The Portland First Time Visitors Guide
By Vicki Ng
Updated: May 24 2019
Attention first time visitors! This is THE 3-day Portland itinerary you’ve been searching for! Portland is a city put on the map for it’s craft breweries, artisan coffee, world-class wineries and eclectic neighborhoods. While the question of which establishment serves up the best donut/pizza/brunch spots will ALWAYS be hotly contested, there are a few MUST visits if you’re a first-timer in the city of weird.
The below is a sample weekend itinerary meant to capture Portland classics in one weekend. It’s designed to be walking friendly once you are in a neighborhood (NW, SW, NE, SE). As these are hot spots, be prepared to wait up to 1-1.5 hours at certain establishments if you go during peak hours.
Disclaimer: It’s going to be a little touristy! Some of these places are a rite of passage for locals and tourists like, while others will be a visit once and once only (just to say you’ve been there, done that!).
FRIDAY
SW Portland & NW Portland
Kick start the day with a coffee or cold brew at Stumptown Coffee
Grab a Biketown city bike and explore the Waterfront Park and Downtown area
Lunch at Pine Street Market (a hip food court downtown // recommended: Tonkatsu Ramen at Marukin, and Bless Your Heart Burgers)
Snack on donuts at Voodoo Doughnuts (the OG Portland donut spot. Locals will tell you Blue Star Donuts or Pip’s Originals are much better—and while we don’t disagree—Voodoo is still worth the experience for first-time visitors to cross it off the list)
Shop along NW 23rd Street, a great street for a strolling up and down on
Dinner at Tasty n’ Alder (recommended dishes // bacon-wrapped dates, brussel sprouts if in season)
Drinks at Multnomah Whiskey Library
SATURDAY
NW Portland & SE Portland
Weekend brunch at Screen Door (recommended dish // fried chicken and waffles)
Get lost at Powell’s Books (the world’s largest independent book store) and explore the Pearl Industrial District (former warehouse spaces turned hip, trendy neighborhood)
Beer tasting at Deschutes Brewery (did you know Portland has one of the most breweries per capita? the same goes for strip clubs, but that’s another story…)
Visit Cartopia (a popular food cart pod) and try Chicken n’ Guns.
Dinner at Nong’s Khao Man Gai for chicken & rice, or Pok Pok for popular Ike’s Fish Sauce Wings (explore Hawthorne District while waiting)
Dessert and Tea at Rimsky’s Korsakoffee House (a quirky Portland cafe - don’t forget to check out the bathroom!)
SUNDAY
NE Portland (Vicki’s neighborhood!)
Brunch at Proud Mary (recommended dish // hash browns) or Pine State Biscuits (recommended dish // The Reggie)
Explore the Alberta Arts District and grab ice cream at the original Salt n’ Straw location on Alberta Street (recommended flavors to sample // Pear & Blue Cheese, Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper, Arbequina Olive Oil)
Check out McMenamin’s Kennedy School (former school turned into super cool multi-use space including a movie theater and soaking pool!)
BONUS
Drive out to Wine Country for and visit Sokol Blosser
Hike through Forest Park to Pittock Mansion for nice views of the city
For antique/vintage lovers, check out Artifact, Cargo or House of Vintage
Did you end up trying Vicki’s First Time Visitors Portland Weekend Itinerary? We would LOVE to hear how it went or tag @foodbellypdx on Instagram! Any Portland must-sees or must-eats I missed? Comment below!