Portland was one of the cities that was extremely high on my bucket list of places to visit. Unfortunately, if you have perused our travel regrets, you would know that I was sick the entire time I was there. I did not let this stop me! I was up early and ready to head into the city. I chugged down some cough syrup, grabbed a box of tissues, and was out the door. Here were some of my favorite things to do in Portland.
I was ready to rock this city :) I managed to squeeze in most of my “things to do” list on this trip. However, I knew that being sick, chugging cough syrup, and drinking my fair share of Portland’s craft beer would eventually lead to me suffering great memory loss. Photos would be necessary.
The first thing to do in Portland is pretty much the same as in any other city. Start your day off with a nice nutritious breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day!
Voodoo Doughnuts was my chosen way to start “My day in Portland”.
After consuming this sugary beast, we did the next thing on my list. We took a stroll through Downtown and into the Pearl District while taking some amazing photos of historical Portland. Downtown Portland was filled with quirky little things like this sign.
We knew we arrived at the Pearl District when we came across Powell’s Books. Powell’s is so huge, it claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world.
Once in the Pearl district, we came across many cool buildings and eclectic shops.
I could walk through this city for days. There were amazing sights everywhere.
Conveniently this lead us directly to the next thing to do on my list. We walked and killed time while waiting to complete the third, and most important thing on my list. Breweries! Portland has more breweries than any other city in the nation. Sick or not, I needed to tackle at least a few on this visit.
Deschutes Brewery was our first stop. I immediately forgot all about the flu and ordered a sampler. I was in beer bliss! I felt like Wonder Woman. This was the sole reason for getting out of bed this morning. This was the reason for coming to Portland. This sampler will be the reason I will return. I didn’t think my day could get any better, and then… it did!
We wandered out of Deschutes with a purpose. Come on man, I’m in Portland! Where do we go from here? Another brewery!?! Why yes! :)
Rogue brewery was one of the main reasons I wanted to see Portland at all, and they did not disappoint.
Of course I couldn’t choose a beer, so my only option seemed to be another sampler.
After consuming enough beer to have me a little wobbly on my feet (or maybe it was the beer & cough syrup cocktail) we decided to head back out on the town. I found a unique form of transportation that only a city full of breweries can tout.
The fourth thing on my list of “Things to do in Portland” was check out some of the neat architecture. Ken and I both share a love for cool buildings, so we do this in just about every city we visit.
Test Drive Zipcar! No Annual Fee and $15 Free Driving. Get access to cars across Portland.
I love searching out the courthouse in cities. They all have a very unique presence to their home city.
This building reminded me of my childhood. Guess I’m giving away my age here :)
After all of this walking, there is only one thing left to do. The fifth thing on my list (was not actually on my list at all, but on Ken’s) was to grab another beer. No really, it was to grab an epic dinner, and wash it down with another beer. :)
Where does one find an epic dinner in Portland? Salvador Molly’s! This place was on Ken’s list for months.
Honestly, Ken had no idea what kind of cuisine this restaurant served. He wanted to go for one reason, and one reason only. Habanero Fritters!
They look cute don’t they? Don’t let their adorable exterior fool you. These things are out to hurt you. They want to make you cry. It didn’t help that I was already a sick, snotty mess. These babies cleared my sinuses right up, then made my nose and eyes run, then my ears started ringing. This is all in the first minute after swallowing. :(
After putting myself through this insane torture, I ordered some dinner. Salvador Molly’s has amazing food. I had a Hawaiian inspired pork served with mashed potatoes and coleslaw. It was fabulous (and I’m not going to lie, I coated my tongue in potatoes to stop the burning).
Ken ordered a lamb gyro. Lamb is one of his favorite meats, so he was delighted with his dinner.
We finished our dinner and sadly wrapped up our night at Salvador Molly’s. We considered dessert, but were so stuffed. I tried to convince Ken to take me back to Voodoo for a doughnut, but he reminded me that tomorrow is another day. Another day, another doughnut I guess!
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If you enjoyed this post about my favorite things to do in Portland you may want to check out these Portland related posts.
Voodoo Doughnuts: America’s Best Doughnut?
Salvador Molly’s: Burned by the Great Balls of Fire! (with Video)
Road Trip Update: Vancouver, BC to Portland, OR
I have one day to spend in Portland and I think I’ll be following in your footsteps, looks like a great day! I wonder if I could fit in another brewery … hmmmm, the possibilities!
There are a ton of Brew Pubs in the Pearl District but not many actual breweries, most of those are outside the city.
I loved Portland, it is such a laid back city. I remember the rose garden and some corner French restaurant when I sipped wine whole day as it was 14th of July – Bastille Day in France! Very cool day! :)
Oh, and I so want to try Voodoo doughnuts next time!