Sellwood-Moreland is the twin neighborhood 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, and an amusement park. There’s even a picturesque funeral home if you’re thinking of staying awhile (short-term visitors are welcome to take a tour).
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
Mooove over to the fly-casting ponds at Westmoreland Park for the Royal Rosarian Milk Carton Boat Race 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 udderly absurd. Races launch at noon.
🥂 Food & Drink: Loaded Fries and Giggle Water
Next, sink your teeth into the neighborhood’s diverse dining options.
Bertie Lou’s Cafe: 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 — “this thing is obscene.”
PDX Sliders: 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.
The Focacceria and Monty’s Red Sauce: You’ll find two outposts of Montelupo Italian Market 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.
Bible Club: 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.
There’s always something new to discover at Old Portland Hardware. (Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons)
📻 Fun & Games: A Vintage Wonderland
With a full belly, it’s time to explore what else the neighborhood has to offer.
Old Portland Hardware: 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 old-timey treasures.
Portland Petanque Club: 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 Rose City Open in September.
Oaks Amusement Park: 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, Shaky Grounds Cafe, spends weekends on site.
Want to add to the Sellwood-Moreland list? Send us a line to share your recs.
