A Driver’s Guide To Portland

Jake’s Famous Crawfish — 401 SW 12th Ave, 503-226-1419
One of the top 10 seafood restaurants in the nation, Jake’s has been a Portland landmark for over 100 years. Every day is a new seafood-adventure with a list of freshly caught delicacies. And what happens when they’re too busy? Powell’s Books is nearby, just in case you want to kill some time. If you are in the mood for meat specialties, try Jake’s Grill in the historic Governor Building which happens to be just a few blocks away.

Olympia Provisions — 107 SE Washington, 503-954-3663
A recent entry into Portland’s competitive restaurant culture, Olympic Provisions has already created quite a buzz. After all, a nice write-up in the New York Times never hurts, does it? The restaurant and deli serve both lunch and dinner, and they’re home to Oregon’s first USDA certified meat-curing facility. The restaurant’s cuisine is influenced by European and North African flavors, showcasing a range of ingredients from local farmers and ranchers. Red Cab taxi will give you a ride to the restaurant, and you enjoy the fabulous service!

Heathman Hotel, located just a few steps away from the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and all the downtown attractions.

Mother’s Bistro & Bar — 212 SW Stark, 503-464-1122
A little comfort food never hurt anyone, did it? Mother’s Bistro & Bar has a unique, customized menu featuring special dishes of (real) mothers all over the world, looking to comfort your nostalgic souls. Mother’s is on the consistent rave, getting 5-star reviews of both local and national media. All food is made from scratch using the best hand-picked ingredients available, with their weekend brunches gradually becoming somewhat a town legend. Getting a little homesick from too much traveling? Radio Cab will take you to see Mother – you’ll immediately feel better.

Wouldn’t mind a beer?Henry’s Tavern is the place to visit. Located in the Brewery Blocks, Henry’s serves over 100 beers on tap, many from Portland’s local microbreweries. With their extensive menu serving everything from afternoon snacks to gourmet dinners, you’ll love spending the day here. When the weather’s cooperating try the patio – it’s everything!

Portland City Grill — 111 SW 5th Ave, 30th floor, 503-450-0030
In the mood for some meat deliciousness? Hop on, and your Radio Cab driver will take you to the best grill in town! High up in “The Big Pink” the City Grill offers a spectacular view of the city, as well as a fine dining experience. Portland City Grill is a great place to do Happy Hour, too!

Bijou Cafe — 132 SW 3rd, 503-222-3187
Nothing makes exploring Portland as awesome as fueling up with a sweet portion of phenomenal traditional Portland breakfast; Bijou Cafe is the best possible place to do just that and take in the morning beauty of Portland. Radio Cab will take you downtown to enjoy everything Bijou has to offer; pick up NYTimes on the way in and rub elbows with the locals. Hey, if you need a taxi cab ride around, you know who to call, right?

Papa Haydn — 701 NW 23rd Ave , 503-228-7317
Right smack in the middle of Portland’s famous Nob Hill shopping area, Papa’s is a great spot to get a little lunch between power shopping forays. Make sure you check out the desserts, they’re worth every calory! Papa Haydn has an east side location too, near the antique stores in Westmoreland – just in case you are in that area.

Apizza Scholls — 4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 503-233-1286
Yes, the line is halfway around the block almost every time you get to this place but it’s worth the wait! Try anything from their menu, and chances are you’ll be coming for more. Their salads are killing it, and the pizzas? Italy-approved! If you need a ride to there, you know what taxi cab company nearby to call. Hawthorne District sure is one of the best places to experience.

Laurelhurst Market & Grill — 3155 E Burnside, 503-206-3097 Butcher shop by day, steak house by night, the Laurelhurst Market has generated quite a buzz around town and many excellent reviews:

Butcher shop by day, steakhouse by night, the Laurelhurst Market has generated quite a buzz around town and many excellent reviews, and the reason is obvious – fantastic service and spectacular food!

Right across the street is one of our best music stores – Music Millennium – and back down on NE 28th is a small little strip of very hip shops and cafes if you decide to extend your time in this city area.

Portland is world famous for its microbreweries. Just the other day I picked up three gents fresh off the plane from Ireland. They were here simply to check out our hoppy offerings, having heard all about our great local beer from the other side of the planet! Their first stop, Portland’s beer nexus – The Horse Brass Pub. Here’s a list of brew pubs to get you started. Careful, once you begin you’ll find it hard to stop. Please, don’t drink and drive. You might hit a pothole and spill some. Play it safe, take a Radio Cab – leave the driving to us.

Alameda Brewhouse – 4765 NE Fremont (503) 460-9025

Stormbreaker Brewing – 832 N Beech (971) 703-4516 Located in the North Mississippi neighborhood. They craft some really nice local beers.

Bridge Port Brew Pub – 1313 NW Marshall (503) 2412-7179

Raccoon Lodge &amp Brew pub – 7424 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy (503) 296-0110

Deschutes Brewery – 210 NW 11th (503) 296-4906

Full Sail Brewing – 307 SW Montgomery (503) 222-5343

Hair of the Dog – 4509 SE 23rd (503) 232-6585

Hopworks Urban Brewery – 2944 SE Powell (503) 201-8957

Laurelwood Public House – 5115 NE Sandy (503) 282-0622

Lucky Labrador Brewing Co. – 915 SE Hawthorne (503) 236-3555

Portland Brewing – 2730 NW 31st (503) 226-7623

Great Notion Brewing – 2204 NE Alberta (503) 548-4491

Max’s Fanno Creek – 12562 SW Main St. (503) 624-9400

McMenamins Brew Pubs – Numerous locations

The Lompoc Tavern – 1620 NW 23rd (503) 225-1855

Old Market Pub and Brewery – 6959 SE Multhnomah

Rock Bottom Brewery – 206 SW Morrison (503) 796-2739

Rogue Ales – 1339 NW Flanders (503) 222-5910

Tugboat Brewing – 711 SW Ankeny (503) 226-2508

Upright Brewing – 240 N Broadway (503) 286-6442

Widmer Brothers Brewing – 929 N Russell (503) 281-2437

other useful links:

Portland Beer

Oregon Beer

Hotel DeLuxe — 729 SW 15th, 503-219-2094
OK, I was little peeved when they closed down the old Mallory Hotel, a venerable Portland landmark since 1912. But I’ll grudgingly admit, the Hotel DeLuxe has turned out to be a fabulous replacement. Great ambiance, all the amenities you could possibly want, and a prime location. Its become my most often recommended hotel.

Ace Hotel — 1022 SW Stark, 503-228-2277
Located right downtown within walking distance to all the popular core destinations, it’s also near the streetcar line and MAX. The Ace is a great little boutique hotel, hip and family friendly – pets are welcome, too.

Hotel Monaco — 506 SW Washington, 503-222-0001
Featuring a great location in the heart of downtown, with all the luxuries anyone could ask for, the Monaco gets a consistently high ranking as one of our best hotels. The friendly staff render an extra effort to make you feel welcome. If you step into the elevator and find yourself surrounded by lofty giants don’t be alarmed. The NBA teams visiting our Portland Trailblazers stay there, too. And what’s more, the Monaco is Green Seal Certified to help allay any eco-guilt. They’re also pet friendly.

Jupiter Hotel — 800 E Burnside, 503-230-9200
One of the trendiest spots in Puddletown, this vintage motor inn has been completely renovated, updated, and given a giant dose of uberhip. As an added bonus one of the best lounges in town is right there, too – The Doug Fir. If, like me, you begin to nod off soon after Jeopardy this is not for you. At the front desk you can buy a thong with their logo on it, as a memento. I don’t really know what that is, but it sounds uncomfortable.

Kennedy School — 5736 NE 33rd, 503-249-3983
The McMenamin brothers are famous for finding unique properties and turning them into great destinations. This old grade school, circa 1915, has been reinvented as a delightful lodge, with everything you need right on site – rooms, restaurants, movie theater, and more. All the character of the old school has been carefully preserved, like the old chalkboards in the rooms. They show movies in the auditorium – take your pizza and beer in with you, kick back in the overstuffed chairs. It’s a short walk to the Alberta Arts District where you’ll find lots of shops, restaurants and galleries.

White House Bed and Breakfast — 1914 NE 22nd, 503-287-7137
Like the idea of a friendly bed and breakfast experience? We have many wonderful B&B’s in Portland but this is my favorite, located in the beautiful historic Irvington District close to Lloyd Center. Built in 1911 by a wealthy lumber baron this elegant Greek Revival mansion has been restored to its original splendor. I’ve heard the meals are great, and the location offers easy access to shopping or a pleasant stroll through the neighborhood.

Sentinel Hotel — 614 SW 11th Ave, 503-224-3400
One of Portland’s premier hotels located in the heart of downtown. For architectural enthusiasts the Governor Building itself is a must see, with glazed terra cotta features blending art noveau and Native American motifs. The architect was William C. Knighton, who was also the first Oregon State Architect and later designed the Oregon State Supreme Court Building. Extensively remodeled in 1992 they offer top flight accommodations while preserving the original character of the historic building.

On a Tight Budget? Try one of our friendly hostels. The Northwest Portland International Hostel, at 425 NW 18th Avenue, 503-241-2783, offers dorms with 2-4 beds per room, private rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a coffee bar. Another nice option is the Portland Hawthorne Hostel, 3031 SE Hawthorne, 503-236-3380. It’s right on Hawthorne Blvd., one of Portland’s most interesting neighborhoods loaded with many unique shops and cafes. The hostel is right across the street from Artichoke Music, the center of the folk music community in Portland. Here’s a link to a few more: Portland Hostels

OMSI — 1945 SE Water Ave, 503-797-4000
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry has been a popular family attraction since 1944. They have 100’s of interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations filling 5 exhibit halls and 8 science labs. Your kids will have a great time and probably won’t even notice they’re inadvertently learning science. Pay attention and you can throw them a pop quiz later. While you’re there you can also take in a show at the Omnimax® Theatre. If you’ve never been to one of these IMAX® productions you’re in for a treat, but wait until afterwards to have lunch because the sense of motion can be really intense. Did I mention they also have a submarine? Honestly, what more could you ask for?

The Oregon Zoo — 4001 Southwest Canyon Road, 503-226-1561
Maybe I’m just a kid at heart, but I never get tired of visiting our zoo. Its the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi, founded in 1887. They have the world’s most successful Asian elephant breeding program and are the newest member of the Condor Recovery Team. During summer months they host outdoor music concerts which are wildly popular. The elephants love them too – their house is just up the hill from the stage and they hang around outside, swaying to the music. I’m not making this up, I’ve seen them dancing to Tower of Power. Who wouldn’t, really? There’s also a miniature train that takes you to the highly acclaimed Washington Park Rose Gardens and Japanese Gardens. I promise, you’ll have a great time.

The Lan Su Chinese Garden — 239 NW Everett, 503-228-8131
Opened in 2000, Portland’s Chinese Garden is one of our most beautiful and interesting attractions. Covering an entire city block this authentic Scholar’s Garden is rich in detail, Chinese culture, and tranquil beauty. It is based on a garden built in Suzhou during the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644 AD). The majority of the materials and craft work originated in China. Inside you’ll find a tea house, lake, scholar’s study, several beautiful pavilions, Chinese art, and much more. The extensive plant collection contains hundreds of Chinese species, some quite rare. Take the tour, its free with your admission. The guides are excellent and you’ll learn some fascinating information that you’d be likely to miss without them. Its a good place to visit on a rainy day as well, since most of the pathways are covered and the eaves are specially designed to create soothing sounds as the water drips off of them. Highly recommended, but perhaps not suitable for boisterous young children.

The Children’s Museum — 4015 SW Canyon Rd, 503-223-6500
Founded in 1946, the Portland Children’s Museum is one of the oldest in the nation. In 2001 they moved into the former OMSI site near the Oregon Zoo. Since then the Museum has hosted over 1.6 million visitors from across the country and the world. With all sorts of imaginative and interactive exhibits this is a great place to spend a few hours with your young children. If they get bored, which seems impossible by all accounts, the zoo is right across the parking lot. Make a day of it.

Powell’s Books — 1005 W Burnside, 503-228-4651
Begun in 1971 this iconic Portland institution is arguably the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Bibliophiles are required to wear locator beacons upon entering the stacks, to avoid costly search and rescue missions. I like to head straight for the New Arrivals section, then over to the Staff Picks. All the areas are color coded to aid navigation, and there’s lots of staff around to help. The staff? Not your typical gum chewing mall juvies. These folks really know their books. Take the kids, a whole corner of one of the floors is devoted to your wee readers. If that’s not enough there’s also an espresso bar. Don’t leave Portland without a visit to Powell’s City of Books.

Bicycle Tours In The City — 345 NW Everett, 503-360-6815

Walking Tours — 503-774-4522

The Portland Jazz Festival — February
Although founded in 2003, the Portland Jazz Festival has quickly become one of Portland’s most popular events. The festival is known for staging top-notch jazz musicians from all around the world, a number of free performances, workshops, and educational breaks. Venues are near downtown hotels making it easy to combine world-class jazz with the amenities Portland is known for. Each year’s theme gives tribute to an artist, organization, or movement important to jazz. An added awesome thing? You can get package deals that guarantee good seats for all the shows!

Cinco De Mayo Fiesta — First weekend in May
Now in its 25th year, the Portland Cinco De Mayo Fiesta has grown into one of our most popular events. Everyone looks forward to it as the festival is the locals’ first chance to get outside after a long winter of gray drizzly skies. This is one of Radio Cab’s busiest times of year because everyone seems to want to go by taxi to the fiesta (and we totally get it). The fiesta is guarded against the rain too as everything’s under tents. Tejano singers and Mariachi bands, tamales, and margaritas – who cares if it’s not summer quite yet. Radio Cab crew will be going for sure, and so should you!

The Rose Festival — First two weeks in June
The granddaddy of all Portland’s festivals, loaded with events, carnival rides, parades, sailors, Rosarians, queens, and princesses is by far one of the most fabulous festivals you should consider attending. Families camp out on the sidewalk days ahead of time to get a good spot for the Grand Floral Parade. Naval ships from the Pacific fleet steam in from Astoria and you can “dial a sailor”. Meanwhile, girls stalk the waterfront hoping to claim the ultimate Rose Festival prize – a sailor hat. Too cute! It rains on at least one of the parades, but nobody minds, really: The Rose Festival is a time for honoring tradition!

The Waterfront Blues Festival — The weekend around July 4th
The largest blues festival on the West Coast and the second largest blues festival in the nation is not only a time of celebration but also a time to think of those less fortunate: the festival is a fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank, so part of your entry fee goes to help feed the hungry. Any form of donation is welcome; bring a can of food or a cooked meal to drop in the collection box on your way in. Every year features a lineup of the world’s best blues artists and Portland’s own stellar musicians. The first evening kicks off with a huge fireworks display. If you are a bona fide fan of the blues, you simply must attend this festival at least once. Yes, Radio Cab will drive you there and pick you up, no worries.

The Oregon Brewers Festival — Last full weekend in July
The Oregon Brewers Festival is a true spectacle in Portland; at every given moment, there are over 80 craft beers from all around the country, but honestly – the local brewers always own the spotlight. Still, this is the one perfect opportunity all year to sample so many great beers all in one place. The food and music are fantastic, too. What more could you ask for, except perhaps a Radio Cab to get you back to your hotel safely… right?

The Bite of Oregon — First weekend in August
Three days of non-stop food, Oregon beer, and wine, music and more, all in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This is the perfect chance to sample the best food and drink Portland and the surrounding environs have to offer, right in one spot. The event is crazy popular event, so expect big crowds. Pace yourself, there’s a lot to sample and you don’t want to miss anything. Have a great time!

Dante’s — 350 W Burnside, 503-226-6630

Mississippi Studios — 3939 N. Mississippi, 503-288-3895

Aladdin Theater — 3017 SE Milwaukie, 503-234-9694

Portland Music News —
A comprehensive listing of live music events in and around Portland.

The Portland Center for the Performing Arts — 1111 SW Broadway, 503-248-4335 (PCPA Box Office)
The PCPA consists of 3 separate buildings: the Antoinette Hatfield Hall, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and the Keller Auditorium. All are part of an organization within Metro that runs venues for live theatre, concerts, cinema, and small conferences. The Schnitz, formerly the Paramount Theatre built in 1928, was extensively renovated in 1984, at the cost of $10 million, and has been thoroughly restored to its original beauty, leaving everyone who visits it in awe. Next door is the Antoinette Hatfield Hall, with 3 theatres of graduating size. It was built in 1984 and it still stands as one of the most beautiful architectural designs in Portland. The small theaters in Hatfield Hall (Winningstad, in particular) are phenomenal venues for live theatre.

Live Theater — Portland has a vibrant live theatre scene and chances are – there are numerous daily choices for everyone to enjoy. Don’t even worry about getting there: Radio Cab will get you there on time for the curtain call and come pick you up after. Here’s a link to help you explore some options. Travel Portland – Arts & Culture

Movies — Portland’s got lots of multiplex theaters showing first-run movies, located all over the metro area – it should be easy to find something you like.

There are also some other interesting options, besides the Hollywood big box movie house experience. McMenamins operates several movie venues in their system of brewpubs and resorts. They don’t usually screen first-run shows but you can’t beat the setting. Order your food and drink, find a seat and they’ll bring it out to you. Relax, have a beer, a little supper, and enjoy the show. There’s the Mission Theater close to downtown in NW Portland you’ll absolutely love. The Hawthorne District has the Bagdad Theater as well which is, to say the least, amazing!

McMenamins Movie Listings.

Living Room Theaters — 341 SW 10th, 971- 222-2010
For quite an enhanced movie-going experience, Living Room Theaters are the thing; featuring high-def digital movie projections, plush recliners, private tables and chairs, good food and alcohol served right up until movie time is everything to look forward to. The small intimate screening rooms show first-run films, which adds up to the whole experience.

Timely Events — In town for just a couple days and want to see what’s going on? Here are a few links to help you find an event after your own tastes:

Travel Portland, Oregon Live, Portland City Search, PDX Pipeline

Portland Art Museum — 1219 SW Park, 503-226-2811

Quintana — 120 NW 9th, 503-223-1729

Blue Sky — 122 NW 8th, 503-225-0210

Blackfish Gallery — 420 NW 9th, 503-224-2634

The Attic Gallery — 206 SW 1st, 503-228-7830

One of many benefits of Portland is the fact there are plenty of great opportunities to get outside and experience the diverse flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest, without even leaving the metropolitan area. Our climate is generally described as marine west coast/temperate rain forest, so the locals and visitors get to enjoy a great diversity of native and exotic plant species, making Portland a gardener’s paradise.

Gardens

The International Rose Test Garden — Washington Park, 503-823-363 Portland’s most well-known garden, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year is a sight you’ll want to see: it’s the heart of beautiful Washington Park, the crown jewel of Portland’s extensive park system. Built in 1917, the International Rose Test Garden makes for the oldest public rose test garden in the United States and home to more than 8,000 roses. Beautiful! The garden offers spectacular views of the city as well so you’ll get to enjoy that side of things, too. Give Radio Cab a call and enjoy a 10-minute cab ride to downtown that will take you through the historic Southwest Hills neighborhood and enters the park along a lush meandering roadway…

Peninsula Park Rose Garden — 700 N Rosa Parks Way The city’s first rose garden and one of the most beautiful areas to the day contains nearly 9,000 plantings on its 2-acre site at the southern end of Peninsula Park. With most of its original features intact, such as the 100-year-old fountain, gazebo, lantern-style streetlights, stone pillars, and vast brickworks, this stunning example of a formal rose garden definitely makes for a fantastic visit. Take a stroll through the garden and get transported to a time much simpler and less hectic than the modern-day lives we all lead. Some great examples of early Portland Craftsman Bungalows are just outside the garden, so go around the surrounding neighborhood to take in the view.

How about this for a great afternoon that won’t break your budget: take the MAX yellow line north, get off at Rosa Parks Way (formerly Portland Blvd.), stop in at New Seasons Market Arbor Lodge and get a picnic lunch at their fabulous deli. Then, walk east (away from the light rail line) across I5 about 6 blocks to the park. When you’re done call Radio Cab, 503-227-1212, and have the driver show you the North Mississippi District on your way back. Sounds fun? Sure!

The Japanese Garden — Washington Park, 503-223-1321 The Portland Japanese Garden was opened in 1967 and is considered one of the most authentic gardens in the US today. Designed by Professor Takuma Tono, an internationally recognized authority on Japanese landscape design, the Garden is located in Washington Park close to the Rose Gardens, and it stands as one of the most beautiful sights in the area. It is composed of five distinct garden styles, each designed to elicit a sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility. Some 200,000 visits are registered throughout the year.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden — SE 28th & Woodstock, 503-771-8386 Beautiful at all times of the year, this 9.5-acre garden may be the most gorgeous in spring; this is when the rhodys are blooming and the garden gets overwhelmed with gorgeous colors and smells. With more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants, the garden is a riot of color starting in early April. It’s a great place for a family to spend a pleasant afternoon at, so – if you are up for it – Radio Cab will take you there. Oh, and – don’t’ forget to take your camera.

Duniway Park Lilac Gardens — SW 6th & Sheridan Even many Portlanders are unaware of this lilac garden nestled in a turn on the way up to Pill Hill (Oregon Health Science University), so no one’s blaming you for not being familiar with the area. If you happen to be in town when the lilacs are blooming (late March to early May), a stroll through this little garden nook will overwhelm your visual and aromatic senses. There are 125 varieties of lilacs here, which should be enough. Just a few hundred yards from the garden lies the Marquam Nature Park Shelter Trailhead that will take you 3.8 miles all the way up to Council Crest for a thrilling view of Portland and the mountains.

Wildlife Refuges

Wait, what did you say? You’ve read it right, there are several wildlife refuges right in the urban area and they are awesome! Portlanders take the great outdoors seriously and we don’t mind sharing some of our city space with the local fauna. Here’s a list of just a few of Portlanders’ favorites, right in the city limits:

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge — SE 7th Ave & Sellwood Blvd
This 140-acre wetlands area is great for bird watching, biking, and hiking. Take the two-mile loop around this protected marshy floodplain and you’ll be surprised by the diversity of birds and other wildlife. From bald eagles, osprey, and hawks to a number of songbird types, there’s so much to see here! And, of course – you can’t visit Portland without checking out the city’s official bird – the Great Blue Heron.

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area — N Marine Drive
One of Portland’s best-kept secrets, this amazing sight spreads on nearly 2000 acres, making it the largest protected wetlands within an American city. With more than 100 birds recorded there, this makes for most Portlanders’ favorite spot for bird watching and nature enjoyment: you might also see a deer, beavers, raccoons, river otter, western painted turtles, and maybe even a sasquatch. There are wheelchair accessible paved paths that lead to a couple of viewing platforms, too. Located amidst the north Portland commercial and port facilities, Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is hardly ever crowded and it’s definitely worth the 10-minute drive from downtown. A little disadvantage? No dogs allowed.

Audubon Sanctuary — 5151 Northwest Cornell Rd., 503-292-6855
Seated just a few minutes from downtown this 150-acre wildlife sanctuary has over 4 miles of beautiful forested trails and is home to many birds, wildlife, and native plants. You’ll find a small stand of old growth Douglas Fir on site that serves as a reminder of what the entire forest was once like. There’s also a Nature Store full of books, feeders, and all manner of birding gear. There is a Wildlife Care Center near the store, allowing you to see some of the birds they are tending to up close. The trails in the sanctuary connect with the extensive network that runs through Forest Park.

Hiking

Forest Park —
With 5,000 acres of lush forest and natural beauty makes this the largest city park in the US. Overlooking the Willamette River, the park stretches for nearly eight miles on a north/south axis. There’s a total of more than 70 miles of well-maintained trails running through it and the adjacent Hoyt Arboretum. If you are enthusiastic enough, begin the 30-mile Wildwood Trail in Washington Park walk and follow it to the Pittock Mansion; then, continue till you reach the end of Forest Park. A friendly advice: pause to refresh in town at one of the fantastic pubs. And, if you can get through it all on a long weekend – you deserve a round of applause and have every right to brag!

Mount Tabor Summit —
How about an easy 2-mile climb to the top of Portland’s very own extinct volcano? Mt. Tabor Park, in SE Portland is one of Portland’s most unique parks and it definitely makes for one of the most spectacular views in the area. Not too far from the Hawthorne District, it’s an easy trip to the top where you’ll get to see the remarkable view of Portland’s east side neighborhoods with Mt. Hood looming in the distance. During the summer, Portlanders hold music concerts in the crater and it’s everything.

Between the parks and wildlife refuges you’ve got enough choices to keep you busy trekking for quite awhile, without ever having to leave the city limits. There are lots more great hikes around town, too many to list here. If you’re interested in exploring some other options you could start here:

Portland Area Hiking

The fact you clicked on this tab makes you really cool – not many people are that interested in exploring the behind-the-scenes stuff and we adore those that are. Here are a few things that might not be in the AAA Guidebook.

Pioneer Courthouse Square — SW Broadway and Morrison
There are a couple interesting things going on here at the square, besides the usual motley collection of street urchins, buskers, and stock brokers. The first is the Weather Machine. Right below Starbuck’s you’ll see a 33-foot-tall column with a large silver orb on top. Every day at noon it goes off with a fanfare of trumpets, flashing lights, and a spray of mist to announce the following day’s weather forecast. The orb opens to reveal one of three different symbols: a golden leaf sun indicating a clear day on the way, a silver great blue heron predicting a drizzly, overcast day, or a dragon, which means that there’s a storm coming. Near the column, there is a semi-circle of brick steps with a medallion at the center point. Stand on the medallion facing the steps and say something, anything… even sing if you will – you’ll get a curious acoustic effect that will leave you stunned.

The White Eagle Saloon Ghost — 836 N Russell St, 503-282-6810
For all of you with an appreciation for a solid ghost story, the Eagle is the place to visit. Famous for being the most haunted place in Portland, the place has quite an extensive and nefarious history. Initially named the Bucket of Blood due to the many fights and killings that took place inside, The White Eagle Saloon Ghost is definitely the spookiest place in Portland. All kinds of unexplained things happen: doors are opening and closing, faint music is drifting up from the basement, there are coins falling from the ceiling, and employees say they are often being groped by cold invisible hands. There is even a story of a waitress been pushed down the cellar stairs once and discovering old tunnels leading out to the docks. Brrrr! Men were often shanghaied from the White Eagle, drugged and rowed out to ships where they awoke to find themselves on a two-year ocean voyage. If this is your thing – get a room there if you dare… just make sure you let us know what happens!

Mill Ends Park — SW Naito Parkway and Taylor
The world’s smallest park, with a total area of 452 sq. inches, the park was created on St. Patrick’s Day in 1948 to be a colony of leprechauns and a location for snail races. Originally it was supposed to be a site for a lamp pole. Since the pole never arrived and the hole began to sprout weeds Dick Fagan, a columnist for the old Oregon Journal, planted flowers in it and named it after his column, Mill Ends. Over the years its featured some unusual items, like a swimming pool for butterflies (with a diving board), the occasional flying saucer, and a miniature Ferris wheel, delivered by a full-size crane. It became an official city park in 1976. Go check it out!

Some, OK a lot, of this content may be unsuitable for underage viewers, please use discretion.

Mary’s Club — 129 SW Broadway, 503-227-3023

Union Jack’s — 938 E Burnside, 503-236-1125

Spyce Gentleman’s Club — 33 NW 2nd, 503-243-4646

Safari Showclub — 3000 SE Powell, 503-231-9199

Sassy’s — 927 SE Morrison, 503-231-1606

Club 205 — 9939 SE Stark, 503-256-0527

Portland Strip Clubs

Radio Cab is proud to support the gay and lesbian members of our community. 

C.C. Slaughter’s — 219 NW Davis, 503-248-9135

Fox & Hound — 217 NW 2nd, 503-243-5530

Embers — 110 NW Broadway, 503-222-3082

Darcelle XV — 208 NW 3rd, 503-222-5338

Scandal’s — 1125 SW Stark, 503-227-5887

Lesbian Life in Portland

Gay Portland Guide