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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

As you meander around Peninsula Park and marvel at the 

 fit for a French chateau, call on the high lady — “

,” a vivid hybrid tea rose with a pedigree unlike any other.

Although you’ll now encounter a multi-hued oasis, when the garden opened in 1913, it was planted with nothing but these fragrant, pink blooms — 300,000 people, more than Portland’s entire population at the time, came to stroll and sniff the flowers in that first year.

The man responsible for cultivating a setting fit for the 

 was Emmanuel Mische, a landscape architect well-versed in the 

 before his stint as Portland’s parks superintendent).

Many of the original elements, including the ornamental fountain, lampposts, and brick pathways still exist. During World War I, the bandstand was used for patriotic demonstrations; today, the historic landmark mostly hosts concerts and 

In 1957, the Italian villa style community center and pool served as a temporary enclosure for 

 that had arrived from Antarctica before their facilities were complete in the Washington Park Zoo. Sadly, a number of them died due to the less-than-ideal conditions.

, we’d say Peninsula Park bloomed in the best way.

Although you’ll now encounter a multi-hued oasis, when the garden opened in 1913, it was planted with nothing but fragrant, pink roses.

Side Quest: Stop and Smell the Roses in Portland's Peninsula Park

Side Quest: Stop and Smell the Roses

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

, with a deed dating back to 1889, when Edward Quackenbush and The Investment Company platted the area and began marketing it as “The Emerald, Portland’s Evergreen Suburb, Devoted Exclusively to Dwellings, A Place of Homes.” Surviving residences of that era are few and far between, but the 

 was added to the national register in 1997.

Why You Should Visit This Week: ‘To Cross the Face of the Moon’

That’s the translation of “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna,” the 

, which makes its Oregon debut this weekend. Opera in the Park Portland will host this production, free to the public for the first time, at the historic gazebo in Peninsula Park, July 26 at 6 p.m. The 70-minute performance features a bilingual libretto in Spanish and English, a full orchestra, chorus, and seven soloists, all of which sets the stage for a “poignant and timely story of migration, cultural identity, and generational divides within the Mexican-American community.”

This neighborhood, which straddles North and Northeast Portland, leans heavily residential, but there are still a few worthwhile dining destinations to check out in Piedmont. At the top of the list is Casa Zoraya, where you can enjoy 

 like ceviche, papa rellena, anticuchos de pollo (chicken skewers), empanadas, and chicharron de puerco, as well as a few flavorful takes on a pisco sour, all outside on a vibrant patio that sometimes hosts live music.

Off of Northeast MLK Boulevard, you’ll find 

 a food truck pod with menus ranging from Thai and gyros to sushi and boba tea. Electric Rice Company earns rave reviews for its Hawaiian hits and a 

 (the Katsubi, a katsu musubi soaked in hot honey and chipotle adobo has our mouths watering). Hearty and made with heavenly focaccia, 

 range from gabagool to flank steak and are the perfect lunch to get you through the day.

Dessert is hands-on this time; Creo Chocolate offers an 

 where you not only make a custom treat to take home, you also get to learn about where the cacao is sourced and how it’s made into award-winning confections.

Piedmont’s northern section juts into the industrial area along the Columbia Slough. There, you’ll find 

 — a former foundry that now serves as artist studios and an occasional events space — named not for briny cucumbers, but the process of removing surface impurities from cast parts. Get to know creatives like glassblower Evan Burnette of 

, who apart from creating surrealist vases, earrings, ornaments, and sculptures, also hosts 

portland@citycast.fm

📲 Your Piedmont Musts

Piedmont is perhaps Portland’s oldest planned community, with a deed dating back to 1889.

Your Guide to Portland's Piedmont Neighborhood

Your Guide to Piedmont

In the era of streaming and short-term attention spans, Portland’s historic movie theaters are time capsules of cinema-how-it-was, 

 watching modern films somehow feels less soul-sucking. We bought the large popcorn — we’re here for all of the marquee humor, discounted tickets, and silver screen nostalgia we can get.

: Much like the revival films this Montavilla landmark features, this theater is a comeback story in its own right. Built in 1948 and shuttered in the 1970s, the building was fully renovated in 2006, restoring the metallic dome and lobby 

: The elder statesman of local cinema was converted to a theater in 1912 (its previous roles include a mortuary and brothel). Today, guests can also play nickel arcade games at Electric Castle Wunderland.

: Portland architect Lee Arden Thomas constructed this Southeast Hawthorne Street complex 

, capitalizing on the exoticism trend that stemmed from the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in Egypt. You can unearth more 

 on a tour of this McMenamins gem and a beer at 

: This destination for quirky forgotten flicks and wacky cult classics has presented “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” every week since 1978 — often with an interactive shadow cast.

: Beyond the iconic facade you’ll find an invaluable platform for film festivals and the cultivation of cinematography in Oregon and beyond. It also just 

Portland’s historic movie theaters are time capsules of cinema-how-it-was, and watching modern films somehow feels less soul-sucking.

Side Quest: Portland's Second-Run Stars

Side Quest: Second-Run Stars

The area where Montavilla exists today gets its name from the first subdivision built in the neighborhood, a contraction of 

. Long a stopover for travelers between Hood River and Portland, the farmland increasingly turned to homes after the construction of the 

 in 1892. Today it’s certainly a crossroads of cultures and camaraderie, and every summer, it’s on full display.

Why You Should Visit This Week: Taking It to the Streets

, the Montavilla Street Fair will return for the 13th time on Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 200 vendors will line Southeast Stark Street between 76th and 82nd avenues for this family-friendly celebration of community and creativity.

Not only is it a great chance to directly support local community organizations and small businesses — from restaurants and clothing boutiques to artists and antiques sellers — there are also four live music stages to enjoy across the neighborhood’s historic downtown. Catch smaller, intimate performances at the Plaza Stage, larger acts will roll through the Brewery Stage and Main Stage, and the Honk Stage will be your go-to for all-acoustic tunes (think big street-band energy).

Visitors will also be able to peruse the produce, flower vendors, and hot food options at 

This neighborhood was built by immigrants, and today that influence lives on via an incredible local food scene.

🏮 Named after the bustling Bangkok road that anchors the Thai city’s Chinatown, Yaowarat 

. You’ll encounter yellow curry, char siu pork, lemongrass, and Sichuan peppercorn along the way, and the Crispy Bean Curd Dumplings are non-negotiable — order them!

to the breads and pastries at Fressen Artisan Bakery, which implements 

 to make the Swabian-style pretzel, a Franconian rye, vollkornbrot, and more multigrain goodness.

🌮 Mexican cuisine is often covered with broad strokes, but Tierra Del Sol paints 

 with its signature dishes such as tlayuda, tetelas, and mole enchiladas, incorporating the fresh blue corn tortillas as much as possible.

 through delicious mezza and kabob plates, lemon chicken, and delicate baklava. Check out the prix fixe menu and 

communal dining options in the Fairuz Room

🍻Threshold Brewing & Blending certainly pushes the boundaries in several directions, including IPAs, fruity sours, and bourbon barrel-aged beers. Owner Jarek Szymanski shares a taste of his homeland by 

 paired with zapiekanka, toasted open-face sandwiches that are a popular street snack.

Portlanders are creative, and they tend to be good neighbors as well. That translates to lots of 

. In Montavilla in particular, you’ll find plenty of interactive stations that go beyond the usual book swap.

: Find something frisky for your feline friend.

: Rewind the clock for a bit of nostalgia at this movie swap.

: You want a corvid sidekick? These trinkets will help.

: Freshen up your morning brew with new ceramicware.

: Play six free holes of mini golf in the side yard; call the number for the gate code.

We know there’s much more magic to find in Montavilla. Share 

Montavilla recs

📲 Your Montavilla Recommendations

Long a stopover for travelers between Hood River and Portland, Montavilla is a crossroads of cultures and camaraderie, and every summer, it’s on full display.

Your Guide to Oregon's Montavilla

Your Guide to Montavilla

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 

, 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. For first-timers, a $25 one-time fee will grant you an entry-level social membership, which comes with preferred wine pricing, as well as Portland-specific benefits such as priority reservations, invitations to private events, and exclusive access to the Members’ Gallery space. It can also be applied as a credit to the purchase of two or more bottles to-go following your visit. Traditional wine tastings are offered 12 to 4 p.m. and dinner is 4:30 p.m. to close.



The details of Amaterra's social membership have been updated.

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 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.

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