You cannot truly know Portland, Oregon until you’ve experienced each of her individual neighborhoods, each with its own quirks, culture, street art, and food!
As Portland grew and developed as a city, it kept the spirit of the small community alive by keeping conveniences in each community. No matter what neighborhood in Portland you find yourself in, you have community-specific businesses, shops, and cafes just down the street.
Portland actually has about 90 formally recognized neighborhoods- way too many to cover in a single article!
The neighborhoods I’ve highlighted here are broad and are the most popular areas for visitors. For a more in-depth look at each neighborhood, consider a guided tour.
Also, consider making a stop over to the Oregon Coast only an hour away.
These are the neighborhoods in Portland explained
The 6 Quadrants of Portland
Wait…doesn’t ‘quad’ mean 4?
Yes. Yes, it does.
Portland’s 6th Quadrant, South, was added on May 1st, 2020.
The City of Portland realized that its citizens would continue to refer to the sections of the city as “quadrants,” so they decided to go ahead and make it official.
North
North Portland Neighborhoods are a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas, as well as the towering cargo facilities of the Port of Portland.
Notable Neighborhoods: Mississippi, St. John’s Bridge, Williams, Kenton
Where To Eat
NoPoBoys for ‘PNW sandwiches with global influence.’
The MF Tasty Food Truck serves up incredible Southwestern food made with all local Portland products.
Top To Do
Cathedral Park (pictured above) is a waterfront park with incredible views of St. John’s Bridge.
The best place to park is near the bridge to avoid getting trapped in a parking lot by trains. My very first time here, I was stuck for over an hour, which neither you nor I should be eager to repeat.
Unique Things to Do
Flutter is part antique shop, part museum of the odd and cluttered.
Where To Stay
The Society Hotel has budget-friendly dorms and private rooms in a hip 19th-century sailors’ hotel. Don’t miss the rooftop deck!
Northeast
One of the most diverse neighborhoods in Portland, the Northeast section contains some of Portland’s essentials- The Portland Airport, the Lloyd Center, and the Portland Convention Center.
The Northeast is also home to the hip Alberta Arts District, which is bursting with food, shops, and street art.
Notable Neighborhoods: Alberta Arts District, Cully, Beaumont, Sandy Blvd
Where To Eat
Stammtisch has warm, casual vibes and German food, plus lagers, ales, and other essentials. Screen Door on Eastside offers classic Southern specialties with a roomy, laid-back atmosphere.
Top To Do
The Grotto (pictured above) is an outdoor catholic shrine amongst towering trees. A beautiful place to find peace in the city.
Unique Things To Do
- The Wishing Tree is quite literally a tree made of wishes- add yours and make sure to read someone else’s so that it comes true!
- Just inside the Candy Basket is a 21-foot chocolate waterfall that has been around since the 90s.
Where to Stay
McMenamins Kennedy School satisfies that urge you’ve always had to stay in a restored elementary school!
This is such a cool concept, and I highly recommend stopping by for a drink at the bar if you’re not staying on the Northeast side.
Northwest
Northwest Portland, like the rest of the city, is pretty diverse.
You’ll find Victorian houses towering with both size and charm in Nob Hill, while the Alphabet District is full of charming vintage apartments and brand-new condos.
Notable Neighborhoods: The Pearl District, Old Town, Goose Hollow, the Alphabet District, Old Chinatown, and Nob Hill.
Top Food:
Cascadia Coffee Roasters for espresso, Breakside Brewery for a rooftop patio, and American food.
Top To Do
- The Pittock Mansion is a beautifully built and maintained French Renaissance-style château with some of the best views of downtown Portland.
- Powell’s City of Books is the largest bookstore in the world, occupying an entire city block and housing over a million books.
- Lan Su Chinese Garden is a botanical garden containing rare plants native to China, beautiful stonework, and a tea shop.
- The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium a museum of the creepy, weird, and peculiar.
Unique Things To Do
- Burnside Skatepark was the first do-it-yourself concrete skatepark and has inspired other similar parks across the globe. It was also a playable level in the Tony Hawk Skating games.
- The Witches Castle in Macleay Park is actually an old stone ruin of a building that has lived many interesting lives and is steeped in local lore. It also makes for some pretty cool photos.
Where to Stay
The Inn at Northrup Station is one of the most unique hotel experiences you could have, as each room is a custom (and colorful!) suite.
The Inn is perfect for the walking or solo traveler because you’re steps away from attractions, food and boutiques, and of course, the Metro.
Read: Best Hotels in Downtown Portland
South
South Portland is the city’s newest quadrant, a thin strip of land on the west side of the Willamette River.
The community feel is laid back, and you’ll find a ton of water activities plus shopping and dining.
This area also has a ton of urbanized green spaces.
Notable Neighborhoods: South Waterfront, John’s Landing.
Where To Eat
Tacos and Latin food at Cha! Cha! Cha!, enormous cinnamon rolls, and other bakery goods at Sweet Coco G.
Top To Do
- Portland Aerial Tram connects South Waterfront to the OSHU campus. It is one of only 2 commuter aerial trams in the US (the other is in New York).
- Tilikum Crossing (pictured above!) is the country’s first bridge built for pedestrians and public transit that doesn’t allow cars.
Unique Things To Do
Willamette Park is a riverfront park with kayaking and other water fun.
Where to Stay
River’s Edge is the perfect ode to South Portland, complete with waterfront dining!
Southeast
The inner Southeast is famous for its hipster streets like Belmont St. or Hawthorne Boulevard (and the Hawthorne Bridge, pictured above), where the coffee fanatic or antique junky will find Heaven.
Notable Neighborhoods: Hawthorne, Belmont, Montavilla, Sellwood-Moreland, Foster-Powell, Clinton-Division
Where to Eat
Feeling fancy and craving Italian? Ava Gene’s has all of that in a chic, upscale atmosphere.
Master Kong’s is your no-frills, authentic Chinese food stop. Find it here.
For the best Mexican food in the city, hit up La Osita.
Top To Do
- Mount Tabor is one of the local’s favorites. The park is on a volcanic cinder cone- incredibly steep and usually busy, but worth the views of downtown Portland at the top.
- Crystal Springs Rhododendron is a sprawling, 16-acre botanical garden with seasonal foliage. Check the website to see what’s currently in bloom.
- Sellwood Riverfront Park has over 7 miles of mostly riverfront trails, kayaking, and even an off-leash pup park.
Unique Things To Do
- Ota Tofu Shop is America’s oldest tofu shop.
- The Portland Puppet Museum has whimsical performances and exhibits all featured around, you guessed it, puppets!
Where to Stay
The Bluebird Guesthouse is a blend of all of the best aspects of a boutique hotel, bed & breakfast, and vacation rental. This restored 1910 home is an elegant and quiet option for Southeast Portland.
Southwest
High-rise buildings and college kids dominate this ‘quadrant’ of Portland.
This area has less nightlife and shops and more residential areas, making the Southwest one of the more quiet parts of the city.
You’ll still find plenty to do; some of Portland’s most iconic attractions, like Washington Park, call Southwest home.
Notable Neighborhoods: Downtown, Goose Hollow, Multnomah Village
Where To Eat
Planted has street-style vegan comfort food, and I heartily recommend their Mac N Curls.
Lechon is the spot for South American eats and creative tapas.
Top To Do
- The Portland Art Museum is one of the finest in the state.
- Washington Park includes the Portland Zoo, a Forestry Museum, a stunning arboretum, a children’s Museum, The International Rose Test Garden (see above!), and the Japanese garden.
- Eat! Take a coffee and donut tour or an all-inclusive walking food tour in Downtown Portland.
Where to Stay
The Duniway Portland is a luxury hotel just a 2-minute walk from a light rail station. It also has a trendy restaurant and bar run by celebrity chef Chris Cosentino!
Check-in
What Portland neighborhoods do you like the best? Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here?
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