Virtual Road Trip: Destination Portland
Aww, Portland. I’ve wanted to see you for some time now. The quirky small town feel, the lush greenery, a forest in the middle of a city. And bikes. All the bikes. What’s not to love about a city like that? Portland was everything I wanted it to be and more. And of course, the weather was absolutely perfect which added to my fantasy of what this funky city has to offer. Here are a few suggestions for making the most of a weekend in Portlandia.
Hit up the Gardens
Grab a bike and cruise
Portland has enviable bike infrastructure, with 320 miles of bike lanes throughout the city, including bike lanes on all 11 bridges found in town. There’s something about exploring by bike and in Portland you can get from one end of the city to the other safely, while having tons more fun than sitting back in that Uber. We chose to sign up for a bike tour with Around Portland Tours, which was excellent. The best part of a tour is they take the time to really show you a circumvent of the best spots in the city.
No trip would be complete without a visit to the Asylum
Only a town like Portland would turn the site of an old Asylum into a food truck destination. Walking around it hit me that I had totally seen this place before. Watching Jerry Seinfeld and his hipster service timer while waiting for his food during and episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Fred Armisen. But who knows, it could have been one of the other various food truck complexes in town. Either way, I found myself having a visceral memory from a show I watched 6 years ago and I loved it.
Don’t forget to just slow down and look around.
The simplest piece of advice is strangely the hardest for some. Look up, look down, look all-a-freaking-round! It amazes me how many people miss the tiny (and large) treasures that are available all around them. Deco Architecture, killer street art, neighborhoods built around rose gardens? And a funky urban place like Portland is gold for them all.
Go chase waterfalls
Just minutes outside of Portland you can find the Columbia River Gorge. As if the views along this gorgeous river cutting through the Cascade Mountains isn’t enough, the historic Columbia River HIghway is also lined with waterfalls begging to be explored. Sure there are famous ones like Multnomah Falls, which we have all seen pics of. But try getting out of the car, stretching your legs and taking in a short hike to Bridal Veil or Latourell Falls. There are lots of other trails to hike and bike should your exploration desires kick in to gear, but of course, make sure to be prepared for whatever course you set out to take. This means food, snacks, water and appropriate shoes.
