Make the most of your time at LC by visiting these quirky local sites that help keep Portland weird
Portland is home to a wide variety of landmarks and oddities that Lewis & Clark students can enjoy.
From the never-ending assortment of food carts stationed seemingly everywhere to the scenic hiking trails dotting the horizon, there is much to appreciate about the vibrant setting we find ourselves in. For those who have not yet ventured far from Palatine Hill, here are a few essential places to visit during your free time.
First and foremost, nature lovers can rejoice at the abundance of parks, rivers and gardens located throughout the city. One such place to enjoy is the Portland Japanese Garden, a beautiful 12-acre sanctuary filled with streams, walkways and authentic Japanese art. According to their website, they aim to provide “secluded leisure, rest, repose, meditation, and sentimental pleasure,” all while offering a $3.70 discount to students. You can grab a bite to eat at their Umami Cafe, swing by the gift shop and simply take in the relaxing surroundings as you explore this popular Portland destination.
Historical attractions scattered throughout the city include the Shanghai Tunnels and Witch’s Castle. Located underneath the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, and thought to be a former passageway for both goods and people, the Shanghai Tunnels have been converted into a tourist destination following their disuse in the 1940s. As a popular tourist spot in its own right, Witch’s Castle was previously abandoned after being used as a park ranger station and rest stop from the early 1930s to 1962. Both of these sites are believed to be haunted and are the subject of local legend, making them a fascinating pair of sites to explore.
To appease any avid shoppers out there, Portland’s Saturday Market has been a staple in the Portland community since 1974 as a site for a variety of vendors and artists. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tourists and locals alike come together to shop for local products and support small businesses in an intimate, vibrant setting. The market often has pets roaming about as well, and is a dog-friendly environment.
For those with a sweet tooth, Voodoo Doughnut has some of the most uniquely flavored donuts in the Pacific Northwest. With their quirky doughnut names and goofy slogan, “The Magic is in the Hole,” Voodoo Doughnut has enticed many LC students to buy their sugary products. With the month of October approaching, Halloween-themed treats will soon line the counters, so make sure to grab some of your own.
You could also check out the many coffee and pizza joints located nearby, such as Stumptown Roasters or JoLa Cafe. Food aficionados have Portland’s many delicious food carts to enjoy as well.
One of the biggest hubs is the Fifth Avenue food cart pod, which assembles an array of multicultural foods and flavors every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Choices ranging from gyros to burritos are available to satisfy your cravings at this lively offshoot of Portland’s legendary food cart scene. If you want even more variety, there are a number of other pods situated in close proximity.
For literature buffs, Powell’s Books is a great place to peruse aisles of every kind of book imaginable. Known as the world’s largest used and new bookstore, Powell’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year in the heart of Portland, where it takes up an entire city block on 1005 W Burnside St. You can check out their expansive gift shop, which has everything from apparel to cactus pins, and marvel at the incredible size of the space during your visit. It can best be thought of as a stylish warehouse that houses a tremendous amount of literature, all for the satisfaction of book enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest.
With so many places to visit in Portland, students should consider taking advantage of their proximity to these popular destinations. The city truly has a lot to offer for those that are willing to look for it.
Illustration by Faith Gallegos
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