GETTING HERE.
Portland International Airport (PDX) is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland. From the UK, British Airways offers the only direct flight. Recommended indirect routes are via Seattle (a flight under one hour or a three-hour train ride) and via Reykjavik—an affordable option on Icelandair.
For domestic travel, direct flights are available on Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest. If you arrive by train, Amtrak’s station in NW Portland is just north of downtown—we recommend taking an Uber, Lyft, or taxi from there to your accommodation.
Portland Basics
Portland is (mostly) divided into four quadrants. East and West are separated by the Willamette River, while North and South are split by Burnside Street, which crosses over the river.
Without traffic, most places are a 15–20 minute drive apart. Our venue, Mildred Hall, is located in the NE quadrant. Our home is in the NW quadrant.
The highest concentration of hotels is in the SW—specifically the West End and Downtown areas. If you’re renting a car, parking here can be tricky, but it’s very accessible by public transportation. Portland’s public transit system, including MAX light rail, buses, and streetcars, is reliable, easy to use, and covers most areas of the city you might want to explore. Otherwise Lyft's, Uber's, and Radio Cab (the taxi company) are plentiful.
Where to Stay
The wedding venue is located in NE Portland, near the Alberta Arts District. While hotel options in this area are limited, there are two excellent ones nearby.
CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel
One of the newest hotels in town, Cascada is a 15-minute walk from the venue, located right in the heart of the Alberta Arts District. It’s also home to a luxe thermal spa.
This is a pricier option, with rooms starting at around $400 per night.
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McMenimans Kennedy School
McMenamins is a beloved local chain of hotels, restaurants, and breweries that repurposes historic buildings around town. Kennedy School is an affordable and unique option—it’s literally a converted elementary school—complete with multiple bars, a heated soaking pool, and a movie theater.
Rooms start at around $265 per night.
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West-End and Downtown Hotels
In the SW quadrant of Portland, you’ll find the West End and Downtown area. Downtown isn’t as bustling as it once was, but it still has a lot to offer—especially a wide range of high-end hotels at surprisingly affordable prices. This area is likely to offer some of the best deals. With so many options, it’s often worth booking early (most reservations are refundable) and keeping an eye out for better rates closer to the date.
If you’re unsure about a hotel, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to offer advice. When choosing a downtown hotel, we recommend staying west of Pioneer Square and closer to Burnside for the best experience.
Woodlark Hotel
Woodlark is one of my favorite hotels in Portland, aesthetically speaking. It was gaining a lot of buzz as one of the best hotels in the Pacific Northwest when it opened at the end of 2018, but the pandemic slowed its momentum.
It’s still gorgeous—home to two great dining and drinking spots (Bullard Tavern and Abigail Hall), as well as its own coffee shop.
Rooms start at around $200 per night.
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Moxy Hotel
Moxy is a Marriott brand hotel that had the worst timing for an opening—originally slated for summer 2020.
It’s modern, well-located, and home to its own upscale food court of sorts, which includes Sun Rice (highly recommended!).
It’s a great affordable option, with rooms starting at around $125 per night.
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The Clyde Hotel
By far the best deal in town, The Clyde is the former Ace Hotel, now operated by Kasa. While it’s lost a bit of its cool factor—with no on-site restaurants (though there is a coffee shop), minimal staff, and self check-in—the style remains the same, and the price truly can’t be beat.
Rooms with shared bathrooms (a classic Ace Hotel touch) start at $56 per night, while a King Suite with an en suite bathroom is just $113 per night.
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Inner SE / Burnside Hotels
On the other side of the river, Burnside offers a handful of hotels along this busy stretch of road. These hotels are about a 10–15 minute drive from the venue. This area is close to great bars and restaurants and is easily accessible by bus.
If you’re unsure about a hotel, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to offer advice.
Kex Portland
Kex Portland is the second outpost of this hotel brand, which originally started in Reykjavik. It’s located just across the Burnside Bridge and features a great rooftop bar and a highly rated restaurant.
Like its Icelandic counterpart, the hotel offers a range of options: bunks and dorms starting at $55 per night, rooms with shared bathrooms starting at $159, and en suite rooms starting at $179.
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Jupiter + Jupiter Next
The Jupiter and its newly built sister hotel, Jupiter Next, are located right on Burnside, in the middle of a lively hub of bars and restaurants. The Jupiter is also home to the live music venue Doug Fir and has the special distinction of being the first place Kelsi ever stayed in Portland. Jupiter Next, just next door, is home to Hey Love—a very delicious cocktail bar.
Rooms start at $103 per night for the Jupiter and $180 per night for Jupiter Next.
Book Here
To note: While Portland is not the fiery hellscape Fox News would have you believe it is, like any city, it does have some less good areas. We don’t recommend staying in hotels that are located in Old Town, and downtown South of Pioneer Square.
Josiah and I are big Portland fans. It's a pretty great city— world class dining, some of the best beer in the world (not hyperbole!), surrounded by natural wonders, and you know... a little bit weird.
Portlandia wasn't entirely inaccurate.
We hope while you're here you have an opportunity to stay awhile and explore. And, if you do, here's some of our recommendations.
Dining
KANN
Chef Gregory Gourdet’s (Top Chef finalist and multi James Beard award winner) stunning Haitian restaurant is the best bite in Portland. I’ve never had a plate I didn’t like, and the experience is extremely special.
It’s really hard to get a reservation (they go live a month in advance) but you can look out for cancelations or try for a walk in.
SE Portland
SCREEN DOOR
If you have visited Josiah before, you’ve probably been taken to Screen Door. Southern food at its finest. It’s delicious for any meal, but we’re big fans of the brunch. Chicken and waffles, praline bacon, it’s a family fave.
Reservations are possible on weeknights, but walk ins are available (often with a wait).
NW and NE Portland
OMAS HIDEAWAY
While Pok Pok’s closure (IYKYK) was a big loss, Portland has no shortage of amazing Southeast Asian food and Oma’s Hideaway is one of the best. out there
Kitsch decor, easy going vibes, and an innovative and wildly delicious menu— it’s so so delicious.
SE Portland
G-LOVE
They call it a “reverse steakhouse” which essentially means there’s a big emphasis on amazing side dishes. I used to live above this restaurant, so I’ve tried the whole menu— they have the best salad I’ve ever eaten (yeah, a salad, yes I said this). It’s a great culinary exploration of local produce.
You should also try out their cocktail bar next door Love Shack, featuring fun mini snacks offered dim sum style.
NW Portland
KENS ARTISAN PIZZA
Portland has no shortage of amazing pizza. It’s even been argued Portland has too many upscale pizza spots. We have a couple of faves, but Kens is special— it’s even been named one of the top ten pizzas in the country. My faves are the burrata or the prosciutto.
Walk in only, be prepared to wait.
SE Portland
NONGS KHAO MAN GAI
You never knew simple poached chicken could taste so good. Nongs offers only a couple of simple thai dishes, mostly based around poached chicken and tofu. But it’s done to perfection— served with rice, we strongly recommend the peanut sauce. It’s our go to comfort food when we need a little nourishment.
SE and SW Portland
Fave Bars and Breweries
Breakside Brewery (NE + NW)
Great Notion (NE + NW)
Deschutes Brewery (NW)
Freeland Spirits (NW)
Commensal (NE)
Multnomah Whiskey Library (SW)
Sousol (SE)
Grand Fir (SE)
Little Beast (SE)
Hale Pele (NE)
Best Sweet Spots
Salt and Straw (NW + NE + SE)
Pips Donuts (NE)
Kate’s Ice Cream (vegan!) (NW + NE)
Blue Star Donuts (SW + SE)
Jinju Patisserie (NE)
Lauretta Jeans Pie Shop (SE)
Papa Haydns (NW + SE)
Kens Artisan Bakery (NW)
Rimsky Korsakofee (SE)
Soro Soro (SE)
Things to See
International Test Rose Garden (NW)
Japanese Garden (NW)
Powells (NW)
Sauvie Island (NW)
Ground Kontrol Arcade (NW)
Adidas Employee Store (NW)
Cathedral Park/St Johns Bridge (North)
Kennedy School Soaking Pool (NE)
Hollywood Theatre (NE)
Hopscotch (SE)
Day Trips
The Gorge
The Gorge is what made me (Kelsi) fall hopelessly in love with living in Portland. Take the 84 out of Portland headed east, and you end up driving a picturesque road along the Columbia River— which splits Oregon and Washington.
The sites are awe inspiring. Along the drive you'll pass Multnomah Falls, Rooster Rock, The Bridge of the Gods and Vista House (pictured—perfect for views for days). Take the road into Hood River, a town at the base of the mountain and visit my two favourite Oregon breweries— Ferment and Pfreim.
If you want more you can head towards the mountain and do the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop— a self driving tour of some of the farms producing Oregon produce— I recommend The Gorge White House for Dahlias, Draper Girls Farms for apples and cider, and Hiyu Wine Farm for a unique tasting experience
The Mountain
In Portland, when the weather is nice and the sky is clear, we like to say "the mountain is out"— because we can see Mount Hood from all around the city (it never gets old TBH). Heading "up the mountain" is an extra thrill.
Up there you'll find trails, forest vistas that go on forever, and alpine lakes (Trillium is a popular one, with beautiful lake + mountain views, we love Lost Lake, but it's much more of a trek).
You can also visit The Timberline Lodge (the exterior played The Stanley Hotel in The Shining) and spot alpine wildflowers and imagine what it's like deep in snow (or just come back for a winter visit).
The Coast
The Oregon Coast is expansive, and there's a lot to see— the quickest routes in drop you at either Tillamook, Cannon Beach, or Astoria—(1.5-2 hr drive). The route between them is about 1.5 drive.
If you start in Tillamook, you can visit the Tillamook Creamery, and grab a grilled cheese, or some of their locally made ice cream. If you're a beer fan pop by deGarde Brewing, they specialize in sours and farmhouse ales, all spontaneously fermented and hard to get anywhere outside of the taproom.
Driving north you can take in the views, along the coastal road, stop by Pronto Pup in Rockaway Beach for a corn dog (they claim to have invented them). Or if you prefer, stop in Seaside for fish and chips and vintage arcade games.
Further up the coast is the iconic Cannon Beach (you might recognize Haystack Rock from the end of The Goonies). If you want another beer, we love Public Coast Brewing.
Lastly land in Astoria—a historic fishing town (the oldest in Oregon) with a deep Nordic immigrant history. The Oregon Film Museum is a tiny museum housed in the old jail (also a Goonies filming location) celebrating Oregon in cinema (The Shining, Free Willy, Stand By Me, Kindergarten Cop, and of course The Goonies and more were all filmed here). For a drink, or some lunch or dinner we love Fort George Brewery.