Our Favorite Things To Do In Portland
Brunch at Border Nord (credit Broder PDX’s Instagram)
Alex Pond, Education & Lab Coordinator
Johan Vineyards – Johan Vineyards is an 85-acre certified-Biodynamic Estate winery. Drinking wine at the humble Johan tasting room is the perfect wine experience. Chances are the person pouring your wine is also the person who made the wine. Plus the view from their porch is stunning.
Broder Nord – Broder is one of the few places in Portland where you can get a legit Scandinavian style open faced sandwich, Æbleskiver and a shot of aquavit. Broder brings back the best memories of food at my Aunt’s house outside of Copenhagen.
Wapato Greenway on Sauvie Island – Wapato is a super relaxing 2.2-mile walk around the seasonally existent Virginia lake on Sauvie island. It’s a great way to spend an hour get outside the city and recharge.
Lan Su Chinese Garden (credit Lan Su Chinese Garden’s Instagram)
Darrin Daniel, Executive Director
Atuala – I really enjoy Atuala due to it being a bit off the normal stomping grounds of many of the great eateries in the SE. This little gem is in NW right near our office and their cocktail and wine program is legit and the Spanish food from chef Jose Chela’s just won the 2019 James Beard award for NW chef. It is an inspired and relaxed place to eat with friends.
Culmination Brewing – This brewery on the NE side is my favorite and most hidden spot where I enjoy their list of craft brews after a bike ride. It has a great outdoor spot and the foods is pretty decent too.
Lan Su Chinese Garden – I like Lan Su gardens to get out of the city while actually not leaving the city. The gardens are beautiful and the tea house and lunch spot are a hidden gem in Portland.
Beer at Little Beast’s pub (credit: Little Beast’s Instagram)
Anna Abatzoglou, Membership & Marketing Senior Manager
Aviv – Aviv is a plant-based Israeli restaurant that serves hands down the best hummus in town, Gonzo hummus. This is where I take my non vegan friends and they don’t even realize the place is vegan. Definitely get whatever the hummus of the month is.
Little Beast – I love sour beers and Little Beast brews some of the best ales in town. Their location is essentially an old Portland craftsman house which makes you feel like you’re right at home. Get a chalice of Hot Break.
Cathedral Park – With all the bridges in town, my favorite is the celeste-hued, gothic style St. John’s Bridge. Cathedral Park is located under the taper of the bridge and there is really nothing more majestic than walking down the steps leading into the Willamette River with the St. John’s bridge above you and Forest Park in the horizon.
Forest Park (credit: Forest Park Conservancy)
Erin Wang, Cup of Excellence Senior Manager
Nong’s Khao Man Gai – Nong’s chicken and rice is well known and worth it every time, plus they have vegetarian and vegan options.
Forest Park – Large park on the Northwest side of town. Great close-by place to get away from the city and enjoy nature.
Ruth McCabe, Administrative Support
Waterfront Park – Waterfront Park comes to mind because of its location and there’s always something happening on one side of the river or the other. It’s also a great walking loop.
