Things To Do
Hopscotch Portland
Family friendly immersive art, light, and sound exhibit that's 1 1/2 blocks from our venue. We haven't yet visited, but have heard great reviews. Food and drinks are available here too. Get tickets in advance! They sell out well ahead of time for weekends.
Powell's City of Books
Powell's is a Portland institution for book lovers. It's impressively large and easy to get lost in the stacks, for better or worse!
Washington Park
Washington Park is a treasure of activities in one place! Hoyt Arboretum: an outdoor "museum" of trees with plenty of walking trails that make for a peaceful stroll. Free admission, open 10-4 daily International Rose Test Garden: one of Cara's favorite places. 10,000 rose bushes from 610 varieties. It's a magical spot if you love flowers, or if you want to feel like Alice in Wonderland. Free admission, open 5am-10pm daily Japanese Garden: a peaceful spot to wander, reflect, and watch koi fish. Weekends tend to be busy. Admission: $21.95 adults, $18.95 seniors 65+, $17.95 students, $15.95 youth (6-17), $0 kids 5 and under Weds-Mon 10:00am-3:30pm (last entry 3:30, garden open until 4:30) Parking near the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden can be trying on weekends. There is a substantial pay-to-park parking lot between the Zoo and Forestry Center, with a free shuttle that runs through the park.
Mississippi Ave Shopping & Dining
Shopping and dining along Mississippi is a great way to spend the day. Make sure to stop at Honey I'm Home, Erin's (Kevin's sister) shop for beautifully curated goods for the home, featuring items from Lion Looms (Kevin's brother's family's business) and To Love and Dye (Cara's hand dyeing business). Paxton Gate is one of the weirdest stores you'll come across. They sell taxidermy, mineral specimens, and plants. If you love cats, drop into GiftyKitty, a "meowgical" store for cat themed items. Uchu Sushi has a substantial menu with with everything from fried chicken to udon (and of course sushi) with an impressive amount of vegan sushi options. Mississippi Pizza has pizza by the slice, and offers at least one vegan option of varying tastiness. Kate's Ice Cream is amazing, plus it's vegan and gluten free! DesiPDX is up the street at a food cart pod and is delicious Indian food. Moberi has acai bowls and smoothies that are especially good on a hot day. Try the ube!
Food Cart Pods, Inner SE
Hawthorne Asylum and Cartopia are 2 blocks apart and have great food trucks. Hawthorne Asylum is more vegan friendly and has a large fire pit table for chilly days. Cartopia: 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
kann
Haitian food meets PNW fare at this open-fire restaurant that won James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant 2023. All dishes are gluten and dairy free, with a vegan menu available upon request. Reservations are required, and open through Resy on the 1st of the month at noon Pacific time for the following month.
ASTERA
The restaurant that was Farm Spirit, then Fermenter, then Workshop, and now Astera. Regardless of what it's called, it's one of the most delicious restaurants in Portland and it's been our go-to spot for celebrations since we met. It's a tasting menu of plant based creations that will blow you away with their creativeness and flavor. Come hungry- it's a lot of food! They offer homemade fermented beverages which should not be missed, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage pairings. Reservations are required and are available (maybe) 2 months prior.
Wonderwood Springs
Immersive fantasy cafe painted by local illustrator, Mike Bennett. It's a fun place to grab an afternoon snack with the family. Open Weds-Thurs 9:00-9:00 & Fri-Sun 9am-10pm Next door is Wonderwood Mini Golf which is a 9 hole indoor course with illustrations from the same artist. $10 per player, kids 3 and under are free. Open M-Th 1:00-7:30, Fri-Sun 10:00-8:30 (hours will be extended in the summer).
Gracie’s Apizza
Wood fired pizza in St. John's, and a favorite of Kevin's. Get there early because they sell out! Weds-Sat 5:00-8:00pm or until crust is sold out
Weird Sisters
Weird Sisters Yarn & Two Rivers Bookstore occupy the same storefront in St. John's. Two Rivers has a fantastic selection of cookbooks as well as locally handmade goods. Weird Sisters will be hosting Cara's yarn business for a trunk show in June! Mon-Sat 10-6 Sunday 10-4
Knot Springs
Adults only spa (18+) in SE Portland, overlooking the Burnside Bridge. Access to the springs features hot, tepid, and cold pools in additional to a sauna and steam room. Tues-Thurs before 3pm is $69 per person Any other time $89 per person They also offer massage, facials, and foot treatments which include access to the springs. Fitness classes are available as well, and can be added to a visit to the springs. Their aerial yoga classes are especially fun!
Loyal Legion
Beer hall with 99 local beers on tap. One stop to try lots of local beers! Sun-Thurs 12:00-12:00 Fri-Sat 12:00pm-2:00am
Farma Dispensary
It's a Portland rite of passage to visit one of the 150 cannabis dispensaries in the area. Farma, with its boutique interior and knowledgeable staff, have been named the best in Oregon by Leafly and Cannabis Now. Mon-Sat 10:00-9:50 Sun 11:00-7:00