The Pearl

The Pearl without a doubt is one of Portland's trendiest neighborhoods...if not thee most trendiest with its high dollar shopping and even higher real estate. The Pearl is also ranked as the number one neighborhood for walking in...with so much to see and do this is not a big surprise to me...not to mention I've walked it...I find it amazing that there is so much to see and do and if you love to window shop ( I do) there is no small amount of fantastic shop windows to peer into. Make sure you are dressed for the weather with a nice and stylish Northface jacket, and have on your most comfortable pair of walking shoes...no need for a day pack to pack a snack or water...the city will provide...with the dozen plus coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, and eateries along the way there is something for everyone's taste buds in the Pearl, and if you wander into some of the shops along the way you're sure to find whatever treasure you are searching for. Walking the Pearl makes for a wonderful afternoon of sightseeing and shopping, and if you grow tired hop on the streetcar and see some of the city's sights that way.

St. Johns Neighborhood

St. Johns is a quaint little neighborhood that is on the fast track to rejuvenation... even so this sleepy little hamlet makes a great afternoon outing for the urban hiker with friendly folks along the way. There is plenty to see and do along the main street through St. Johns. The street is lined with inviting store fronts... a cozy coffee shop, mouth watering pastry shop, quaint cafes, movie house, and a outdoor beer garden at the local pub. Slip into some good walking shoes, and grab up a reusable shopping bag...I'm pretty sure you will find something you can't live with out...or stop into one of the local eateries get something to go and finish your walk down at Cathedral Park located at the West end of St. John and directly under the St. Johns Bridge...and if you think you have seen all this before you might have...St. Johns was featured in the movie " Mr. Hollands Opus" and in the movie "The Hunted" cinema magic blew up the St. Johns Bridge. If you want to make this outing even more festive wait until September and the Pirates Festival at Cathedral Park and all the swashbuckling fun you can handle.

Mt. Tabor Park

Mt. Tabor is located at the eastern end of the Hawthorne District, and is actually an extinct volcanic cinder cone...key word here is extinct...Mt. Tabor Park is definitely on the must do list in the city. There is something for everyone at Mt. Tabor Park...tennis courts, basketball courts, amphitheater, BBQ areas, and miles of trails used by urban hikers, bicyclists, joggers, and many dog walkers...take the kids, wife, grab the hounds and their leashes...put on your lightweight hiking shoes (for me it's my Northface lightweight hikers), day pack filled with a yummy picnic lunch and water and head on out to explore this wonderful woodsy park...Don't worry you will get in your exercise for the day with the miles of trails winding through tall trees and landscaped areas...not to mention the stairs...ugh...good for the heart. Seeing it all from the top is worth the climb with awe inspiring views on all sides... Downtown Portland, The West Hills, and Mt. Hood its really one of the best viewpoints in town...So get out and get going.

Alberta Arts District

At one time this was one of Portland's scariest neighborhoods...it wasn't safe after dark no matter who you were...fortunately times have changed and thankfully for the better where the Alberta Arts District is concerned. The street is lined on both sides from 33rd all the way to 10th with some of the best dining, shopping, pubs, and art galleries in all of Portland. Where The Pearl District celebrates 1st Thursday the Alberta Arts District celebrates Last Thursday where all the shops open up and the galleries put it all on display so... what are you waiting for grab up your walking shoes, a date and head out for an evening of local art, fantastic food, live entertainment, and some cold brew in one of Portland's trendsetting neighborhoods...A great way to get out and have some fun.

Ladds Addition

Ladds Addition is one of those neighborhoods that some people get lost driving through...Id rather get lost walking around in Ladds Addition...with its spectacular tree lined streets (Elm), and the impressive homes. Ladds Addition is part of the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood, and named after a 19th century Portland Mayor...it is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in Portland. This city hike is not for everyone, but it is a great way of walking off a couple slices of pizza from one of my favorite Pizza shops located a few short blocks away. The wagon wheel layout of Ladds takes you up and down the beautiful streets past gorgeous homes...don't forget the stunning display of roses growing in the little diamond gardens during the early summer. You won't need much on this walk...good pair of walking shoes and maybe a nice Mountain Hardware jacket to keep off the weather...that's about it...and if you have a mind try the coffee shop located in the center right off the main park for a quick cup of coffee and maybe a pastry...very tasty.

North Mississippi Ave

North Mississippi Ave in Portland used to be one of those neighborhoods (many years ago) where it wasn't uncommon to see houses boarded up, shady people hanging out on street corners, and the sound of gun fire could be heard on occasion...not a pretty picture...However, and thankfully times have changed for this gem of a neighborhood and this is one of the coolest city hikes or bikes I know of. Mississippi practically from Mason to Fremont is lined with coffee shops, comfy bistros, quaint clothing shops, a nursery filled with wonderful plants and live chickens roaming free in the garden area, and a salt shop...that's right a shop that sell nothing but different types of salt...and it isn't hard to find a place to lock up your bike once your there...if riding a bike is more to your fancy. I wouldn't call this a family friendly outing...older kids won't appreciate it, and younger kids will bore quickly this is more for the adults at home, and Fido (as long as your prepared to scoop)...A good pair of walking shoes, light jacket, an a interest in local flavor...everything from beer, pizza and something called a Dutch Taco (?) to the interesting shops that will have you leaving the street and roaming around inside finding one treasure after another.

Portland Saturday Market

Come one come all to the Portland Saturday Market located in its new home near SW Ankeny and Natio Parkway in Waterfront Park. Saturday Market is another one of those kid and canine friendly strolls on Sat. or Sun. that just needs to be done, and if you have friends or family in town..even better. This outing requires nothing more than a good pair of walking shoes for you and the kiddies, the proper gear for Fido (don't forget the poo bags), and depending on the weather sunscreen and or a lightweight jacket...it can get chilly down by the water....Saturday market has it all...great food, and local artists selling their wares. Seriously you can find just about anything at Portland Saturday Market...hmm so maybe you should bring an empty day pack...it will come in handy later on for toting all the cool things home in. So get out... get walking and take the family to Portland Saturday Market...make a day of it...enjoy some food, music and shopping... Oh and don't forget to grab a beer in the beer garden that will truly hit the spot if the weather is hot.

To The Zoo

Did you know the Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi? Dr. Richard B. Knight in 1887 gave his menagerie to the city. I didn't...see you learn something new everyday. I can't think of a better way for the whole family to get together, get out and get walking than a trip to the zoo on a glorious early summer day...you have a fair amount of ground to cover and plenty to see, so pack your day packs with a picnic lunch, fill the hydration packs, slather on the sunscreen (especially this little ones), put on your walking shoes, and head out for some family fun. Start this trip out right and take the Max to the zoo avoiding the parking lot crowd and save some on admission into the zoo. The Oregon Zoo has your lions and tigers and bears...Oh my, but they also have one of my favorite animals red pandas, and I absolutely adore all the baby animals...right now we have a bouncing baby boy elephant. I also love the lorikeet landing exhibit where you actually get to feed a parakeet on your hand...(note: wear a hat) they fly around the exhibit and land on you. Its best to pick up a map on the way in that way you can plan your afternoon seeing all the exhibits and catching the shows on the lawn...like the birds of prey show...pretty spectacular. All in all a definite day trip for the whole family.

Hawthorne Blvd.

One of the many reasons I love Portland is there are so many options for shopping, eating out, and entertainment that don't involve in any way a...dare I say the word...Mall, but rather involve getting out and getting some exercise, and the Hawthorne District is another fantastic way to get out for an afternoon walk and enjoy some of historic Portland. This vanguard neighborhood located away from Downtown Portland across the Hawthorne Bridge up Hawthorne Avenue from 17th to 43rd has a little bit of everything for everyone with a Gypsy vibe that you just can't beat. Walk up and down both sides of the shop lined streets and soak up the local flavor from one of the many cafes, quaint shops, and boutiques...don't' forget to include Fido on this outing...many of the establishments along the trail on this outing are pooch friendly, and some even cater to the canine companions...so slip on some good walking shoes, grab a leash for Fido, and head on out to soak up some sun, and local culture...maybe ending the afternoon by cooling your heels and Fido's too at one of the dog friendly pubs.

NW 23rd And More...

Nobody says you have to take to the hills to get out and get some exercise...if your in to people watching and walking take a trip over to 23rd Ave in NW Portland on any sunny day and get your fill. People flock to this trendy neighborhood, and to the many unique shops and mouth watering restaurants. This neighborhood has it all from upscale salons and spas to a co-op market around the corner...so slip on a comfy pair of walking shoes... don't forget to grab a lightweight coat...just in case, and head on out for a fun filled and friendly afternoon stroll through one of Portland's oldest neighborhoods that is not only rich in atmosphere but history as well. The NW district covers a lot of ground... west to east from the base of the West Hills to I-405 (between 15th and 16th St.), and north to south from Nicolai to Burnside...touching Forest Park on the west side and Goose Hollow and The Pearl District on the south. Have a wonderful day!