Portland, Oregon is a city full of culture, great coffee shops, a constant supply of live music, a green way of living, and many different styles and atmospheres. The city is connected by a plethora of bridges, and a singular, accepting, and ever-curious mentality is shared by its residents. True enough, Portlanders aren’t fans of tourists. But, if you come to town with the right tools at your disposal, a great time is almost always guaranteed.
The first thing to remember when visiting Portland is that it rains here. No matter what the season, prepare for rain, and lots of it. Ironically, even when it’s pouring, you’ll seldom see anyone holding an umbrella. So, if you're trying to look like a native, don’t bring one. Instead, bring a trendy trench coat. When it comes to fashion, Portland is a pretty accepting place. Even at the ballet, people wear designer gowns but sit next to someone wearing flip-flops, jeans, and a flannel. Any attire is perfectly acceptable.
Fashionable people in Portland generally express their personality and sense of style wearing trendy, vintage, or secondhand clothing that you won’t see anywhere else and by shopping at local boutiques. When visiting, you’ll see lots of skinny jeans, pea coats, trench coats, boots, brightly colored flats and accessories, scarves, and unique graphic tees. However, being fashionable in this particular city doesn’t just mean dressing stylishly. It is fashionable and stylish in Portland to truly embrace the culture. Go discover the spots where the locals spend their time, don’t just stick to Starbucks. Experience local art on the first Thursday of every month in the pearl and of course last Thursday on Mississippi Ave. Take public transportation. Shop the local boutiques such as Seaplane which boasts some of the most original designs in Portland. Visit Powell’s, the largest bookstore west of the Mississippi river. If you are over 21, check out the local breweries. Portland, after all, has superb microbreweries and breweries, and a lot of them!
To point you in the direction of some great fun, start with 23rd Street on the west side of town. This area is the perfect place to shop, eat, and just spend time in general. It’s littered with local shops and a few more exclusive chains, such as Lush. It's also home to phenomenal eateries, anything from gourmet drinks and desserts to pizza and delis. This neighborhood is considered to be one of the wealthiest and more yuppie parts of town. However, it is still incredibly down to earth. You’re sure to find an array of people enjoying 23rd Street.
Another destination to visit on the west side of town is the Pearl District. The Pearl spans from about 14th Street down to Broadway and stretches across the majority of the Portland alphabet district (streets named in alphabetical order starting at Ankeny and continuing north). The Pearl is home to many upscale boutiques and restaurants, but it has a neighborhood feel thanks to its many parks and condos. More than anything, the Pearl is a great place to stroll through to look at art galleries and the lovely fountains, parks, and street art. The west side of Portland is much more polished and yuppie friendly while the east side has a much more artistic, hippie friendly vibe.
One of the most popular districts of the east side is Hawthorne. Hawthorne Street stretches from the river up more than fifty blocks. All along it are fabulous secondhand shops, local boutiques and markets, chains such as American Apparel, and many great restaurants. Further north of Hawthorne, you are sure to find the up and coming Mississippi district. Not more than eight years ago Mississippi was considered to be quite a rough part of town. However, in the recent years, it has become home to some truly exquisite restaurants, cafés, and even more wonderful clothing stores such as Blue and Hippy Chic. Mississippi is quite refreshing to visit because it is always changing. Plus, there are still Portlanders that don’t know about it. For a great bite to eat, drive, walk, or even bike (because Portland is a very bike friendly city) down Alberta Street. You’re sure to find great food and interesting people in the Alberta neighborhood. Now let your inner Portlander shine (even in the rain)! Go explore the city, and discover all of the great times ahead of you!
Written by: Stephanie Sorenson
