**Note: Even though the state-at-home order has been imposed pretty much everywhere, that doesn’t stop us from planning a fantastic trip around Portland when we are able to move around again. Until then, enjoy this armchair journey through downtown.**
Here is a guest blog from Marc Johnston, a long-time Portland resident and personal injury attorney, whose law firm office is located on Main Street and 1st Avenue. His neighborhood offers enough to keep even the most experienced of travelers exploring for days. All opinions expressed here are his own. -Sue
Booking.comCompact, walkable, and loaded with green space, there are few places better to explore Portland than the Downtown area. The Rose City is known for its diverse dining, eclectic shops, and one-of-kind cultural sites. When you are wondering what to do in downtown Portland, look no further!
Scenic Attractions in Portland
Starting at SW Main St. and SW 1st Ave, you are just a few minutes from Terry Schrunk Plaza—a small urban park with gorgeous views of Portland City Hall. You can then make your way over to Salmon Street Springs, a famous public park that sits along the Willamette River. Near the Salmon Street Springs is Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Named after the thirteenth Governor of Oregon, the park is well-known for its cherry blossoms. During the 2008 presidential race, nearly 75,000 people gathered here to see then-candidate Barack Obama—the largest event of the entire Presidential campaign cycle.
The Arts in Portland
Downtown Portland is a hub of culture. Within a few minutes, you will find some of the most interesting cultural sites in the Pacific Northwest. At 1422 SW 11th Ave, The Old Church Concert Hall is a 19th-century Gothic venue playing host to many wonderful performances. It is just two blocks up to the Portland Art Museum; a diverse, welcoming museum that is the 7th oldest in the entire country! There are many other great cultural sites in the area as well, including the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Oregon Historical Society, and the Rothko Pavilion.
Restaurants in Portland
Last year, WalletHub ranked Portland as the ‘Best Foodie City in America’—besting much larger metro areas such as New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The Downtown neighborhood offers close access to many of the area’s finest restaurants. Q Restaurant & Bar is an excellent choice for fine dining—the focus is locally-sourced Pacific Northwest cuisine. For those interested in cheap eats, Love Belizean offers rich, homestyle Caribbean food in a relaxed counter-serve environment. Just off the grounds of Portland State, Duck House Chinese Restaurant is one of the best local spots for authentic Szechuan cuisine. Finally, if you are looking for a dessert, one of the best spots is nationally acclaimed Voodoo Doughnut in Old Town.
Downtown Portland Shopping
Downtown Portland is one of the best places for finding unique and exciting shops. Within a few blocks, you can find many different regional specific shops, including Crafty Wonderland, Made In Oregon Store, and MadeHere PDX. While our region is not exactly known for its big box stores, many people make an exception for Nike. The Beaverton, Oregon-based footwear and apparel giant has its Nike Portland flagship store at the corner of SW Morrison St. and SW 5th Ave. Of course, this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to shopping in Downtown Portland. There are a wide range of other shops and stores—offering virtually anything that you can imagine.
For those who are looking to spend a day exploring a scenic neighborhood, there are few places better to start than SW Main Street and SW 1st Avenue in Downtown Portland.
