Independent local businesses are rigorously supported in Portland's Artsy Pearl District. The area is perfect to visit whether your tastes are more geared toward “Vintage Chic” or more up-to-date looks: you are certain to find something appealing to the senses in this most fashionable Portland area.
Take a tour of this up-market area on an otherwise “lazy” weekend. There is plenty to do as well as a great number of places to chat or just relax.
The place to stay while visiting the Downtown Pearl district is the McMenamins Kennedy School. The Kennedy School is a renovated school turned into a hotel property. Besides the unique concept, the school/hotel offers amenities not particular to any standard hotel. During your weekend stay, you may sleep in what once was a school classroom. Libations may be taken at the renovated hotel's Detention Bar. Dinner is consumed in the former school cafeteria.
There is also a “soaking pool” as well as a movie theater. The tiled soaking pool is within a beautiful courtyard surrounded by gardens. The movie theater provides cushy vintage armchairs. A thick slice of pizza is hand-delivered to you while you watch the movie.
The hotel's location is: 5736 N.E. 33rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97211. Contact the hotel at 888-249-3983. The Kennedy School is the perfect place to stay during your Portland weekend visit. Additionally, you may visit McMenamins to check out their other unique Portland properties.
After spending a delightful night sleeping in class at the McMenamins Kennedy School, you'll want to start your weekend off right. Wake up in Portland style by taking in a rich, strong cup of “Java” roast. The city of Portland is very serious about its coffee. You must at least pretend to be a coffee connoisseur as taking in Portland brew is not for amateurs. So, in the “spirit” of Portland stop by the Pearl Bakery and order your first fresh brewed cup of coffee for the day possibly complimented by a delicious croissant or perhaps the artisan bread.
If you are more of the “outdoorsy” type then it is safe to speculate you will not mind spending your day on a lengthy hike, biking trip or even riding horseback in a Northwest forest. You may easily find such a place at The City Park. Portland's Forest Park is the country's largest natural forest within the limits of the city.
However, if you'd rather take your weekend activities another direction and possibly do some shopping, then you will want to visit Portland's Pearl district. The area is noted for having all kinds of really out of the ordinary “cool” shops. Once you spend a weekend in the Pearl district, you will leave with a sense of renewed perspective as far as shopping. Read on for more information on truly interesting places to shop and browse:
The landmark bookstore is a place called Powell's Books. The store happens to be one of the largest independent booksellers in the country. The bookstore provides new and used books as well as hardback and paperback editions. The merchandising design that makes the bookseller so unique is that paperbacks and hardbacks are found on the same shelves. Therefore, the hunt for an old classic or your favorite genre becomes much more challenging. In fact, you may leave with a paperback or hardback you'd not considered since your search is much more intense.
The place to find the landmark bookstore is at Couch which is actually pronounced “Cooch.” Just make sure you get it right as you don't want to offend any of the locals. You will find the store just down the way from the Pearl Bakery. The Bakery is located at 102 N.W. 9th Avenue. Powell's Books is just down the way at 1005 West Burnside Street in Portland.
After perusing the vast amount of shelves (four floors worth) found at Powell's and making your purchase you'll want to proceed up 11th Avenue as your next stop should be Bernadette Breu High Bohemian Antiques. As the name implies this is an arts salvage shop. Here you will find all kinds of neat architectural salvage: windows to vintage-style buttons. Find a Turkish Smoking Chair or a 1920's carousel chandelier. The pieces range from 18th century “classic” style antiques to the unique and the “funky.” Designers shop the antique store often. Definitely make this vintage storehouse one of your stops. The shop is located conveniently at 1134 NW Everett in Portland.
The next retail experience will need to be: In Good Taste. This is definitely a “must stop and see” for the culinary enthusiast. Here you will find professional cookware, knives, cookbooks, custom gift baskets, specialty foods including a nice selection of olive oils, balsamic vinegars (they'll let you taste test); gourmet salts including: truffle salt, Murray River salt, Maldon sea salt, and Feur de sel. There are spices and condiments such as Madras Curry Mustard, Dulcet Dressings and Olive Marmalade. You may also purchase Boyd's coffee and gourmet chocolate as in Poco Dolce Tiles.
