Portland…

Few cities in the U.S. are as full of life and fun and personality. Portland is cool, tatted, artistic and doesn’t care what you think. But still friendly.

Sure, it has a lot in common with nearby Seattle. But Portland is smaller and easier to experience in a weekend. And it has a relaxed culture and vibe all its own.

If you are heading to Portland for a weekend visit, this is your go-to plan. Enjoy the top sites and can’t-miss eateries to experience the ULTIMATE 48 Hrs in Portland, OR.

Your Hotel Awaits

If you’re arriving on Friday afternoon at Portland International Airport, also known as PDX, it’s easy to get an Uber into downtown Portland. PDX is just 20 minutes away from the action in Portland.

Or take the MAX, Portland’s light rail transit system. The MAX is one of the best transit systems in the U.S. It’s simple to use and affordable, at just a few dollars a ticket.

There are many memorable places to stay in downtown Portland, but I highly recommend the Heathman Hotel.

The Heathman Hotel has been welcoming travelers to Portland since 1927. They are known for their outstanding customer service and memorable amenities like French press coffee in your room and pillow menu.

And the doormen dressed as a London Beefeaters will make you feel like a Queen!

Alternative: The Kimpton Hotel Monaco in downtown Portland and the Canopy Hilton in the Pearl District are also excellent choices and at a similar price. (but sadly, without regal doormen)

Dinner and a View

Once you stash your bags in your hotel room, it’s time to find dinner. One of the best views in Portland can be seen from the 30^th floor at the Portland City Grill, along with a fantastic menu, of course.

They don’t allow reservations for the windows. But hopefully, you’ll get a spot close enough to see Mt. Hood (to the east) or Mt. Adams (to the north) standing proudly outside of the city.

It’s best to visit just before sundown so that you can take in a beautiful overview of the city, especially its many impressive bridges over the Willamette River. Then you can enjoy the twinkling city lights after nightfall.

Alternative: If you want to save a dollar, or just want to do something quick for dinner, then chow down at one of Portland’s famous food carts. The cart pod at SW 3^rd and Washington has 20 carts including The Grilled Cheese Grill-YUM!

After dinner, check out what musical act is playing at The Crystal Ballroom. It’s one of the outstanding properties owned by the McMenamin brothers, who have a veritable empire of unique and enjoyable restaurants, pubs and hotels throughout Oregon.

They select locations that have historical value and save each school, commercial building, or aged housing locale from ruin by fixing it up and turning it into something spectacular. I love this value of preservation that many Oregonians have.

The Crystal Ballroom, which is a concert hall built more than a century ago, hosts musical acts and dance nights with a variety of musical styles. If that evening’s artist doesn’t sound like your scene, enjoy an evening walk downtown to your hotel and turn in early to get ready for the weekend ahead.

Alternative: Powell’s City of Books bills itself as the World’s Largest Independent Bookstore, with more than 1 million books at its flagship location in the Pearl District. Taking up a whole city block, visitors love to browse its many floors and have a cup of tea or coffee in their café.

Saturday at the Market

Start your Saturday morning with one of my favorite things about Portland-local coffee!

Yes, there are a million Starbucks here, and business is booming. But Portlanders especially love their local coffee spots, and the most renowned is Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

They have a few locations downtown; I recommend the one at 3^rd Street and Pine. Grab a quick breakfast here, too.

After you’re fortified with a cup of joe, head over to the Portland Saturday Market near Burnside Bridge for an enjoyable walk through table after table of unique, artisan wares. You may know by now that Portland loves to be “weird,” and that makes for a fascinating assortment of stalls to browse.

After the market, take the MAX to the Pearl district and walk a few blocks north to my favorite French café in Portland. St. Honore Bakery is known for their desserts, so have your sandwich on crusty bread (made on the premises), fresh salad or soup but save room for a little pastry or cake.

The flaky croissants and delicately layered mille-feuille will have you saying “Ohh la la!”

If you’d like to do more shopping, wander along 23^rd St. to see some of the most popular places in Portland to shop. But don’t dawdle too long, because you need to visit one of Portland’s most iconic sites: The International Rose Test Garden.

Alternative: Instead of visiting the market, take a stroll along the Willamette River, and view some of Portland’s numerous bridges up close. If you begin near Alder St./Morrison Bridge and walk southeast to the Riverplace Marina, then back up to the Steel Bridge and to Alder St., it will be about a 3-mile walk.

They Don’t Call it the City of Roses for Nothin’

Roses and other flora and fauna absolutely flourish in Portland’s climate. The International Rose Test Garden, located in beloved Washington Park, was established in 1917 to provide a safe haven for rose hybrids that were in danger of being lost during WWI.

Today, it’s a breathtaking sight during the months of May-October, when the roses are in bloom.

And it’s free!

Alternative: If it’s not the right time of year, or roses sound boring to you, try a hike in Forest Park. The largest forested city park in the U.S sits on the western side of Portland, just minutes from downtown. The Macleay-Stone House loop is an easy trail for visitors just wanting a taste of the forest.

Start at NW Upshur Street, at Macleay Park. Follow the Macleay Trail up the mountain, passing a creek and some HUGE trees.

Once you reach the Stone House, a Works Administration building, now fallen into disrepair, you can retrace your steps for a 2-mile hike, with 200 feet of elevation change. The Stone House is also rumored to be a Witch’s Castle. Spooky.

Saturday Night (Food Cart) Fever

You’ve been passing by them all weekend, but you can’t leave Portland without eating at a food cart!

Portland was perfecting foot carts before most of the nation knew what the heck a food cart WAS.

The cart pod on Alder Street between 9^th and 10^th is a great bet. With 60+ carts, simply choose your favorite cuisine, from German brats to fresh falafel or pillowy Bao buns.

This is also a great time to save a buck. Check out a map of local carts if you’d like more info.

Alternative: If you want something a little more adventurous, start with an experience in Northwestern seafood at Salty’s On The Columbia, about 10 miles north of the city. Then head over to Alberta Street to take as stroll in this funky, artistic community.

There are many places to eat or drink, but you’ve got to taste the gourmet ice cream at Salt and Straw.

Sunday Adventures        

Greet the morning at a local favorite: Blue Star Donuts. Blue Star is preferred over much-hyped Voodoo Donuts for several reasons.

For one, Blue Star has flavors for the more sophisticated palette, like Blueberry Bourbon Basil or Orange Olive Oil. Also, Voodoo is always swamped with tourists. A 45-minute line for donuts-no thanks!

Do what a Portlander would do and grab a sweet treat at Blue Star. But they only serve drip coffee, be aware.

Once you’re fortified with sugar and caffeine, use your rental car or take the Columbia River Gorge Express to visit Multnomah Falls. Just 30 minutes east of Portland, along the Columbia River, you’ll find Oregon’s most famous waterfall in all its glory.

Beautiful, serene and much-visited (it’s easily accessible off I-84), Multnomah Falls is more than 600 feet tall and has a picturesque bridge spanning its midpoint.

You can walk up to the bridge, or more dedicated athletes can trek up to the top of the falls. If you get hungry, grab a bite in the Multnomah Falls Lodge at the base of the falls.

While you’re in the area, try to visit the Crown Point State Scenic Corridor for gorgeous views of the Columbia River Gorge, and possibly the Bonneville Dam. The dam has an informative visitor’s center and underwater viewing of a fish ladder where you can see salmon and lamprey up close and learn about their lifecycles.

If you have any time left in the city, treat yourself to one more coffee. You will miss it when you’re gone, I guarantee.

If there’s something you just couldn’t fit in, don’t worry, there’s always next time. Much adventure awaits in Portland.

Alternative: If you can’t (or prefer not to) get out of the city, a day exploring the Lan Su Chinese Garden or Washington Park would be best. Have lunch at the award-winning Mother’s Bistro & Bar, for home-cooked meals, but, like, way better.

If you have time to visit the Oregon coast, be sure to read Three Essential Tips for Visiting the Tidepools.