We have a special place in our hearts for Portland. Voted one of the most “green” cities in the world, you can easily explore Portland by foot or by bike, and you are never far from a tree-lined park. We prefer visiting in the Fall and/or Spring, as the colors are vibrant and the whether is crisp! Natural beauty aside, Portland boasts some of our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels. And with no sales tax, it’s a great excuse to do some shopping!
Riverplace Hotel: While we try to avoid major hotel chains, we are big fans of Kimpton. Their hotels are always unique, modern-yet-inviting, and located in ideal locations. The Riverplace Hotel by Kimpton is no exception. Located on the Willamette River, it boasts an impeccable view of the water, and yet it is only a stones throw from downtown PDX. While the hip decor alone draws us to the Riverplace, they also have an evening wine reception, coffee and tea in the mornings, and Linus bikes for their guests to ride. If you’re visiting in the wintertime, nothing is more inviting than sitting by the big fireplace in the lobby!
The Nines: If you are looking for a true Portland city experience, there is no better spot to stay than the Nines Hotel. The Nines not only has a central location, helpful staff, and some of our FAVORITE restaurants (Departure & Urban Farmer), but their accommodations will make you feel like royalty. Make sure you request a room on one of the top floors, as the views of the city are breathtaking!
Portland is a coffee lover’s dream. There are SO many options - just try yelping “coffee” and you’ll instantly feel defeated. Instead of limiting ourselves, we like to hit up 3 or 4 coffee shops in one day, and share a cup here and there (so we don’t get too “buzzed”). Anyways, here’s a few of our favorite places to grab a cup of joe.
Multnomah Whiskey Library: Words can’t really describe this place, you just need to go. The line forms quick, but don’t let that sway you. Put your name in and walk around the city, they’ll text you when you’re up. Whatever you do, make sure you order the brussel sprouts.
Ava Genes:Ava Gene’s serves a “Roman Inspired” menu… we’re not entirely sure what that means, but whatever it is, it’s GOOD. The plates are small and meant to be shared. Ask your server for suggestions, it’s hard to choose!
Departure: You can safely assume that when a restaurant’s head chef was a finalist on “Top Chef”, the food is going to be top notch. Departure will blow your expectations away, as the pan-Asian menu is some of the best we’ve ever tasted. Especially the chicken wings. Life = changed.
Urban Farmer: One of our favorite breakfasts in Portland is located right in the lobby of The Nines Hotel! The entire breakfast menu is amazing, but we highly recommend the eggs benedict. Great coffee, too!
