bracelets, earing’s, and necklaces). 

credit: Travel Portland

Powell’s City of Books

This world-famous bookstore is inimitable. If you love the feeling of a book in your hand and searching for the novel candy stocking bookshelves that line endless aisles, Powell’s City of Books will be your Disneyland. 

CREDIT: Blaine Franger

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Hike the same paths as Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea, with a trek at Oregan’s Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This spectacular river canyon spans over 80 miles: cliffs, spires, peaks, and waterfalls bless the aesthetic. If you want to connect with nature (a must when in Oregon), we recommend starting with a hike to Multnomah Falls — it’s a 35-minute drive from Portland’s city center. 

Other articles you may like:

About Hotels Above PAr

My Photo

Subscribe to our newsletter

Privacy Policy