Rose Bialk/The Mossy Log
Though Valentine’s Day has passed, spring is rising in the air and love is all around us. The birds are chirping, the sun is beginning to shine more often, and the smell of roses and honeysuckle flowers is abundant. It is a perfect time to take your loved ones — whether they be romantic or platonic — out on the town for a lovely Portland date. Though my partner was not in town for Valentine’s Day this year, there are still many places I love to go with them in this beautiful city. I hope these places provide a day of love and happiness for you and your special someone.
Ikea
Though it is a bit of a drive from campus, getting to Ikea is achievable with the TriMet MAX Red Line. With two floors of items to browse through, there is so much to talk about and explore with your loved ones. “Ooh” and “ahh” over some cute stuffed animals, play pretend in one of the mock living rooms and be sure to stop by the plant display to adopt a new leafy friend. If you are feeling famished, the upstairs cafeteria has an array of Swedish lunch favorites like meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce, as well as salmon or a Stockholm salad. The downstairs cafe hosts hot dogs and soft serve for a light snack. Whether or not you buy anything for your dorm or apartment here, you will enjoy the opportunity to explore and create conversation.
Portland Picnic
As a major city in the Pacific Northwest, Portland also has the benefit of being a place full of greenery and beautiful scenery. One way to enjoy this is by taking advantage of the parks we have for a picnic date. On one of my first dates with my own partner, we went to Butler Creek Park in Gresham and enjoyed a lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup that I had prepared while listening to music on my iPod. To this day, it remains one of my favorite dates. While you might not be able to get to Gresham, there are numerous beautiful parks to take advantage of for romantic purposes. Mount Tabor Park, Council Crest Park and Cathedral Park are all lovely places to share a bite and a smooch.
Cemetery Date
Though it might sound grim, Portland has a variety of beautiful cemeteries that can serve as great locales for a classic walk-and-talk with someone you love. Lone Fir is a beautiful
and historic cemetery in the heart of Southeast Portland, which the Official City of Portland site describes as “a dream for history buffs and tree-enthusiasts alike.”Guided tours and online scavenger hunts provide opportunities to learn more about Portland’s history and to spot some unique tree species. At Lewis & Clark, we are lucky enough to be within walking distance of Riverview Cemetery. I have already taken advantage of this multiple times this semester. Whether you are going with a partner or a friend, be sure to bring a good flashlight and decent walking shoes. You are in for a muddy walk through an expansive cemetery with many winding paths. My favorite activity here is to read the names on the headstones as a way to pay homage to Portlanders of the past. Sometimes, you will read an epitaph that touches your heart and reminds you of the role you play in the history of a great city.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
The great thing about the LC shuttle’s PSU stop is the fact that it is near many Portland landmarks, smack in the middle of downtown. Within 20 minutes, you can make it to Pioneer Courthouse Square where there are multiple places to explore. My suggestion is to visit Kinokuniya, the Japanese book and trinket store — which happens to be an official seller for Smiski and Sonny Angel, great gifts for a partner who enjoys whimsy. Then, take a short walk over to Toasted S’mores Bar, an upscale s’mores bar where you can watch “s’more-istas” toast your marshmallows right in front of you. For dinner, go to Pioneer Place Mall and enjoy a helping of chicken fingers at Raising Cane’s, or a meal from one of the many food carts in the area.
Oregon Zoo
As a lifelong Oregonian, it surprises me that not many River Otters have visited the Oregon Zoo yet. It was a great place to stop by in summertime as a child, and in my opinion, it remains a great place to take someone you love to enjoy beautiful animals. Share an elephant ear pastry, cuddle up while watching the penguins or the polar bears, and take a stroll over to the insect and reptile zoo for a chance to see some baby turtles. Animals bring out the inner child in everybody, and a zoo date is the perfect place to enjoy a break from academic monotony with someone you care about.
Oaks Park Skate Date
With its affordability and proximity to campus,theOaksParkSkatingRink makes for a quick and enjoyable date. Just $14 will get you a pair of skates and
unlimited time to race around the rink during open skating. I fell quite a few times when I went, but as long as one of you is experienced and comfortable on their skates and is willing to hold hands through a few slow laps, you will fare fine. Enjoy an array of refreshments, hourly skating games, great music and a lovely photo booth opportunity.
Cinema 21
Looking for a more classic movie date? Portland has many independent movie theaters, but one of my favorites is Cinema 21 on NW 21st Avenue. With a small theater, cozy seats, reasonably priced concessions and proximity to other local hotspots, this date can be much more than dinner and a movie. Walk a couple of blocks and you will reach NW 23rd Avenue, a shopping hotspot with various restaurants, trinket shops and even a Salt & Straw location. You can also come during one of the many film festivals and special screenings the theater hosts, including an upcoming screening of Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room” on March 20 or a livescreening of his film “Big Shark” with the man himself on March 22.
Wunderland Arcade
I think it is high time we bring the arcade back. With games, music, prizes and the sound of laughter in the air, what is not to love? Wunderland is a Portland staple, with various locations across the metro area. The Avalon location on Belmont Street is near a variety of thrift stores and restaurants, providing the opportunity to lengthen your date as much as you see fit. Wunderland also offers a small movie theater, escape rooms and a dark ride, so if arcade games are not your thing, there is still ample opportunity to enjoy a night of electronic fun that takes you back to a simpler time.
Crystal Ballroom
If you are into dancing, consider a night at the Crystal Ballroom! With a variety of shows and dance parties, there is something for everyone here. The last event I attended here was a screening of “Stop Making Sense,” the Talking Heads concert film, and it was incredible to feel the energy in the room while everyone sang and danced along. Fair warning: the floor does quake when you jump around. But you are perfectly safe and in for a sweaty and delightful night (hopefully in more ways than one).
With that, I conclude my list of easy and unique Portland date ideas. I hope that this provides a few ideas for things to enjoy with a close confidante that are not just thrifting — as great as that is.
About the Author
