The magnolias are currently in full bloom at the Hoyt Arboretum, and one of the highlights of the intricate trail system within the park. Click the image to enlarge.
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Photo © Stephanie Paris
Month: March 2015
One Pass to See Them All: Portland’s Best Cultural & Historical Sites, Museums, Gardens, and Attractions
Whether you’re visiting Portland from another city, or you live here and have a few days off to explore your own city, our friends over at Travel Portland can help you get the most bang for your buck while seeing some of the city’s most notable points of interest. They have created four different Attraction Passes that give you entry into all or a curated selection of Portland’s best museums, gardens, and cultural & historical sites. The passes are good for five days from the date of purchase, and can only be purchased online. The Attraction Passes cater to the needs of the traveler whether you want it all (the Big Pass) or just want a select few from the list (the Washington Park Pass, the Downtown Pass, or the Garden Pass). Continue reading
Photo of the Week: Dumplings from Departure
Chicken & Mushroom Dumplings with chili, Thai basil, and crispy shallot from the Portland Dining Month menu at Departure Restaurant & Lounge. Click the image to enlarge.
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Photo © Stephanie Paris
Beyond Portland: Spring Break Traditions in Seaside, Oregon
Falling in love with Seaside, Oregon was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. With its unique whimsical charm and old-timey character, it has become one of my family’s favorite weekend destinations. It’s the kind of place that has the ability to appeal to everyone due to the fact that there is just so much to do, see, eat, discover, and experience. It inspires us to explore, and we take great pleasure in devouring as much of Seaside as we can possibly fit into our multi-day stays. This includes expansive, open beaches, vintage and modern arcade games, boutique shopping, an indoor carousel, delightful restaurants, a 1.5 mile boardwalk affectionately nicknamed the “Prom,” and hotel accommodations ranging from large resorts to small beach bungalows. Incredibly, this treasured beach town in all its splendor is easily accessible by bus.
Our trip begins at Union Station in Portland, Oregon, where we choose the morning bus, departing at 9:30 AM (there’s also an evening departure at 6:20 PM). The scenic ride aboard the NorthWest POINT bus is a comfortable one, with reclining seats, foot rests, free wifi, and an on-board restroom. Once in Seaside, Continue reading
Portland’s top restaurants & chefs offer $29 3-course meals for Portland Dining Month
One of Portland’s most anticipated culinary events is Portland Dining Month. For the entire month of March, over 100 Portland restaurants will be offering three-course meals for just $29 per person. Some of the participating restaurants scarcely offer one entree at that price, let alone THREE courses! Now’s the perfect time to try some of those restaurants that everyone’s been talking about, or that have been on your foodie to-do list since you read their acclaimed yelp reviews.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a truly Portland event unless there was a non-profit beneficiary involved. If you book your reservation using the provided Open Table links for the various restaurants below, Portland Dining Month will make a donation to the Oregon Food Bank. 72 of the 100+ Portland Dining Month restaurants are participating in the Open Table reservation system, and you’ll find the complete list by clicking here. To see the complete list of all restaurants participating in Portland Dining Month, including each of their 3-course menus, click here.
All of the restaurants are accessible by public transportation, but featured below are 31 of my favorites, along with TriMet links to the nearest bus, MAX, and streetcar stops. Don’t worry if the restaurant you want to visit isn’t on my list; just use TriMet’s trip planning page to enter your starting location, then the ending address of your desired Portland Dining Month participating restaurant and you’ll get a detailed trip itinerary. Enjoy!
Acadia 1303 N.E. Fremont St., Portland, OR 97212
4.5 stars on Yelp $$
Accessibility by bus:
- NE 15th & Fremont Southbound Stop ID 6786 – 0.11 miles away • Served by: 8
- NE 15th & Fremont Northbound Stop ID 6785 – 0.12 miles away • Served by: 8
- Click here for all nearby TriMet stops
Accanto 2838 S.E. Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214
4 stars on Yelp $$ ~ Click here to make OpenTable reservations
Accessibility by bus:
- SE Belmont & 28th Eastbound Stop ID 414 – 0.01 miles away • Served by: 15
- SE Belmont & 28th Westbound Stop ID 413 – 0.03 miles away • Served by: 15
- Click here for all nearby TriMet stops
Al Amir 223 S.W. Stark St., Portland, OR 97204
4 Stars on Yelp $$
Accessibility by bus:
- Oak/ SW 1st Ave MAX Station Southbound Stop ID 8380 – 0.06 miles away • Served by: MAX Blue, MAX Red
- Oak/ SW 1st Ave MAX Station Northbound Stop ID 8337 – 0.08 miles away • Served by: MAX Blue, MAX Red
- Click here for all nearby TriMet stops
Portland By Bus 