Every Portlander will tell you that the months of nonstop rain are worth it because Portland has the best summers. I have to say that it’s a claim that is very much true. As soon as summer comes around, it seems like the city becomes a million times livelier. The weather is simply perfect, the days are long and beautiful, and there are fun and exciting things happening everywhere you go.
It’s really hard to stay at home and do nothing when there’s so much happening around the city and so many reasons to go outside. Trust me, I’ve been trying to have a chill weekend at home these past few weeks and have totally failed. While you don’t need my advice to run into something fun to do in this beautiful city, I still thought it’d be fun to sum up a few of my favorite things to do in Portland this summer. So, if you’re thinking of making a trip up here, keep on reading to learn about a few things you can add to your itinerary.
Have a Picnic and Enjoy a Stroll at Washington Park
These pictures where taken at Washington Park, which is one of my favorite places to explore any time of year. In the summer, however, it’s the perfect time to appreciate it in all of its glory. If you plan accordingly, you can really spend a whole day here. You can start off by having a picnic in one of the many lawns, stop and smell the roses at the gorgeous International Rose Test Garden, head over to the archery range if that’s your thing and end the day by taking a stroll through one of the many trails leading you into Forest Park.
Stock Up on Vintage and Consignment Finds on Hawthorne
Hawthorne Street is a vintage lover’s dream! There’s a vintage and consignment furniture or clothing shop on almost every other block, each stocked with eclectic finds, so you’ll be sure to find something that suits your fancy. Some of my favorite places to shop for furniture are Vintage Pink and Lounge Lizard. For clothes, I love Magpie and House of Vintage, and the Goodwill and Crossroads on this street also have a great selection.
Spend a Day Exploring One of the City’s Many Beautiful Districts
One of the things I love most about Portland is that each district has its own unique characteristics and bustling streets with plenty of great food and shopping options. So, even if you visit a part of town with the intention of dining at a specific restaurant or browsing a certain shop, it’ll probably be very hard for you not to wander next door and see what’s happening.
As I said, there are plenty of great districts. However, I do have my favorites. I particularly really love exploring the Alberta District, where you’ll find one of my favorite coffee shops/brunch spots Proud Mary. Hawthorne and the Richmond neighborhood (Division) are also pretty fun spots. And, of course, I chose to live in the Northwest District for a reason; there’s plenty of fun shops and restaurants for you to explore on both 23rd and 21st Avenue.
Check Out the Portland Flea + Food
I love checking out the Portland Flea any time of year, but I feel less inclined to rush through all the booths when it’s not cold and rainy outside. This event is held in the parking lot of Rejuvanation, and features goods from a variety of vintage sellers, local artisans and food vendors. It’s a cool place to find some unique finds and gather inspiration. After you’re done browsing, I definitely recommend heading over to Figlia(located next to Rejuvenation) for some bites and Coava for some coffee.
Go Berry Picking at Sauvie Island
One of the things that I do every summer is to go berry picking with friends at Sauvie Island. Maybe it’s because I’ve worked hard to pick them, but these berries taste a million times better than store-bought berries. My favorite place to pick berries at is Columbia U-Pick, but there are plenty of other farms around.
This is a really great way to spend a few hours catching up with friends. And if you’re anything like my friends and me, you can even compete to see who picks the most berries. I wouldn’t worry about taking too many home since you can always freeze the berries and save them for later.
Find A Rooftop Where You can Enjoy the Beautiful View
Clear skies mean that you can finally enjoy all the beautiful views around Portland. My favorite way to take in some of these sights is by hanging out with friends at a rooftop bar. My favorite is the rooftop bar at Revolution hall, but Departure and Noble Rot are also popular options.
Take a Hike and Enjoy Nature in Forest Park
Portlander’s are so lucky to be able to live in a city environment and still be so close to nature. I love that many of the trails in Forest Park are only a short walk away from my house. I also love that there are plenty of trails to explore depending on how far I(or Mocha) want to go that day.
You’ll often find me running or hiking on the Wildwood and Leif Erikson trials. I would especially recommend doing the Pittock Mansion hike from Lower Macleay Park. You can make a pitstop at the Audobon Society to check out their bird collection on the way there and experience a beautiful view of Portland once you reach your destination.
Check Out the Portland State Farmer’s Market and Saturday Market
Very few farmer’s markets compare to the Portland State Farmer’s Market. Seriously, this thing is so huge you’ll probably have to do a lap or two to check out the different booths before you start shopping. Aside from a great selection of fresh produce, there are also plenty of delicious food and beverage options. One of my favorite vendors is Mio Delectables, and they have really delicious Japanse-inspired treats. I also love that I can get food from Pine State Biscuits here without having to wait in the long line you’ll often find outside their brick and mortar locations.
If you’re up for even more exploring, Saturday Market takes place on Saturday’s as well at the waterfront and is only a short walk away from this location. This market has fun, and sometimes weird, stuff from local artisans, plenty of treats and entertainment.
Take Advantage of Iced Coffee Weather
Your girl loves coffee, especially when I can enjoy it cold. This is the time of year that I’m extra grateful to live in a town that truly appreciates coffee. While iced lattes are usually my jam, there are plenty of shops around town that have interesting iced coffee options. There are so many great coffee shops around Portland, you’re bound to find a great drink. But, to make your quest for the perfect cup of coffee a bit easier, I’ve rounded up my favorite coffee shops here.
Anyway, that’s it for my recommendations. I hope you find something cool to add to your list of things to do in Portland this summer. And, of course, I’m always looking for suggestions as well. So, let me know if there are any fun activities I should be checking out while the weather is still warm and beautiful.
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