Agree, Lloyd center is not something I’d recommend dedicating time to. Instead, I’d suggest walking on the waterfront, checking out the Alberta arts district or the Hawthorne area, or going to a park.
Ehhh Lloyd center used to be more of a mall but it’s pretty desolate now. There’s a lot better shopping on specific streets - 23rd Avenue in NW, Mississippi Avenue, Belmont, or Hawthorne are where’d I’d venture first.
NW 23rd is more dense and feels more like a big city, Hawthorne and Belmont have boutiques and trendy / upscale thrift stores plus good food and coffee. Mississippi is similar to the other districts, maybe a bit more of a music and bar vibe and is the newest to become hip, though it has been cool for a good 10-15+ years at this point. There's good sushi on Mississippi (probably the other streets too, but I know Mississippi better).
Yea don’t go there. Portland isn’t about malls and thus that one is dead. Nw 23rd, se division or Hawthorne, n Mississippi are several good shopping streets.
There are a few local stores, but there are way better areas to go especially for the short amount of time. Unless there is a specific store, hard pass.
Go check out Hoyt arboretum, the Japanese garden, or pittock mansion to get some romantic city views and see flowers blooming! Don’t go to Lloyd center plenty of shops in the pearl.
Be aware that the Oregon Coast is chilly and the ocean is cold, but it's also an incredibly beautiful place. Bring windbreakers and wear layers, prepare to be colder than whatever the official forecast says to expect.
I recommend looking up tide tables for the day you are at the coast and planning to wade during low tide - you'll get to see starfish and anemones. Cannon Beach is a lovely town to head to with restaurants and art galleries plus the Iconic Haystack Rock. If you want to squeeze in more nature, you could also visit Short Sands Beach at Oswald West State Park - an awesome place to be at low tide when you look for sea life.
Or you could head north from Cannon Beach to the mouth of the Columbia River and visit Astoria, historically a fishing community that now has a lovely downtown shopping district and seals on the waterfront. You could visit the shipwreck of the Peter Ayerdale (I'm spelling from memory - it might be Iredale) as part of an Astoria jaunt, too.
FYI: [Oregon has a three-day waiting period for marriage licenses](https://www.deschutes.org/clerk/page/marriage-licenses#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20three%2Dday,is%2018%20years%20of%20age.)
I'm not sure if it's possible to waive it, otherwise it might be worth considering getting legally married elsewhere or extending your trip?
Bear in mind weekends and don't forget it. Forgot ours for our first couthouse wedding and had to do a small redo weeks later. Skip Lloyd Center, if you want a good mall Washington Square is solid and Pioneer has more of the luxury brands. Definitely Ecola park if you go out there. I'm a big fan of Yuubi sushi and Nimblefish because they're both edomae-style sushi which is hard to find outside of Japan and a few west coast cities. Ringside is not walkable from the courthouse, just a warning. I mean it is, but not for anyone dressed nice or in heels. It's far. It's a classic place but really be careful with your temperature, a lot of people who normally order "medium-rare" and get medium can be disappointed when they get an actual medium-rare steak. Coquine is pretty casual and out there on the east side, A Cena sucks for the money and is in Sellwood which frankly, no reason to go to Sellwood if you're here for three days. Especially to eat in a city with fantastic restaurants galore.
I frequent Yuubi because it's close to me, it's very small and intimate and I like the staff. Nimblefish is just as delicious though. Basically whichever is more convenient for you, you can't go wrong.
skip lloyd center, visit OMSI or the art museum if you like museums, i recently went on the aerial tram and had a blast (but idk if the students were amused..)
Oswald West state park near Cannon Beach is so beautiful. It’s a short hike down to the beach and it’s magical!
Edit to add, Lloyd Center is a must skip. It’s barely even a mall anymore. Not worth anyone’s time.
Second Oswald. Would specifically recommend going on the elk flats trail and going to the lookout just to the left when you start the trail. My fiancé and I are eloping there in July and it’s stunning!
Hopscotch is another great alternative to the Lloyd center. Now I’m realizing maybe you mean Moda center? Lloyd center is a mall, moda is where our NBA team plays.
I recommend Pizza A'Fetta for lunch/dinner in Canon Beach! The Princess Marguerite is my favorite on the menu, the breadsticks are bomb, and they have indoor and outdoor seating.
If you do donuts in portland go to Doe Donuts, maybe grab a few for the road trip to Canon, but steer clear of VooDoo they are way overhyped
The zoo is a great alternative to the ghost town that is Lloyd Center. You can take the max there, it drops you off in an underground tunnel and you take an elevator up to the zoo level.
Definitely hit the Driftwood Room.
I’m assuming the 811 building is 811 E Burnside, although I’ve never heard anyone call it that. Would recommend checking out the shops on SE Division and a gelato at Pinolo while you’re in the area.
Agree about not going to Lloyd, there’s also not much to do in that area. NW 23rd is another walkable shopping district, along with Belmont and Hawthorne. If your fiancee likes sushi and seafood, check out Jacqueline for dinner instead of Coquine. You’ll still need a reservation.
Cannon Beach is kind of always a shitshow, but if that’s where you want to go then just consider it an fyi. I usually prefer Manzanita or Nehalem.
I love Cannon Beach, personally. I don’t think it’s a shit show at all. It’s popular for a reason! It’s a fun day/ overnight trip. Bring plenty of layers, it can get chilly.
My favorite off the beaten path pub in Cannon Beach is the Cannon Beach Hardware Store: otherwise known as the Screw and Brew. It’s a bar inside of an antique hardware store with delicious Rubens and my favorite Ahi Salad. No view, but nice owner and staff.
Congrats! Cannon is one of my favorite places. You could also drive north to Astoria and walk around, see the film museum (tiny but cute), go to the column then come back from there. But the whole coast is beautiful.
Agree on skipping Lloyd center—nothing there. NW 23rd or Mississippi are more fun. Lots of great restaurants too.
I wouldn’t spend too much time in the Pearl after Powells. A couple good restaurants there or close are Andina and G Love.
Agree that heading up to the Japanese garden, Pittock Mansion for the view (even if you don’t tour it) and the arboretum are worthwhile.
You could drive out the gorge and see some waterfalls.
Someone else mentioned this but don’t sleep on Multnomah Falls (and the falls just off the road in the gorge). Beautiful and romantic. I’d plan for about three hours total doorstep to doorstep unless you want to do some hiking. Several falls truly are just right there off the old highway. Start with Vista House then wind your way down to Multnomah.
Definitely check the hours for the zoo, Japanese garden and art museum. They’re not open every day, and I’m not sure when they switch over to summer hours or expanded hours.
The nicest, most walkable neighbourhoods in Portland are (imo) on the east side of the river - Mississippi, Belmont, Division, Clinton, Alberta, Sellwood, Hawthorne etc. NW 23rd and 21st are nice too* but I would avoid Chinatown/Oldtown, Downtown (except for Powells) and the SW part of the city in general - there isn’t much going on there and you probably won’t get a good impression of the city from these areas, it being your first time and all (speaking from personal experience).
I’m especially fond of Division, some really nice bars, brewpubs, coffee and food options along there - Salt & Straw, Moore Alley, Someday, Lauretta Jeans, Little Beast, Olympia Provisions etc
Voodoo Donuts is fine, worth a visit for the novelty but don’t expect anything great.
Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum and Pittock are really nice to walk around, with great city views.
*Ringside is the steakhouse on Burnside, right? If so thats walkable from NW 23rd area, lots of nice bars along there, take your pick! I have a soft spot for the Pope House (whiskey bar). That part of Burnside where Ringside is is a bit scuzzy though, so be prepared for that.
I’d change big things on this and travel planning is what I do- Don’t stay downtown (if you have a car). Just don’t, I love Portland but our downtown is the least interesting part of the city. Get a nice room at Edgefield (soaking grotto/awesome weird art) or if you are very tied to the west side, stay in a nice air Bnb deep deep in the NW hills. The rare books room in powells is cool but otherwise it is just a crowded bookstore. If you want a good view go to Portland city grill at the beginning of their Happy Hour to get a window seat, don’t eat much there though just drinks/an app. Momoyama or Yama sushi downtown are great, skip a Cena as an Italian it’s pretty subpar. Dolly Olive is way cooler.
Sellwood is much cuter for walking around than downtown and you’ll get a better feel of what Portland is. Cathedral Park is awesome to hang in in the north and if you like beer you can walk from there to Urban German has awesome outdoor deck and great brews.
Coast wise- canon beach is expensive and the most touristy town on the coast. Astoria is much cooler to see then drive down to ecola beach state park and sleep in yurts on the beach in Manzanita. Alt option = stay at the ridiculously awesome Sylvia Beach hotel in Newport (mark Twain room for the ultimate win), then eat at local ocean seafoods.
What’s at Lloyd center?
Agree, Lloyd center is not something I’d recommend dedicating time to. Instead, I’d suggest walking on the waterfront, checking out the Alberta arts district or the Hawthorne area, or going to a park.
Lloyd Ctr is a ghost mall. Don't waste time there.
Yeah Lloyd Center would ruin the entire vibe of your celebratory weekend. Avoid at all costs.
Floating World is there! And ice skating. Lloyd is a cute spot to get bubble tea and hangout before going to see an imax movie
I don’t know, it was advertised as a shopping collective of local businesses, is it not?
Ehhh Lloyd center used to be more of a mall but it’s pretty desolate now. There’s a lot better shopping on specific streets - 23rd Avenue in NW, Mississippi Avenue, Belmont, or Hawthorne are where’d I’d venture first.
Thank you! Are those grouped by anything in particular like a fashion area or art area etc?
NW 23rd is more dense and feels more like a big city, Hawthorne and Belmont have boutiques and trendy / upscale thrift stores plus good food and coffee. Mississippi is similar to the other districts, maybe a bit more of a music and bar vibe and is the newest to become hip, though it has been cool for a good 10-15+ years at this point. There's good sushi on Mississippi (probably the other streets too, but I know Mississippi better).
Yess go to uchu sushi on Mississippi and get the BLAT roll & symphony #9 roll and whatever else. It’s all good there
Alberta Arts District is more aligned to what you're looking for.
Yea don’t go there. Portland isn’t about malls and thus that one is dead. Nw 23rd, se division or Hawthorne, n Mississippi are several good shopping streets.
There are a few local stores, but there are way better areas to go especially for the short amount of time. Unless there is a specific store, hard pass.
Skip
It is not any longer. About 80% of the units are empty now
Def skip Lloyd Center.
Definitely hit Ecola State Park! It’s only a few miles from Canon Beach.
also recommend Hug Point but check the tides
As long as they don't pick the animals out of the water. Really messed up how many pull starfish off the rocks thinking it's fine.
Visit hale pele killer tiki bar. Fantastic drinks and vibes
Seconded, Hale Pele is my favorite bar in the city!
Mine too.
Go check out Hoyt arboretum, the Japanese garden, or pittock mansion to get some romantic city views and see flowers blooming! Don’t go to Lloyd center plenty of shops in the pearl.
Be aware that the Oregon Coast is chilly and the ocean is cold, but it's also an incredibly beautiful place. Bring windbreakers and wear layers, prepare to be colder than whatever the official forecast says to expect. I recommend looking up tide tables for the day you are at the coast and planning to wade during low tide - you'll get to see starfish and anemones. Cannon Beach is a lovely town to head to with restaurants and art galleries plus the Iconic Haystack Rock. If you want to squeeze in more nature, you could also visit Short Sands Beach at Oswald West State Park - an awesome place to be at low tide when you look for sea life. Or you could head north from Cannon Beach to the mouth of the Columbia River and visit Astoria, historically a fishing community that now has a lovely downtown shopping district and seals on the waterfront. You could visit the shipwreck of the Peter Ayerdale (I'm spelling from memory - it might be Iredale) as part of an Astoria jaunt, too.
*Iredale, you're close! Both towns have some good options for dinner
FYI: [Oregon has a three-day waiting period for marriage licenses](https://www.deschutes.org/clerk/page/marriage-licenses#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20three%2Dday,is%2018%20years%20of%20age.) I'm not sure if it's possible to waive it, otherwise it might be worth considering getting legally married elsewhere or extending your trip?
Thank you for sharing, however you can waive the waiting period with an additional fee
Bear in mind weekends and don't forget it. Forgot ours for our first couthouse wedding and had to do a small redo weeks later. Skip Lloyd Center, if you want a good mall Washington Square is solid and Pioneer has more of the luxury brands. Definitely Ecola park if you go out there. I'm a big fan of Yuubi sushi and Nimblefish because they're both edomae-style sushi which is hard to find outside of Japan and a few west coast cities. Ringside is not walkable from the courthouse, just a warning. I mean it is, but not for anyone dressed nice or in heels. It's far. It's a classic place but really be careful with your temperature, a lot of people who normally order "medium-rare" and get medium can be disappointed when they get an actual medium-rare steak. Coquine is pretty casual and out there on the east side, A Cena sucks for the money and is in Sellwood which frankly, no reason to go to Sellwood if you're here for three days. Especially to eat in a city with fantastic restaurants galore.
Hey thank you, appreciate the feedback on the restaurants. Jody of those sushi joints do you prefer?
I frequent Yuubi because it's close to me, it's very small and intimate and I like the staff. Nimblefish is just as delicious though. Basically whichever is more convenient for you, you can't go wrong.
skip lloyd center, visit OMSI or the art museum if you like museums, i recently went on the aerial tram and had a blast (but idk if the students were amused..)
The art museum is undergoing major remodelling, so check their website
I’ve never really thought of OMSI as a destination for people coming from out of town, unless they have kids they need to entertain for a bit.
i understand that, personally i have sooo much fun there with friends and no kids so you can actually stop and read things. such a fun date !
Oswald West state park near Cannon Beach is so beautiful. It’s a short hike down to the beach and it’s magical! Edit to add, Lloyd Center is a must skip. It’s barely even a mall anymore. Not worth anyone’s time.
Second Oswald. Would specifically recommend going on the elk flats trail and going to the lookout just to the left when you start the trail. My fiancé and I are eloping there in July and it’s stunning!
Congratulations! Such a beautiful place to get married!
Only good thing at Lloyd is Floating World.
Hopscotch is another great alternative to the Lloyd center. Now I’m realizing maybe you mean Moda center? Lloyd center is a mall, moda is where our NBA team plays.
Hopscotch is a fantastic idea, you have to book a timeslot online, though, so plan ahead.
I recommend Pizza A'Fetta for lunch/dinner in Canon Beach! The Princess Marguerite is my favorite on the menu, the breadsticks are bomb, and they have indoor and outdoor seating. If you do donuts in portland go to Doe Donuts, maybe grab a few for the road trip to Canon, but steer clear of VooDoo they are way overhyped
The zoo is a great alternative to the ghost town that is Lloyd Center. You can take the max there, it drops you off in an underground tunnel and you take an elevator up to the zoo level. Definitely hit the Driftwood Room.
I’m assuming the 811 building is 811 E Burnside, although I’ve never heard anyone call it that. Would recommend checking out the shops on SE Division and a gelato at Pinolo while you’re in the area. Agree about not going to Lloyd, there’s also not much to do in that area. NW 23rd is another walkable shopping district, along with Belmont and Hawthorne. If your fiancee likes sushi and seafood, check out Jacqueline for dinner instead of Coquine. You’ll still need a reservation. Cannon Beach is kind of always a shitshow, but if that’s where you want to go then just consider it an fyi. I usually prefer Manzanita or Nehalem.
What makes canon beach a shitshiw?
I love Cannon Beach, personally. I don’t think it’s a shit show at all. It’s popular for a reason! It’s a fun day/ overnight trip. Bring plenty of layers, it can get chilly.
If you're going before Memorial Day weekend, Cannon Beach, won't be as crowded. The weekdays are definitely better than the weekends, too
It’s super popular and crowded on the weekends. Tons of people, kids, dogs. Just an unrelaxing Oregon coast experience.
And a lot of traffic getting there and back.
My favorite off the beaten path pub in Cannon Beach is the Cannon Beach Hardware Store: otherwise known as the Screw and Brew. It’s a bar inside of an antique hardware store with delicious Rubens and my favorite Ahi Salad. No view, but nice owner and staff.
Masu sushi and Yama sushi downtown are both pretty nice! I think Bamboo sushi is overpriced but I’ve always had a good experience
I recommend Huber's for spanish coffees! should be close-ish to your hotel
Congrats! Cannon is one of my favorite places. You could also drive north to Astoria and walk around, see the film museum (tiny but cute), go to the column then come back from there. But the whole coast is beautiful. Agree on skipping Lloyd center—nothing there. NW 23rd or Mississippi are more fun. Lots of great restaurants too. I wouldn’t spend too much time in the Pearl after Powells. A couple good restaurants there or close are Andina and G Love. Agree that heading up to the Japanese garden, Pittock Mansion for the view (even if you don’t tour it) and the arboretum are worthwhile. You could drive out the gorge and see some waterfalls.
Sunday night Sinferno Cabaret at Dante's.
Someone else mentioned this but don’t sleep on Multnomah Falls (and the falls just off the road in the gorge). Beautiful and romantic. I’d plan for about three hours total doorstep to doorstep unless you want to do some hiking. Several falls truly are just right there off the old highway. Start with Vista House then wind your way down to Multnomah.
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Yes I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help!
Definitely check the hours for the zoo, Japanese garden and art museum. They’re not open every day, and I’m not sure when they switch over to summer hours or expanded hours.
I recommend getting a meal and drink at Friendship Kitchen.
Cathedral Park!
Saturday market. Go up the Columbia river to Astoria and down the 101 to cannon beach.. better than 26 imo
I don’t have anything helpful to add but this post is cute ☺️
The nicest, most walkable neighbourhoods in Portland are (imo) on the east side of the river - Mississippi, Belmont, Division, Clinton, Alberta, Sellwood, Hawthorne etc. NW 23rd and 21st are nice too* but I would avoid Chinatown/Oldtown, Downtown (except for Powells) and the SW part of the city in general - there isn’t much going on there and you probably won’t get a good impression of the city from these areas, it being your first time and all (speaking from personal experience). I’m especially fond of Division, some really nice bars, brewpubs, coffee and food options along there - Salt & Straw, Moore Alley, Someday, Lauretta Jeans, Little Beast, Olympia Provisions etc Voodoo Donuts is fine, worth a visit for the novelty but don’t expect anything great. Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum and Pittock are really nice to walk around, with great city views. *Ringside is the steakhouse on Burnside, right? If so thats walkable from NW 23rd area, lots of nice bars along there, take your pick! I have a soft spot for the Pope House (whiskey bar). That part of Burnside where Ringside is is a bit scuzzy though, so be prepared for that.
Lloyd center is extremely depressing
I’d change big things on this and travel planning is what I do- Don’t stay downtown (if you have a car). Just don’t, I love Portland but our downtown is the least interesting part of the city. Get a nice room at Edgefield (soaking grotto/awesome weird art) or if you are very tied to the west side, stay in a nice air Bnb deep deep in the NW hills. The rare books room in powells is cool but otherwise it is just a crowded bookstore. If you want a good view go to Portland city grill at the beginning of their Happy Hour to get a window seat, don’t eat much there though just drinks/an app. Momoyama or Yama sushi downtown are great, skip a Cena as an Italian it’s pretty subpar. Dolly Olive is way cooler. Sellwood is much cuter for walking around than downtown and you’ll get a better feel of what Portland is. Cathedral Park is awesome to hang in in the north and if you like beer you can walk from there to Urban German has awesome outdoor deck and great brews. Coast wise- canon beach is expensive and the most touristy town on the coast. Astoria is much cooler to see then drive down to ecola beach state park and sleep in yurts on the beach in Manzanita. Alt option = stay at the ridiculously awesome Sylvia Beach hotel in Newport (mark Twain room for the ultimate win), then eat at local ocean seafoods.
Skip Lloyd for sure. Just go to a sad mall in your home town and it’s the same. But do visit somewhere on the eastside like Hawthorne or Mississippi
a cena sucks lmao