What to see in Portland, Oregon or Things to do in Portland Maine in 1 or 2 days
What to see in Portland in 1 or 2 days? On our route through Oregon, we spent the last few days exploring the largest city in the state, but in a somewhat atypical way.
Instead of checking off the must-see places, we looked for neighborhoods with a good atmosphere, we walked through charming streets… And we ate beyond our means, that too!
So, if you fancy tasting the city beyond the center, take note: we tell you what to see in Portland in 1 or 2 days and we give you several tips for visiting the city.
Things to do in Portland Maine in 1 or 2 days
The Pearl District
We start with one of the liveliest areas of downtown Portland: the Pearl District, a former industrial neighbourhood where warehouses have been transformed into elegant shops and homes.
Even if you don’t plan on shopping, strolling along the cobblestone streets and having a coffee or going into an art gallery (they open at night on the first Thursday of the month) is a great way to start exploring Portland.
And of course, when you visit the Pearl District, reserve a couple of hours for the place we’re talking about below… especially if you’re a book lover!
Powell’s Bookstore
Have you ever been to a bookstore so huge that it has its own map to help you navigate? The iconic Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the world and one of those places you must see in Portland.
Powell’s captivated us for many reasons: its relaxed and eccentric atmosphere, the aisles packed with books that make you lose track of time, a wonderful children’s section with tables for the little ones to sit and read…
And also because it combines new books with second-hand books on the same shelves, so when looking for a title, you can decide whether to buy it brand new or used.
Although Powell’s has several locations, the original is the one in downtown Portland, which opened in 1971 and is open every day of the year.
The Nob Hill Neighbourhood
About 15 minutes west of the Pearl District (we went on foot and the walk is through beautiful residential streets) you will find another ideal neighborhood for a walk and a coffee, Nob Hill.
Between NW 21 Ave and NW 23 Ave, dozens of restaurants, shops, cafes await you… There you can try the ice cream from Salt & Straw, very popular among Portlanders.
If you have time for a longer walk, about 10 minutes north is the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, one of the most quirky museums to see in Portland.
And if you like board games, about 10 minutes south of Nob Hill (and close to Downtown) is Mox Boarding House, one of the best coffee shops/game stores we’ve ever been to.
The Kerns and Laurelhurst Neighbourhoods
Speaking of charming neighbourhoods in Portland, Kerns and Laurelhurst, in the east of the city, are a great option for a stroll and a drink.
The intersection of NE 28th Ave and E Burnside St in Kerns is a good starting point. 28th Street, which is lined with restaurants, is lively at night.
And if you follow E Burnside St west, you’ll find plenty of other options for dinner or a beer.
We parked on the charming, residential streets nearby and had dinner at The Sudra. If you have a spot, go for ice cream at Fifty Licks.
Or you can have dinner and watch a movie at the historic Laurelhurst Theater, which opened in 1932.
The Laurelhurst neighborhood, east of Kerns, is more residential and perfect for a stroll through winding streets and century-old houses to Laurelhurst Park.
The Multnomah Village Neighbourhood
Multnomah Village, in southwest Portland, is a small neighbourhood with a lot of personality.
On SW Capitol Highway, between 31st and 36th Avenues, you’ll find a multitude of little shops, restaurants, cafes, and breweries.
You can have breakfast at Fat Cat Café or Down to Earth, have a coffee at Village Coffee… And, if you’re looking for ideas in Portland with kids, don’t forget to visit the great toy store Thinker Toys. Our little one loved it!
In Multnomah Village you will also find a food truck market and art shops, the Multnomah French Quarter, where you can have lunch or dinner with different dishes.
Portland Aerial Tram
Did you know Portland has a cable car? We didn’t either, until we went for a walk in the South Waterfront area along the Willamette River and saw it flying over the neighborhood.
It’s called the Portland Aerial Tram and connects South Waterfront to the OHSU campus, the Oregon Health & Science University.
The ride takes only 5 minutes, but since the university is on top of a mountain, they say you have one of the best views of Portland and the imposing Mount Hood from there.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to check it out because during the pandemic it was only open to students and workers. But if you get the chance, we think it’s a really cool thing to do in Portland!
The Portland Saturday Market and the Stag Sign
If you’re in Portland on a Saturday, stop by the Portland Saturday Market, a street market for artists from Oregon and Washington that has been held since 1974.
It takes place in Old Town (Ankeny Plaza and Waterfront Park) every Saturday from March to December and everything sold at the 150 stalls is handmade by the creators, although there are also some food stalls, live music…
While you’re in the area, take the opportunity to see the White Stag Sign, the iconic ‘Portland, Oregon’ sign with a white deer that appears in thousands of photos and postcards of the city.
The Hawthorne district
Another of the liveliest areas to see in Portland, and which we loved for a weekend brunch, is the Hawthorne district, in the southeast of the city.
Hawthorne Boulevard is a very long avenue, and around it are concentrated the most curious and eclectic businesses.
For a first visit, we recommend parking on one of the residential streets and starting around the intersection of Hawthorne Blvd and SE 35th Ave.
A short walk east will bring you music, decor, gift, vintage clothing, bookshops and toy stores… And popular restaurants like Fried Egg, I’m in Love or Harlow, which we liked so much that we went back two days in a row.
Or, if you prefer to visit Hawthorne at night and watch a movie with a craft beer in hand, your destination is the Bagdad Theater & Pub.
Division St
From the area we mentioned in the previous section, the Hawthorne district, we took a very nice walk to Division St stopping to rest in Sewallcrest Park.
The area is completely residential and has narrow streets of idyllic houses. When you get to Division St, the atmosphere comes alive again with shops, restaurants and breweries.
You can try some of the best doughnuts in Portland, from Blue Star, or the cakes from Lauretta Jean’s bakery.
A doughnut from Voodoo Doughnut
Speaking of doughnuts, this wouldn’t be a guide to Portland without a stop at Voodoo Doughnut, the most famous and touristy bakery in the city.
Their shop in Old Town is tiny, but you’ll find dozens of doughnut flavors there, from the most classic to the most unusual, such as bubblegum, guava colada, hot pepper doughnut…
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Although we must admit that we didn’t find them anything out of the ordinary (maybe because we’re too used to them in New York). But we won’t be the ones to turn our noses up at doughnuts!
