{"id":44180,"date":"2018-05-01T00:00:05","date_gmt":"2018-04-30T14:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=44180"},"modified":"2018-05-14T04:00:34","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T18:00:34","slug":"you-need-to-go-to-portland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/you-need-to-go-to-portland\/","title":{"rendered":"You NEED to go to Portland. Here\u2019s why."},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently spent five glorious days in Portland<\/a> and I\u2019m still raving about it to anyone who\u2019ll listen. I bump into you in a public bathroom? I\u2019m telling you how pretty Portland is, with its cool old houses and eerie X-Files<\/em>-ish forests. We make eye contact in a lift? You\u2019ve just signed up for an impassioned speech about how friendly Portlandians are \u2013 so laid-back and welcoming. You\u2019re giving me a Serious Talk about bailing up my co-workers in toilets and elevators? I\u2019m telling you to relaaaax, \u2018cause everything and everyone is chilled-out in Portland.<\/p>\n

In Portland, rushing from tourist spot to tourist spot just doesn\u2019t feel right. It\u2019s the kind of place where you want to stay a bit longer and take your time. Even my five days didn\u2019t feel long enough! Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n

1. The neighbourhoods<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Downtown Portland is fun, but Portland\u2019s heart \u2013 and its best restaurants, bars, and shops \u2013 are in its neighbourhoods. And because Portland\u2019s public transport is amazing<\/strong> (so cheap! So frequent!), it\u2019s easy to go exploring. Don\u2019t miss the Pearl District, Nob Hill, Concordia, Boise-Eliot, or Mississippi.<\/p>\n

2. The houses<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s another reason you\u2019ll want to spend some serious time in Portland\u2019s neighbouhoods \u2013 the gorgeous houses.<\/p>\n

Like this tin one.<\/p><\/div>\n

Or this purple one.<\/p><\/div>\n

In fact, most of Portland\u2019s must-visit restaurants, bars, and boutiques are housed in… well, old houses. Which is great, because it made me feel a bit less stalky for taking so many photos.<\/p>\n

3. The shopping<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Even if you\u2019re not a shopper, hear me out. Portland is home to some seriously unique stores that you\u2019ve got to at least browse. We\u2019re talking vintage boutiques…<\/p>\n

Like Flutter<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

..organic and alternative food…<\/p>\n

Like The Meadow<\/a>, with its emphasis on salt cooking<\/p><\/div>\n

..and the incredibly specialised.<\/p>\n

Like Sunlan Lighting<\/a>, aka the light bulb store. It sells light bulbs. That\u2019s it. You have absolutely no reason to go here. And yet I totally recommend it.<\/p><\/div>\n

My absolutely fave is Paxton Gate<\/a>, an incredible rabbit hole of vintage taxidermy, natural curiosities, and handmade gifts and jewellery. The staff are champs and don\u2019t mind if you take photos (which I guarantee you will).<\/p>\n

Paxton Gate<\/p><\/div>\n

4. Powell\u2019s Books<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Powell\u2019s City of Books<\/a> is the world\u2019s largest independent bookstore and epic enough to deserve its own bullet point. It\u2019s spread over four levels and an entire city block<\/em>, and it\u2019s easy to lose an afternoon there. Forget about that spare room you thought you had in your suitcase – it was doomed the moment you walked through the door.<\/p>\n

Shut up and take my money!<\/p><\/div>\n

Keep an eye out for the pole of autographs. It\u2019s in the gold room, near the horror section.<\/p><\/div>\n

5. ALL THE FOOD<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Portland doesn\u2019t do big chains. I don\u2019t spot a single McDonald\u2019s, KFC, Popeyes, In-N-Out Burger or anything. What it does do is independent, local, and delicious food, with a particular focus on organic and vegie-friendly menus.<\/p>\n

My top pick? Pok Pok<\/a> on SE Division Street. It\u2019s legendary for its authentic Thai and Southeast Asian noms, and Ike\u2019s Vietnamese fish sauce wings are its signature dish. They are life-changing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

EAT THESE<\/p><\/div>\n

My very satisfied tummy also recommends the Imperial<\/a> for simple, yet elegant Pacific Northwestern cuisine, Kim Jong Smokehouse<\/a> for Korean-style street food fused with Southern-style barbecue, Wiz Bang Bar<\/a> for gourmet soft serve, and Blue Star<\/a> for delicious (and surprisingly sophisticated) doughnuts.<\/p>\n

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Ice-cream. My one true love. #portland #oregon #icecream #food #travel #eatallthethings<\/a><\/p>\n

A post shared by Cassie Britland<\/a> (@cassiebritland) on