12 SEP 2018: “You know someone’s from Portland when there’s more ink on their body than their resume,” remarks Cedar, my pedicab chauffeur as we cycle from one brewpub to another. He’s one of the few Portlanders who isn’t covered in tattoos.
It was my first trip to Oregon and it won’t be my last. I loved the liberal bohemian vibe.
The city’s unofficial motto and local mantra is, “Keep Portland Weird.” This is a town where you can take a Boobs and Brews tour of brewpubs and strip joints aboard a “rickshaw” pedaled by a bikini-clad female chauffeur. Or participate in the Portland Naked Bike Ride. Or grab a late night snack at one of the town’s 800-plus food carts It’s also home of the Heathman Hotel where several scenes from the erotic best seller, Fifty Shades of Grey took place. Your buck goes a long way in Oregon because there’s no sales tax.
Note: all prices approximated in US dollars.
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Feast Portland
The birthplace of James Beard, Portland has long enjoyed a strong food reputation. Bon Appetit presents Feast Portland from September 13 to 16, 2018. It’s a movement that showcases the energy, creativity and enthusiasm that’s driving America’s food revolution while celebrating two of the culinary world’s most inspiring places: Portland and Oregon.
Founded in 2012, Feast is also a festival that puts charity at the core of its mission. Since its inception, the festival has donated close to $400,000 to help end hunger in Oregon and across the country. The package ($650 per person) includes five main events and lots of feasting and merry-making with top chefs, winemakers, brewers and more. www.feastportland.com
Fifty Shades of Sex in the City
Aside from being named “One of the 500 Best Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2012 awards, the Heathman, a National Historic Landmark in downtown Portland, is mentioned several times in E.L. James’ steamy Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. The pet-friendly Heathman supplies Fido with a bowl, bed, treats and doggy menu. Humans can choose from an extensive pillow menu and enjoy the services of a personal concierge and Russian-style afternoon tea.
Green Beer Crawl
Portland, “where young people come to retire” lays claim to more strip clubs and microbreweries per capita than any other North American city. First rule: don’t drink and drive in Portland; instead be chauffeured from pub to pub in a PDX Pedicab built for two. For a boys’ night out, consider the Portland Boobs & Brew tour with stops to both kinds of adult establishments. The peddlers at PDX Pedicab are informed and entertaining. They will also create fun and raunchy bachelorette tours, birthday and wedding bashes and more. www.pdxpedicab.com
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Food Carts for Foodies
The hundreds of food carts in Portland’s metro area offer innovative, high-quality cuisine at reasonable prices. Situated in “pods” of multiple vendors in former parking lots throughout the city, Portland’s carts differ from other cities because they aren’t mobile; they’re typically anchored at fixed locations. As a result, Portland’s carts have loyal followings.
Downtown Portland contains some of the largest and longest-running food cart pods. The trucks at S.W. Tenth Ave. and Alder St., boasts the one-dish wonder (chicken and rice) of Nong’s Khao Man Gai, and S.W. Fifth Ave. and Stark St. bustles with “schnitzelwich” fans at Tabor.
La Vie en Rose
Located “where downtown meets the river,” Hotel Rose, a Staypineapple Hotel, is ideally situated close to downtown attractions and transportation. The self-dubbed “funky” hotel offers complimentary bicycles for exploring one of the country’s most bike-friendly cities. Comfortable beds, posh linens, luxurious terry robes, windows that open, free WIFI and nearby gym facilities are part of the bargain.
www.staypineapple.com
Doughnut Delirium
Voodoo Doughnuts began as a tiny shop open during the wee hours offering confections such as the Vanilla Pepto Crushed Tums and the NyQuil Glazed doughnuts until the health officials outlawed those flavours. Today there are several shops around town open 24/7. You’ll smell Voodoo before you join the legendary line-ups for calorie-laden maple/bacon buns or Loops studded with Fruit Loops. For certain occasions you can buy a “coffin-size” box filled with 36 killer Voodoos. And now that you’re getting the Portland vibe, you won’t be surprised to learn that quite a few weddings take place amidst stacks of Voodoo’s iconic pink boxes and eclectic décor. In December 2008 Voodoo’s Portland Cream was designated as “Portland’s Official City Doughnut” by a resolution introduced by the mayor. Voodoo’s slogan? The Magic is in the Hole. www.voodoodoughnut.com
A Walk in the Park
Accessible by MAX Light Rail and located just a couple of miles west of downtown, Washington Park contains the Oregon Zoo, interactive Portland Children’s Museum, Japanese Garden and plenty of trails for biking, hiking and picnics. Don’t miss the International Rose Test Garden where more than 9,000 bushes perfume the air. For more than a century, Portland is known as the “City of Roses.” Its warm, dry summers and wet, cool winters are ideal for growing fragrant blooms. On a clear day, you’ll have stunning views of snow-capped Mount Hood.
Go Artsy
Every weekend from March to Dec. 24, more than 350 artisans set up stalls at the Portland Saturday Market. Remember, everything from the organic catnip to the hemp dream pillows, is tax-free. www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com