Portland’s Pearl District is a lively neighborhood with restaurants, parks, boutiques and galleries alongside homes and offices. Come to the festivals and events throughout the year for eclectic entertainment and fun activities.
Once a district of abandoned warehouses, the Pearl has been revitalized as a model urban center, serving the needs of its residents and providing appeal to tourists. The key to the district’s success is the ability to live, work and play in close proximity. Notice the interesting historic architecture now transformed into offices, condos, lofts and galleries. Join the mix by staying in one of the high-end or boutique hotels and walking throughout the area.
Plan your days or simply browse. Start with coffee, a Portland specialty. Spend a few hours selecting something to read from the 1 million volumes in Powell’s City of Books. Shop for one-of-a-kind fashion in numerous boutiques. Have lunch of Peruvian, Argentinean, Vietnamese, Mediterranean or American cuisine or in a brewpub. Many bars and restaurants offer early happy hours or late-night desserts.
Visit one of the First Thursday celebrations occurring monthly. Dozens of galleries open their doors in the evening for free admission to artists’ showings. Restaurants have special happy hours and some boutiques support the celebration. In the summer the First Thursday Street Market stretches for several blocks. On weekends from March through Christmas Eve the Portland Saturday Market near the Willamette River provides more arts, crafts and food.
Stroll along the river or walk or bike to the Pearl’s neighborhood parks. The Fields Park near the river has a huge playground. With shade and grassy areas, the North Park Blocks is a great space to relax. Look for its unique dog bowl fountain. Put your feet in the Jamison Square Park fountain of water cascading over rocks into shallow pools.
The Pearl District is the northern part of downtown Portland just west of the river. If you drive, use one of the underground or aboveground parking structures scattered around the neighborhood. Consider being like a local and renting a bike to get around.
