Portland Media Kit

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Street Scene (neighborhoods)

"Portland is a bracing mixture – vital without being precocious, laid-back without being starry-eyed... More than that, Portland is funky. Not in a self-conscious way, but as a reflection of how the locals choose to live."
– The London Times

As Portland's 25-year vision plan notes, vibrant, diverse neighborhoods are home to all manner of people, "but it's all the other things that give a place its soul — the cafés and markets, the art, parks, plazas, vistas and sanctuaries." Portland's districts have distinct personalities, which is perhaps unusual for a relatively small city. The stylish Pearl District, sophisticated Nob Hill and artsy Alberta are just a few members of Portland's family of neighborhoods.

Alberta Arts District — The Artist

Northeast Alberta Street between 12th and 31st avenues is a multicultural hot spot. One of Portland's oldest neighborhoods, it has seen a revival as a thriving community with an exhilarating blend of cultures. Look for Asian and Latino businesses, African-American galleries, and grassroots arts studios, as well as trendy boutiques and top-rated restaurants. The Last Thursday Art Walk features art in galleries, studios, restaurants and cafés, with performers and vendors generating a street-fair-style atmosphere. This counterpart to Old Town and the Pearl District's First Thursday event is held on the last Thursday of each month.

Cork wine shop is a great source for hand-selected, value-priced wines from around the world. The store prides itself on its selection of more than 100 bottles that sell for less than $20. Rounding out the inventory are artisan chocolate bars and chef-approved ingredients for the home cook, including olive oils, squid ink, smoked paprika and more. 

For a taste of Alberta Street: Fifteen varieties of fresh oysters are on the menu at the aptly named Alberta Street Oyster Bar & Grill, a neighborhood joint with a menu that stretches from sweetbreads and fine wine to burgers and microbrews. Nearby, Bernie's Southern Bistro has a lush patio that has become one of the most popular outdoor dining spots in the city. With a seasonal menu, Bernie's serves Cajun, Creole and Southern faves. Also relying on seasonal, local ingredients is Ciao Vito, an Italian trattoria with an airy bar and open-kitchen design.

Alberta Arts District – www.artonalberta.org

Cultural District — The Entertainer

Portland's parks are its gems and few sparkle as luminously as downtown's South Park Blocks. The city's major cultural institutions and elegant high-rise residences border the park, prompting the area's name: the Cultural District. A stroll through this stately neighborhood offers block after block of ancient elms, rich green lawns and inviting park benches. Flanking this green space are a historic auditorium (the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall), a modern theater complex (Antoinette Hatfield Hall of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts), a nationally recognized art museum (Portland Art Museum), the Oregon Historical Society and the campus of Portland State University.

The South Park Blocks also provide a surprisingly intimate setting for outdoor events, including OBT Exposed! (the Oregon Ballet Theatre's weeklong outdoor rehearsal series). The nearby university and the seasonal Portland Farmers Market add just the right ingredients to the neighborhood mix. (See "All Year ‘Round" section for additional event information.)

For a taste of the Cultural District: Try the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine of Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar. Just look for the giant bronze salmon bursting through the bricks of this corner building at Southwest Ninth Avenue and Salmon Street. Nearby, Higgins Restaurant & Bar offers fine Northwest cuisine in a setting inspired by classic French bistros.

Downtown Portland – www.downtownportland.org

Hawthorne and Belmont — The Bohemians

Hippies and hipsters mingle on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and Southeast Belmont Street, two close-in eastside arteries that help set the cultural pace in Portland. Eclectic is the norm here, characterized by a "come as you are" attitude that creates a relaxed, casual atmosphere. The London Times aptly summed up the scene, stating, "Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard on a Friday night is a beguiling mixture of gentrification and radicalism."

Anchoring the Hawthorne district is the historic Bagdad Theater and Pub, a wonder of Moorish architecture restored to its original glory by Portland's popular brewers, the McMenamin brothers. The Bagdad is one of the city's many view-and-brew-style venues, where patrons watch recent flicks (admission is usually $3) while savoring craft beer and pizza.

Shoppers will find everything from indie-designed fashions to specialty housewares and vintage clothes. Powell's Books has two outposts on Hawthorne — both a general bookstore and one focused on volumes for gardeners and cooks. The Perfume House offers an astonishing collection of rare scents and invites adventurous shoppers to concoct their own custom blends. Perhaps you prefer strolling to shopping. At the east end of Hawthorne Boulevard, Mt. Tabor Park offers panoramic views of the city from atop an extinct volcano.

For a taste of Belmont and Hawthorne: Join the breakfast crowds at Belmont's Utopia Café for innovative scrambled egg dishes, brioche French toast and blue-corn pancakes. For a one-of-a-kind lunch, the fish-shaped cornbread sandwiches, baked with all manner of delectable fillings (but no fish), at Hawthorne's No Fish! Go Fish! taste great with a bowl of soup or on the go. For dinner, Castagna and its adjoining bistro serve up innovative French and Italian cuisine on lower Hawthorne, while Belmont's Wild Abandon serves eclectic Northwest fare in a casual, funky space. Satisfy a sweet tooth at Saint Cupcake, or finish your day with a drink at the cozy, sultry Sapphire Hotel (no rooms; just a bar).

Hawthorne – www.thinkhawthorne.com
Belmont – www.belmontbusiness.org

Hollywood —The Character

The California city of the same name may have landed the glamorous lead role, but this northeast Portland neighborhood is the interesting character actor whose quirky personality enhances every scene. Anchored by the Hollywood Theatre, a historic 1926 landmark with a towering neon sign, the Hollywood District bustles with vintage resale and antique shops, retro salons and fun, old-fashioned restaurants. With the neighborhood's residential blocks and sprawling public parks, visiting Hollywood is like taking a trip back to Mayberry days.

If the décor of vintage Hollywood films speaks to you, then Shag Midcentury Modern is calling your name. This vintage boutique promises the perfect piece to pull together a swanky sunken living room. More original finds can be had at Periodicals and Book Paradise, where stacks of old magazines and books are available at very reasonable prices. If you've ever wanted the Time magazine from the week you were born, this archive just might have it.

It wouldn't be Hollywood without some glitter and glam, so anyone spending time here should pay a visit to the Hollywood Theatre. The building has as much character as the movies it screens — no small feat, considering that its foreign and art-house films rotate frequently. For a different dose of celebrity, Grant Park's Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden honors the acclaimed children's author, who spent her youth in this neighborhood. The garden features life-size sculptures of three of her best-loved characters: Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins and Henry's dog, Ribsy.

For a taste of Hollywood: Did we mention Hollywood's retro appeal? At the Rheinlander, hearty German fare is served with a side of polkas and lederhosen. At the other end of Hollywood (and the world), Pagoda Restaurant & Lounge recalls the campy Chinese restaurants of the 1950s and '60s, complete with a red, faux-leather lounge in which to sample umbrella drinks.

Hollywood Neighborhood Association – www.hollywoodinportland.org

Mississippi Avenue — The New Kid

A mere hop-skip across the Willamette River from downtown is North Mississippi Avenue, a neighborhood that has reinvented itself following the 2004 MAX light rail connection and an influx of local entrepreneurs. Perhaps no establishment better embodies the area's self-made vibe than The Rebuilding Center, a 40,000-square-foot (12,192-square-meter) emporium of recycled home materials that outfitted many of the new businesses along the avenue. A cornerstone of the burgeoning area is the Fresh Pot coffeehouse, a converted pharmacy with Wi-Fi and outdoor seating. Quirky cafés, restaurants, bars and a craft brewery (Amnesia Brewing) are mixed among retail establishments like Pin-Me Apparel and Bridge City Comics, a lively hotspot for graphic novel enthusiasts. Mississippi Avenue cranks up the volume with music, art and food on the second Thursday of each month at the popular Mississippi Social. Mississippi Studios' intimate space is considered the city's best venue for acoustic music.

For a taste of Mississippi: There are hearty breakfasts at Gravy restaurant, savory dinners at Equinox, and seasonal entrees at Lovely Hula Hands restaurant. Nightly live music goes well with the pizza and beer at Mississippi Pizza & Pub, while Mississippi Station, the restaurant adjoining Mississippi Studios, features a relaxing patio where outdoor movies are shown in the summer.

Mississippi Avenue – www.mississippiave.com

Multnomah Village — The Charmer

Multnomah Village's laid-back, quiet personality is a pleasant alternative to Portland's busier neighborhoods. A short drive south of downtown leads into Multnomah's winding, cozy streets. Antique shops, an independent bookstore (Annie Bloom's), cafés and a new generation of boutiques lend this village its relaxing vibe. A refreshing mix of galleries and specialty shops round out the experience.

For a taste of Multnomah Village: Any local will point in the direction of Marco's Café and Espresso Bar. Here, innovative breakfasts are served all day and the eclectic dinner menu changes nightly. Originally built as the Thomas Bungalow Grocery in 1913, Marco's historic structure housed the first Multnomah Post Office and was also used as a Masonic Lodge and dance hall. Nearby is the Lucky Labrador Public House, one of Portland's craft beer outlets. The Lucky Lab's historic building was once home to the Orenomah Chapter of Freemasons. Today, the pub is a hot spot for both beer lovers and their four-legged friends. (Dogs are always welcome in the outdoor patio area.)

MultnomahVillage – www.multnomahvillage.com

Nob Hill (Northwest Portland) — The Sophisticate

Located at the base of Portland's west hills, Nob Hill (also known simply as "Northwest Portland") shares more than a passing similarity to its San Francisco namesake. Turn-of-the-century Victorians line the narrow streets, offering visitors a glimpse into the city's rich architectural past. Storefronts have been restored, transforming Northwest 23rd Avenue into a shopper's heaven. Eclectic, whimsical and sophisticated boutiques offer everything from tiaras to topiaries. Restaurants, pubs and cafés, many of which open to the street in warmer months, offer perfect vantage points for some of the city's best people-watching. Rounding out the atmosphere of Northwest are the many trees lining the streets — an unusual site in most urban landscapes, but par for the course in Portland.

City Market NW and Zupan's are urban neighborhood markets with a Pacific Northwest twist. Local farmers and seafood purveyors supply the markets — as well as many of Portland's best restaurants — with Oregon hazelnuts, Marionberries, pears, salmon, oysters, cheeses and mushrooms. The majority of these items are grown, caught or made within an hour's drive of Portland.

For a taste of Nob Hill/Northwest: Try the tempting Thai at Typhoon!, seasonal menus of haute cuisine at 23Hoyt or delightful desserts at Papa Haydn — all three eateries can be found along Northwest 23rd Avenue. The handcrafted truffles at Moonstruck Chocolate Café (open late) give an added incentive to spend a bit more time on 23rd. Nearby 21st Avenue is a mecca for gourmands seeking to sample the local cuisine at some of Portland's finest eateries, including Paley's Place, Lucy's Table and Wildwood.

Nob Hill/Northwest Portland – www.nobhillbiz.com

Old Town/Chinatown — The Chameleon

Below the streets of this river district, the "Portland Underground" (or "Shanghai Tunnels," as they are commonly known) serves as a reminder of the days when unsavory characters shanghaied thousands of unsuspecting sailors, loggers and ranchers. The Portland Underground consists of tunnels, catacombs and, reportedly, an assortment of ghosts. The Northwest Paranormal Investigations group claims this to be the second most haunted place on the West Coast, and tour operators who have experienced "incidents" agree.

In modern times — and at street level — the neighborhood has reinvented itself as a bustling art and entertainment district, as well as home to one of the largest collections of cast-iron buildings in the United States (second only to New York's SoHo District). Every weekend from March through December, Old Town hosts the well-known Portland Saturday Market (open Sundays, too), the nation's largest and longest running open-air crafts market. Centered around the historic Skidmore Fountain, the city's first piece of public art, the market offers items from more than 350 artists and craftspeople.

Portland's Chinatown makes up a significant part of Old Town and is home to the Portland Classical Chinese Garden. Named Lan Su Yuan, or "Garden of Awakening Orchids," this is one of the largest Suzhou-style gardens outside of China. The ornate Chinatown Gateway (at the intersection of Southwest Fourth Avenue and West Burnside Street) was assembled in Taiwan by artisans who adorned it with nearly 200 dragons and other mythical characters.

For a taste of Old Town/Chinatown: Don't miss House of Louie for authentic Chinese fare. Old Town Pizza, a Portland institution, still boasts "dead-fall" trap doors in the floor of its 1880s building. They lead, as you might suspect, directly to the Portland Underground. Velvet couches, fringed lampshades and a grand saloon bar evoke days of old. Just mind your step!

Old Town/Chinatown – www.oldtownchinatown.net

The Pearl District — The Bon Vivant

When exploring this modern, upscale neighborhood adjacent to Portland's downtown, keep one thing in mind — 15 years ago this place was an uninviting industrial zone. In the mid-1990s the Pearl started to undergo a tremendous makeover, its warehouses and factories gradually converted into mixed-use commercial and residential buildings that now encompass hip housing, stylish shops and eye-catching eateries. This blend of modern architecture, restored historic structures and bold public parks demonstrates how visionary planning can create energy in previously unremarkable urban spaces. A stroll in the Pearl — or a trip through it on the Portland Streetcar — testifies to Portland's reputation as "the city that works."

The Pearl's evolution is ongoing, as Travel + Leisure magazine notes: "Trendy restaurants, clothing shops, and art galleries are popping up along the streets in the Pearl District, the next place to see and be seen in Portland, a city reaching new levels of cool." National retailers, including Anthropologie, The North Face and West Elm, have shops in the Pearl, as do many creative and energetic local entrepreneurs. Powell's City of Books is one of the oldest Pearl District businesses. Recognized as the largest independent bookstore in the world, Powell's spans a full city block and rises three stories — and growing — to house its selection of 1 million new, used and out-of-print titles.

The Pearl hosts events such as First Thursday, a monthly gallery walk (see "Works in Progress" section), and Art in the Pearl, an annual arts and crafts festival held over Labor Day weekend. The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA), Pacific Northwest College of Art, and the Art Institute of Portland are all here, too. Portland Center Stage, one of the city's major theatrical companies, makes its home in the Gerding Theater at the Armory. Following its 2006 renovation, this 1891 building became the first National Historic Landmark to receive a LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) Platinum-level certification. The Museum of Contemporary Craft — one of Portland's oldest cultural institutions — relocated to the Pearl in 2007 and houses more than 1,000 craft objects, as well as curated exhibitions and a retail craft gallery.

For a taste of the Pearl District: Try the trés chic Bluehour restaurant, whose bar is one of glitziest scenes in Portland; the Pearl Bakery, a sustainably focused bakery with a loyal local following; Jimmy Mak's, ranked by Down Beat magazine as one of the top 100 places in the world to hear jazz; or Wilf's, a velveted, retro restaurant and piano bar that, for the past three decades, has anchored one end of the city's historic train station. Oregon's oldest craft brewery, BridgePort Brewing, also calls the Pearl District home, welcoming the thirsty — and hungry — to its recently remodeled brewpub and bakery.

Pearl District – www.explorethepearl.com

Sellwood-Moreland — The Classic

Sellwood-Moreland is a vibrant and thriving section of southeast Portland that hasn't lost touch with its old village roots. Originally incorporated as an independent city complete with saloons, blacksmith shops, hotels and a hospital, this area was finally annexed to the city of Portland in 1893. In today's Sellwood-Moreland, it isn't hard to imagine how things might have been at the turn of the century. Antiques are the name of the game here, with everything from high-end to rustic — with a dash of kitsch thrown in for good measure. Dozens of dealers operate from Victorian homes, rescued storefronts and even the occasional antique mall. Stars Antiques brings together dozens of independent dealers in three separate Sellwood locations. Restaurants and cafés dot the landscape between shops, making it the perfect place for a leisurely Sunday afternoon tour or a romantic evening out.

Sellwood is also home to Oaks Park, Portland's only amusement park — and one of the nation's oldest, operating continuously since 1905. In addition to a modest collection of rides and plenty of nostalgia, Oaks Park includes the largest roller rink on the West Coast. Just down the Springwater Corridor trail, you're likely to spot Portland's official bird, the great blue heron, at the 163-acre (0.66-square-kilometer) bird-watchers' paradise known as Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

For a taste of Sellwood-Moreland: Try dinner at Saburo's Sushi House, where a line forms out the door nearly every night as prospective diners queue for large portions of delicious, fresh sushi. Sellwood-Moreland is also home to Caprial's Bistro, where diners enjoy the masterful creations of celebrity chefs Caprial and John Pence. Cooking classes are also offered.

UP-AND-COMERS

Still a secret to most visitors (unless you know a native), these nifty neighborhoods are definitely worth checking out.

 

Division/Clinton

Division/Clinton is a living homage to American culture. On Southeast Division Street, Langlitz Leathers is where the motorcycle jacket was invented in 1947. The neighborhood's gym, Loprinzi's, opened in 1948 as one of the nation's first body-building gyms. And, just a block to the south, at the Clinton Street Theater, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been screened every Saturday night since 1978 — its longest run in the world.

What's new in the neighborhood are all the great restaurants: Nuestra Cocina, Lauro Kitchen, Pok Pok and Pix Pâtisserie on Division Street; Vindalho on Clinton Street. These recent additions happily coexist alongside old favorites such as Dot's Café and Noho's Hawaiian Café. Oregon's smallest brewery, Clinton Street Brewing — which supplies beer to the theater next door — is also located here.

Division/Clinton – www.divisionclinton.com

East Burnside

Until recently, East Burnside Street, just across the river from Old Town, was a lackluster light-industrial zone. These days, the blocks between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 12th Avenue (also called Lower Burnside or "LoBu") reflect an exciting resurgence, from restaurants and bars to a top music venue adjoining a mid-century motel that's received a serious upgrade.

Anchoring the district, the Doug Fir Lounge has a ‘50s vibe imparted by the generous use of wood, wood and more wood — Douglas fir, of course — throughout the interior. The restaurant serves comfort food with a Northwest spin, while the cozy and acoustically impeccable music venue draws local and national acts. If the show runs late, you can get a room at the adjacent Jupiter Hotel, a former Travelodge renovated with mid-century décor.

Fine dining options on Burnside include the acclaimed French bistro Le Pigeon and the always fresh, always local offerings of the Farm Café. The neighborhood's rowdy roots can still be found at The Galaxy, a locals' favorite karaoke joint, while the top-floor Rocket Restaurant offers great views of downtown.

South Waterfront

Although South Waterfront is Portland's newest neighborhood, it was also the site of the city's first residence, built in 1842 by sailor William Johnson and his Native American wife, Mary. In 2004, ground was broken on South Waterfront, the nation's largest sustainable redevelopment project. Oregon's first totally green neighborhood, South Waterfront is connected to downtown by the Portland Streetcar and to the Marquam Hill campus of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) by the Portland Aerial Tram (see "Getting Around" for more about the tram). This high-rise district is already home to Oregon's tallest residential tower (31 stories) and will grow to include several mixed-use buildings, a neighborhood park and a greenway along the river.

South Waterfront – www.southwaterfront.com

28th Avenue

Northeast Portland claims it. So does Southeast. Seems everyone wants a piece of "Restaurant Row," as 28th Avenue is often called. Intersecting Burnside Street, the dividing line between north and south Portland, 28th Avenue has equally interesting restaurants and shops on either side. From Mediterranean to Mexican, it's all here. At the southernmost end of the row, there's Ken's Artisan Pizza with its fabulous pies; at the street's northernmost end, Pambiche serves up outrageously good Cuban food and desserts. In between, check out Alma Chocolate, where you can pick up an edible work of art hand-brushed with 23-karat gold; Lady Luck Vintage, the place to score chic pieces from the past; and the Laurelhurst Theater, an art deco movie palace that serves microbrews and pizza with second-run films.

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