Visiting Portland
Visiting Portland? We think our city is pretty awesome and would love to share some ideas with you. Ideas from knitters for knitters! We like to call it knitourism. We’re not sure if there should be two t’s or just one in that… but we like it either way.
Please note that the businesses, websites, or places we mention below aren’t compensating us for this recommendation, nor are they in any way associated with Twisted. We just kinda heart them.
Getting here, getting around
Generally good links
Restaurants we like
Cool things to do
Getting here, getting around
Portland is split into quadrants (NE, NW, SE, SW) by the Willamette River (North/South) and Burnside St (East/West). North/South streets are numbered out from the river on both sides. Once you know those two things it’s pretty hard to get truly lost.
Portland is a bigish city made up of lots of small neighborhoods. Our favorites are NE Broadway (Irvington), Hawthorne, Mississippi Ave, NW 23rd, and the Pearl. The map on this page a friend sent us long ago – we weren’t able to find it on the internet in order to give proper attribution.
Tri-Met (Public Transportation) – free downtown and near the Convention Center
Portland International Airport – an oddly awesome airport
Generally good links
Portland Tourism
Oregon Convention Center
Restaurants
General Favorites
The Farm – NW, local, organic cuisine at good prices and with rockin’ outdoor patio seating.
Voodoo Doughnuts – Two locations. One downtown, one near us!
East Side Deli – Simple but delicious and fresh subs on Hawthorne. Emily’s dad called it “the best sandwich I’ve had in decades.”
Burgerville – Good fast food and right next to the Convention Center. Better veggie options than you’d expect. PS: Get a milkshake.
Hopworks Urban Brewery – Specializes in organic beers, including an IPA, a lager, a stout (made with local favorite Stumptown coffee), and a pale ale. Brewery tours are available by appointment. They also serve pizza, sandwiches, salads, snacks, and burgers featuring organic ingredients.
Pix Patisserie – Amazingly intricate and outrageously delicious desserts, plus a huge selection of unique beers.
Near Twisted
Thai Pod – right down the street from Twisted
Costello’s Travel Cafe – on our block. Good soups, sandwiches and the like.
Kettleman Bagels – also on our block. Not shockingly, they have bagels.
Cool Things to Do
In Portland
Saturday Market (weekends May – December) – If you can only do one Portland touristy thing do this. In true PDX style, it’s open on Saturdays AND Sundays starting around 10am.
Distillery Row - Home to six Portland craft distillers creating premium spirits from brandy and whiskey to vodka and gin, to liqueurs and flavored rums. Good after a hard day of knitting.
Trek in the Park (weekends in July) – Truly epic. If you possibly can you MUST see this! Seriously. We cannot possibly stress this enough. Emily’s dad specifically visits from Indiana for it each year.
Brew Pubs – Portlanders love our beer. Like looooooooooooooooove it. Check out at least one of our local brew pubs. In particular, Bridgeport has a brewery tour that’s fun.
McMennamins Theater Pubs – second run movies, pizza, and beer. The Bagdad Theater is especially cool.
Japanese Gardens – In the west hills above town. Garden areas include a strolling pond garden, a tea garden, and a sand and stone garden.
Chinese Gardens – Traditional Chinese gardens and tea house right smack in the middle of downtown/Old Town Portland.
Council Crest Park – drive or take a leisurely hike up to the highest spot in town. Gorgeous views of the city and several mountains on a sunny day.
Day Trips
Willamette Valley Wineries – If you have the time this is an easy and gorgeous drive from Portland and just plain tons of fun.
Hood River Fruit Loop – Enjoy local produce, wines, u-pick fruit, special events, and a scenic drive. Don’t miss Foothills Yarn & Fiber alpaca farm and yarn shop!
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