Nic and I went on this tour in February of 2023, and it was AMAZING! We had a blast. It's also a great way to see some of the city.

I have NEVER had better Bruschetta in my life. If you like Italian, go here for dinner!

While this is a pricy place, the service and food was top notch. If you want to dine somewhere special, this is the place.

This looks like such a fun thing to do!

Powell’s City of Books is also one of Portland’s most famous attractions, and a dream for book lovers.

Take up a city block, this massive bookstore is packed with new, used and rare books on every subject you can think of.

With its color-coded rooms, its high shelves stocked with a smorgasbord of books, the store has a way of making you feel lost — in the best sense of the term — in literary treasure.

There’s also a homey coffee shop, where you can grab a cup of coffee, and read your latest find.

Whether you’re an avid reader or not, Powell’s vibe is its own experience is a must-have piece of Portland culture.

Washington Park’s Japanese Garden is one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

The exquisitely landscaped garden features peaceful ponds, traditional tea houses, pruned trees and stunning views of Mount Hood.

Doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnut — for first-timers it’s practically a Portland rite of passage, and the eclectic, Instagrammable, over-the-top doughnuts are an experience in themselves.

That includes such offerings as the Voodoo Doll doughnut (with a pretzel stake and red jelly filling) and the Bacon Maple Bar.

Pink boxes and round-the-clock operation at the shop are both essential and, let’s face it, the shop’s zany decor makes it a must-see for anyone wanting to connect with Portland’s more whimsical side.

There is typically a line out the door, but you don’t mind the wait — it’s part of the experience — and once you take your first bite, it’s totally worth it.

AMAZING Breakfast. There is a wait usually, but it is worth it. Nic and I would definitely go back.

If you’re a history buff, touring Pittock Mansion is one of the coolest things to do in Portland. This French Renaissance-style stunner sits atop the West Hills, spanning 16,000 square feet with 46 elaborately decorated rooms. Best part? It’s open to the public for tours.

Northwest Portland is a pretty tree-lined residential neighborhood peppered with cute shops and great restaurants.

The best way to explore NW Portland is to wander through the neighborhood on foot. Stroll down 23rd Avenue and check out the shops that line this popular shopping street, often called “trendy third.”

When most people think of Portland’s quirkiness they probably envision the lively corridor that is Mississippi Avenue, which is why exploring this area is a must.

Mississippi Avenue is lined with colorful storefronts and locals shops that cater to any whim a millennial might enjoy. There’s a beautiful plant nursery, awesome restaurants, food carts, fantastic breweries (some of the best in Portland!) and plenty of charming shops.

Spanning more than 5,200 acres and offering 70+ blissful miles of trails, Portland’s beloved Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the country and it is ripe for exploration.

Forest Park swallows you up and makes you forget you’re anywhere near a city because of the towering old-growth trees, making it a great stop for anyone that gets overwhelmed by cities.

I especially like small portions of the Wildwood Trail (which connects Washington Park and Forest Park), the Ridge Trail, and Lower MacLeay to Stone House (“Witch’s Castle”).

You might be asking yourself what can be so haunting about an abandoned structure in the middle of a forest? Two stories converge at the center of this place, the story of an angry father accused of murder and the story of a love-stricken daughter paralleling Romeo and Juliet.

And this age-old tale of murder and haunt makes a visit to the Witch’s Castle all the more interesting.

Ask any Portlander and they will tell you that hiking to the Witch’s Castle feels like a rite of passage because it feels as much a part of the city as the the Keep Portland Weird motto, which is why you simply can’t miss it during your visit. It’s also a great short hike.

Departure is located in the heart of downtown Portland (one block from Pioneer Courthouse Square, lovingly known as “Portland’s Living Room”). This is a great place to hang out and get some great views of Portland.