PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland has been called Milwaukee's West Coast sister city many times. The recipient of a steady influx of Wisconsin natives over the last 15 years, there's hardly a neighborhood you can visit without running into someone from the Midwest.
But despite their similarities, there are a hundred reasons to put Portland on the road trip map and spend a few days in the Pacific Northwest paradise of city, mountain and sea.
Here are seven sweet suggestions for fabulous food, incredible adventure and serious West Coast culture:
1. There is a five- or six-block strip of Belmont Avenue in Southeast where you can hop from restaurant to bar to café and be paralyzed by the divinity of every bite you take. Dine at Dao of Tea for authentic Tibetan flavors, arrive early for Pine State Biscuits with honey and jam, hit happy hour at The Blue Monk and finish with dessert amid outdoor heated seating at The Pied Cow. To keep you moving through this extensive day of snacking, there's a Stumptown Coffee Roasters corner location.
2. Portland has dozens of counterculture neighborhoods, dominated by coffee shops, small boutiques and old, vibrant homes. The Hawthorne District, located in Southeast, is perhaps the best known and busiest in town. Close to the winding paths of Laurelhurst Park, Hawthorne Avenue is home to Cup and Saucer Café, McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub and one of two Por que no? Mexican restaurant locations. Apizza Scholls (Chef Anthony Bourdain gave fame to this fabulous pizza house) has a line out the door nearly every night of the week. You absolutely cannot miss a lunch at The Whole Bowl or a visit to Red Light Clothing Exchange.
3. On every walk in town, Mount Tabor looms to the south, calling me to hike up and check out the view. The closest of the "small mountains" in the area, Mount Tabor is perfect if you're sticking in town but still want forest infused adventure. Take the stairs or the trail to the top for a quintessential view of the downtown corridor.
4. The Pearl District is Portland's traditional downtown shopping and dining epicenter. Similar to Milwaukee's Third Ward in style, this yuppie infused neighborhood includes all the big boys like Whole Foods, North Face, Patagonia and Guess. By far the newest and most renovated part of the city, the Pearl District boasts brick warehouse condominiums with a downtown urban feel seldom found in the rest of the city. Home of the legendary Powell Books, you can grab a vegetarian meal at the Blossoming Lotus or fresh oysters on the half shell at Jake's Seafood.
5. If the Pearl District is new and modern, the Alberta Art District would be its old, funky counterpart. The antithesis of Portland's big-name, high-end downtown, Alberta Street claims a rebirth between old and new with funky art houses and vibrant housing. Even the neighborhood's "Last Thursday" street fair is the local answer to the Pearl District's "First Thursday" of fine art.
6. As you leave the Pearl District and head north, the streets start to illuminate what people love about Portland. The Northwest neighborhood stuffs gorgeous old homes, lush gardens and specialty shops on every corner. The blocks between 21st and 23rd Streets house some of the best restaurants in the city including Wildwood and Paley's Place. Great for walking, you can travel the world with the ethnic retail and resident influence throughout this posh community.
7. One of the many perks of Portland's western location is the short drive to the Pacific coast. Yep, in just an hour or two you can surf, hike, swim and lounge. Rent a house on the beach and walk into town for sandwiches at Bread and Ocean or the homemade pizza at Pizza Garden. Confused on the compass? Don't worry, head in the opposite direction and you'll hit the wonder of Multnomah Falls and Mt. Hood.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
