Portland City Guide
For our most recent lookbook and the launch of our new Fawn Design Tote Bag, we hopped a flight and headed to Portland, Oregon. We’re big fans of this cool, quirky city and hipster + foodie mecca. We spent the weekend exploring downtown Portland and then hit the road for Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast. Whether you’re planning a family trip or a girlfriends getaway, check out the Fawn Design Guide to Portland below, including our top picks for where to eat, stay, shop, and play in and around the city.
WHERE TO EAT
BLUE STAR DONUTS + VOODOO DOUGHNUT
Portland is known for donuts, and the these two hot spots won’t disappoint! Blue Star offers brioche-style donuts ranging from classics like cinnamon-sugar to fancy flavors like raspberry-rosemary buttermilk (our personal favorite!), while Voodoo serves up funky, colorful twists on traditional donuts like bacon maple bars, Captain Crunch donuts, and vegan Oreo donuts. Prepare to wait in line and bring cash for Voodoo!
The Pacific Northwest is a coffee-drinkers mecca, and Stumptown Coffee is one of our favorite Portland spots to get your fix. Start your day with a classic pour-over or the nitro cold brew.
One of Portland’s most popular restaurants, Pok Pok serves up traditional Thai dishes and Southeast Asian dishes that are so delicious they’re a favorite of national food critics. Make a reservation and order Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, Pok Pok’s signature dish. Marinated in fish sauce and sugar, then deep fried and tossed in caramelized fish sauce and ginger, these wings are literally finger licking good.
If you’re craving sushi, stop by Bamboo Sushi for sustainably caught fish and creative sushi rolls in a modern atmosphere. Try the Green Machine roll featuring tempura fried long bean and green onion, topped with avocado and cilantro sweet chili aioli, offered with or without albacore or crab salad. Trust us—your taste buds will thank you.
A scoop of handmade Salt & Straw ice cream is a sweet way to end the day. Our favorite flavors include Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons, Pear and Blue Cheese, Honey Lavender, and Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper. Try one or two (or three) in a cup or a cone.
This lively, local brewery pours beloved hand-crafted beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Fresh Squeezed IPA, and more. Stop in for a pint or a bite of elevated pub fare including ponzu beer nuts, pork belly confit, elk burgers, and Oregon albacore tuna melts.
WHERE TO STAY
Located near some of Portland’s most popular downtown spots and the Pearl District, this hip-meets-hipster hotel features all the amenities the Ace Hotel brand is known for. Think record players, clawfoot tubs, and ultra comfy bed, plus mid-century furnishings, moody decor accents, and cool light fixtures. Book a corner room for views of downtown. Bonus: both Stumptown Coffee and Clyde Common are located just off the very Instagramable lobby.
This cool downtown Kimpton Hotel offers comfort in a contemporary setting. Enjoy great guest amenities like a social hour featuring live music and local wines, pet-friendly lodging, yoga mats in every room, and more.
For something a little fancier, check out this luxury hotel located off of Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. Housed in a charming historic building, all of the guestrooms are “dressed to the nines” with tufted leather headboards, plush bedding, and satin drapes. Take an elevator to the 15th floor and check out the view while sipping a cocktail on the rooftop patio at Departure, the hotel’s contemporary Asian-inspired restaurant.
WHERE TO SHOP
Pop into this stylish downtown boutique to get your paws on the latest threads and accessories for gals and guys from cult fashion favorites and indie designers including APC, Jesse Kamm, Loeffler Randall, Rachel Comey, and more. They also have a curated selection of kids clothing for your mini fashionista.
This modern boutique for babies and kids stocks clothing, bedding, books, and toys from some of our favorite brands, including Mini Rodini, Bravery Magazine, Winter Water Factory, and Vans.
You could spend an entire afternoon wandering through Powell's Books, the world's largest independent bookstore. Pick up the latest page-turner to read on your trip, and be sure to check out the Rare Book Room stocked with thousands of valuable, antique books.
Founded by two former Nike alums, this local apparel company is all about feminist fashion and female empowerment. We love their feminine take on tomboy style, including their colorful, patterned button-ups and suiting options. Grab a beverage from their in-store bar and play dress up.
WHERE TO PLAY
This downtown riverfront park spans 1.5 miles along the Willamette River and is the perfect stretch of green space to bike or stroll. Check out a local calendar of events during your visit to see if any events are happening at the park during your stay, including the Portland Rose Festival and Oregon Brewers Festival.
The oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest, the Portland Art Museum is a worth a visit to check out the large collection of native art, modern graphic arts, and the Northwest Film Center. Check their website for a calendar of movie screenings and special exhibits.
This tranquil, 12-acre Japanese garden is considered the most authentic garden of its kind outside of Japan. Get your zen on while you explore eight unique garden spaces, including the Strolling Pond Garden and the Sand and Stone Garden. Check their website for events and deomstrations, such as the Moonviewing Festival and traditional tea ceremonies.
Hit the road for a day trip or overnight stay in Cannon Beach. This small town on the Oregon Coast is home to serene, sandy beaches and the iconic Haystack Rock. Pack a picnic and relax at the beach, swim in the ocean, explore the tide pools, and then head into town to tour the local boutiques and art galleries. If you plan to spend the night, check out Airbnb for local vacation rentals.
