BY MISTY MILIOTO
Portland, Oregon, truly shines in autumn thanks to vibrant foliage throughout the city’s many parks and tree-lined neighborhoods. Fall is perfect not only for exploring the outdoors, but it’s also prime time for discovering an array of wineries in the nearby Willamette Valley. Farmers markets are bursting with local produce and restaurants feature seasonal menus that showcase the best of the Pacific Northwest’s bounty.
Fall is also an ideal time to enjoy Portland’s famous coffee culture with occasional pit stops at cozy coffee shops across the city. Or, for something stronger, many craft breweries release seasonal fall brews that pair perfectly with a sunny outdoor patio. However, Portland has so much more to offer— from food trucks and vintage shops to unique neighborhoods and outdoor adventures — that it’s impossible to mention everything. However, be sure to add these ideas to your itinerary for your next trip to Bridgetown.
WHERE TO STAY
CASCADA Thermal Springs + Spa, which opened this spring, is located in the Alberta Arts District with plenty of art galleries, restaurants, food trucks, and shops to explore. This ultra-sustainable luxury hotel features guest rooms with balconies, all-natural king- sized beds, floor-to-ceiling glass and tile bathrooms, and full kitchenettes. For true relaxation, book a spa treatment and explore the mineral pools, sauna, steam room, thermal springs, and 82-degree conservatory filled with rare plants from around the world. The hotel also features a coffee shop and Terra Mae restaurant, which blends Portuguese and Japanese cultures. 1150 N.E. Alberta St., (503) 227-2232, www.cascada.me
DINING & COFFEE CULTURE
For a lively night out and a fantastic meal, book a table at Nostrana. This seasonally influenced Italian restaurant, celebrating its 20th anniversary in October, blends rustic charm with elegant vibes. The main dining room features rooster decor collected over the years, while tables designed in-house are etched with Umbrian lace patterns and inscribed with Italian proverbs. The menu changes daily to spotlight fresh and sustainable ingredients from surrounding farms and the restaurant’s kitchen garden. Nostrana’s pizza recently ranked No. 29 for 50 Top Pizza USA 2025, and chef/owner Cathy Whims recently released her debut cookbook, The Italian Summer Kitchen: Timeless Recipes for La Dolce Vita. Follow dinner with a glass of wine or a cocktail at the restaurant’s adjacent bar, Enoteca Nostrana. 1401 S.E. Morrison St., (503) 234-2427, www.nostrana.com
Portland’s evolving food scene includes L’Échelle, a cozy neighborhood bistro that honors the legacy of late chef Naomi Pomeroy. Now guided by Chef Mika Paredes, it elevates French comfort food with Pacific Northwest ingredients, serving dishes like steak au poivre, pomme frites, and rabbit pâté. 4537 S.E. Division St., www.lechellepdx.com
Memoire Cà Phê, which opened in summer 2024 as a collaboration between pastry chef Lisa Nguyen, chef Richard Le, and coffee roaster Kim Dam, offers family favorite recipes with modern touches, including gluten-free chicken and pandan waffles, Vietnamese egg coffee, and pandan soda with espresso shots. 1495 N.E. Alberta St., memoire caphe.square.site
For a quick jolt, be sure to visit Shroom Coffee & Bar, which blends bold espresso with wellness-inspired mushroom and adaptogen infusions. They offer everything from
seasonal espresso tonics with local marionberry syrup to ashwagandha lattes. 1306 E. Burnside St., www.shroomcoffeebar.com
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
The Portland Japanese Garden features five original gardens from its opening in 1963, plus the 2017 Cultural Crossing Expansion. Curated by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and curator Sadafumi Uchiyama, the addition includes LEED-certified buildings and seven new garden spaces. There’s also a Cultural Village (with tea café, gallery, classrooms, workshop space, and gift shop) and the Chabana Garden & Oregon Basalt Terrace for tea ceremonies. 611 S.W. Kingston Ave., (503) 223-1321, www.japanesegarden.org
Meanwhile, in the heart of Portland’s historic China Town, sits the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou (Portland’s sister city) and encompassing an entire city block, it is considered one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China. Be sure to check out the gift shop for some fun treasures. 239 N.W. Everett St., (503) 228- 8131, www.lansugarden.org
The Portland Art Museum, the seventh oldest museum in the United States, houses more than 42,000 objects in 112,000 square feet of galleries. The museum will unveil the Rothko Pavilion in November, a major renovation project designed with the highest levels of environmental considerations and energy efficiency. 1219 S.W. Park Ave., (503) 226-2811, www.portlandartmuseum.org
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
With 80 miles of trails, Forest Park provides a popular escape for runners, cyclists, equestrians, and hikers. This seven-mile-long conservancy situated along the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains covers almost 5,200 acres, supporting a wide variety of birds and mammals. 2960 N.W. Upshur St., (503) 823-4492, www.forestparkconservancy.org
For a fun outdoor adventure, book a rail bike at Mount Hood Railroad, located about one hour outside of Portland. Introduced after new ownership by Scott Webster, who purchased the railroad in 2022, the 13 rail bikes (each seats two passengers) can be powered via the pedals and/or the electric engine. Three tours operate daily (April through October) and journey through a scenic valley in the Columbia River Gorge. The tours also include a stop at The Fruit Company and Mount Hood Winery. 110 Railroad St., Hood River, (541) 387-4000, www.mthoodrr.com
Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge are among the most breathtaking destinations in Oregon, thanks to plunging waterfalls, wildflower-filled meadows, dramatic river views, and snowcapped mountain peaks. The Columbia Gorge Express, Gray Line Tours, and America’s Hub World Tours all offer eco-friendly options for exploring the area with guided half- and full-day Gorge tours to Mt. Hood and even wine-focused excursions through the valley. If you go on your own, be sure to stop by the biodynamic Analemma Winery for a picnic with ingredients that are sourced no farther than 20 miles from the winery. 1120 State Road, Mosier, (541) 478-2873, www.analemmawines.com
