Despite being located on the city's periphery, St. Johns is a neighborhood built on connection; to the past — its iconic green-arched bridge stands at the site of a Lewis and Clark campsite — and the future. Come back in 2030 to see what’s inside the local time capsule (spoiler: there’s ash from Mt. St. Helens). Here are some more imminent things to look forward to.
🎸 Why To Visit This Week: Tunes On Deck
Cathedral Park is known for its gorgeous views of the Willamette and hosting live shows throughout the warmer months. Just up the hill in the heart of St. Johns, the Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective fosters that connection to music through kids classes, camps, and community engagement, like the Porch Concert Series, happening every second and fourth Saturday, May through September on the front lawn of their building at 7528 N. Charleston Ave.
It’s a great opportunity to come out and support local musicians — Kelli Welli and The Colin Trio will perform on this Saturday, May 23 — while shopping at the St. Johns Farmers Market just down the block.
🍕 Food & Drink: Gourmet Globetrotting
In St. Johns, you can enjoy cuisines from every corner of the world, just steps apart.
- 🌯 The breakfast burritos at Tienda Santa Cruz will make you a morning person.
- 🇯🇲 Jamaica House cooks fall-off-the-bone jerk chicken.
- 🥨 Urban German Wursthaus serves Bavarian pretzels with fondue and schnitzel the size of your hand.
- 🍕 Refuel at Signal Station Pizza, which still sports the vintage gas pumps from the building's previous life.
- 🍲 Eat elegant and gluten-free Korean fare at Yuginong.
- 🥖 For a more refined dining experience, check out the French-inspired Bar Nouveau.
- ☕ To fight the caffeine cravings, check out Great North Coffee, Affogato, or Two-Stroke Coffee Co. right along the main drag.
- 🍺 Craft beer is big business ‘round here as well, from Lombard House to Mosaic Taphouse and the carts at St. Johns Food & Beer Porch. For an even more refreshing beverage in the spring heat, perhaps a cucumber limoncello slushy from Havalina is in order. And of course, we can't forget City Cast Portland's favorite bar — Slim's.
Smith and Bybee Wetlands feel like the Everglades without the alligators. (Ben McBee)
🛶 Outdoors: Gateway to Nature
The Columbia and the Willamette converge at Kelley Point Park; bring a blanket for a picnic on the sand and marvel at the cargo ships passing by like floating skyscrapers.
On a sunny late spring day before water levels drop, kayakers can navigate the labyrinthine waterways at Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, observing wildlife like beavers and great blue herons.
Pier Park is the only official place to play disc golf within city limits, which claims to be the “best par-54 course in the world."
⛳ Fun & Games: Tap, Tap, Tap It In
Artist Mike Bennett’s signature cartoons at Wonderwood Springs set a whimsical scene for a round of indoor mini golf (keep your composure, Happy Gilmore).
Pier Park is also now home to the beloved Belmont Goats; the public is invited inside the gates to interact with the animals Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or say hi anytime through the fence.
Formerly one of the city's top local music venues, The Fixin' To is now home to an all-ages barcade, where you can test your pinball and retro video game skills.
Finally, make sure your memories last with a visit to The International Camera Museum, inside Blue Moon Camera. It's a fascinating tribute to film and photography.
Did we miss some of your St. Johns favorites? Send us a line to share your recs.
