Portland evokes lots of great associations. Home to Nike, one of the best known brands in the world, the city appeals to the outdoors enthusiasts. Sitting at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, a short drive from the Mount Hood National Forest, it offers everything you could imagine - great hiking, beautiful vistas, scenic drives, spectacular waterfalls. Wine lovers have been flocking to the city for years to explore the region’s wines across hundreds of wineries set against the stunning nature backdrop. Not to be left behind, foodies discovered Portland’s amazing chefs and the city has emerged as a dining destination. It would be easy to think that Portland has little to offer for a self-proclaimed art enthusiast. I encourage you to think again.

PEARL DISTRICT FOR THE WIN

The Pearl District is where it all happens. Only a few minutes’ walk from Portland’s downtown, Pearl is full of old warehouses that are getting a new life as creative agency workspaces, industrial chic restaurants, funky design stores and, much to my delight, lots of contemporary art galleries. The choices are actually quite impressive and the gallery “vibe” of gritty imperfections mixed with sleek and polished spaces reminded me of New York City’s Lower East Side. Here are a few that I would suggest visiting:

Elizabeth Leach Gallery. Unassuming entrance that leads to a large space intersected by exposed wooden beams, the gallery focuses on Northwest artists working across a wide variety of media, from paintings to sculpture. During my trip I saw the contemporary works of Sean Healy.

Blackfish Gallery. Hiding behind a single-story garage-like facade, the gallery has been a staple on the Portland art scene for forty years. It’s owned and operated by Oregon artists and one of the artists is always on premises, letting you chat about the art and what inspired it. The simple black and white drawings I saw during my trip were intriguing!

Froelick Gallery. Located in a beautifully restored historic building on what that clearly is “THE” gallery block in the Pearl district (neighbors include Blue Sky Gallery and Hartman Fine Art, among others), Froelick’s light filled space is as impressive as the art inside. Add to that the thoroughly contemporary, simple, bold art of Willie Little that was on display during my visit and instantly, Froelick became my favorite among Portland’s galleries. Make sure you pay it a visit.

Hartman Fine Art . A compact gallery that is definitely worth a stop in your gallery crawl. The art that the gallery shows is more subtle and clearly well thought through.

Upfor Gallery. Another streamlined and appealing space where the curators definitely go for the minimalist approach. It makes each piece stand out more and gives you a sense of space at the same time.

STREET ART

Portland’s street art game is strong. A number of great murals can be found right in the Pearl district. Keep an eye out and make sure you look up as you walk around. A few great ones are well above eye level and you could easily miss them. Once you’re explored the Pearl district, and if you are craving more, venture down to the waterfront. Grab a Voodoo donut and take a stroll through the nearby streets. Plenty of good stuff to see there!

AND SINCE THIS IS PORTLAND… SOME FOOD AND WINE FOR GOOD MEASURE

I am by no means an expert foodie so I will leave dining recommendations to savvier bloggers (I am looking at you, Jess!). That being said, writing a blog about Portland without mentioning any of its amazing restaurants just feels… wrong. Here are a few that I had the good fortune to visit during my trip:

Mediterranean Exploration Company. Within walking distance of Pearl district’s many murals, this loft-like industrial space was everything I needed for dinner on a Friday evening. With both the inside and the outside tables completely packed, you get to wait in the fun bar near the entrance but the wait isn’t that terrible and you get rewarded with a yummy tapas-like menu that has something for every palate.

Olympia Provisions SE. With its industrial vibe, whether you want to dine on the site or just stock up for a picnic, this place is worth a visit.

Ruby Jewel. Who doesn’t like ice cream :) Yes, that was a rhetorical question. Well if, like me, you do, here is another stop for you.

No Portland entry would be complete without giving a nod to the spectacular nature and wine that is waiting for you just a short car ride away. Even a city girl like me can appreciate the gorgeous scenery anchored by the impressive Mount Hood and framed by countless vineyards that compete for your attention. Whether you pick the Wilamette valley or the Hood river route, you really can’t go wrong.