Portland Picks!



This is our home-sweet-home, Portland!  We love it here and have been here over 6 years...when we have people visiting with kids and/or dogs, we are always asked the question "what should we do?"

Now, I don't think we are unlike a large percentage of the population that doesn't fully take in the experiences their city provides...you always think "oh, we can do that next summer." Or "when it gets nice out again." Then, time slips by and have haven't really been able to appreciate all the joys and beauties of the city you reside in.  Whether you live in Southern California, or up-state New York...its always the same.

Portland is one of those cities everyone seems to have an opinion about, whether they’ve been here or not. “It rains all the time there!”, “The city’s full of hippies, right?”, and on it goes. So, before you come to visit, let me clear up a few things. We do have rain, but it’s less than you think – winter is definitely gloomy, but our summers are the reason people live here: it’s gorgeous and sunny from June through October. As for the hippie thing, well, that one’s sort of true. We do have our fair share – though I’m going to get hate mail for admitting it. Most locals love their yoga, their bikes and their alternative medicine. You’ll get glares from fellow patrons if you forget to put your biodegradable coffee cup in the compost bin, and I’ve never lived somewhere with so many options for vegetarian, vegan and raw diners. We also tend to be an outdoorsy bunch (okay, that’s a metaphorical “we”…outdoorsy is one thing I’m not) – Portland is heaven if you’re into camping, skiing, hiking, kayaking, or even snowshoeing!

So, that being said, we have made a commitment to check off all the "Portland must-sees" within 1 year.  Now, that may not seem like a very ambitious adventure, but to us it is!  With 2 little ones and full time jobs, we will have to tackle at least 1 thing every month.  I am exhausted just thinking about it!

We will report all our findings to you...whether kid-friendly, dog-friendly, cost involved, drive time, highlights, etc.  Here is a list of necessity stops according to our fellow Portlanders! 
  • Multnomah Falls (we have been there, but before the kiddos were around)
  • the local hot springs 
  • The Pearl District for an entire day (I used to work in this area, but never got to really explore)
  • Go to a Blazers game
  • OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry)
  • Portland Historical Museum
  • Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (over 9 acres!  holy cow!)
  • Alder Creek for a kayak/canoe trip (just J and I for this one)
  • Horseback riding in Beaverton
  • Mount St. Helens for a day trip
  • Portland Zoo
  • Visit a local vineyard
  • Oaks Amusement Park
  • Berry-picking at Hoffman Farms in Sherwood
  • Day at Henry Hagg Lake
  • Eat at Stepping Stone Cafe (featured on "Man vs. Food" on the Food Network) 
  • Go to Keller Auditorium
  • Portland Art Museum
  • Summer Concert series in Tualatin
  • play in the water fountain at Waterfront park (HUGE fountain perfect for a hot summer day)
  • visit Reptile World
  • spend an entire afternoon in Powell's Book Store (the largest bookstore in the nation)
  • Portland Farmers Market
  • Spend a Saturday exploring Sauvie Island
  • Go to the "original" Stumptown Coffee...we take our coffee very seriously here in the Northwest
  • Go and experience a "1st Thursday" (a huge independent artist expedition on each "1st Thursday" in the month during the summer)
  • spend an entire day (breakfast-dinner) eating from Portland's famous food-carts!
  • Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden

Thanks and we look forward to sharing all our adventures with you! And for those of you who don't live here, we hope this may give you some ideas on your next visit to beautiful Oregon.

Best wishes,
Lindsay "Ladybird" & Jeremiah "Fellow"!