Some Places I Would Suggest To People Visiting Portland, Oregon
I read some tourist guides on Portland last night and got mad and confused and made a list of some of the places I personally think I'd be more likely to suggest to people. Today I am no longer mad and confused, but I still want to share my list of fun spots I like.
This list is heavily biased from being written by an artsy, introverted writer-type who doesn't really drink but enjoys a nice vibe. It's not a comprehensive list of every cool place in Portland. At the time I tried to pick from a variety of areas I didn't find mentioned in lists online.
Portland, with all its faults, has a lot of really cool places and things to do! Maybe one of these places can help give more texture to a future trip!
Lone Fir Cemetery: A historic cemetery and massive arboretum in Southeast Portland. Very peaceful to sit in. Hosts regular tours and other community events.
Overlook/Laurelhurst/Sellwood Park: It's subjective, but these are what I would consider to be my favorite parks. Laurelhurst is the chillest, Overlook has the best view, and Sellwood is cool if you actually want to be like AT the river.
PSU Museum of Art: A downtown museum at Portland State University that's free! Good if you want to scope out some Culture on a budget of No.
SCRAP PDX: It's a secondhand art supply store in Central Eastside, and it's fantastic. So many affordable materials and oddities. A gem. Came in clutch for me on many occasions.
The Portland Insectarium: A small zoo/museum/educational center dedicated to bugs and spiders in like the Overlook neighborhood. The people there are super knowledgeable and kind, and actually let me in for free when I told them I was trying to ease my fear of bugs. And it worked! I got to ask them all the questions I wanted and they showed me all sorts of little creatures.
Wonderwood Springs/Mini-Golf: Mike Bennett is a local artist here who's iconic enough that you'll find signs of his work scattered all around town. His Fantasy-Themed cafe and small mini-golf course is in St. Johns, which is generally considered a pain to get to. But it's a lovely spot to check out if you're in the area.
The Academy Theater: A cheap, second-run movie theater in Montavilla. Cool vibes. There are a few indie/art-house theaters around town like this and they're all very fun if you're into the idea of seeing an older movie on the big screen.
Sinister Coffee and Creamery: It's a coffee shop/custard place downtown with a speakeasy gimmick to get into the back room. There's a password they update monthly on their Instagram (it's in the bio so it's still accessible to people who don't have an account).
Word Virus Books: A modernist/post-modernist bookstore that relocated downtown from it's previous home of Way Closer To Where I Live. I'm fine and normal about this. It's a fantastic bookstore and I'm not at all bitter that it's further away now.
