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      • Craft Spirits
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      • Makers
      • Music
      • Nightlife
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      • Sellwood-Moreland
      • Williams
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a colorful map of North Portland highlighting prominent neighborhoods and landmarks
i
North Portland boasts striking landmarks, unique attractions and charming neighborhoods, including St. Johns, Mississippi, Williams and Kenton.
Credit: Subin Yang
Neighborhoods / North Portland

North Portland

From the beautiful blooms of Peninsula Park to the bustle of North Mississippi Avenue, there’s always more to explore in North Portland.

Updated May 13, 2025 8 min read North Portland

Portland’s so-called “Fifth Quadrant” is a lively patchwork of commercial districts, natural spaces and residential areas. It’s home to some of the city’s most charming neighborhoods, including St. Johns, Mississippi, Williams and Kenton. “NoPo” also boasts striking landmarks and unique attractions, like Cathedral Park, the historic St. Johns Bridge, and the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area (which, at nearly 2,000 acres [809.4 ha], is among America’s largest urban wetlands). Near the northern edge of North Portland you’ll find the Portland Expo Center — Oregon’s largest multi-purpose facility — and the Portland International Raceway.

a map of Portland's quadrants highlighting North Portland

North Portland sits atop the City of Roses, bordered by the Columbia River to the north, the Willamette River to the southwest, and North Williams Avenue to the east. Its position on the northern edge of the city provides easy access to nearby areas to explore, like Sauvie Island to the northwest and Vancouver, Washington, to the northeast.

About North Portland

History

Before South Portland was designated in 2020, North Portland was the city’s first more-than-four “quadrant.” Though today it’s an integral part of the city, some sections of the “Fifth Quadrant” weren’t actually part of Portland until relatively recently. In the 1940s, the stretch of land between Interstate 5 and Smith Lake was its own city, Vanport, whose story is part of Portland’s difficult racial history. A wartime housing development and home to laborers and their families, Vanport was destroyed by a flood in 1948 and never rebuilt. Its residents — as many as 40% of whom were Black — were displaced into Portland, where despite racism and discrimination they established communities and businesses. (Most Black Portlanders live on the city’s east side to this day, including in inner North and Northeast Portland’s “Soul District.”)

Unfortunately, the displacement of Black communities didn’t end with Vanport. By the mid-1900s, the historic Albina neighborhood — located near the southern edge of North Portland — had become home to most of Portland’s Black population. Beginning in the 1950s and continuing for decades, Portland used the excuse of “urban renewal” to displace hundreds of Black families, forcing them from their homes to allow for the construction of Interstate 5, the Legacy Emanuel Hospital and the Rose Quarter. Other communities have been subjected to devastation in North Portland as well. In 1942, the federal government unjustly detained nearly 4,000 Japanese Americans at the Pacific International Livestock Exposition Center — a site we know today as the Portland Expo Center.

Cultural Communities

No matter which neighborhood you're visiting, people in the LGBTQ+ community and of every ethnicity and culture can find themselves in the independent and welcoming Rose City.

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Neighborhoods

Today, North Portland is home to some of Portland’s liveliest areas. North Mississippi Avenue is a long stretch of great shopping, popular restaurants, bars, breweries and more. For a fun evening, grab happy hour bites at Mee-Sen Thai and a pre-Prohibition-style cocktail at Interurban, then catch some live music at Mississippi Studios. You’ll find even more culture, food and drink a mere half-mile to the east, on North Williams Avenue. If you’re in the mood to get in some steps, you can even stroll between the two (in fact, the pair is sometimes considered a single super-sized, super-cool neighborhood).

North Neighborhoods

Learn more about North Portland's most popular neighborhoods.

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Mississippi

Enjoy live music, local shops and popular restaurants and bars on this historic North Portland street.

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St. Johns

Discover a lesser-known side of Portland in St. Johns, home to one of Bridgetown’s most gorgeous spans and most beloved parks.

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Williams

Steps away from bustling Mississippi Avenue, this vibrant North Portland street offers stellar shopping, dining and activities.

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Kenton

Kenton is a charming North Portland neighborhood that offers plenty of ways to play — from accessible parks to public art and golf courses — plus a historic business district, local restaurants, popular shops, public parks and more.

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Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.

Originally one of the few company towns in Oregon, Kenton is another neighborhood you’ll want to explore. Right off the MAX Light Rail Yellow Line, the famed Paul Bunyan statue is an unmissable landmark, but Kenton’s unique flair doesn’t stop there: try the Kenton Club for a classic dive bar experience, Parkside for elevated pub fare and craft cocktails, or Mayfly for delicious draft beers and ciders (plus bottles and cans to take back home). Music lovers shouldn’t skip Speck’s — a hub for Portland’s vibrant music community, this shop offers an eclectic selection of records and tapes. Give & Take Resale is a charming consignment shop that’s packed to the rafters with cool clothes, jewelry, furniture, housewares and more.

Where to Stay in Portland

From traditional hotel offerings to cozy bed and breakfasts (plus vacation rentals, hostels, tiny houses and more), find a perfect place to stay in Portland.

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Short-Term Rentals in North Portland

Use the links below to search for short-term vacation rental listings in and near North Portland.

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Things to Do in North Portland

Food Cart Pods

Portland is the finest food cart destination on the planet, and once you start exploring them, it can be hard to stop. Happily, there are plenty of top-notch carts to mark off your foodie bucket list in North Portland. St. Johns Beer Porch offers food-cart-pod fun in St. Johns, complete with a covered seating area and regular events. Take your pick from more than a dozen carts and enjoy local beer, cider and wine.

On North Mississippi Avenue, Prost! is a popular brick-and-mortar pub serving up German food and beer. With the purchase of a drink at Prost!, you’re welcome to bring in food from the many adjoining carts in the Prost Marketplace food cart pod. Or, if you’re enjoying the outdoor vibe, hang out and savor your meal in the covered-and-heated seating area. From Mexican to Korean fusion to barbecue, the dining options are as extensive as they are delicious. In fact, some have called Prost Marketplace the best food cart pod in Portland.

More North Portland Food Carts

Don't stop now — more delicious food carts await exploration in North Portland.

  • KO Sisters Seoul Food

    KO Sisters Seoul Food serves up authentic Korean street food, from mozzarella-stuffed corndogs to skewers of rice cakes, sausage and seaweed. Those looking for Korean staples like kalbi, kimbap and bibimbap will also find them here.

  • Flavour Spot

    Pioneers of the “Dutch taco,” this ultra-popular Portland food cart has been serving waffle sandwiches since 2006.

  • DesiPDX

    DesiPDX is an entirely gluten-free food cart serving food inspired by Indian flavors blended with cooking styles from the West and other parts of the world.

  • El Coyote

    El Coyote food cart offers a variety of traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, tortas, burritos and more.

  • Honey Butter Country Fare

    Enjoy fair food favorites like corn dogs and funnel cakes at Honey Butter Country Fare. Each satisfying treat is made from scratch, and everything is gluten-free — extensive vegan options are also available.

Outdoor Adventure

Once your appetite is satisfied, you’ll be ready for your next adventure. A short jaunt from North Portland is Sauvie Island, one of the country’s largest river islands. Spread across its whopping 24,000 acres (9,712.5 ha) you’ll find activities of every type: explore the island’s natural beauty on foot, bicycle or boat; harvest you-pick berries, flowers, peaches and pumpkins; or just kick back and relax on one of several public beaches. North Portland also provides an ideal jumping off point to Forest Park to the west. A bike ride through St. Johns, across the St. Johns Bridge and into Forest Park is a great way to experience a variety of striking environments in a single afternoon.

Back in North Portland proper, a trip to Kelley Point Park provides a two-for-one deal on rivers — located at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette rivers, it’s a top-notch spot for birdwatching, picnicking or playing in the sand. For more wildlife encounters, don’t miss the nearby Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, where you can encounter more birds, beavers, otters, turtles and deer. When water levels are high, you can even explore the area’s two lakes via kayak or canoe. As the day winds down, consider a stop at Mocks Crest, near the south edge of North Portland. It’s a small park, but it offers great views of the hills, the city skyline and the Willamette River, making it a stellar spot to catch the sunset.

Attractions and Outings

Find an exciting new way to spend the day in the City of Roses' northernmost quadrant.

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Peninsula Park & Rose Garden

Discover outdoor fun for the whole family — plus thousands of blooms — at Oregon’s oldest public rose garden.

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Oregon Contemporary

In North Portland find visual art installations and performance art to collaborations with bands, chefs and mixologists, with international curators and partnerships with Oregon art makers, Oregon Contemporary is the cutting edge of visual arts.

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Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.

Two cars drag race at Portland International Raceway.

Portland International Raceway

Portland International Raceway hosts a spectrum of exciting events, including cycling, drag racing and motocross, auto shows and obstacle course events.

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Portland Record Stores

From vintage wax to new European imports, those rare releases you’ve been searching for are surely waiting at one of these rockin’ local vinyl stores.

Explore Portland With Near Me Now

Are you in Portland or visiting soon? Our Near Me Now web app will lead you to some of our favorite neighborhood spots.

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Sports and Speed

Sports fans will also find fun in this quadrant. Portland International Raceway (PIR) is a multi-use motorsport facility located just west of Interstate 5 (and just steps from the Delta Park/Vanport MAX Light Rail Station). On 268 acres (108 ha) of land you’ll find a 2-mile (3.2-km) track, a drag racing strip and a dirt course for motocross bikes. PIR hosts a wide range of events, including races of all stripes (from bicycles to motorcycles to sports cars to Indy cars), car shows, a holiday light show, runs, walks, obstacle events and more — there are even opportunities to get your own car on the track. Just a mile to the west you’ll find Heron Lakes Golf Club, home to two championship courses. Play a round, take a lesson or hit a bucket of balls, all at reasonable public-course prices. Nearby Delta Park, conveniently located just off Interstate 5, hosts soccer and softball tournaments.

More to Explore

Breweries

It wouldn’t be Portland without beer and breweries (fortunately, it is Portland). Migration Brewing pours some of the tastiest pints in the city, like the Straight Outta Portland IPA and the Patio Pale Ale. Speaking of patios, Migration has a good one, so you can enjoy your suds while soaking up some rays. Just two blocks south, up-and-comer AleFire offers a winning combination: “cold beer and hot sauce.” They don’t brew their own beer, but they do have an extensive list of local brews on tap. Enjoy a pint while perusing a truly impressive assortment of hot sauces. They also have beer by the can and bottle, so you can take some to go.

North Portland Restaurants

Introduce your taste buds to the "Fifth Quadrant's" robust restaurant scene.

  • Gracie’s Apizza

    Find New Haven-inspired, coal-fired pizza with oblong pies that arrive with a lightly charred bottom, a slight chew and an array of locally sourced toppings.

  • Tiny Bubble Room

    This taproom and restaurant is known for an expansive patio and a large selection of top-notch craft beers. They also offer cocktails, wine and Southern-style eats.

  • EEM

    Eem brings a vibrant and irreverent approach to dining and imbibing in Portland. They serve creative Thai barbecue, rich curries, craft cocktails and more.

  • Mississippi Pizza and Atlantis Lounge

    Based on three guiding principles — great pizza, family-friendly live music and serving the local community — Mississippi Pizza has been a local favorite for food and entertainment since 2001.

  • ¿Por Qué No? Taqueria – Mississippi

    “Why not?” in Spanish, this cheery and bright taqueria offers tacos on homemade flour tortillas. Get a margarita or a beer to complement your meal, and enjoy it in their colorful outdoor patio.

Near the west end of North Portland is Occidental Brewing Company, a St. Johns staple. They do things a little differently, sidestepping the IPA craze to focus instead on refreshing, drinkable lagers and ales. The taproom’s super-close proximity to Cathedral Park is just the icing on the cake.

Events

North Portland is also home to a variety of lively events, giving you ample opportunities to socialize and snack. The Mississippi Street Fair is the largest of Portland’s many street fairs — much of North Mississippi Avenue is blocked off for the action, creating a pedestrian’s paradise. Every July, this family-friendly event offers visitors the chance to peruse homemade goods, indulge in delicious food and dance to multiple stages’ worth of music. Another excellent event for music lovers, the free Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is the longest-running jazz festival west of the Mississippi River. Relax on the grass while you enjoy the tunes and take in views of the picturesque St. Johns Bridge. Local food carts ensure the fans are well-fed, and drinks are available in the beer and wine garden.

North Portland Shopping

From clothes to consignments to collectibles, find tax-free deals on must-have goods.

  • Mantel

    This store’s eclectic mix of products ranges from modern ceramics and jewelry to vintage cameras. Most of their hand-crafted wares are made by local or regional artists.

  • Monochromatic

    Monochromatic is a women-owned clothing store providing ethical apparel highlighting ethically sourced clothing with a playful workwear ethos while working with small-batch designers that share a commitment to sustainable and ethical fashion.

  • Workshop Vintage

    This boutique offers locally designed goods alongside vintage items. Peruse apparel, accessories, jewelry, furniture, collectibles, home decor and more.

  • Paxton Gate – Mississippi

    This eclectic shop on North Mississippi Avenue deals in exotic plants, taxidermy, animal skulls, curios and mounted insects — basically, everything you need to outfit your home like a Victorian naturalist.

  • Flutter

    This shop offers “a delightful disarray of found objects and clutter.” Shop for vintage, one-of-a-kind items for the home, like birdcages, mirrors, postcards and curios, as well as jewelry and fragrances.

The St. Johns Bizarre fills its namesake neighborhood with music, games and activities (and even more great food). The festival is coupled with the St. Johns Parade, a beloved tradition that has been flooding local streets with floats, bands, horses, kids and classic cars since 1962. St. Johns also hosts a charming farmers’ market — find fresh food, local goods and live music every Saturday, May through October. What if you’re busy on the weekends, or you’re just not a morning person? No problem: visit the Kenton Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons, June through September.

North Portland is also home to the Portland Expo Center, a massive multi-use convention center near the city’s northern edge. With its five spacious exhibit halls and more than 333,000 square feet (101,498 sq m) of total space, it’s home to some of the biggest events in the Pacific Northwest. Their long-running annual shows include the Portland Boat Show, the Portland Tattoo Expo and the Portland Golf Show. They also host awesome one-off events like music festivals and Cirque du Soleil shows.

Neighborhoods
Related Content

More Portland Neighborhoods

No two Portland neighborhoods are the same — learn more about other parts of the city.

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Also in Neighborhoods

Belmont

Located a few blocks from Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, Belmont, a once sleepy residential street boasts its own mix of vintage and indie shops, coffee houses, bars and food carts.

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Also in Neighborhoods

Cully

This family-friendly Northeast Portland community brims with historic architecture and great eateries.

st. johns bridge seen through trees
Also in North Portland

St. Johns

Discover a lesser-known side of Portland in St. Johns, home to one of Bridgetown’s most gorgeous spans and most beloved parks.

Portland’s Quadrants

Explore the six “quadrants” (yes — there are six of them!) that make up the City of Roses.

Go To Neighborhoods
a colorful map of Southwest Portland and South Portland highlighting prominent neighborhoods and landmarks

Southwest Portland

Best known for lively downtown Portland, this quadrant is also home to Washington Park’s numerous attractions, Goose Hollow’s blend of historic and modern, the small-town charm of Multnomah Village and more.

a colorful map of Southeast Portland highlighting prominent neighborhoods and landmarks

Southeast Portland

Southeast Portland embodies many of Portland’s best-known attributes: hip, artsy, quirky, foody. It’s home to popular neighborhoods, lively food-and-drink districts, peaceful parks and more.

a colorful map of Northwest Portland highlighting prominent neighborhoods and landmarks

Northwest Portland

Northwest Portland is a study in contrasts, from swank shops and restaurants in the central city to the natural beauty of Forest Park — and everything in between.

a colorful map of Northeast Portland highlighting prominent neighborhoods and landmarks

Northeast Portland

For shows, sports and big events, Northeast Portland is hard to beat. It’s also home to many popular neighborhoods, noteworthy sights and attractions, and top-notch restaurants and bars.

a colorful map of Southwest Portland and South Portland highlighting prominent neighborhoods and landmarks

South Portland

South Portland is a slim strip of land on the west side of the Willamette River. This laid-back river community is a perfect 10 for water recreation, low-key urban green spaces and lots of spots to eat, drink & shop.

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