Portland Sampler

Finding beauty and delight in life’s little pleasures

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Am I?
    • What Is Portland Sampler?
  • Recipes
  • Archive
  • Contact
  • Search this website
You are here: Home / Eat Portland / VISITORS COMING? FIVE MUST DO’S

VISITORS COMING? FIVE MUST DO’S

April 13, 2017

Pip's Original Donuts

We’re lucky to host family fairly often, but since some of them have been visiting for a decade plus, I want to show them old favorites but also mix it up with some new things, too.

Case in point.

My brother and his family just came this past week and I wanted to make sure we dabbled with the classic stops– plus added in hefty servings of the new.

So here we go.

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO WITH OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS.

ONE. 

Let’s start with the obvious classic choice: Multnomah Falls. 

My brother and wife had been there long ago but interestingly enough, their kids had not, so we made a trip out there during a break in the rain.

Multnomah Falls

MF never fails to wow and the crew took a long hike up the mountain and then we reconvened at the base.

Multnomah Falls

Did you know that on September 4, 1995 a 400 ton boulder slipped off the waterfall and dropped 225 feet into the upper plunge pool?

It sent a 70 foot splash over the Benson Bridge (the viewing spot you see here), drenching a wedding party taking pictures at the time and injuring a dozen people.

IMG_3505

We included Bailey in on this adventure; my whole family has golden retrievers and they were missing their two at home.

Bailey was mesmerized by the rushing water, and enjoyed chasing after the chipmunks scampering about.

IMG_3502

I love the waterfalls because it feels like there are a million different shades of slate and gray and green here.

These hues are so beautiful together: in the babbling brook, along the waterfall, and in the mossy covered visitor’s house/restaurant.

IMG_3504

I’ve been there now probably seven or eight times, and I’ve enjoyed it every time.

Next time,  I may spend some more time at some of the lesser known falls just down the road, like Bridal Veil. And I’ll pack a picnic to enjoy with the crew.

Picnic Dinner in Ashland

TWO.

Visit a couple food carts.

Visitors who stay with me are shocked by how many — and how terrific —  our food carts are, so on this trip we headed there right after they landed.

Tidbit Food and Farm, Portland Food carts

My brother and his family live in Menlo Park, California (Dave works for Stanford University) and while they have a few trucks in the area, real estate is so expensive that many of these trucks can only be found once a week in a permanent location (often serving as mobile ambassadors to all the tech companies the rest of the time).

I took them to Tidbit Food Farm and Garden (one of my favorite pods) on Division Street.

Tidbit Food Farm and Garden -- outside

The food here is so good.

A couple of us got offerings at Hapa Ramen.

Hapa Ramen Tidbit Food Farm and Garden -- outside Hapa Ramen

Hapa Tidbit Food Farm and Garden -- outside Ramen at

And that’s just a start — there’s also fantastic offerings from Paper Bag Pizza.

Paper BagTidbit Food Farm and Garden -- outside Pizza Food Cart at

And great sushi.

sushi at tidbit, portland

And obscenely rich and delicious burgers.

IMG_3496

There are also the freshest of bowls and more.

Eat Well Food Cart Tidbit Food Farm and Garden -- outside

Sadly, for only another week or so, you can also visit the lovely Menagerie: a lovingly converted Airstream-turned-micro retailer selling beautiful jewelry, natural cosmetics, grooming and body products, and a few other beautiful items.

Menagerie Cart at Tidbit Food Farm and Garden -- outside

Tidbit Food Farm and Garden -- outside

For the next week or so, all the beautiful offerings are being sold at half off while they liquidate the business. The last weekend of April Casey should be selling what’s left and the last of the display items.

Casey is doing all this selling and then taking her thriving beauty packaging, branding and consulting business down to Mexico.

IMG_3501

Damn — I will miss this little store. It’s so beautifully curated — GO THERE NOW while you can still score some great discounts in their last week or so here.

Next time I will return here to try some of he carts not yet hit here and perhaps venture to another pod as well. Any suggestions for favorite carts/pods in other areas of the city?

Portland's Best Food Cart, Guero, Chicken with Corn

THREE.

If you possibly swing it, hit an outlet or snag a guest pass at one of our great employee stores so they can do some serious shopping.

Nike Employee Store

My brother was able to procure some passes to the Nike Employee Store, and we spent an hour or so trying on sneakers, jackets and various workout gear.

Nike Employee Store

By the end we walked out about five hundred dollars poorer  — but when everything is basically half-off retail, it’s easier to justify.

Nike Employee Store

Next time I have visitors, we may try to hit Adidas and Columbia — I’ve heard some raves about their offerings, too.

FOUR.

All your visitors will probably ask for Voodoo Donuts, but see if you can get them to broaden their donut repertoire.

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

Take them to Pip’s Original, instead.

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

There’s something so satisfying about the homemade Chai and fried-to-order donut pairing

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

and this place really embodies the whole Portland vibe.

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

And their offerings are smack-you-in-the-face delicious.

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

We couldn’t agree on our favorites. Some swooned for the Nutella, others for the Meyer lemon curd.

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

Me, I liked the Original (cinnamon sugar), Dirty Wu (the Original honey and drizzled Nutella) and the one with Candied Maple Bacon.

Dozen Donuts, Pip's Original Donuts

And chai from here is a must order, too.

There are five different kinds of housemade chai and they’re all spectacular– even in a to-go cup and sipped a half hour later.

Pip's Original Donuts, Portland PDX

Next time visitors are in town I may try to sneak in a visit to Blue Star or Coco — both are making some delicious donuts.

FIVE.

Go on a Segway Tour.

IMG_3506

A while back I took my family on a Portland by Segway Tour and we all loved it so much that I was eager to get my visiting family out on Segways, too.

Segway Portland PDX

We were met at Lovejoy Park on Harrison by our tour guide Jered, and he gave us each a quick lesson on how to ride it and safety precautions we needed to keep in mind.

Segway Portland PDX

Within minutes, all seven of us were zipping around Park Blocks, listening to a little history about our city and checking out various statues and landmarks around town.

IMG_3507

IMG_3508

IMG_3509

And then we headed down to the waterfront and spent some time there gliding along, picking up some speed under bridges.

We then checked out some of the new development that’s opened up here — an area I knew very little about.

Segway Portland PDX

IMG_3510

There are some great views on the south waterfront.

Views from Segway Portland

View from Segway, Portland

It was drizzling out but that didn’t deter us — we just took a break mid-trip to a Starbucks to warm up and decide where we wanted to go next.

When you’re a big single group, the company is great about allowing you to customize your trip and go at your own pace.

Starbucks Break at Segway Portland PDX

Riding a Segway is so much fun– and it’s surprisingly easy to do, even for a klutz like me.

Segway Portland PDX

Next time, I think I’m going to request we go over a bridge — and maybe even request a longer time so we can go even further. And I’m eager to check out Segway tours in other cities, too.

Segway Portland

So those are my new 5 MUST DO’s for Portland visitors.

What have I missed?

Is there a favorite food, landmark or activity that you’ve recently discovered that’s a hit with visitors?

IMG_3494

(I’d love to hear your suggestions — more family is set to arrive next month.)

In the meantime, thanks for a rockin’ visit, Kennedys.

Ellie and 24th and Meatballs

We loved stuffing our faces and touring the area with you.

Dave and Me at Multnomah Falls

Come back soon.

Bailey and Ellie

We miss you so much.

Filed Under: Eat Portland, Favorite Portland Outings, Pure Portland, Shop Portland

« HOW TO’S FOR A FAMILY REUNION: 5 TIPS
BEACH GETAWAY – APRIL »

Comments

  1. Sasha Kaplan says

    April 13, 2017 at 7:29 pm

    1)Timberline.Lodge is a.winner..And take.the lift just for the spectacular view even if you’re not skiing. We brought a picnic to the top of the lift.
    There’s several picnic tables there.
    2)On clear days tbe view from Pittock Mansion is a knock out and another great picnic opportunity.
    3) Walking over the Tillicum Bridge and tben taking in S.Waterfront. Then take the tram to OHSU and back.
    4)In that area the 4-T trail for hiking types takes you through town via by foot, tram, streetcar and MAX train.
    5) I could go on but that’s enough for now!

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      April 14, 2017 at 12:29 am

      Sasha, thanks for chiming in– great ideas all!

      Reply
  2. Kate Kennedy says

    April 13, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    What a wonderful article Sarah, and the photos are so beautiful! We loved our time with you so much ~ so many happy memories. 💖 And I’ve learned not to layer a raincoat over a bulky jacket, lest the camera add *20* pounds! 😂

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      April 14, 2017 at 12:33 am

      We so enjoyed our time with you! We ATE and PLAYED so hard. Don’t you want to get back on that Segway?!?

      Reply
  3. Andrea Tenenbaum says

    April 13, 2017 at 8:20 pm

    I live in Denver and love coming to visit my family in Portland. I love Pips! My niece took me there the last time and I think about it a lot! Which says something about me:)

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      April 14, 2017 at 12:34 am

      It’s been forever since I’ve seen you last– when are you headed back our way? Love to grab a bite!

      Reply
  4. Raymond Shin says

    March 9, 2018 at 2:07 am

    oh my gosh! how did your brother manage to snag a pass to the Nike Employee Store? does someone in your family work at Nike? i hear that’s the only way they’ll let you in, if you go with a family member that’s an employee. any help would be appreciated since i’m planning on visiting Portland around March 20…

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      March 9, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Hello Raymond. Yes, we hit the Nike store, and it’s true — you need a pass from someone who works there. My brother knows people at Nike through his job in California and we go only when he’s requested a pass well in advance and he can be with me at the entrance. Sorry I can’t help there. Have a wonderful trip here!

      Reply
  5. Leroy Wright says

    March 1, 2019 at 3:22 pm

    I really enjoyed reading the suggestions. You have a wonderful writing style. We are going to Portland next week. Unfortunately, all of the food truck locations you described are now closed – so this should be updated. It is too late for me but I would have wished to see some commentary regarding locations on the other side of the river. We are in town for a conference and will not have transportation so we are limited to locations you can walk to from the Pioneer Square area. I suspect that this is a situation that many brief visitors experience. Nonetheless, I did enjoy reading about your experiences.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect With Us

  • Email
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Portland Sampler