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City Cast Portland

The Weekly Wander

Are you looking for the next great gluten-free bakery? A dance night at an underground Art Deco speakeasy? A secluded nature trail where you can dodge the weekend crowds? The Weekly Wander hits your inbox every Sunday with neighborhood guides filled with hidden gems and unexpected ways to explore our city. Sign up now for the new weekly newsletter from City Cast Portland (and suddenly become the friend who makes all the cool plans for the group).

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Ben McBee

) this way comes. It’s almost pumpkin patch season on Sauvie Island, that time of year when caravans arrive in search of colorful squash to carve, apples covered in caramel, and artistically planted cornfields to get lost in.

Beyond jack-o’-lanterns in waiting, each stop offers something different to visitors.

This farm aims to control the crowds by requiring timed-entry tickets, which range from free to $15, depending on the day you visit and whether you buy them online or at the gate. Inside, you’ll find 

: U-pick fields, kids’ play areas with pumpkin bowling and tractor trikes, a pumpkin gazebo photo-op, animal encounters, sweet treats like apple cider doughnuts, smash burgers, and more. Rides on the mini digger and cow train are available for purchase, too.

Celebrate a successful pumpkin haul with a glass of this farm’s cider or wine (varieties include pinot noir, blueberry, strawberry, and blackberry) or a snack in Bella’s Courtyard. Of course, the main attraction is the corn maze, which turns very scary once the sun sets. Running Sept. 26 to Oct. 30, the 

 features ghouls, goblins, and other ghastly monsters. Don’t miss the costume party on the final night.

What has droopy ears, heart-melting eyes, and a moo to make you swoon? Brahman cows, of course, and the ones at this farm (along with the other critters in the barn) will certainly help you get in the harvest spirit. Grab a PSL from The Pumpkin Perk coffee cart and take a hay ride around the property or watch the little ones climb the hay pyramid. This year’s 8-acre corn maze celebrates America’s 250th birthday with a depiction of George Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware.

It’s almost pumpkin patch season on Sauvie Island, that time of year when caravans arrive in search of colorful squash to carve, and apples covered in caramel.

Have a Pick of the Pumpkin Patches on Sauvie Island

Side Quest: Go Big or Gourd Home

The Weekly Wander newsletter is your neighborhood guide filled with hidden gems and unexpected ways to explore Portland, OR. Get it in your inbox every Sunday.

The Weekly Wander by City Cast Portland

Located about 10 miles northwest of downtown Portland, 

 is a slice of nature that draws city folks year-round thanks to its hiking trails, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing, 

). It’s also home to sprawling farms that grow everything from berries and flowers in the spring to pumpkins and corn in the fall. There’s only one entry point to the island — the 

 — so weekend traffic can be a headache during the harvest season. Still, with a bit of planning and an early-bird mentality, it’s well worth the trip.

Why You Should Visit This Week: U-Pick Apples

September is peak apple-picking in the Pacific Northwest; if you don’t feel like driving all the way to Hood River and the 

, then set your sights closer to home and visit 

. Open for U-pick Saturday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), the fifth-generation family farm grows 

 that ripen at different phases of fall, including McIntosh, Rome, Criterion, and Golden Delicious. Gravenstein apples are already available in the farm store.

From the entrance, you’ll have to take a short bus ride ( $2 per person) to reach the orchards. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and leave your pets at home. Bags and boxes are available to carry your haul.

Outdoors: Oregon’s Tallest Bird & Smallest Lighthouse

Driving along Sauvie Island’s eastern edge, you’ll catch glimpses of cargo ships drifting up the Columbia River like floating skyscrapers, with the imposing form of Mount St. Helens rising above the treeline on the opposite shore. Eventually, Reeder Road ends at a parking lot and a trailhead. After 

 through white oak and cottonwood trees, 

which turn a brilliant yellow in the autumn

, the smallest lighthouse in Oregon. It’s a serene spot to catch your breath, enjoy a sandwich, and watch for sea lions and regal 

Willamette River Greenway - Wapato Access

If it grows on Sauvie Island, chances are you can find it at 

. While you’re there, wander sunflower fields and 

, take home flats of blackberries, tomatoes, and other in-season veggies, or shop cuts of 

 and usually sell out in a flash, as do the 

 on Wednesday nights. During the weekend, the grill’s going from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., serving up brats, grilled corn, hand pies, popsicles, and more — the ideal lunch when you’re out exploring.

Sauvie Island recs

📲 Your Sauvie Island Recommendations

Located about 10 miles northwest of downtown Portland, Sauvie Island is a slice of nature that draws city folks year-round.

Your Guide to Sauvie Island in Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to Sauvie Island

 down below does actually fall within its borders, too.

As its name suggests, the peninsula that juts out into the Willamette River once had water flowing on all sides, although continual dredging was necessary to maintain channels deep enough for ships to navigate. It wasn’t until 1927 that the 

Port of Portland received approval from Congress

 to fill in the northern end while widening the southern passage.

Material from the riverbed tripled the size of Swan Island, and for the next 13 years (until 1940), it served as 

 paid a visit for its dedication in the Spirit of St. Louis, not long after his historic solo nonstop transatlantic flight.

, providing housing and jobs for workers who built 146 tanker ships, vital for refueling the U.S. Navy’s fleet.

, you can experience a preserved patrol boat from this era (although it was originally built in New Orleans). Tours are offered Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and advance notice is required.

While most of the Overlook neighborhood sits above the bluffs, the industrial area of Swan Island down below does actually fall within its borders, too.

A Quick History of Swan Island in Portland, Oregon

Side Quest: Charting History’s Course

As the setting sun casts a parting summer’s kiss upon the Fremont Bridge and the downtown skyline behind it, it’s easy to see the appeal of Overlook. Beyond the 

, the North Portland neighborhood has plenty of perks: access to the 

. Even Adidas is living its best “Three Stripe Life” here — you can’t miss the company’s sprawling 

Why You Should Visit This Week: Pierogies and Polka

 on North Interstate Avenue has served as a gathering place for Portland’s Polish community. Along with the historic Polish Hall across the street, they host the annual 

, which will take place this year on Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20.

Established in 1993, the celebration is the oldest and largest Polish festival in the Western U.S.; last year, more than 12,000 attendees ate 10,000 pierogies (

). On top of traditional foods such as kielbasa, bigos stew, and filled doughnuts called 

, there’s also a beer garden, a variety of dance performances, live polka music, merch vendors, and exhibits highlighting Polish history and culture.

Whether you can trace your ancestry back to Poland or simply appreciate a party, all are invited to this family-friendly event.

Overlook hits all the notes when it comes to dining. 

. A welcoming bar with daily drink combos and karaoke? We suggest 

. Farm-to-table, to-go fare can be found at 

, and there are even a few chains — of both the local variety (the original 

Expect old-school island vibes and mai tais at 

 is a sleek, modern taphouse where fans gather to cheer on the 

 is good for old fashioneds, flavor-dusted popcorn, hearty handheld eats, and pickle juice in your Rainier.

 is a light and airy cafe serving milk and fruit teas as well as iced matcha drinks.

Whiskey comes first, but the pizza is worth the wait at 

🍗 Spanish-style rotisserie chicken and tapas are calling at 

, which offers a solid sauce selection to pair with each expertly-cooked bird.

 is the Portland vegan fast food spot that wants to flip the industry like an Impossible burger. The flagship location, 

, sits at the entrance to Swan Island and serves up classic fries, faux-chicken nuggets, and pea-protein shakes.

, built in the late 1920s, was owned by Herman and Elvira Raven, proprietors of Raven Creamery in downtown Portland. The couple was generous with their home, often providing it as a meeting place for neighborhood groups. Over the years it has also hosted a daycare, community classrooms, a polling station for voters, and even outdoor concerts. Lovebirds are able to rent the picturesque manor and its immaculate grounds for 

Overlook recs

📲 Your Overlook Recommendations

Beyond the views, the North Portland neighborhood has plenty of perks: access to the MAX Yellow Line, cocktail lounges, and residents who can seriously play.

Your Guide to the Overlook Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to Overlook

Just like professional athletes, serious fans 

. Maybe you have to wear your beat-up Blazers hat (the one with 

) or you won’t take a sip of your beer until the Fire drill a three (our money’s on Bridget Carleton).

Now, we don’t want to throw you off your game, but we do have some fun suggestions to spice up your traditions on the way to the Rose Quarter to watch basketball.

🍸 For a touch of class and skyline views, grab a drink at 

🏟️ Tell the Moda Center how good it looks at 30. There’s been a lot of talk lately (

We don’t want to throw you off your game, but we do have some fun suggestions to spice up your traditions on the way to the Rose Quarter to watch basketball.

5 pre-game traditions on the way to the Moda Center

Side Quest: Pre-Game Routine

, the Lloyd Center was a place where Portlanders made memories, went shopping and ice skating, and even 

. Its recent closure leaves an undeniable hole in the neighborhood, but to 

 in Jurassic Park, “Life finds a way.” Several businesses, including a 

 is already rising from the Nordstrom dust.

 hold? Well, you can count on at least a few heroes.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Rose City Comic Con

 comes to town, Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Oregon Convention Center. This family-friendly celebration of fandom has something for everybody, whether 

There’ll be an artist alley, cosplay competitions, panels, and 

 — headlined by Anthony Starr and Chace Crawford, who played Homelander and The Deep on “The Boys.”

, the epic costumes and palpable excitement you’ll find out and about is worth a visit to the neighborhood.

You’ll find plenty of hotels, office buildings, fast food, and dive bars in the Lloyd District, but if you’re looking for food and drinks worth your while, it’s 

 is a trendy spot for a pre-game pint (in the morning, you can grab a latte from 

 is a must-try for its Chinese hand-pulled noodles — Guy Fieri was certainly a fan when he stopped by for 

 LoRell's Chicken Shack recently relocated and is once again serving up its delicious 

But if you stray a bit into nearby neighborhoods, such as 

🥪 “Big flavor. No fuss.” is the tagline at 

⛪ Sudsy pours, Tuesday trivia, and stunning stained-glass windows; enjoy it all inside a renovated church at 

 leads the Portland vegan scene with plant-based pasta and pizza.

🍷 Small delights like olives, grilled beets, and a sherry-confit short rib pair wonderfully with the wine list at 

, a James Beard semifinalist the last two years.

 is an unforgettable tiki experience, from the bartender’s fiery flourishes to the smoke machine and rumbling volcano sound effects.

🍣 An impressive udon selection is the perfect sidekick to the sashimi and rolls at 

. Want to try it all? Prix fixe courses are also available.

You know those stores you come across that are so random, you can’t help but take a look inside? There are quite a few of those in the Lloyd District.

Judging by its cover, there’s nothing overtly strange about 

, but you’ll discover plenty of outlandish tales on its shelves and the independent shop hosts fascinating author talks. 

 offers more than 40 years of expertise in helping people find the right piece for their needs, from medical wigs to costume accessories. Curiosities from around the world are the calling card of 

, there are plenty of colors to wave in the breeze ( including kites).

Did we miss something in the Lloyd District? 

Lloyd District recs

📲 Your Lloyd District Recommendations

For 66 years, the Lloyd Center was a place where Portlanders made memories, went shopping and ice skating, and even put in the miles mall walking.

Your guide to the Lloyd District in Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to the Lloyd District

The Pearl District, bounded by Burnside, Broadway, I-405, and the Willamette River, has just about everything you could want: urban green spaces, world-class dining, 

. And if you’re here, chances are you’re keen to explore the neighborhood on foot, so we’ve got you covered (and actually, so does 

Why You Should Visit This Week: Art In The Pearl

Portland’s largest outdoor art fair is 

 Saturday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Sept. 7 under the trees in the North Park Blocks. Not to be confused with 

, this once-a-year, artist-run event is a great opportunity to purchase original work from local and international talents, while learning more about their inspiration and the meaning behind each piece through conversations with the artists themselves.

Several artists demonstrate their crafts live, including handweaving, sculpting, woodcarving, calligraphy, and metalworking. Children and families are also invited to the hands-on art pavilion for instructional events from 

There are seriously good eats in the Pearl. The award-winning 

 wows guests with modern Peruvian cuisine. 

 serves up an intimate taste of Tuscany where the bruschetta and wine seem endless. There are also 

, which may serve entirely different fare — Japanese-Korean fusion and Italian, respectively — but they certainly share a love for massive, decorative indoor trees. 

 has phenomenal fried chicken sandwiches, and we’re here for the 

Mixology is also a serious art in the neighborhood. Enjoy these drinks, pinkies out.

 is a quintessential summertime sip, featuring Trinidad rum, Zoiglhaus Helles lager, sweet vermouth, raspberry, mint, and lime.

Trade whatever plans you had tonight for a sip of Oolong Old Fashioned, courtesy of the 

 is an irresistible, Southeast Asian-inspired gin sour.

Inventive coffee cocktails, like the Margarita Negra, steal the show at 

 specializes in mezcal — why not try a flight?

Where can you watch the whole spectrum of the human experience play out in one place? 

. In its 20th season at the historic venue, PCS will open the curtains on classics such as “Pride & Prejudice” and “Little Shop of Horrors” alongside new works like “Covenant.” 

Did we miss something in the Pearl District? 

Pearl District recs

📲 Your Pearl District Recommendations

Portland’s largest outdoor art fair is celebrating its 30th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Sept. 7 under the trees in the North Park Blocks.

Your guide to the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to the Pearl District

In the mid-1980s, as Portland’s Northwest Industrial Triangle underwent urban renewal, one art gallery owner, Thomas Augustine, likened the burgeoning exhibition spaces nestled within grungy former warehouses to pearls inside of oysters (and Pearl was the name of a friend, too). Just like that, 

Today, that metaphor and creative magic remains strong, preserved in public spaces like 

, as well as in museums and private showrooms.

Here is a selection of galleries that are worth a visit:

Born from Portland’s creative warehouse scene, the Pearl District remains an arts hub, with galleries, museums, public art, and vibrant creative spaces.

10 art galleries in Portland’s Pearl District

Side Quest: Art in the Heart

Named for the mineral prized by cultures around the world for centuries, the 

 embodies everything the green gemstone represents: prosperity, kindness, and a connection to the past. Centered around the intersection of Division Street and 82nd Avenue, this Southeast Portland neighborhood is a place where diverse traditions — primarily of Asian communities — come together to tell a unique story of incredible food, artistic expression, and camaraderie.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Spice up the Night

. It has taken over a decade of hard work from APANO, the 

, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity through leadership, advocacy, and grassroots development. Everything the group has achieved takes center stage at the 

 will host the 10th annual event on Saturday, Aug. 29, 4-10 p.m. Beneath the warm glow of paper lanterns, thousands of visitors can explore more than 120 multicultural vendors, selling food and beverages, art, and handmade goods, while enjoying lion dances, Mexican baile folkorico, and other performances.

While the Jade District is a figurative blend of different ingredients, 

 — sense. Drop marbled slices of rib-eye or lamb into the simmering broths along with tofu, mushrooms, and assorted vegetables to make a stew that’s sharable and satisfying.

🦐 Trade the dumplings for crawfish but keep everything bubbling just down the street at 

, a Louisiana-inspired Cajun seafood boil spot.

 specializes in sweet Japanese desserts, fusion hot dogs, and colorful Taiwanese bubble teas — you can even 

🍳 The title of “best breakfast sandwich” belongs to 

, a Filipino American bakery that stacks eggs, bacon or longganisa sausage, and cheese on pan de sal or cheddar scallion biscuits slathered in sun-dried tomato aioli.

🥬 Find Vietnamese cuisine such as bánh mì or potstickers, made vegan and vegetarian, at 

🫔 Just try not to drool over the plates at 

 (spoiler: it’s impossible). You can’t go wrong whether you order the panuchos, salbutes, empanadas, or tamales.

There are two other worthwhile stops on any visit to the Jade District — and they align quite well with Portlanders’ interests.

This Southeast Portland neighborhood is a place where traditions come together to tell a story of great food, artistic expression, & camaraderie.