Day 3: Portland
Portland explored
There is an unwritten law that states one must brunch their way through a “new” city, which is precisely what we did in Portland.
Our morning was spent at Mother’s Bistro: a super chic café that refines homemade favorites. I ordered a custom omelet with all the veggies, and mom had the Grilled Portobello Mushroom Scramble with fresh sautéed spinach & asiago cheese. The tall ceilings with white airy drapes and chandeliers create an ambiance that make you want to stay long after you've finished your meal.
Mother’s Bistro is the Sarabeth of NYC, and we’re here for it. Anyone that travels to Portland needs to brunch here!
Mother’s Bistro & Bar, 212 SW Stark St, Portland, OR 97204
SHOP 'TILL YA DROP
After brunch we did as any mother and daughter would do, we shopped.
Favorite stores that are unique to Portland:
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Oblation Paper & Press, 516 NW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Vintalier, 1013 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205. We bought so many nice pieces of jewelry here!
North of West, 203 SW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
WM Goods, 1136 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
Alder & Co, 616 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
PORTLAND JAPANESE GARDEN
The Portland Japanese Garden is a big deal; it’s the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan!
My mom, being the master gardener and plat aficionado that she is, was beyond thrilled to explore the 9 acre wonderland.
There are many garden styles within the exhibit, my favorite was the Zen garden.
The lines in the zen garden represent water ripples.
We had a great time walking, taking photos, and dreaming of what it would be like to have a Japanese garden of our own.
The Portland Japanese Gardens, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205 | Admission: $15 per person (adult)
PITTOCK MANSION
Not far from the Japanese Gardens is the Pittock Mansion, a historical home built in 1914. The story of the owners, their home, and all they did for Portland is amazing, read about it here. You can buy ticks and tour the home, but I was fixated more on the location of the mansion: the tiptop of the West Hills overlooking Portland. A perfect view of Portland with Mt. Hood in the background, it was so picturesque.
View from Pittock Mansion: Portland with Mt. Hood in the distance
Beautiful gardens surround the mansion grounds.
Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, OR 97210
DEPARTURE
My #1 favorite thing to do in a big city is find a roof top with a happy hour. How else are you supposed to see the city and drink?
Departure is an Asian-fusion restaurant located on the 15th floor of The Nines hotel, complete with an amazing rooftop patio. Wine in hand, I walked around enjoying the sweeping views of Pioneer Square, the Willamette River, and most of central downtown.
Departure, 525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204
MILES WALKED: 6 | DISTANCE TRAVELED: 12
CUMULATIVE MILES HIKED: 15.6 | CUMULATIVE DISTANCE TRAVELED: 330 MILES