Portland was one of the cities that was extremely high on my bucket list of places to visit. Unfortunately, if you have perused our travel regrets, you would know that I was sick the entire time I was there. I did not let this stop me! I was up early and ready to head into the city. I chugged down some cough syrup, grabbed a box of tissues, and was out the door. Here were some of my favorite things to do in Portland.
Portland I’m ready!
I was ready to rock this city
The first thing to do in Portland is pretty much the same as in any other city. Start your day off with a nice nutritious breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day!
Voodoo Doughnuts
Voodoo Doughnuts was my chosen way to start “My day in Portland”.
Love at first bite
After consuming this sugary beast, we did the next thing on my list. We took a stroll through Downtown and into the Pearl District while taking some amazing photos of historical Portland. Downtown Portland was filled with quirky little things like this sign.
Awesome sign in downtown Portland
We knew we arrived at the Pearl District when we came across Powell’s Books. Powell’s is so huge, it claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world.
This place was huge!
Once in the Pearl district, we came across many cool buildings and eclectic shops.
Lanterns in a Portland store
I could walk through this city for days. There were amazing sights everywhere.
Downtown Portland
Deschutes Brewery
Conveniently this lead us directly to the next thing to do on my list. We walked and killed time while waiting to complete the third, and most important thing on my list. Breweries! Portland has more breweries than any other city in the nation. Sick or not, I needed to tackle at least a few on this visit.
Deschutes Brewery was our first stop. I immediately forgot all about the flu and ordered a sampler. I was in beer bliss! I felt like Wonder Woman. This was the sole reason for getting out of bed this morning. This was the reason for coming to Portland. This sampler will be the reason I will return. I didn’t think my day could get any better, and then… it did!
Beer Sampler
We wandered out of Deschutes with a purpose. Come on man, I’m in Portland! Where do we go from here? Another brewery!?! Why yes!
Rogue Brewery
Rogue brewery was one of the main reasons I wanted to see Portland at all, and they did not disappoint.
Two samplers
Of course I couldn’t choose a beer, so my only option seemed to be another sampler.
Portland done right!
After consuming enough beer to have me a little wobbly on my feet (or maybe it was the beer & cough syrup cocktail) we decided to head back out on the town. I found a unique form of transportation that only a city full of breweries can tout.
Portland Public Transportation
The fourth thing on my list of “Things to do in Portland” was check out some of the neat architecture. Ken and I both share a love for cool buildings, so we do this in just about every city we visit.
Neat architecture in Portland
I love searching out the courthouse in cities. They all have a very unique presence to their home city.
Portland Courthouse
This building reminded me of my childhood. Guess I’m giving away my age here
Count your oxen before crossing the river in your wagon
After all of this walking, there is only one thing left to do. The fifth thing on my list (was not actually on my list at all, but on Ken’s) was to grab another beer. No really, it was to grab an epic dinner, and wash it down with another beer.
Where does one find an epic dinner in Portland? Salvador Molly’s! This place was on Ken’s list for months.
Salvador Molly’s
Honestly, Ken had no idea what kind of cuisine this restaurant served. He wanted to go for one reason, and one reason only. Habanero Fritters!
Cute fritters
They look cute don’t they? Don’t let their adorable exterior fool you. These things are out to hurt you. They want to make you cry. It didn’t help that I was already a sick, snotty mess. These babies cleared my sinuses right up, then made my nose and eyes run, then my ears started ringing. This is all in the first minute after swallowing.
After putting myself through this insane torture, I ordered some dinner. Salvador Molly’s has amazing food. I had a Hawaiian inspired pork served with mashed potatoes and coleslaw. It was fabulous (and I’m not going to lie, I coated my tongue in potatoes to stop the burning).
Kahlua Pork
Ken ordered a lamb gyro. Lamb is one of his favorite meats, so he was delighted with his dinner.
Lamb gyro
We finished our dinner and sadly wrapped up our night at Salvador Molly’s. We considered dessert, but were so stuffed. I tried to convince Ken to take me back to Voodoo for a doughnut, but he reminded me that tomorrow is another day. Another day, another doughnut I guess!
