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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

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 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 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. 

🎙️ More Eliot listening

Your Guide to Eliot

Want to experience the thrill of competition for yourself? Just a few hundred feet from Pioneer Courthouse Square (and one story below ground), you’ll find Glowing Greens Indoor Mini Golf, the perfect place to challenge your friends to a round of 

If neon pirates aren’t your thing, Wicked Axe Throwing is also on site, offering the chance to show off 

. Or, if you seek a more cerebral sport, there’s also Mental Trap Escape Room, which has 

 on offer — “Hotel: No Vacancy” and “The Fortune Teller.”

Around the corner, the fun hits another level at Punch Bowl Social, the 

 on the third floor of Pioneer Place mall. With a massive bar and New American gastropub fare, it’s the ultimate playground for grown-ups (Fridays and Saturdays are 21+ from 10 p.m. to close). Test your mettle at ping pong, billiards, floor shuffleboard, giant Scrabble and Jenga, corn hole, interactive 

Can karaoke be competitive? We’ll leave that up to you, but Punch Bowl Social also has rooms to rent for groups up to six as well as open mic nights that are just calling for your best rendition of “Purple Rain.” Now, 

Side Quest: You Can Play These Games

When it comes to Downtown Portland, there’s almost too much to tackle in one visit, so we’re keeping this week’s wander focused on places within a few blocks (or along the light rail) from Pioneer Courthouse Square.

🏆 Why You Should Visit This Week: The Beautiful Game

) may have sunk Portland’s hopes of hosting the World Cup in 2026 — 

 — but thankfully, that doesn’t mean the passionate footy fans of 

 have to miss out on the excitement completely.

From Friday, June 12, through Monday, June 15, the Portland Timbers will host the 

 at Pioneer Courthouse Square, a free event featuring interactive activities, merch booths, fan giveaways, and live viewings of group stage games from this year’s tournament. Not only will you be able to watch the U.S. men’s team kick off their quest for glory against Paraguay on the big screen (June 12 at 6 p.m.), but you can also see other nations’ matches throughout the weekend, morning to night.

Hungry at halftime or in need of a hydration break? 

 will be open and the Casamigos Club will offer boozy beverages.

Of course, there are plenty of other options for a bite and bev within walking distance to the Square.

 with pan-Asian dishes, such as spicy tuna rolls and bao made with Korean fried chicken and a gochujang glaze.

🍝 The modern Italian menu and intimate setting at 

 make perfect sense for a romantic date night or for hosting out-of-towners. Don’t overlook the 

 next door if you couldn’t snag reservations.

 you could ever want, from oysters on the half shell to Dungeness crab legs and salmon tartare.

🌳 Toward the waterfront, you’ll find 

, a “Lord of the Rings” inspired hangout with 36 rotating beer and cider taps that also allows outside food.

♣️ Motorcycles hanging from the ceiling and nightly musical acts are the draw for 

, the third-oldest continually open and operated bar in Portland.

🦦 Fun & Facts: From Coral Reefs to the Cupola

Did you know about the Portland Aquarium at the corner of at the corner of Broadway and Alder Street? No one will declare you a 

 if you didn’t, because instead of giant tanks filled with water, you’ll find a series of rooms teeming with aquatic cartoon critters painted by artist 

. The immersive experience guides visitors through six different biomes, challenging you to locate every species listed in the fact-filled compendium, from the clownfish to the blue whale; it also serves as a platform for the Elakha Alliance’s efforts to 

reestablish a healthy sea otter population in Oregon

 over its lifetime — first as a school, then a hotel, followed by a parking lot, and finally, after an international design competition, the plaza we know today. Since 1875, its namesake hall of justice, Pioneer Courthouse, has watched the changes unfold. Taking 

 of the building opens a fascinating window to the past and the tales that unfolded in the judges’ chambers, the library, the cupola, and other historic spaces.

Did we miss something nearby Pioneer Courthouse Square? 

A previous version of this article misstated the location of the Portland Aquarium. It's at the corner of Broadway and Alder Street. We regret the error. 

Pioneer Courthouse Square recs

📲 Your Pioneer Courthouse Square Recommendations

Your Guide to Pioneer Courthouse Square

 at Daffodill Studios? Perhaps you’d like to pick up a bygone hobby or dive into something entirely new. These workshops will certainly help stoke your artistic energy — just make sure to plan ahead, as classes can fill up quickly.

This is your chance to stick it to anyone who ever mocked those basket-weaving classes you took in college, because guess what? 

. And so is upholstery and paper sculpting. Weekend-long intensives are offered in a variety of topics, including Native arts (

The stakes are low at this welcoming space, no matter the medium you decide to work with. You can weave macrame wall art, customize a leather coozie, or paint coasters. “Do it yourself” may be in the name, but it’s always more fun to bring a couple of friends along.

Live out your sootiest medieval blacksmithing dreams and try your hand at the time-honored tradition of hammering molten steel. Instructor 

 brings the experience he’s earned around the world to each class, which ranges from spoons to swords.

Who’s got two green thumbs and loves to shape self-contained gardens? 

, or at least you will after spending a few hours arranging living mosses, tropical plants, and dazzling rocks into a miniature ecosystem.

These craft workshops in Portland will certainly help stoke your artistic energy — just make sure to plan ahead, as classes can fill up quickly.

Where to Learn Arts and Crafts in Portland, Oregon

Where to Get Crafty in Portland

Ornate sandstone arches and palatial century homes announce your arrival to the 

, one of Portland’s earliest parcels of developed land. The streets are curvy, 

, and there’s plenty of old-timey charm.

🎤 Why You Should Visit This Week: Comedy in the Park

What started as a way for Portlanders to safely gather and giggle during a decidedly unfunny time (

) has grown into a marquee summertime event. At Kickstand Comedy in the Park, 

hundreds of people lay blankets on the grass

 in Laurelhurst Park to hear sets from hilarious local and traveling comics, free of charge.

The season kicks off this Friday, June 5, and runs until Sept. 4, with each show starting at 6:30 p.m. You can expect “clean” material, although some jokes may toe the line (just in case you have particularly discerning kiddos). Weekly lineups are announced on 

; opening night will feature Jordan Casner, Virginia Jones, Derek Sheen, Jaci Terjeson, and Kenny Tam, hosted by Julia Corral and Rachelle Cochran.

Largely a residential neighborhood, Laurelhurst’s businesses sit along a short section of Sandy Boulevard. There, you’ll find Steelport Knife Co., a local producer of 

 that offers free tours during business hours. Next door at PulsePDX, an upbeat gym known for its 

, you’ll find a sweaty form of self-expression.

And two blocks away on Northeast Wasco Street, Daffodill Studios is the ideal place to 

 in an encouraging environment. Workshops include jewelry crafting, rug tufting, stained glass cutting, bookbinding, ceramics, and printmaking.

For food and drink, there’s brunch bites at 

, and Chopsticks, the lively Chinese restaurant and karaoke bar with plenty of chow mein and 

 (Elliott Smith and Sleater-Kinnery used to hang out at the original location).

, it was a sizable dairy operation called Hazel Fern Farm owned by William Sargent Ladd (yes, that 

The Laurelhurst Company — named for a neighborhood it had previously developed in Seattle — bought the land in 1909. A variety of house styles were built through 1925, including Arts and Crafts, Colonial Revival, and Foursquare homes. Many of them, like the 

” have landed on the National Register of Historic Places and are included in the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association’s 

At the heart of Laurelhurst Park, the natural spring that once fed cows became Firwood Lake, inspired by 

Olmsted’s nature-based landscape design

 on lavish rafts and boats there. The pond has also been the stomping grounds for fearsome swans. A white waterfowl dubbed General Pershing once 

, preventing anyone from enjoying the shoreline without a fight; another more affable bird called Big Boy was regularly fed by a local man, who also taught him to nod his head and honk a greeting to visitors.

Laurelhurst recs

📲 Your Laurelhurst Recommendations

Ornate sandstone arches and palatial century homes announce your arrival to the Laurelhurst neighborhood, one of Portland’s earliest parcels of developed land.

Exploring the Laurelhurst Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to Portland’s Laurelhurst Neighborhood

, and you’ll always learn something new — like how one of 

 recently found a new home there in a former Catholic school and convent. This slice of Northeast Portland was actually named after a 

 that operated from 1905 until its closure in 2020; now the 

 is home to various University of Oregon programs.

In this week’s lesson plan, you’ll experience long-lasting legacies, libations, and the illuminated ballet.

🤝 Why You Should Visit This Week: Memory Activism

During World War II, the city of Vanport was the 

 in the country, attracting thousands of workers thanks to its proximity to the shipyards. With a 

. Amid racial tensions, a vibrant community grew, with the first tenants arriving at the end of 1942.

Everything changed on Memorial Day in 1948 when the Columbia River flooded, wiping away homes and lives. Survivors settled in nearby neighborhoods, including Concordia, and today, their stories are preserved and shared by 

 features art and history exhibits, documentary screenings, music, educational workshops, and staged readings at the 

. It’s a poignant opportunity to understand how the people and places of the past are woven together to create the present.

. The sprawling converted school now serves as a hotel, movie theater, and soaking pool. It also has a restaurant and several bars, including one in the detention room where you can order “study hall” cocktails (they’re miniatures of classic drinks like an old-fashioned or Manhattan).

Here are some other Concordia bars and restaurants to note:

🥙 Who needs a genie? Your wish for divine hummus and falafel will be fulfilled at 

🍝 Italian-American cuisine options are two-fold: 

 specializes in hearty, red sauce dishes like baked ziti and chicken parm; and at 

, you can always expect al dente housemade pasta paired with seasonal produce and seafood.

🍟 Get cozy with a beer and a basket of Barnyard Fries (pulled pork, bacon, and white cheese sauce) at 

, self-described as Northeast Portland’s “living room.”

🌴 Latin culture (think mezcal and reggaeton) comes to life at 

☘️ Book the snug and settle in for a whiskey with your friends at 

, the Irish pub that also hosts three book clubs and weekly live music.

Wander the Concordia neighborhood, and you’ll always learn something new — like how one of Portland’s iconic gay bars found a new home in a former convent.