Whenever I travel I scope out the best boutique shops in the area and then pay them a visit when I'm in town. I've traveled around the world and my favorite place to shop is Portland, Oregon. Portland loves to support local, I love that and the boutique shops offer tons of whimsical designs by local artists. If a trip to Portland is in your future this list will help you discover how to play, shop and eat in a city full of local shops in different districts.
Play
Portland is flat as a pancake. Bring your running shoes, rollerblades or your favorite bike. Portland hums with activity. Urban cruiser bikes are everywhere. Admire the bike baskets of the locals. Then go see the awesome bikes at Joe Bike.
Shop
Portland's Alberta Street neighborhood offers beautiful boutique shopping. There are feminine and flirty dresses at Tumbleweed Boutique. Owner Kara Larson designs her own dress line called Kara-Line. Have a few dresses shipped to your home to try on. The dresses are elegant and gorgeous! The store also sells slips from Glam Garb. Next door to Tumbleweed Boutique is the cutest children's store called Grasshopper also owned by Kara. The store offers an extensive collection of children's clothes, toys and books. And the pedX Shoe Boutique has affordable, trendy, yet comfortable shoes. And I adore the ladies at the Frock Boutique.
Mississippi Avenue offers loads of shopping including a cute country store called Porch Light.
And the whimsical clothing at Portland-based Makool Loves You is available online.
In the Pearl District make sure you visit Powell's Books, it is the best bookstore in the United States. Parallel (has indie fashions including Seattle-based Prarie Underground) and Physical Element offers local and international labels with a unique fashion twist. And Lizard Lounge features high-end, yet pricey, outdoor-inspired clothing including the popular, Portland-based Nau line. And check out the adorable, retro-inspired swimwear at Popina.
And a few other local stores in the Portland area worth checking out include Marguerite (1520 SE Bybee Blvd; 503-234-7202; hours 11am-5pm Wed-Sun). Also check out Golden Rule (a concept store that changes monthly). Palace has awesome vintage clothes for men and women. And just around the corner from Palace, I heart Noun, what a lovely store chock full of eclectic baubles.
Eat
A great local place in Portland for breakfast is Broder. The line to get into the Little T American Baker is worth the wait for a dose of healthy food. If you like pasta, Noodle & Co offers affordable meals. For some soul food go to Mother's Bistro and Bar. For a true old school diner experience head to the yummy Byways Cafe, the employee-owned restaurant has been dishing up American fare since the 1930s. And the award-winning pizza at Old Town is mouth watering and the building is haunted too. Enjoy a seasonal meal at Doc, and don't miss the canned foods that lines the walls and windows. For a local communal table feel with fresh food and awesome wine list don't miss Clyde Common.
Find more Portland shopping.
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Photo: CopyStrands
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