Portland Getaway Guide
Living in Seattle has its many perks, but the one I love the most is the ability to have so many options for travel at your fingertips.
You want mountains? Head East. You want ocean? Head West. You want Canada? Head North. You want a city that’s just as cool as Seattle if not cooler in its own ways? Head South to Portland.
I had the opportunity to get together with a group of bloggers for a little getaway to Portland a few weekends ago — and my god was it fun.
My friend Elisa of E for Elisa planned the getaway and coordinated our activities with some amazing brands. Her forward, modern eclectic style is one I look forward to seeing every day. McKenna of Style Her Lovely is the sweetest ounce of goodness — feminine and elegant, and total mom goals. And Stephie of The Color Floral is a sporty, spunky and colorful gal with the kindest heart and a love for good storytelling. If you’re not following either of them — do so now. Such a great medley of diversity and epic style.
We hopped on the Amtrak from King Street Station and after a few hours of non-stop chatting, before we knew it, we were arriving in the City of Roses / Bridge City / RIP City / P-Town or PDX.
I’d been to Portland many times before, but this time was going to be a unique experience as it was our first time traveling together and we were staying at one of the hippest and new hotels to hit the area — the Dossier Hotel.
Sharing with you a little Portland Getaway Guide so you can reference on your next upcoming weekend trip. I’ve pulled in experience from past travels mixed with this recent visit for your reading pleasure…
Except for the hotel — because, well, Dossier is a must stay.
Portland Travel Guide
WHERE TO STAY
Located in the best location — the Pearl District — and surrounded by a plethora of options for shopping, eating and drinking, we were so incredibly pleased by everything the Dossier Hotel had to offer. The little touches that made it feel like home, the retro luxe interior, the friendly staff and the attached restaurant and bar — this boutique hotel now sits high on my list.
Things like the bathrobes that the girls and I wore at night while putting on facemasks eating our room delivered Salt & Straw ice cream while watching a romcom. I mean, can it get better? Well, the complimentary Shinola bicycles are a fab touch as well as the Knot Springs partnership where as a guest you can hit up Portland’s health and wellness social club with soaking pools right across the Willamette River.
Provenance Hotels does such a wonderful job with their properties. I’m a customer for life. In the case you’re ever traveling to Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, Stillwater, New Orleans, Nashville and soon to be Palm Springs and Madison — look them up!
[soliloquy id=”5550″]
WHERE TO EAT
I’ve been here twice before in the past and I can still remember the smells of the delicious brunch and the taste of my bloody mary. This place is a must for morning grub — located in North Portland serving new American diner cuisine with a Pacific Northwest flair. The inside is industrial chic with many opportunities for different views of the crowd and restaurant. PS they are a mostly walk-in restaurant, but hey, it’s totally worth the wait.
Oh so you’re wanting an instagrammable brunch? I got you. Not like the other wasn’t, but if you’re looking for a more modern feminine vibe with light and bright playful accents and a vegetable driven menu — try Tusk. Fellow bloggers, you might want to move in. FYI tho — another no reservations spot. #worthit
Voted one of the best new restaurants of 2018 — you gots to check this resto out. Open for lunch and dinner during the weeks and dinner on the weekends, Little Bird is the perfect pop in for a creative meal that will make you smile.
And oh, Little Bird Bistro’s bigger brother happens to be this guy. Another creative menu with French-inspired grub that can be shared at a communal table or at the bar in intimate quarters. This place is one of those buzzing hot spots you hear about with the most talented chef to come to PDX. Secure a rez early.
Keeping up with the French theme, this Parisian inspired bistro offers farm to table tapas in a masculine modern space with the tastiest cocktails.
Feeling seafood? Try out the elevated New American restaurant Roe — one of the finest in Portland. Sip champagne, shoot some oysters, move on to an award winning wine and the entree you’ll remember for some time. Fine dining and iconic. Visit Roe if you an for an upscale experience.
Okay, this place is insanely good. Charcuterie, check! Meat and cheese board, check! More bread please, check! Oh wait, we should probably add some veggies and a few meaty entrees… yup. Yes, that was our entire convo during our girls trip dinner. So fun! The neon “meat” sign says it all and is pretty cool too :). Cool vibes at this place, check it — in either the Northwest or Southeast location.
WHERE TO DRINK
Attached to the hottest hotel in Portland, Opal Cafe & Bar is the perfect pop in for a drink before a night on the town or a drink easing out of the night before. Speaking of morning, they have some mean breakfast bowls and an avocado toast with orange peel — what?? Yeah.
Feeling like some rooftop action? Aren’t we always? This upscale lounge offers global cocktails in a chic modern space with views of the city for days.
Buzzing, charming and some damn good delicious drinks. Ask the mixologists to make you something special. Be bold and willing and you won’t be dissapointed.
How about some pre or post dinner drinks with a view? Pre or post Departure for a rooftop hop? This indoor restaurant offers an insane skyline view from its 30th floor establishment. A must visit for a first time in Portland.
Now this pace is cool. Grab that phone for tile photos, bar photos… all the green pops of color photos. Oh and the cocktails and small plates? Pretty okay too. I dig the outdoor seating / upper level options.
Dim lit, cool, rustic… and right next to Bistro Agnes — how convenient! You know where to go for a night cap — or their happy hour, which is very yummy!
WHERE TO PLAY
Willamette Valley Wine Tasting
Okay, if you like wine and you’re going to be in Portland — it’s a must that you take the 45ish minute jaunt to the renowned Willamette Valley. This interactive map is perfect — will give you an idea of the AVAs, the wineries and things to see and do and eat. So, so fun. Trevor and I went for our 3 year dating anniversary and it still makes my heart flutter when I think about that place. Secure a variety of transportation options from your hotel ahead of time.
McMenamins Kennedy School House
Have you heard of the McMenamins group? They offer a variety of delight ranging from hotels to restaurants to movie theaters to soaking pools… and sometimes all in one! Like this school house. Visit the bottle house, see a flick… take a swim. This is the perfect day trip and most bizarre slash awesome experience you’ll have. Keep it weirdly awesome, Portland.
Do you love live music in intimate venues that pack character, acoustics and a bouncing floor? Well, you’re in the right city because Crystal Ballroom, another gem of the McMenamins clan, is a venue you won’t want to pass up while in PDX. Check out the event calendar — they get some prettyyy good artists popping in.
Okay, sure. This could be classified under “What to Eat”, but it is such a fun activity I think it makes sense here. You guys. So. Many. Food trucks!! So cool! Here’s a map and a trusty hot list to reference but know it’s something you can’t pass up and to try as many as you can during your stay!
WHERE TO SHOP
What’s a trip to Portland without a little (tax free) shopping?! Looking for elevated basics??? Well! Look no further and meet Jarbo. European luxurious design for the sophisticated modern woman. You’ll find endless pieces that pack quality, comfort and classic perfection.
The girls and I got the incredible opportunity to visit the Portland shop — conveniently right next to Dossier Hotel — and work with Pua, one of the shops amazing stylists! She’s a ball to work with and we had so much fun roaming the streets like four drastically different yet stylish girls out of Manhattan (hehe). The easy pant I’m rocking in half these photos are amazing.
Boutique lover? Then you must visit Adorn — a PDX born and raised boutique carrying a variety of on-trend an basic pieces from the hottest brands — from Current/Elliot to Cami NYC to ASTR and J.O.A. Oh! And they also carry TAH bags — a local contemporary luxury brand who happens to have their shop nearby as well :). I’m eyeing their round crossbodies and backpack.
I know. It’s not like they’re NOT everywhere. But you guys! Your favorite retailer tax free??? You can’t pass up. The girls and I did some damage during the Anniversary Sale and I will say, I’m not upset about any of it.
So there you have it — your PDX Travel Guide. I hope you enjoyed and if you have something you’d like to add to the list, drop it in the comments below!
// cb ✌????
Many, many thanks to our amazing friends at Provenance Hotels for our stay at Dossier and for the fantastic women of Jarbo for lending us these beautiful pieces for our shoot! xo
Jarbo street photos : Pua Lana
Leave a Reply
Meet The Blogger
Lifestyle blogger, photographer, mother to my son Boden and frenchie Smalls, wife to my hubs Trevor.
I built this space in an attempt to inspire you to find your edit and empower you to create the life you desire. Through digital content and honest storytelling, I hope to guide you along the way. Because everyone has an edit, and I'm here to help you find yours.
Hi, I'm Cortney.
Get To Know Me