48 Hours in Portland, Oregon

Welcome to Portland, Oregon—a city where forest trails meet food cart pods, where craft coffee goes head-to-head with cocktails, and where bookstores are bona fide landmarks. Two days here mean sipping Stumptown brews, crossing iconic bridges, wandering rose gardens, and discovering a nexus of creativity.

Where to sleep in Portland

The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland is a AAA Four Diamond property set in the historic Meier & Frank Building, directly above Pioneer Courthouse Square—the “living room” of downtown Portland. Guest rooms mix rich velvet textures with modern art and custom design details that nod to the building’s fashion-retail past.

Both on-site restaurants—Urban Farmer Steakhouse and Departure Restaurant & Lounge—are local favorites well worth a visit. Urban Farmer Steakhouse is known for its pasture-to-plate sourcing and rooftop garden, while Departure offers an Asian-inspired menu and stellar city views. The hotel’s prime downtown location is also within walking distance to other popular areas, including the Pearl District and the waterfront.

For a refined stay a few blocks away and at a lower price point, The Benson Portland, a Curio Collection by Hilton, another AAA Four Diamond property, delivers timeless elegance. Opened in 1913, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and still showcases its original Austrian crystal chandeliers, walnut paneling, and marble staircase. Guest rooms feature Tempur-Pedic beds and spa-inspired baths.

Where to eat in Portland

Ease into your morning at Mother’s Bistro & Bar, a downtown favorite for comfort food. The menu highlights hearty, made-from-scratch dishes such as wild salmon hash with potatoes and leeks and crunchy challah French toast dipped in cornflakes.

If you're eager to explore early, you may prefer a quicker start at Blue Star Donuts. Lines move fast at this popular spot where the blueberry bourbon basil brioche is beloved, although many seasonal options are equally coveted. Or simply pair your morning with a quick visit to Portland’s own Stumptown Coffee Roasters, the trailblazing cafe that turned the city’s obsession with perfect pours into a national movement.

For lunch, head to Nong’s Khao Man Gai, a counter-service spot that put a simple Thai chicken-and-rice dish on Portland’s culinary map. The khao man gai (poached chicken with jasmine rice, rich soy-ginger sauce, and a side of broth) is the signature order, and the “piset” version doubles the portions. Nong’s story began with a simple food cart, and her success highlights the city’s street-food spirit found throughout its more than 500 food carts.

Also try Lardo, where serious sandwiches and local beer dominate the lunch hour. The Korean pork shoulder sandwich with house kimchi, chili mayo, and lime packs a fiery crunch, and the dirty fries tossed with pork scraps, fried herbs, and Parmesan are a local legend.

Make a dinner reservation at Canard, the playful sibling of Portland fine-dining mainstay Le Pigeon. The French-inspired menu is both clever and comforting. Feast on tiny steam burgers with special sauce, duck-stack pancakes drizzled in maple and hoisin, and oysters paired with inventive cocktails. The energy of the space matches the food: lively, unpretentious, and unmistakably Portland.

Mucca Osteria, an intimate Italian hideaway where sparkling chandeliers cast a warm glow over handmade pastas, also warrants a visit. The tagliatelle Bolognese arrives silky and rich, while the capesante—seared scallops over saffron risotto—showcases the kitchen’s culinary finesse. A meal here makes for a cozy dinner finale, proving that Portland’s best meals don’t always come from its trendiest corners.

Explore Portland’s landmarks

Start at Washington Park, home to both the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden, where manicured serenity is enhanced by Mount Hood views. Walk the shaded trails that link the gardens, and then hop the MAX Light Rail back downtown for affordable, convenient transit. Book lovers shouldn’t miss Powell’s City of Books—the world’s largest independent bookstore, filling an entire city block with more than a million titles.

Be sure to spend an afternoon at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, where cyclists cruise riverside paths, kayakers paddle the Willamette, and nearby food carts scent the air with tempting aromas. Cross the Hawthorne Bridge to the east bank to explore the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, which features hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and a USS Blueback submarine tour. Wind down with a stroll between the Hawthorne and Steel Bridges for postcard views of Portland’s skyline.

Discover Portland’s creative spirit

Embrace Portland’s creative soul by spending time in the Alberta Arts District, a walkable stretch of murals, indie boutiques, and inventive eateries. Visit on the last Thursday of the month for the open-air art walk, when galleries and street performers fill Alberta Street with a festival atmosphere.

On North Mississippi Avenue, step into Paxton Gate, a curiosity shop that blurs the line between science and art. Its shelves hold preserved insects, taxidermy, and botanical oddities—a perfectly Portland mix of natural wonder and eccentric design. For a similarly quirky experience, stop by The Peculiarium, a museum of oddities and interactive exhibits that celebrates the strange, macabre, and whimsical side of the city.

For something deliciously offbeat, visit Voodoo Doughnut in Old Town Chinatown, where bubblegum-pink boxes and eccentric flavors such as Maple Bacon Bar and Voodoo Doll have become pop-culture icons. Beer lovers can continue exploring Portland’s creative streak at Upright Brewing, known for farmhouse-style ales and small-batch experimental brews. Or, sip cocktails at Teardrop Cocktail Lounge, a pioneer of Portland’s craft-cocktail scene, where bartenders shake seasonal creations with local spirits and house infusions.

. . . . .

From doughnuts to duck and rose gardens to river walks, Portland’s blend of creativity and calm makes every hour count. Spend your next 48 hours here, and you’ll see why locals proudly keep it weird.