Portland - Elemental Quests

Visit PDX aka the City of Roses aka Stumptown aka Portlandia. As the song goes, “The Dream of the 90’s is alive in Portland … where young people go to retire.” Here’s a culture that embraces weirdness and diversity. The hipsters here have the best coffee, food carts, and access to green PNW wilderness. The Willamette River and its 12 bridges crisscross the city’ six quadrants and various neighborhoods.

Must Sees | Food

MUST SEES

Multnomah Falls

From this spot in the Columbia River Gorge, volcanic flows of basalt and glaciers left their mark. Today, the stunning waterfall cascades year-round and drops across double tiers. At the center, you can walk to a thrilling viewpoint on the bridge by the falls.

Forest Park

Explore a massive urban park of the Tualatin Mountains in Portland’s backyard. View dewy mosses and ferns blanketing the forest floor and trees. Hike the Macleay Trail to Pittock Mansion. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Hood.

White Stag

Visitors to Portland are greeted by the landmark neon sign. The white stag appears to leap above Oregon’s silhouette. The best place to see it is from Tom McCall Waterfront Park or Burnside Bridge along the Willamette River.

Mt. Tabor

From one of Portland’s four extinct volcanoes, enjoy some of the best views of the city skyline. Above it all and between reservoirs, there are many paths for hiking, running, or walking.

Portland Saturday Market

The open-air arts and crafts market showcases local handmade arts, crafts, and foods from the Pacific Northwest. The market is also open on Sundays.

Japanese Garden

If you are in Portland in spring or autumn, visit the Japanese Garden. The Japanese Maple Tree sits serenely at the edge of a tranquil pond. Its leaves display a kaleidoscopic array of colors as the seasons change.

Hawthorne Asylum

Of 100 food cart pods in PDX, this is the only one with the nose of a jetliner. The city’s savvy food cart vendors organize as pods where you can sample many different global cuisines. The central seating area has covered tables and heaters – pretty smart in a rainy city.

FOOD

Bake on the Run

Bakes are Guyanese crispy fry breads with soft Portuguese salt cod and eggs or chana aloo (chickpeas and potatoes). The chow mein is bursting with flavor from the tomatoes, onions, carrots, and Caribbean spices.

Kachka

Eastern European treasures abound like Herring Under a Fur Coat, a lavish crown of herring, beets, potatoes, onions, carrots, eggs. Baltic Sprat Buterbrodi are delightful smoked fish with parsley mayo on rye toast.

Flying Fish

Enjoy amazing PNW oysters under the neon “Shuck it!” sign. Slurp up Jjamppong, a Korean fish broth with mussels, clams, noodles, and red chili powder. Don’t miss the crispy rockfish fish and chips and the crispy luxurious steelhead salmon collar.

Viking Soul Food

Who knew vikings were so luxurious? Lefse is a Norwegian, crepe-like, potato flatbread – thin, crispy, and chewy. The wraps have fillings such as smoked steelhead salmon, meatballs, and sausage.

Nong’s

The rice in the Khao Man Gai is slowly simmered with chicken soup for incredible flavor. You can add an assortment of soy and chili dipping sauces, including the tangy and savory Nong’s Sauce. Between bites, sip the soup, and chomp on the refreshing cucumbers.

Orange & Blossom

The namesake cardamom and orange blossom bun is the ultimate way to start your morning. The warm fluffy brioche is braided with butter, cardamom, and orange zest, and brushed with an orange glaze.

Blue Star

Blue Star’s signature Crème Brûlée donut has a rich custard center and a torched candy shell. For a flavor boost, inject the pipette of flavored liquor into the donut. The flavors rotate depending on the season.

Salt & Straw

If you are unafraid of experimental flavor combos, this is the place. The mad scientists push the boundaries with concoctions containing habanero goat cheese, wild nettles, and marionberries. The flavors rotate every month based on seasonal ingredients.

Keep Exploring!