Portland’s beauty lies not only in its physical attractiveness — the green, tree-lined hills and streets, sparkling Willamette River and snow-topped Mt. Hood sitting in the distance — it’s in the variety of restaurants to try and exciting things to do. The city has so many places to eat (from fine dining with 360 degree views at the top of a skyscraper to some of the best food carts in America) and activities to do (summer concerts, brew pedal adventures from brewery to brewery and more), there’s a lot to take in, so let us be your guide to staying and playing (with some eating, of course) in Portland.
Eat
You have to brunch when you come to Portland, as it’s the most important meal of the weekend. For a new spot, try Tasty n Alder. As the younger sibling of the wildly popular Tasty n Sons in North Portland, the recently-opened eatery on 12th and Alder offers an equally delicious dining experience in downtown’s West End. The menu, which has already garnered fantastic buzz, reflects what’s in season and incorporates local farmers’ produce seamlessly. You obviously can’t go wrong with the chocolate potato doughnuts with crème anglaise or the tasty (pun intended) cast iron frittata with asparagus, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, provolone and torn basil. If the success of chef-owner John Gorham’s Tasty n Sons and Toro Bravo is any indication, you can expect lines at Tasty n Alder, but also a memorable meal.
For a bit of a drive and fine-dining (about 40 minutes south of Portland proper), head to downtown Newberg, Oregon, where you’ll find The Painted Lady Restaurant in the heart of the state’s pinot noir country. The Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star restaurant has, not surprisingly, an extremely well stocked wine selection from Oregon, California and elsewhere, and chef Allen Routt uses local purveyors to source seasonal ingredients for his modern American cuisine. Pick delectable dishes from the five-course tasting menu such as seared diver scallop with warm hearts of palm and citrus or slow-roasted steelhead served with parsnip, lentil sauce and bacon.
Play
Portland’s Major League Soccer team, the Timbers, is a beloved part of the city and reason why we’ve earned the title of “Soccer City, USA.” Even if you are not a hard-core soccer fan, a Timbers match is something to experience. From uber supporters, the Timbers Army, at one end of the outdoor stadium, to stands packed with season ticket holders, you’ll enjoy the electric energy at JELD-WEN Field. Purchase tickets in the Club section for some of the best seats in the house.
From sports to culture, slip into one of the 25 largest museums in the nation, the Portland Art Museum, for a bit of indoor fun. It’s recognized for its marvelous permanent collection (including Vincent van Gogh’s The Ox-Cart and paintings by the great 19th-century landscape artist, George Inness), and also features more than 20 special exhibitions each year. Through September 8, see Gaston Lachaise’s Man/Woman exhibition, which features more than 50 bronze and marble pieces of nude bodies, and sculptures including the famed Standing Woman.
Stay
All the exploring can take it out of you, so retreat back to Portland’s charming Hotel deLuxe to rest and reinvigorate. When you step in to the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel, you’ll feel like old Hollywood royalty, and will be treated equally as well. This luxury boutique property is in walking distance from downtown, Portland’s delightful Northwest shopping areas and dining scene, as well as the Portland Timbers’ stadium. For even more of a “Portland” experience, check out Hotel deLuxe’s “Cycles, Sips and Scoops” package. You’ll be treated to luxurious accommodations, two tickets to the Portland Art Museum’s Cyclepedia exhibition (featuring bikes that were picked as turning points in bicycle design), copies of Cyclepedia: A Century of Iconic Bicycle Design and Hop in the Saddle: A Guide to Portland’s Craft Beer Scene by Bike, full-day bike rentals for two and two flights of seasonal ice cream from Salt & Straw, a Portland favorite.
iStock-JoelCarillet, Starwood Hotels And Resorts Worldwide Inc, Portland Art Museum and Hotel deLuxe
