One of the most unique, lively and captivating cities in the United States is Portland, Oregon. Overall, Portland, Oregon is the perfect place to spend 2 days in and I cannot wait to share with you why that is!

Not to get confused with Portland, Maine, Portland, Oregon sits on the Columbia River Gorge along with the Willamette River and is known for its local art culture, microbreweries, renowned restaurants, coffee shops, beautiful parks and so much more.

Portland makes for a great stop during a Pacific Northwest Road Trip and it is only a few hours south from Seattle, Washington. Even though there are countless things to enjoy in Portland Oregon, you could still see most of the city’s gems within 2 days without feeling like you missed out!

During July 2020, two of my girlfriends and I did a fun mini road trip in Northern California and Oregon.

We started our road trip in Sacramento, California and then ended in Portland. Along the way, we stopped and spent three days in Lake Tahoe on both the California and Nevada sides and then made our way to Lassen Volcanic National Park and Redwood National Park in Northern California.

From the Redwoods, we drove north along the coast of Oregon before stopping in Eugene and checking out the Portland area. This amazing and memorable Pacific Northwest road trip was everything I dreamt it would be, plus more!

My friend Hannah and I spent two fun days and nights in Portland, Oregon at the Inn at Northrup Station, which is located in the Northwest District of the city.

Overall, Northrup Station was fun, funky and super “Instagrammable” and it is the perfect accommodation to suit every traveler!

Portland, Oregon was the last stop on our mini Pacific Northwest road trip and I am excited to show you all the fun things I did during my 2 days there that you could enjoy as well.

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time in Portland, Oregon, Inn at Northrup Station hosted me for two nights.

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Getting to and Around Portland, Oregon:

The closest airport to the city of Portland is Portland International Airport. (It is the airport we flew out of to come home.) If you plan to see a lot in the surrounding Portland area or if you’re doing a road trip like myself, it is best to rent a car!

(Click here if you are planning to road trip around the United States and want to rent an RV.)

To get around the city itself, Portland offers the TriMet, which has buses, a light rail and commuter trains.

If you plan to take public transportation during your time in Portland, I recommend downloading the Hop Fastpass app, which is the easiest way to pay for transportation. Portland also offers the Streetcar, which operates on three lines along 16 miles of tracks throughout the city. You could also use the Hop Fastpass app to pay for the Streetcar.

The fare for all Portland public transit is $2.50 for rides within 2.5 hours and $5 for unlimited travel within 24 hours. Uber and Lyft services also run in Portland.

Since we were doing a road trip, we traveled to Portland from the small city of Eugene, which is a little less than 2 hours south from Portland.

Before we actually arrived in the city, we spent a good portion of the day hiking in Mount Hood, which is also less than 2 hours east of the city.

Staying at the Inn at Northrup Station:

One of the best parts about our time in Portland was staying at the Inn at Northrup Station during our 2 nights in the city.

Named as Portland’s Unique Boutique Hotel, the Inn has spacious retro-style suites with colorful décor, talented artwork by local artists along with other cool amenities.

Each room also offers a balcony that overlooks the beautiful Northwest District of Portland, which is where the hotel is situated, as well as the cool Streetcars that buzz by.

That is what I love most about staying in boutique hotels like the Inn at Northrup Station. They all cater to the vibe of the city they are located in.

The Inn at Northrup Station was originally built in the 1970s and was rediscovered and transformed by Steve Routon, who is a Portland architect.

All of the rooms, hallways and communal areas feature retro hip furnishings and an energetic color palate that contributes to the eclectic ambiance of the hotel. What was awesome about staying at the Inn at Northrup Station is that each guest got an on-site parking pass, continental breakfast was included, Portland Streetcar tickets are available for use and there is also hi-speed WIFI.

There are three rooms you could choose from when you book your stay at the Inn at Northrup Station: King Suite, Double Queen Suite and ADA Accessible King Suite.

During our two nights at the Inn, we stayed in the Double Queen Suite, which featured two queen-size beds, a retro-style twin-size sleeper sofa, kitchenette, a modern desk, full bathroom and a balcony. I loved all the fun colors in the room and the amenities were so cute! Plus, the beds were SUPER comfy!

Having Fun at the Inn at Northrup Station:

What is awesome about staying at the Inn at Northrup Station is that you will NEVER be bored!

Located on the third floor of the hotel is a rooftop that includes tables, funky lounge chairs, umbrellas, a grilling station and more. There are also stringed lights hung around the building and it is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset with wine.

Both Hannah and I had a great time at the Inn’s rooftop on our last night! (The rooftop was also located on the same floor as our room.)

In addition, the Inn is also located in an area that features art galleries, boutique shopping, amazing restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, theaters, museums and more!

Safety at the Inn at Northrup Station:

I traveled to Portland during an unfortunate time in the world and I was impressed by the comprehensive health and safety precautions the Inn took to keep guests and staff safe at all times.

When I first checked into my suite, there was a box filled with two masks and hand sanitizer. There were also great road trip essentials such as healthy snacks, two bottles of water and more.

The Inn at Northrup Station are following the Oregon Health Authority along with the CDC guidelines by making face masks mandatory in all indoor public spaces.

There is a no-contact check-in and check-out process. Housekeeping, who are equipped with protective gear, will only come in and clean the rooms once guests have checked out. Guests and staff are asked to maintain social distancing on the property and management must be informed if guests or staff experience flu-like symptoms during or within 14 days of being in the building.

In addition, the continental breakfast that the hotel offers has been modified to a grab and go service.

Where to Eat in Portland, Oregon for 2 Days:

Sansai Sushi Bar: Located via a five-minute walk away from the Inn is Sansai Sushi, which is a great Japanese grill. We enjoyed a few sushi rolls and I also had a delicious seaweed salad on the side. It was amazing! I also enjoyed a great Oregon red wine from the Willamette Valley wine region.

Pine State Biscuits: A must-visit during a trip to Portland is Pine State Biscuits, which is also located in the Northwest District of Portland!

Hannah and I had breakfast at this great Southern comfort restaurant on our first morning in the city and it was absolutely delicious. The owners of this amazing place are originally from North Carolina and wanted to bring the perfect, buttery, flaky homemade biscuit to Portland and they did a great job doing so.

I enjoyed a biscuit sandwich with buttermilk fried chicken and an over easy egg with mushroom gravy. It was amazing! Their coffee was great too.

Serratto Restaurant and Bar: Known as a lively and elegant neighborhood Mediterranean restaurant in the Northwest District, Serratto is the perfect place to get delicious homemade Italian, French and pizza dishes in Portland.

During our last evening in the city, Hannah and I treated ourselves to some pizza and wine under the restaurant’s stringed lights. I got a delicious personal pizza with soppressata. It was my very first time getting soppressata on pizza and I have to say that it was quite delicious!

Salt & Straw: A trip to the West Coast during summertime would not be complete without a visit to Salt & Straw.

At this amazing ice cream shop, you could find great flavors that come from inspiration everywhere – from chefs and farmers to food movements and social causes.

During my visit to Salt & Straw, the monthly flavors were Meyer lemon and blueberries, birthday cake and blackberries and goat cheese and marionberry habanero. I stuck to one of Portland’s classic flavors, which was chocolate gooey brownie (I’m definitely a chocolate lover).

Breakside Brewery: Not only is Portland, Oregon known for its foodie scene, coffeehouses, etc. it is also known for its breweries.

I knew I couldn’t leave the city without visiting one and the brewery we chose was Breakside, which is located only a few blocks from the Inn at Northrup Station.

Overall, Breakside Brewery offers amazing craft beers from IPAs to stouts and lagers to ales and more. If you aren’t a beer drinker, Breakside also has a great range of ciders and wines you could order.

The brewery is set up biergarten style, so you could sit outside on the turf grass, at one of the picnic tables or even inside.

Blue Star Donuts: A staple to Portland are Blue Star Donuts! There are a few locations in the city and I highly recommend stopping by and getting one of their popular blueberry glazed donuts.

Blue Star Donuts have been around since 2012 and their donuts are made from scratch, with fresh fruits, herbs and spices along with liqueurs. The breads they use for their donuts are brioche, creating that great buttery taste!

Click here to book an underground donut tour in Portland.

Portland Food Carts: Food cart pods are legendary to Portland and you could find over 600 tiny kitchens around the city.

From taquerias to ramen and Polish cuisine to African food, you will not be disappointed by whatever you choose to eat in this awesome city. You cannot visit Portland and not check out the food carts!

In addition to food, you could also find art galleries, breweries, CBD stands, live music and so much more.

What is cool about staying at the Inn at Northrup Station is that they offer a guest discount code that you could use to get 15% off your local food cart tour through the Lost Plate Food Tours. If you’re a foodie, I highly recommend signing up for this!

Fun Things to do with 2 Days in Portland, Oregon

Admire the Beauty at Washington Park Rose Garden:

One of the most beautiful places to get your nature fix during 2 days in Portland, Oregon is at Washington Park.

Located right in the heart of the city, Washington Park is filled with breathtaking gardens, museums, a zoo and walking paths. My favorite spot in this park was the Rose Garden.

Portland has been known for its roses since the 1800s and is recognized as the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States.

Located in Washington Park, the Portland Rose Garden features more than 10,000 roses in all different colors. What is awesome about visiting this stunning rose garden is that you could see amazing views of Mount Hood on a clear day, which is a stratovolcano featuring the highest mountain peak in the state of Oregon as well as the Cascade Mountain range.

The city of Portland, Oregon is known as the “City of Roses” mainly because the weather in the area is the most ideal for growing them. There are 4.5 acres of parkland and over 650 rose varieties.

Overall, the rose garden in Portland is free, but you will need to park your car somewhere in Washington Park, which has metered parking. The best months for rose-viewing are May through September.

Pretend You’re in Japan at the Portland Japanese Garden:

A peaceful place to feel like you’re in Kyoto, Japan is the Portland Japanese Garden.

Also situated in Washington Park, the Portland Japanese Garden provides the local community and visitors alike a place to connect with nature and receive a cross-cultural understanding.

Within the garden, you will find bamboo plants, torii gates, a koi pond and a Cultural Village that will make you feel like you’re in Japan.

The Cultural Village at the Portland Japanese Garden was designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma and it is where where you can see live performances, traditional Japanese art displayed throughout and other demonstrations. The Cultural Village has a learning center where you could immerse yourself in Japanese culture by attending a demonstration of the yukata, which is a Japanese kimono; learning about chado, which is a tea demonstration and more.

In addition, there is the Umami Café that allows you to enjoy Japanese tea and food in the heart of the garden. There are also other displays and gift shops where you could browse and purchase hand-selected items straight from Japan.

Enjoy the Beauty at Cathedral Park:

Recognized as one of the 14 Lewis and Clark landing sites in the Portland area, Cathedral Park is historical and will bring you back in time.

Prior to Lewis and Clark’s arrival, Cathedral Park was also a fishing and camping site for many Native American tribes. In 1931, the stunning St. John’s Bridge was built in Portland and it is the only suspension bridge across the Willamette River in the city.

Nowadays, the park is used for outdoor activities, picnics and events such as weddings. I highly recommend checking out this lovely and romantic spot during your 2 days in Portland, Oregon.

Go on a Hike in Forest Park:

What is great about Portland, Oregon is that you don’t have to travel far to go on a great hike! Hey, you don’t even need a car to get to a hiking trail!

Forest Park is a rather large nature area that is around 5,100 acres and offers numerous trailheads, 112 birds and 62 mammal species. Forest Park also serves as a natural air purifier, water collector and erosion controller.

During your time at Forest Park, you could go hiking, biking, equestrian riding and more. The MacCleay Entrance is right by the Inn at Northrup Station, which is convenient.

See the White Stag Sign:

Known as one of the most iconic signs in Portland and a must-see is the White Stag Sign, which is located on the border of the Pearl District and Downtown Portland.

It is at night where you could see the sign lit up, but you will get the best photos of yourself in it during the day. The best viewing point for the White Stag Sign is located on the Burnside Bridge (although, we took our photos on the street in front of the sign).

The White Stag Sign is owned by the city of Portland, but it was once the White Stag Sportswear Company sign.

Around the White Stag Sign, you will find nice restaurants, shops and even food carts. During the Christmas season, the stag’s nose lights up red to imitate Rudolph on the sign.

Get Lost in Powell City of Books:

Unfortunately, it wasn’t opened when I visited due to the current events going on in the world, but another great place to visit during your 2 days in Portland, Oregon is Powell City of Books. It is the city’s largest independent bookstore and it is considered a landmark in Portland.

In this amazing bookstore, which is located in Downtown Portland, you could find books that promote diversity along with great fiction, non-fiction, New York Times Best Sellers, autobiographies, documentaries, children’s books and more.

Visit Studio One Theaters:

A cool experience during 2 days in Portland, Oregon is visiting Studio One Theaters. It is a fun independent theater that offers delicious food as well as an awesome penthouse for watching movies.

What is awesome is that they not only offer lunch and dinner movie viewings, they also have a great brunch! In addition, Studio One Theaters also host fun events and it is important to make reservations in advance to reserve your seat at this great Portland spot.

Wander Around Portland:

Overall, Portland, Oregon is a beautiful city and it is best that you get the opportunity to stroll around and check out the different neighborhoods during your 2 days there.

The Northwest District, where the Inn at Northrup Station is located in, is a great area to take a walk through because it is lined with boutique shopping, renowned restaurants, breweries, coffeeshops and more.

Across the Willamette River are the Alberta Arts District and Hawthorne District. The Alberta Arts District has cool street murals to take Instagram photos in front of along with great shopping, restaurants and more. The Hawthorne District has eclectic streets, thrift shopping, bookstores, urban wineries and great eateries.

Even though I visited Portland in July, it was quite chilly when I was there. The weather could vary during the summer months, but I recommend bringing a light jacket when you wander around.

Also, I saw that fall foliage started to make its way into the city during my 2 days in Portland, Oregon. It was very beautiful, especially surrounding the lovely Portland houses.

Adventure through Mount Hood National Forest:

Located less than two hours from Portland, Oregon is Mount Hood National Forest.

Mount Hood itself is the tallest mountain in Oregon and its peak is at 11,250 feet above sea level. It is a potentially active stratovolcano in the Cascade Mountains. I recommend making your way here during your time in Portland and doing a hike!

The hike that Hannah and I did during our time at Mount Hood National Forest was Tamanwas Falls, which is a 3.3-mile round-trip moderate hike that leads to a breathtaking waterfall!

As you hike this trail, it will take you through an enchanting forest, along glistening streams and as you get closer to the waterfall, there is a bit of rock scramble. When you eventually get to the falls, you will be taken back by how gorgeous it is.

Please note that it is pretty misty there, so you may get a little wet, but it’s so worth it!

Other great hikes that you could do are Bald Mountain, which is a moderate, 6.1-mile round-trip hike; Tom and Dick Harry Trail, which is a moderate, 9.0-mile round-trip hike; Trillium Lake Loop, which is an easy, 1.9-mile round trip hike; Lost Lake, which is a 3.7-mile, round-trip moderate hike and Frog Lake, which is more of a walking trail where you could capture great views of Mount Hood around a peaceful lake.

In addition to Frog Lake, you could find amazing views of Mount Hood all around the National Forest.

I recommend driving around and finding a photo spot. There are plenty of great parking spots along the roads at Mount Hood National Forest where you could pull over and take pictures.

If you have time and are visiting the Mount Hood area during the summer, I also recommend checking out Hood River Lavender Farms.

Savor the Beauty at Multnomah Falls:

Multnomah Falls is located in the Columbia River Gorge, around 30-45 minutes from Portland, Oregon.

Unfortunately, due to everything that was going on during the time I visited the Portland area, Multnomah Falls was closed because it does draw a lot of tourists.

Overall, Multnomah Falls is a magnificent 611-foot-tall waterfall that is awe inspiring. According to Native American folklore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe.

During a visit to the falls, it is recommended to check out the beautiful Multnomah Falls Lodge, where you could catch spectacular sites of the Columbia River Gorge and also take a hike that also leads to the nearby Wahkeena Falls.

I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best things to do in Portland, Oregon over the course of 2 days and reading about my experience staying at the Inn at Northrup Station.

If you have any questions about my time in Portland, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

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Basic Facts of the United States:

Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., OR State Capital: Salem, Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time

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