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Portland (Oregon), United States
Photo: User:Cacophony, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Southeast Portland comprises the neighborhoods east of the Willamette River and south of Burnside Street and Interstate 84. Hawthorne Boulevard and several other trendy neighborhoods are here.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
At the eastern end of the Hawthorne District, Mt Tabor is a forested park situated atop an extinct volcanic butte with great views of the city. The park contains a couple of reservoirs and lots of winding trails, and is also the home of the popular PDX Soapbox Derby event (see below under Do).
A display and test garden was initiated in 1950 that includes more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants. Beginning in early spring and continuing into summer, the gardens provide a magnificent display of color, giving visitors the opportunity to view many varieties rarely seen in the Pacific Northwest. During the fall, many companion trees add dramatic coloring. Spring-fed Crystal Springs Lake surrounds much of the garden, attracting many species of birds and waterfowl.
OMSI
OMSI is great for kids, with hundreds of hands-on activities with a particular emphasis on technology and earth sciences; you can spend a full rainy day here and not get bored. Moored in the river just outside is the USS Blueback, an old navy submarine which is open for tours (separate ticket required). There's also a planetarium and an IMAX theater which requires separate admission, but you can view the IMAX projector in operation without paying for the movie ticket.
Two working steam locomotives are on display here, with a third undergoing restoration. Many parts needed on these locomotives are no longer manufactured, so you may see volunteers working in the machine shop as well as locomotive and car maintenance crews. Short excursions on trains are occasionally offered, especially during the holiday season.
A beautiful park designed by a horticultural expert from the same team that designed New York City's Central Park. This park has a great atmosphere in good weather, with lots of locals and visitors enjoying the duck pond, the bike paths, and the off-leash dog area.
Planned residential development in Southeast Portland that is now a historic district. Built between 1905 and 1930 and contains five small parks and several diagonal streets
A popular event which takes place annually in mid-August and is great for spectators. Some soapbox cars strive for speed and slick design while others are incredibly imaginative and hilarious creations. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy watching the races.
A 21-mile multi-use trail extending from SE Portland to the town of Boring, Oregon. It is designed to accommodate hikers, bikers, wheelchairs and horses.
Opened in 1905 and one of the oldest historic "trolley parks" in the country. It has a wooden carousel constructed in 1912, along with a couple dozen more contemporary rides including one roller coaster "Adrenaline Peak", and many kid's and family rides. It also has a popular roller skating rink, with a pipe organ played during a couple skating sessions each week. This also serves as the fairgrounds for the Multnomah County Fair since 1997, during the last weekend of May.
Located at the Jupiter Hotel, Doug Fir Lounge is Portland's slickest, upscale music venue featuring live shows almost every night of the week in the basement, a restaurant on street level and a bar in both. A decidedly hip variety of traveling and local music.
A great venue revamped from an old theater hall that offers shows almost nightly, featuring local favorites as well as Northwest and national acts. Food and alcohol available.
Local music, cheap drinks. Underground Portland music scene.
Southern food (chicken-fried steak, jambalaya, grits, etc.) on the cheap. The food is excellent and in large portions.
A local landmark, famous for excellent food, great prices, and a quirky after-hours clientèle.
The fact that Robo Taco is open late and is located within walking distance of Holocene makes it the perfect place to end a night dancing and live music. It's consistently delicious with a laid back vibe and plenty of vegetarian options.
Has been regularly voted one of Portland's favorite pizza restaurants for the past decade by hungry locals and media critics alike.
A butcher shop run by trained chefs, serving some of the finest steak dinners in the city.
Wood fired oven cooking amazing pizza and other superbly executed Italian dishes. Expect a wait.
The Bagdad is one of the great things about Portland: a 700-seat second-run movie theater serving a selection of regional craft brews you can drink while you watch.
Belmont Station is both a store and bar/cafe. The store side hosts over 1000 bottled beers from around the world, and the cafe offers a solid lineup of sandwiches, soups, and light pub fare, as well as interesting beers on draft. The friendly and knowledgeable staff make this the place to go to explore Portland's beer scene.
Shows a great assortment of esoteric films and the world's longest running Rocky Horror Picture Show.
A funky night spot with great bar food.
Cool building and great atmosphere. Hanging swing chairs, heated patio and downstairs bar with skee ball. The food is higher end, but not pricey and full bar with big wine list and great beers on tap make this spot a local favorite.
One of the newest additions to the Portland brewpub scene. They emphasize sustainable practices business model. Hoppy beer with a distinct flavor.
Another English-style pub that also serves a range of English-style food. An "old-world" atmosphere, reasonable prices, a huge beer list, free darts, and a friendly and knowledgeable staff make this a great place to relax with a pint and catch up with old friends.
Cinema serving beer, wine and food. Children are allowed to shows before 5:30PM; after that it's 21+ only.
Kava kava is a mildly sedating drink from the South Pacific. Definitely worth a try if you're in Portland since the South Pacific is quite far away. Great place to relax and socialize in a semi-authentic atmosphere, all the while trying something entirely new and exotic.
Try a burger and fries, and more beers than you can handle.
A great coffee house in Portland. No other place like it. If you visit for the summer, you must come to this place. It's a great experience.
A loft-style cafe and coffee roastery.
A neighborhood shopping area on the east side of the Willamette River south of downtown, specializing in antique and vintage furnishings.
A popular shopping area, particularly along SE Hawthorne Blvd between 34th Ave and César Chávez Blvd. Includes head shops, vintage clothing, used books and magazines, local clothing designers and craft stores.
A popular shopping area with a variety stores, bars and restaurants along SE Division between SE 12th and SE 60th.
An up & coming neighborhood in the southeast to rival the Pearl District in the northwest. The neighborhood is bounded to the west by the Willamette River, south by SE Hawthorne, east by SE 28th and north by E Burnside. It was an industrial warehouse district until the end of the 20th century. It is now gentrifying with all sorts of boutiques, antique stores, furniture stores, gift shops, bars and restaurants housed in old warehouse buildings particularly along SE MLK & Grand Ave (OR-Hwy 99E) and along SE Water Ave. The area is also home to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry) and is connected to Lloyd Center by the frequent Streetcar going up down SE Union/MLK and to downtown by the Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges.
Largest Asian mall in Oregon hosting a variety of restaurants, retail stores and professional services.
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