Kelly and Emma are both wearing Vineyard Vines / Kelly’s Hat / Kelly’s Sandals / Toddler Vineyard Vines
Mitch here!
I consider myself a lucky man. I have a beautiful wife, a healthy daughter, an adorably tiny house and … a dog. Not only do I live in my favorite city, but I also get to live in my dream neighborhood within said city. Life is good! If I’m not careful, I could spend the rest of my days poking around Chicago, eating at my favorite restaurants, playing with Emma at the park, and sleeping in my own bed. It certainly would be easier than dealing with the baby on a plane situation!
But Kelly, Emma and I have worked hard to get out and see the country this past year, even though it would be far easier to simply stay put. In the time before she turned one, Emma had been to Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Michigan City, the Jersey Shore, Long Island, Central Illinois and Memphis. Baby on the go!
But that’s not all. Next week, we’re packing our bags and enduring a full day of airports, connecting flights, and rental carseats–don’t worry; I’ve scheduled two extra hours for installation–to take on our next adventure. We’re taking a family trip to Portland, Oregon!
Edit: We’re going to be staying in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Portland at an Airbnb.
This super exciting because:
- Jess Keys is marrying Neal Loftus!
- The Pacific Northwest is where Twilight takes place and I’m still, all these years later, decidedly #teamjacob. (Sidenote: If you faceswap Edward and Bella it looks exactly like me.)
- We’ve never been! Portland is one of those places that everyone raves about in conversation and I usually just stand there looking like an idiot nodding my head like I know what they’re saying… but no more! I’m about to get Portlandified.
In our family, Dad plans the trips and Mom documents them. The only issue is that I’m absolutely clueless about planning a family trip to Portland. I mean, like any good tourist, I want to visit the top of the Space Needle and see the original Starbucks. Or maybe I could find a local grunge concert after perusing a flannel shirt store? I’d also like to procure some fresh Microsoft and Amazon products while in the area. But those are just the obvious things!
Hold up. I’m being told that those things are in Seattle.
I clearly need help planning this trip. ;) So if you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. And if you’re a true-to-life Portlander, sorry about all that Seattle stuff.
Thanks in advance!
Mitch. Out.
What part of town will you be in? Powell Books downtown always tops the list of favorite places for our visitors (and can be combined with walking around that neighborhood, the Pearl District.) NW 23rd is also a fun area to explore. Normally I’d recommend a visit to some places in the Columbia River Gorge, but there is a pretty scary wildfire burning out of control there at the moment, so it’s off the list. In fact, be forewarned that air quality all over the city is pretty bad and will be through Tuesday because of the fires, so I’d either plan inside activities or head west to the coast – the Tillamook Cheese and Ice Cream Factory tour is kind of quirky and fun. Astoria is also beautiful (really all of the coast is). Back in the city the Rose Garden and Japanese Garden are also beautiful. And of course, lots of good food. Have fun!
Kristin,
HI! :) We are going to be staying in the Brooklyn neighborhood. We probably should’ve mentioned that, haha!
These were SUCH wonderful recommendations and we can’t thank you enough! We heard about the wildfire — how terrible. :( Hoping things turn out okay… I heard that it was caused by some kids’ fireworks?! Ugh. :(
Anyway, THANK YOU! Looks like our trip is planned! :) xoxo
I agree with Kristin’s recommendations of Powell Books and the International Rose Test Garden. The zoo is also incredible. Lastly, for a fun lunch, try the Grilled Cheese Grill. Have a great trip!
THE GRILLED CHEESE GRILL?
Grilled cheese happens to be on the Kelly Larkin Food Pyramid… ;)
Thank you, Sara!
So excited to hear that you are heading to Portland! Kristin gave an awesome list of ideas…can’t go wrong taking Emma to the Oregon Zoo/Washington Garden area, OMSI, Children’s Museum or most Portland restaurants. There’s a lot to see and most places are casual and family-friendly. The wedding will obviously be a big portion of your trip but if you have some days away on your own we Portlanders can guide you better based on what part of town you’ll be in, as well as things you’re interested/not interested in doing. Even with the air quality this week, it’s a beautiful city and I hope you guys have a great trip!
Also…
Understanding the heart of Portland can be best described as a grid. North and south are divided by the street called Burnside and east and west are divided by the Willamette River (pronounced will-am-ette). When you’re asked about what part of town, people just mean NW, SE, etc…almost always it’s based on how close in to the river you are.
Feel free to explore the ‘burbs a bit too. Awesome farmers market and quaint shopping in downtown Lake Oswego, Nike campus in Beaverton, Hillsboro Hops baseball in the way to the Oregon coast, wine country in Newberg/McMinnville area. It’s a bummer about the Columbia River Gorge area but Hood River is an amazing day trip if the weather clears up. So many donut shops, distilleries, brew houses. Okay…I think I’m done now. :)
Hood River County has a number of evacuation orders in effect because of the fire, which they say isn’t going to be contained any time soon, and I-84 getting there is closed :-(. According to the news this morning they’re fighting to save Multnomah Falls – the fire is less than two miles away. So awful that one stupid teenager with fireworks could destroy so much of the beautiful landscape in the Gorge and threaten so many homes and lives. And very scary to have the fire close enough to the city that the (far, far) outer suburbs are under evacuation orders.
Visit Voodoo Donuts!!! It’s bomb
I know this is sacrilege to say, but I prefer Blue Star or Pips to Voodoo. Voodoo is fun for the quirk factor, but the actual doughnuts taste better at the other two in my opinion. It’s like Salt and Straw – famous, good and all, but i’ll take Ruby Jewel (whose ice cream I actually like better) and shorter lines.
No way…I would have never face swapped and come up with that!!! Beyond fabulous! I hope we can still be virtual friends because I’m #teamedward (even have a shirt) and always will be. Seeing as I’m no help with your trip…
Susan. Out.
My husband just spent two weeks working in Portland and fell in love! Coffee, donuts, hiking with incredible views, and the best weather (at least during the summer!), what is not to love?! Check out all his recommendations on our blog post:
https://www.thenyquists.com/home/2017/8/23/a-working-vacation-in-portland-oregon
Try Oven and Shaker for delicious pizza and cocktails!http://ovenandshaker.com/
How exciting! Many things to see and do in Portland and it really depends on your general interests. We had our wedding reception in the city and had friends go to a Timbers game, visit the shopping in the Pearl District and others who were into the wine/vineyard scene (the Allison Inn and Spa is regularly rated top in the nation and highly recommended even though it is in Newberg). That whole area of Newberg, Sherwood etc has some nice wineries in general if that’s your scene. I also would recommend Lake Oswego as it is super baby and family friendly, a cute French pastry shop called St. Honore and a Saturday market (actually on Saturday unlike some misnomers). Also, big news…you can see the legit Cullen house from Twilight. It involves some twists and turns but my husband surprised me while naturally playing Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” and it was jaw-dropping moment in history. #hearteyes. Highly recommended!
Water Avenue coffee for the smores latte close to OMSI; Kyra’s Cupcakes (only-four time winner of the championship) also in Lake Oswego- although pro tip it’s the cinnamon rolls that are addictive; Tusk also in SE for pretty good fare; Renata also a great restaurant that has outdoor seating as an option; Piazza Italia in the Pearl District a lot like being in Europe; Tea Bar in the Pearl District super cute and fun; Ricardo’s outdoors seating in Lake Oswego fun and family friendly too…Gorge is currently on fire but beautiful- Multnomah Falls is one of those images you see in postcards randomly across the globe and recognize as being from Portland…Anyway, hope this helps. Also, it probably sounds crazy but the hubs and I would be happy to help with transport if needed (the Allison and Cullen house are tricky to get to) and we promise we are normal sane people (I’m a therapist in Lake Oswego :) ). Happy travels you guys!!
I have to join the discussion to encourage a visit to Powell’s Books – the main store downtown on Burnside takes up an entire city block. (And having grown up near it means I have very high standards for bookstores). I would also encourage a trip to the Oregon Coast, if you have a day. The Tillamook Cheese factory is pretty wonderful, and it would probably be the best way to avoid the lousy air quality the Pacific Northwest is dealing with right now.
Lake Oswego is great! Lots of shops and restaurants and a splash area. Our son went when we were 3 for a wedding and LOVED it. Also, if you have a chance to go to any wineries outside Portland do it-they are the best!