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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

Wine tasting is a treasured pastime in the Willamette Valley, a region whose renown continues to 

. As such, it becomes harder and harder to stand out among industry peers, but Amaterra certainly 

A 15-minute drive from downtown Portland — 

 — takes you to the multi-level tasting room, restaurant, and production facility, where oenophiles can savor vintages from Amaterra and its sister label 

, as well as charcuterie boards, tartines, and a 

The wines are made with grapes cultivated on the slopes below and in nearby growing regions like Eola-Amity, Dundee, Yamhill-Carlton, and Chehalem, using a 

 that preserves the delicate flavors and aromas for your palate.

Before getting too deep in our cups, it’s important to note that Amaterra is a private, membership-based winery. However, 

 to experience its traditional wine tasting (12-4 p.m.) and dinner (4:30 p.m. to close). Just be ready for the one-time $25 fee, which can be applied as a credit to the purchase of two or more bottles to-go following your visit.

Competition in Willamette Valley is fierce, but Amaterra sets the bar high (on top of the West Hills, in fact). It's 15 minutes from downtown Portland, Oregon.

Amaterra Winery Offers Views From the West Hills of Portland, Oregon

Side Quest: Drinks with a View? Wine Not

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

The definition of Portland’s West Hills probably differs depending on who you ask, but for our explorations we’re staying north of Sunset Highway, straying only as far west as Cedar Mill. With easy access to Forest Park and other pockets of nature, it’s a peaceful place to live with plenty of dining appeal, as restaurants and breweries keep heading to the ‘burbs.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Purple-Stained Fingers

 is a u-pick patch with rows of unsprayed bushes growing Blue Crop, Duke, Berkeley, and Elizabeth varieties. The season typically starts in early July (this year’s opened July 1) and runs through the summer, or until the crop runs out.

Farmer John Russell is the voice you hear on the phone when you call for hours and availability — 

it’s best to check ahead of time to see what’s ripe

 that will weigh your harvest on the way out (payment is cash, check, or Venmo). Visitors are invited to bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the scenery; more than likely you’ll also receive a greeting from Ripley, the resident pug who trades companionship for a few scritches and a sneaky blueberry treat here and there. Leave your own pup at home, but remember to bring your own bag or container.

As you’re looking for a bite, you’ll come across familiar names beyond city limits, such as 

 (their blueberry muffin tart ale is both delicious and on-theme), Spielman Bagels & Coffee’s 

, and 808 Grinds, which recently debuted a 

 alongside wines from the country’s Mendoza region. Empanadas come in varieties ranging from the Abuela Chona (beef, egg, potato, sweet pepper, and onions) to the BBQ Pork or Pollo Spicy, with rotating daily specials.

Cornell Farm’s lush nursery will dazzle even the most experienced gardener; fittingly, its cafe’s 

 appeals to the seasoned gourmand. Enjoy sips of Sleepy Monk Coffee at the espresso bar and tuck into plates such as the Tofu Hash or Elote Salad.

You’ll find there are well-traveled trails and others that are farther off-the-beaten-path as you 

Pose for a panorama pic at Pittock Mansion, 

, and head out on a hike. You can venture down one ridge and over the 

 to Hoyt Arboretum, or wander the other direction to the 

Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Wildlife Sanctuary

). Nearby in Macleay Park, ruins of a former bathroom live on in infamy as the Witch’s Castle, a stone structure stained with graffiti and 

 is the Willamette Stone, a point that was used to demarcate all land surveys and properties in Oregon and Washington. Today, the wooded area is protected by the state as a heritage site.

Did we miss something in the West Hills? 

West Hills recs

📲 Your West Hills Recommendations

The West Hills are a peaceful place to live with plenty of dining appeal, as restaurants and breweries keep heading to the ‘burbs.

Your Guide to the West Hills of Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to Portland's West Hills

 contains several smaller pieces that each have their own flavor, such as Ladd’s Addition, Clinton and Division streets, part of the Central Eastside, and industrial sites along the Willamette River. Although Hosford-Abernethy sounds like a pompous butler (

), its name actually comes from two schools: Hosford Middle School and Abernethy Elementary School.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Choo Choo

, so it’s a fitting home for the Oregon Rail Heritage Center and its mission to preserve historic locomotives and other relics of Pacific Northwest transportation, including a 

102-foot turntable used to redirect steam engines

It all comes to life on the nonprofit’s 

, which are offered Saturday and Sunday, now until Oct. 11. With your ticket, you’ll enjoy passage along the waterfront to Oaks Park and back, soaking in views of the skyline and wildlife from open-air or air-conditioned cars. Departures happen on the hour from 1 to 4 p.m. and once you return, you can browse the 

Food & Drink: Elevated Eats and Frozen Treats

By now, tummies might be grumbling, so cross the street for a beer and slice of wood-fired pizza — made with red sauce, white sauce, or garlic oil — in the 

 at Mt. Hood Brewing Co.’s Tilikum Station. Now let’s track down the other top spots at high speed — GO!

 goes big with Texas-style beef franks — the H-Town comes with red salsa, fried shallots, pepperoncini, and teriyaki sauce — inside a working motorcycle shop. Grab a drink at 

 has cold and hot subs made on signature Dutch crunch bread. Both are delicious (especially The Godfather).

. There’s a reason why the wine-forward restaurant L’Orange landed 

🥘 Akadi transports you to a better place with 

; try a bit of everything, from the wings to the jollof rice, for a memorable family-style meal.

For many, OMSI is a well-trodden path. Perhaps less explored is the USS Blueback, the U.S. Navy’s last active duty diesel-electric submarine, which is 

 come to town, Helium Comedy Club is more than likely where they’re at (James Austin Johnson and Michael Che of “SNL” fame have shows this month).

Maybe you’re meant to take the stage? Well, 

 at Baby Ketten Club, or if you like tunes with more twang, The Showdown 

Did we miss something in Hosford-Abernethy? 

Hosford-Abernethy recs

📲 Your Hosford-Abernethy Recommendations

The history of this Portland, Oregon, neighborhood is rooted in the railroad industry, so Hosford-Abernethy is a fitting home for the Oregon Rail Heritage Center.

Your Guide to Portland's Hosford-Abernethy

Your Guide to Hosford-Abernethy

Inside one of the most photographed buildings in the city — thanks to the 

 — you’ll also find pans of picture-perfect paella with the flavor to match.

 that opened earlier this year in the former Palomar space, setting the scene for late-night dates with an ambience imported directly from Barcelona.

The Catalonian capital is where owners Vy and Steve Chao’s love story first sparked, and they express their passion for the city and its cuisine through a dining experience that feels authentic and approachable. After a sun-soaked day, sharable plates such as jamon croquettes and octopus carpaccio and a glass of sangria are a hit. 

Vya’s crown jewel is its rooftop space, which will be utilized to host events and private parties throughout the summer. As one of the taller perches in this part of town, the view is rather unique, offering a different perspective on Portland’s skyline and Mount Hood.

See it for yourself at these events coming up next weekend: 

Meet vya, the Portland, Oregon, Spanish tapas restaurant that opened earlier this year in the former Palomar space, setting the scene for late-night dates with an ambience imported directly from Barcelona.

Vya, in Portland, Oregon, serves Spanish tapas in the old Palomar space.

Side Quest: Tapas? Heck Yes

Nestled in the shadow of Rocky Butte, where I-205 and I-84 meet, you’ll find 

. That’s Maywood Park, the enclave with its own mayor and City Council and a decidedly small-town feel. What its 900 or so residents lack in numbers they make up for in civic pride, and summertime brings out the best in the welcoming community. Here’s how the Fourth of July holiday weekend is shaping up:

🚗 Why You Should Visit This Week: A Parade and Live Performance

With plenty of tree cover and wide streets, Maywood Park is the ideal setting for the parade that kicks off its 

. Departing from Northeast Maywood Place and Skidmore Street at 11 a.m. the procession will head southeast and then back toward the starting area via 99th Avenue and Campaign Street (forming a short, triangle-shaped route). Owners of classic cars and motorcycles, or simply decorated bicycles are all invited to join in — you can also just bring a chair or blanket to watch the spectacle from the sidewalks.

Of course, most of the people there will be neighbors, but you’ll find their friendliness extends to anyone who wants to celebrate. Following the parade, food trucks will set up in Maywood Commons (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.), as will 

, a surf rock instrumental band featuring Maywood Park City Councilor Thomas Welande.

⚠️ Origin Story: A Fight With The State

It took Maywood Park two attempts over several years to successfully incorporate, but in doing so, its citizens gained a better standing to protest the freeway planned for their backyards. In the end, ODOT wouldn’t budge, and more than 80 homes on the west side were demolished, but there were several smaller victories residents could be proud of. Most importantly — and why it’s so easy to miss Maywood Park as you’re driving by — I-205 was built with a deeply sunken grade, far below the level of the surrounding homes, in order to reduce the traffic noise. A grassy berm was built to further muffle the din. Today, people can host a barbecue, 

, and otherwise live their lives in peace and quiet.

Rolling back the clock a bit more, you’ll find that automobiles were a main 

 in the first place. At the turn of the 20th century, the region was predominantly semi-old-growth forest with farmland around its edges (where Parkrose is today). Being far east from downtown, the area was hard to get to, but in 1926, the city of Portland expanded Sandy Boulevard to four lanes, 

 and opening the door to swaths of homebuyers.

Have an event or neighborhood you want us to feature? 

Weekly Wander topic ideas

📲 Your Weekly Wander tips

Nestled where I-205 and I-84 meet, you’ll find a piece cut out of the Portland map. That’s Maywood Park, the enclave with a decidedly small-town feel.

Your Guide to Oregon's Maywood Park

Your Guide to Maywood Park

 is the annual garage sale, where residents bring their unwanted items to Maywood Commons in the hope that someone else will take them home. This year it falls on Aug. 14-15.

Summer is certainly the season to search for bargains. Although you can do it the old school way by just driving around, there are modern tools to help you 

 that host a centralized marketplace or otherwise coordinated efforts. Here are a few dates to put on your calendar.

Overlook Yard Sale and Free Share, July 11-12

: Shop for cheap clothing, home decor, and more on Saturday; Sunday is when people set stuff on the curb for free. 

 and the Mississippi Street Fair are happening on the same weekend, so you can bet the neighborhood will be buzzing.

Multnomah Village Garage Sale Day, July 19

 will help streamline your hunt for hidden gems, as each seller provides details on what will be available (outdoor gear, hardware supplies, kid’s toys, etc.).

Rose City Park Neighborhood-Wide Garage Sale, Sept.12-13

: There’s plenty more to rummage through in this sizable neighborhood, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday.

Another big event on the Maywood Park calendar is the annual garage sale, where residents bring their unwanted items to Maywood Commons.

Side Quest: Trash to Treasure

Sellwood-Moreland is the twin neighborhood that just sticks with you. You can breathe in nature at 

 and be downtown in about 15 minutes. It’s got a 

. There’s even a picturesque funeral home if you’re 

After checking out all the sights, we won’t blame you if you never want to leave.

🥛 Why You Should Visit This Week: Dairy Dinghies

 on Sunday, June 28. Intrepid voyagers have navigated these waters since 1973, when the event was created to celebrate the Portland Rose Festival’s 65th anniversary. Today, kids and adults alike paddle their cardboard crafts, vying for an array of prizes based on speed or creativity. It’s free to participate or cheer from dry land, and most of all, it’s 

🥂 Food & Drink: Loaded Fries and Giggle Water

Next, sink your teeth into the neighborhood’s diverse dining options.

: Vintage diner vibes and napkin art on the walls are what you’ll find at this cozy brunch destination. Space can be limited, and the menu is a little bit sassy, but the sizable omelets are well worth the wait, especially the Hog Wild — “

: Everything’s so good, it’s hard to decide what to order; thankfully, the burgers come in smaller sizes, so you can do a taste test without completely breaking the bank. Our top pick is the Hawthorne, which combines bacon, goat cheese, and strawberry preserves with a beef patty and brioche bun. Each recipe can also be made into loaded fries.

 just down the street from each another. One specializes in flatbread pizzas, and the other is a casual eatery with a penchant for tomato-y comfort dishes like lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs.

: Don’t be fooled by this unassuming yellow house. Inside, you’ll find a speakeasy straight out of the 1920s, complete with Prohibition-era cocktails made by bartenders who look the part. The Suffragette, made with Control C Pisco, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, lavender bitters, and sparkling wine, is our go-to.

With a full belly, it’s time to explore what else the neighborhood has to offer.

: This sprawling antique shop features furniture of a bygone era and hidden gems around every corner. It’s just one of many stores in Sellwood-Moreland that sell 

: Free lessons and other events are the perfect intro to pétanque, the French game where players throw small metal balls as close to a target as possible. The competitive calendar culminates with the 

: For 120 years, families and thrill seekers have found entertainment on the banks of the Willamette River. Besides the rides (there are roller coasters, a pendulum swing, Ferris wheel, and more), visitors can also try roller skating and mini-golf. A mobile escape room, 

Want to add to the Sellwood-Moreland list? 

subject: Sellwood-Moreland recs

📲 Your Sellwood-Moreland Recommendations

Sellwood-Moreland is the twin neighborhood in Portland that just sticks with you. You can breathe in nature at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and be downtown in about 15 minutes. It’s got a bridge, a historic movie theater, an amusement park, and much more. Here are our picks for must-visits in Sellwood-Moreland. 

Your Guide to the Sellwood-Moreland Neighbor in Portland

Your Guide to Sellwood-Moreland

. The health and wellness practice rooted in Scandinavian culture is gaining momentum in the Pacific Northwest, as increasing numbers of people seek out the 

physical and mental benefits of the thermal cycle

In the Portland area alone, you can find a variety of sauna experiences to try, from the 

 of Forest Haven Sauna. And in February, 20 different saunas gathered for the first-ever 

: Usually found in Sellwood Riverfront Park, this mobile sauna — which partners with 

 — sometimes crosses the river to Willamette Park. Either location is ideal for a dip and friendly conversation with your fellow bathers. Keep an eye out for 

, this floating sauna relaxes you with the sounds of the Columbia River flowing beneath your feet and a pleasant heat that radiates off the stove. When you’re ready to cool off, head to the upper deck — there’s even a spot to plunge into the water if you’re brave enough.

 in Montavilla just wrapped its first season. Following a summer hiatus and move to a new location, this hush-hush hangout will reopen just in time for 

The health and wellness practice of the sauna experience is gaining momentum in the Pacific Northwest. In the Portland area, you can find a variety of sauna experiences to try.

Side Quest: Sweat It Out in Portland

Side Quest: Sweat It Out

To get around, Portlanders living in the late 19th century had to 

. Although they predominantly slogged along sidewalks and muddy streets on foot, there was also a network of 

 that carried passengers to their destinations. And it wasn’t long before 

. Albina, a standalone city until its annexation in 1891, was also connected to this 

One of its most notorious stops was at the White Eagle Saloon, now a 

potentially haunted rock ‘n’ roll hotel

 operated by McMenamins in present-day Eliot. Two Polish immigrants opened the establishment in 1905, naming it for the 

 seen throughout their homeland. The watering hole developed a notorious reputation for brawls between workers from the docks, factories, and railyards; trolley conductors would often announce the nearby Russell Street stop as the 

There were other notable streetcar routes across town, like the tram that climbed to the amusement park atop Council Crest or the stations in Irvington, a neighborhood that’s known as a 

.” Many of the details (and tall tales) were buried and scattered in historic newspapers, so 

Side Quest: Streetcar Stories

 in the early 1960s cut through the heart of Albina, the 

historic center of Portland’s Black community

. While the scars of racist practices such as redlining and urban renewal are still evident, there are also signs of healing. Community leaders have 

, and groups, like the Albina Music Trust, understand the power of preserving the 

🎷 Why You Should Visit This Week: Soul Walk North

In 2021, the AMT debuted Albina Soul Walk (now 

), a self-guided walking and listening tour that highlights the significance of the area’s music scene. The nonprofit will reveal its follow-up project, Soul Walk North, 

 outside of Lillis-Albina Park. Attendees can interact with community organizations, including 

, eat delicious food, enjoy live performances, and set out on the approximately 1-mile 90-minute tour of Eliot and beyond.

AMT’s Executive Director Bobby Smith explained to City Cast Portland how it works. “Soul Walk North invites users to visit historic landmarks where music thrived in Portland's Black community. We're talking record stores, clubs, churches, barber shops, parks, and more. When you reach these locations, the app triggers storytelling with community members, like a podcast,” he said.

Simply download the free ECHOES app — available in the 

 stores — pop in some headphones, and get moving. Throughout, you’ll hear songs from 30 or so bands and narration from 

“As a product of Albina myself, the importance of the stories provide context to many of the revitalization efforts that are in motion currently,” she said. “It also provides a reference to those who want to know the accurate accounts of the experiences from those who lived through the generational shifts that altered many families’ livelihood and potential of having wealth. The urgency of the information also helps with the prevention of repeating the cycles.”

, healthcare workers from Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, fans of Rip City — they all get hungry, and thankfully, the neighborhood is a smorgasbord.

 for flavors of the Philippines (coconut cold brew with ube whip, anyone?). 

 can also satisfy your caffeine cravings.

🥯 You’ll find Bernstein’s Bagels schmeared across many 

; their Popper sandwich, with Mama Lil’s pepper cream cheese, avocado, egg, and sweet onion, is at the top of our list.

🏀 You’ll have to excuse us for dreaming about visiting the Cartside Food carts, grabbing a pint at 

, then heading a few blocks south to watch Damian Lillard drain 3-pointers like it's 2019. 