Adapted from a story by Zibby Pillote BA’14
Living in a place as vibrant as Portland has its advantages. And students at Lewis & Clark make the most of the amazing amenities the city has to offer: good food, great music venues, and beautiful outdoor spaces. Our campus is just six miles from Portland’s downtown, which is easily accessible via bus, bike, car, and our free Pio Express shuttle.
Lewis & Clark’s student newspaper, The Pioneer Log, surveyed our students to find out what they like most about the City of Roses. Here are their top recommendations.
Best Restaurant
Thai Peacock (219 S.W. 9th Avenue)
Thai Peacock offers all the noodle-y goodness you expect from such a place, but with a distinct Portland twist. With fair prices and large portions, it’s no wonder this hole-in-the-wall ranks high with Lewis & Clark students.
Pok Pok (3226 S.E. Division Street)
Come for James Beard Award-winning chef Andy Ricker’s amazing chicken wings and other Thai street-food staples. The line is usually long, but the delectable fare is worth it.
Best Concert Venue
Crystal Ballroom (1332 W. Burnside Street)
Nothing screams fun like a sold-out, sweat-infused concert. The historic ballroom houses big-name bands, small festivals, and even Lewis & Clark dances. Located downtown, the Crystal usually stacks a great schedule.
Mississippi Studios (3939 N. Mississippi Avenue)
This relatively intimate venue in North Portland hosts some of the most exciting up-and-coming bands next to favorites from the local music scene. Owned by Jim Brunberg JD ’06, Mississippi Studios is usually restricted to audiences 21 and over, but occasionally hosts all-ages shows.
Best Place to Spend the Day
Wandering the streets
What’s not to love about exploring Portland’s streets? Head down the waterfront and see the world’s smallest city park. Hike across a bridge to discover an eclectic coffee shop. Stroll through the city’s many fabled neighborhoods and find your dream house.
Portland Art Museum (1219 S.W. Park Avenue)
Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the seventh oldest museum in the United States and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. Students qualify for a reduced entry fee when they show their student ID card.
Best Place to Go Shopping
Powell’s (1005 W. Burnside Street)
The world-famous City of Books offers much more than your typical titles. Occupying an entire block, it’s home to a printing press, a rare book collection, and a cafe. Explore the endless color-coded rooms and stock up not only on books for school, but socks, journals, and gifts as well.
The Bins (1740 S.E. Ochoco Street)
This giant Goodwill outlet, nicknamed “the bins,” is the best place in the city to score vintage finds and the perfect Halloween costume.
Best Guilty Pleasure
Salt & Straw (3345 S.E. Division Street)
This ice cream shop is notorious for its eccentric flavors, handmade waffle cones, and high fat content. Visit the Division location for the shortest line and don’t be ashamed to sample everything.
Saturday Market (2 S.W. Naito Parkway)
Every Saturday and Sunday from March through Christmas Eve, the Old Town neighborhood transforms into an open-air market featuring over 250 vendors and a variety of arts and crafts made by local artisans.
Best Late-Night Destination
The Roxy (1121 S.W. Stark Street)
This is the quintessential local late-night eatery. An all-ages spot, the Roxy is a great place to grab a stack of pancakes or an omelette on the weekend. The only drawback is its lack of milkshakes.
Cartopia (S.E. 12th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard)
Home to Potato Champion and Pyro Pizza, this food cart village is the only place in the city where you can get a fried pie and order of poutine any time of the day.
Best Brunch Spot
Waffle Window (3610 S.E. Hawthorne Boulevard)
Located in the heart of the Hawthorne strip, the small storefront offers a variety of sweet and savory waffles. It’s the perfect portable brunch.
Pine State Biscuits (2204 NE Albert Street)
With sandwich offerings like “The Reggie”—fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and gravy piled high on a fluffy buttermilk biscuit—this breakfast favorite is one spot every student can agree on.
This article originally appeared in The Pioneer Log.
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