PEARL DISTRICT - DOWNTOWN - OLD TOWN CHINATOWN
This former warehouse district is reflected in the cobblestone streets and loading docks, while the futuristic bars and lofts are a modern touch.Â
Things to Do in the Pearl District
Although Portland's Pearl District is a major art district, you will find amazing artists and makers throughout the city. First Friday Street Gallery is a tradition that sees galleries opening after hours, and local artists crowd the streets to show their work.
Portland Center Stage at The Armory presents classic and contemporary theatre in a beautifully renovated former armory. It features a large stage as well as a smaller, black-box stage on the lower level. Portland Center Stage was founded as a classical theater company. It now commissions plays from top national playwrights and brings the best new works to the city from all over the country.
You will find Powell's City of Books and Oblation Paper & Press among blocks of large brand stores that offer everything you need, from shoes and dresses to sports and outdoor wear, to jeans and clothes.
Old Chinatown
This is the city's oldest neighborhood, and it's full of surprises. Portland's original downtown has authentic Chinese restaurants, teahouses, and a traditional garden that is approximately a block in size. It is also a lively entertainment district and streetwear shopping center.
Things to Do in Old Chinatown
Portland Chinatown Museum is a great place to start learning about the Chinese American Community within Rose City. It focuses on the experience of Chinese immigrants and includes Chinese American art, history, and culture. To learn more about the history of this port city, you can explore Portland's catacombs (also known as the Shanghai Tunnels).
A team of experts from China traveled to Portland in 1999 to create a Ming Dynasty-style, authentic garden measuring 40,000 square feet. Visitors to Lan Su Chinese Garden can now escape the hustle and bustle of the city by wandering through the tranquil gardens.
The district once belonged to a lively Japantown. The Japanese American Museum of Oregon has poignant and informative exhibits that explore the history of Japanese Americans in Portland, and elsewhere.
You'll be able to recognize Portland's Union Station if you go by train. This transportation hub is located in Chinatown, close to the Broadway Bridge.
About Downtown
Portland's walkable, compact downtown makes it easy to access great food, green spaces, and cultural offerings. It also offers tax-free shopping and an almost endless list of things to do. You can browse the Rose City's largest selection of retail brands, catch a show, and grab a bite from a fine restaurant or food cart -- all conveniently located in downtown Portland.
Downtown ShoppingÂ
Union Way offers Parisian-style shopping. The sleek arcade is home to iconic local brands such as Bridge & Burn and Danner. You can also shop for T-shirts with slogans such as "Pacific Wonderland", "The Upper Left Coast" and "Rivers & Lakes" at this store. You can also find the trendy denim boutique Self Edge, and for sweet and savory options after all that shopping, Wailua Shave ice and Boxer Ramen. Tender Loving Empire, Pinkham Millinery, and Frances May are nearby boutiques. Woonwinkel has a carefully curated selection of housewares, jewelry, and other items from international and local artists.
Step into WILDFANG, a bastion of tomboy fashion, beloved by celebrities like Janelle Monae and Kristen Stewart for its feminist T-shirts and gender-binary-breaking collection of blazers, bow ties, and button-ups.
You can take a stroll through Pioneer Courthouse Square, affectionately known to be Portland's living space, on your way towards Pioneer Place, the city's most popular shopping center. It boasts more than 75 stores including H&M and Apple.