Mississippi Avenue is a vibrant North Portland neighborhood with tons of cute shops and fun restaurants. Just a few years ago, the area had a bad rap, but many of the shop owners saw potential in the historic storefronts. With help from the Rebuilding Center on Mississippi, many of the storefronts were renovated with secondhand materials from old Portland buildings. In a short amount of time, Mississippi has quickly become a thriving Portland destination with a ton of foot traffic!
Summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest and I seriously could not be more thrilled! I am definitely a warm weather kind of gal. I was really excited to finally be able to whip out some of the summer dresses I bought months ago in anticipation of sunny days.
Located in the lobby of the Society Hotel, this coffee spot is a total gem! The Society Cafe is also a lounge and bar that serves coffee, fresh pastries, beer from local breweries, and some of the best wine in the Chehalem Valley. I really love their chai latte; it’s not too spicy and not too sweet. It’s just perfect! The lounge is very roomy with sofas and window seating. I love the blue/grey cabinetry, marble counters and tables, and the wooden accents.
The Alberta Arts District is a neighborhood in Portland, Oregon that stretches from Williams Ave to 33rd Ave. Since it is one of the oldest sections of Portland, it’s extremely independent and diverse. It’s lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries. There is something for everyone! Walking down the street, you’ll see murals everywhere making this neighborhood colorful and vibrant. My favorite section is from 14th to 23rd! This is a guide to Alberta Street that I have compiled with all of my favorite spots.
Doughnuts are an American favorite and Portland’s selection does not disappoint! My favorite’s are Blue Star Donuts, Voodoo Doughnuts, Pip’s Original Doughnuts, and Coco Donuts. At Blue Star Donuts, you will find fresh ingredients and unique, gourmet flavors. Voodoo Doughnuts is known for wild toppings and crazy shapes. Pip’s has the most heavenly mini doughnuts and Coco Donuts offers tons of classic flavors. First off is Blue Star!
Portland is known for many things; rain, bicyclists, and Portlandia to name a few. That being said, one thing Portland should absolutely be known for is it’s coffee! In all of my travels, I have yet to find another city that is a match to Portland’s aesthetically pleasing and (most importantly) yummy tasting coffee spots. Of course I may be a little biased 😉 There are so many great local coffee shops in the Portland area, but I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my favorites. Don’t you worry! This is only the first of many in this series; there are always plenty more coffee shops to talk about.
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