French
DeutschNortheast Portland comprises the neighborhoods east of the Willamette River and north of Burnside Street and Interstate 84. Alberta Street and several other trendy neighborhoods are here, as is the Convention Center and the Airport.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Located along Broadway and Sandy Blvd northeast of downtown, Hollywood is a commercial district for the nearby neighborhoods and home to the Hollywood Theater, a historic non-profit theater with an ornate facade showing a variety of independent, second run, and classic films as well as original programming and interactive events. There is also a popular Saturday farmers market[dead link] in the neighborhood during the warm months.
To the north of the former between MLK Blvd and 30th Avenue, Alberta Street has much the same feel as Hawthorne Blvd; a counter-culture/bohemian community that's becoming popular with yuppies. Alberta is home to Last Thursday, said by many locals to be the alternative to First Thursday in the Pearl District and also featuring wine tasting and gallery openings, along with street vending and performance artists. The neighborhood between Alberta Street and Broadway is known as Irvington, and contains many historic Craftsman homes.
Other neighborhoods to explore include: St. Johns in North Portland featuring the gorgeous St. Johns Bridge, Mississippi Avenue and North Williams.
Get in and around
[edit | edit source]See Portland (Oregon)#Get around for getting in from elsewhere in the city. You can also get in from Vancouver across the Columbia River in Washington state. Some Vancouver bus lines cross into Eastside Portland; #60 to Jantzen Beach Center and Delta Park/Vanport, #65 to Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center and #67 to the airport. From each of those, you can switch to a MAX train to get further into Eastside (and on to other parts of Portland).
The international airport is in this part of the city.
Places across the Willamette River can be accessed on foot (almost all bridges have sidewalks) or streetcar from Downtown or parts of the northwest. The other MAX lines take you from Downtown and Chinatown across the Steel Bridge. From there, the Yellow Line continues north along the North Interstate and North Denver Avenues up to the Expo Center. The Green, Red and Blue lines go east along the Banfield Freeway to the Gateway Transit Center, stopping at the Rose Quarter, the Convention Center, 7th, 11th, 42nd, 60th and 82nd Avenues. From there they fan out; the Red Line north to the airport, the Blue Line further east to Gresham, and the Green Line south to Clackamas.
There's also a fairly dense bus network (network map) taking you to places where rail-based public transit won't.
With long distances between places, driving can almost certainly also a good option.
The City of Portland has created several maps of bike routes and bike lanes.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Sapporo Friendship Bell, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (at the entrance to the Oregon Convention Center). This gift from Portland's sister city Sapporo, Japan is encircled by red and yellow roses.
- 2 The Grotto Gardens (National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother), 8840 NE Skidmore St (entrance on NE Sandy Blvd across from NE 85th Ave), ☏ +1 503-254-7371. Grounds open at 9AM; closing time varies from 3:30PM in the winter to 8:30PM in the summer; consult website for precise dates/times. Gift shop open 9AM-5PM daily (to 10PM during holiday season). A tranquil and spiritual sanctuary which hosts reflection ponds, secluded gardens, and shrines on the top of a basalt cliff. The best time to visit is during the holiday season when the grotto is illuminated with lights. The Grotto also makes for a very romantic destination for a special night out. Lower level free. Upper level token sold at gift shop: $7 general, $6 senior/military, $4 children 6-12, children under 6 free. Upper level tokens sold up to 1 hr before closing.
- 3 Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, 5300 N Marine Dr, ☏ +1 503-797-1545. Sunrise-sunset.
- 4 Robot Aley, Alley between N Kerby and N Borthwick Aves, south of N Skidmore St. 10AM-10PM, closed Mon. Eclectic art installation in a residential alley. Free.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Portland Trail Blazers, Moda Center (Rose Garden Arena), 1 Center Ct, ☏ +1 503-234-9291. An NBA basketball team which plays at the Moda Center. They are well known for having one of the most loyal crowds in the NBA, so make sure to get tickets before the game as it is very rare to have a game that is not sold out.
- 2 Portland International Raceway, 1940 N Victory Blvd, ☏ +1 503-823-7223, pir@portlandoregon.gov. Hosts many different racing series including NASCAR and IndyCar.
- 3 Portland Pilots, 5000 N Willamette Blvd. University of Portland sports, competing in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference alongside eight other private schools in coastal states. With no football team (unlike the city's other D-I school, Portland State), the most followed sports are soccer for both men and women, plus men's basketball. The Pilots have an especially strong soccer tradition. The marker points to the basketball venue of Chiles Center, which also hosts the Blazers' NBA G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix. Soccer plays at Merlo Field next to Chiles Center.
Music
[edit | edit source]- 4 Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St, ☏ +1 503-284-8686. A large ballroom with cash bar featuring many of Portland's favorite music artists and national touring acts.
- 5 Rose Quarter, 1 Center Ct, ☏ +1 503-797-9619. The Rose Quarter holds two major arenas, the Moda Center (Rose Garden) and The Memorial Coliseum, which host large, international level touring artists. The Moda Center is also home to the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Ticket prices are usually higher for Rose Quarter events.
- 6 Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St, ☏ +1 503-284-7665. Mon-Fri noon-1AM, Sat Sun 11AM-2PM. Old-school watering hole with live, local and underground music, a covered patio & a menu of classic comfort foods.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 C'est Si Bon!, 22 NE 7th Ave (Middle of block along NE 7th between E Burnside & NE Couch), ☏ +1 503-703-9378, +1 503-935-3761. This crêpe stand offers a great selection of combinations, savory and sweet. Try the Tropical Monkey. They also regularly appear at the farmers' markets too.
- 2 Costello's Travel Caffé, 2222 NE Broadway, ☏ +1 503-287-0270. Mon-Fri 7AM-5PM, Sat Sun 8AM-4PM. Low-key but sometimes busy cafe with an international travel theme. Offers a substantial breakfast/lunch menu. Good place to catch a soccer (sorry, football) match or other travel-related event. Wi-fi.
- 3 New Seasons Market – Williams, 3445 N Williams Ave, ☏ +1 503-528-2888. 7AM-11PM daily.
- 4 New Seasons Market – Concordia, 5320 NE 33rd Ave, ☏ +1 503-288-3838. 8AM-11PM daily.
- 5 New Seasons Market – Arbor Lodge, 6400 N Interstate Ave, ☏ +1 503-467-4777. 8AM-11PM daily.
- 6 Gravy, 3957 N Mississippi Ave, ☏ +1 503-287-8800. 7:30AM-3PM daily. Great egg scrambles and other hearty breakfast fare. Can be a long wait on weekends. Another location at 3101 NE Sandy Blvd.
- 7 Olé Olé, 2137 E Burnside St, ☏ +1 503-230-1132. 10AM-10PM daily. Great burritos and a good budget option. Cash only.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 8 Cadillac Cafe, 1801 NE Broadway St, ☏ +1 503-287-4750, info@cadillaccafepdx.com. Mon-Fri 7:30AM-1:30PM, Sat Sun 7:30AM-2:30PM. This staple of Portland's brunch scene is popular for both breakfast and lunch. The Art Deco décor is completed with a drivable, pink 1961 Cadillac convertible on display.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Alcohol
[edit | edit source]- 1 Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, 5115 NE Sandy Blvd, ☏ +1 503-282-0622. Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM–11PM, Sat 10AM–11PM, Sun 10AM–10PM. For the quintessential Portland brewpub experience. Enjoy beer crafted by award-winning Brewmaster Christian Ettinger along with excellent food in a family-friendly setting. The garlic fries are not to be missed, desserts are huge and appealing, and the Laurelwood Spinach Salad is the best salad in Portland. Very child-friendly, so be aware of unsupervised toddlers darting around between the tables. Entrees are creative and of high quality.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 McMenamins White Eagle, 836 N Russell St, ☏ +1 503-335-8900, toll-free: +1-866-271-3377. Dormitory bunks at $30, full rooms at $40, queen rooms at $50-60.
- 2 Travelers' House (Hostel), 710 N Alberta St (clong N Alberta between Albina and Kerby Ave., closer to Albina.), ☏ +1 503-954-2304. Check-out: 11AM. $35-40 for dorm bed or $75-95 for private room.
- 3 Kex Portland, 100 NE MLK Jr Boulevard, ☏ +1 971-346-2992, info@kexportland.com. Upscale Icelandic hostel that opened in 2019 with dorm rooms and private rooms. Hostel has a restaurant, rooftop bar and a 12-person sauna.
- 4 Inn at the Convention Center, 420 NE Holladay St (between Grand and MLK Jr, convention center exits from I-5 or I-84), ☏ +1 503-233-6331. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $63-90.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 5 Aloft Portland Airport Hotel at Cascade Station, 9920 NE Cascades Pkwy, ☏ +1 503-200-5678. Complimentary WiFi access, PDX airport shuttle services.
- 6 Hampton Inn Portland-Airport, 8633 NE Airport Way, ☏ +1 503-288-2423. Free daily breakfast and high speed internet access.
- 7 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 2300 N Hayden Island Dr, ☏ +1 503-283-8000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Indoor pool, WiFi and breakfast included. $130-180.
- 8 The Jupiter Hotel, 800 E Burnside St, ☏ +1 503-230-9200, toll-free: +1-877-800-0004. Crisp, modern guest rooms, cutting edge entertainment, food 21/7, and spa style rub-downs make up this unique boutique hotel. While there, The Doug Fir is not to be missed. All day eats and drinks. Often has loaner bicycles. $140-180.
- 9 The Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave, ☏ +1 503-249-3983, toll-free: +1-888-249-3983, info.ks@mcmenamins.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. A decommissioned elementary school converted into a hotel by the McMenamins's group who also have several other converted buildings in the Portland area. Each room was made from one-half of an old classroom with items like blackboards, coatrooms, and so on still in place. The hotel has a full restaurant with its own bar and large outdoor patio. Be sure to try the Cajun Tater Tots! There's also a second-run movie theater (free with hotel stay) with a bar/cafe and table service. Also on site are the Concordia Microbrewery, Detention Bar (smoking allowed), Honor's Bar (non-smoking), Cypress Room (smoking allowed), and an outdoor soaking pool. Free Wi-Fi and great artwork throughout. $115-145.
- 10 Oxford Suites Portland - Jantzen Beach, 12226 N Jantzen Dr, ☏ +1 503-283-3030.
- 11 Rodeway Inn Airport, 9723 NE Sandy Blvd, ☏ +1 503-255-1400.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 12 Lion and the Rose Victorian Bed and Breakfast Inn, 1810 NE 15th Ave (at NE Schuyler St), ☏ +1 503-287-9245, toll-free: +1 800-955-1647, fax: +1 503-287-9247, innkeeper@lionrose.com. Bed and breakfast in an elegant 1906 Queen Anne house in the Irvington Historic District. $135-260.
- 13 Embassy Suites Portland Airport, 7900 NE 82nd Ave, ☏ +1 503-460-3000. Conveniently located at the entrance to the Portland International Airport. $200-250.
- 14 Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 NE Airport Way, ☏ +1 503-281-2500. 24-hour complimentary shuttle service to Portland International Airport. Complimentary high speed Internet access.
- 15 Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, 375 NE Holladay St, ☏ +1 971-222-1234. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.