Portland: it’s known for having a year-round rainy season and environmentally friendly inhabitants, but there’s more than just mud puddles to be found in this quirky city. Find out what makes Portland the lovable place it is by exploring some of its most popular and unique hangouts.
1. Powell’s City of Books
Spread out over an entire city block, this massive bookstore contains well over a million new and used books. They claim to be the largest in the nation, and with over 68,000 square feet of retail space and 6,000 visitors per day, this very well may be true. Spend an entire day browsing through any of their 3,500 sections, which range in topics from cooking to spirituality to outdoor activities. One of the highlights of Powell’s is the rare book room, which is open to the public on weekends and by special appointment. You can browse centuries-old books and catch a glimpse of some of the rarest books in existence. Their most prized (and pricey) tome? The first published description of Lewis and Clark’s journeys, published in 1814 and worth 350,000 dollars.
2. Voodoo Doughnut
It would be hard to find a pastry shop with quite as much character as Voodoo Doughnut. Their wacky original creations include a Bacon-Maple bar topped with real bacon and the “Memphis Mafia”, which is made with chocolate chips, bananas, and peanut butter. Voodoo, which has been featured on such television shows as Man v. Food and The Amazing Race, also offers vegan doughnuts and-- believe it or not-- wedding services. So if it’s a lifelong dream of yours to get married in a doughnut shop, you’re in luck: not only are their ceremonies completely legal, they offer doughnut centerpieces as part of their wedding package.
3. Portland Saturday Market
Every weekend from early March to Christmas Eve, the Portland Saturday Market is set up by the banks of the Columbia River and enjoyed by thousands of locals and visitors. This market, which epitomizes the artsy vibe of Portland, has over 400 members and approximately 750,000 visitors a year. There is no end to the creativity of vendors: one welds old silverware and kitchen tools into goggles and hats, another sells handmade leather journals, and yet another makes dog chew toys out of sweet potatoes. A diverse array of food carts, selling everything from eastern African fare to Polish delights, can be found at the far end of the market, and live entertainment at a nearby stage features local artists from many different musical genres.
4. Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Known in the coffee world as the leader for production of high-quality, artisan-roasted beans, Stumptown is a trend-setting coffee company that got its start in Portland. The people behind this coffee mean business: in order to get the highest quality product possible, the founder, Duane Sorensen, once paid the highest price ever recorded for coffee beans. A trip to one of their four mellow Portland cafes will prove the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every cup they brew; each roast they sell comes with a detailed description of where the beans came from as well as a knowledgeable description of the intricate flavors.
5. Portland Food Carts
In recent months, Portland has been gaining a reputation for its diverse selection of food carts, which are located in various spots around the city. Almost any type of food imaginable can be found in these portable restaurants, from fried pies to Peruvian street food to “meat cones” (waffle cones with a savory filling). One of the major draws to these food carts is the price: a full meal, often served in large portions, will cost you five to eight dollars on average. Although these carts, which are over 200 in number, are spread throughout the city, many are located in large groupings called “pods”. Some more popular pods are located at southwest Alder Street, on 3rd Street between Washington and Stark, and at 5th and Stark.
As you can see, Portland has a lot to more to offer than rain. It’s not just a damp, dreary metropolis; it’s a town filled with all manner of unique stores and restaurants that are sure to delight your taste buds, stimulate your brain, and inspire your creative side.
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