Pearl District

I always try to spend time in the Pearl District when I'm visiting Portland.

This former industrial district was gentrified in the 1990s, and has loads of historic character.

The red brick warehouses, loading docks and cobblestone streets are now bustling with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and a surprisingly large number of furniture stores.

One of the most famous attractions is Powell's books, the largest independent bookstore in the world.

Where is the Pearl District?

The Pearl District is north of downtown Portland, between 9th and 15th avenues (bookended by Burnside Street and Naito Parkway).

The busiest street in the Pearl District is 11th Avenue. I recommend starting at Powell's City of Books on 11th, then walking 14 blocks north to Fields Park.

Any hotels?

Book a room at the Hampton Inn, Canopy by Hilton, or Residence Inn by Marriott in the Pearl. However, there are a lot more hotels in downtown Portland, south of the Pearl district.

10 best things to do in the Pearl District

1. Visit trendy cafes in the Pearl District.

My absolute favorite place for coffee in the Pearl District, is Barista on 13th. It's inside the old Gadsby Building, and has a patio outfront.

When I step inside I can see exposed ceilings, red brick walls, and the original fir floors from this 1906 warehouse. The cafe is to the left, and there's plenty of indoor seating. The entire setting has an incredible ambiance.

After I've ordered my coffee and done some people watching, I then check out the gift store next door, Hunt and Gather.

It's fun to take the stairs to see the upper levels, that are now full of yoga studios, therapists, a tattoo artist and beautician. The walls are lined with historic photos from over a hundred years ago, when these rooms had a completely different purpose. The whole place is brimming with history.

2. Enjoy craft beer at the Pearl's famous brewpubs.

I highly recommend setting aside a few hours to visit a brewpub in the Pearl District. Brewpubs are part of the heart and soul of Portland, and it's estimated that are over 80 in the city! Portland is a paradise for anyone who loves craft beers.

I enjoy sitting on the rooftop deck at 10 Barrel Brewing, or inside the warm, woodsy interior at Deschutes Brewery. Both of these breweries were started in Bend, so have their roots in Central Oregon.

3. Visit the largest independent bookstore in the world.

I always set aside a full afternoon to explore the four floors at Powells Books in the Pearl, spread over one city block. It's so easy get lost in the maze of bookshelves in this 68,000 square foot complex.

Powells is the largest independent bookstore in the world, and sells new and used titles. I always find the staff incredibly knowledgeable. After an afternoon of book shopping, I then visit Guilder Cafe inside the bookstore, for a latte and chicken salad sandwich.

4. Explore the Pearl District's incredible food scene.

Here's some of my top restaurant recommendations in the Pearl District:

• My favorite restaurant in the Pearl District, is the peruvian-style Andina. Everything is delicious here, especially the spring quinotto.
• Irving Street Tapas is a stylish restaurant with delicious tapas and cocktails in a fun atmosphere. The samosas and cajun risotto are also amazing.
• Another beautiful restaurant is Brix Tavern. Try their brick oven fired artisan pizza, and other comfort food, like port sliders and chicken wings.
• I love the industrial-chic interior at the Mediterranean Exploration Company, where I can load up on small plates like greek lamb chops and falafel.
• If I want a hearty southern-style meal, then make a reservation at the chic Screen Door.  They even serve smoked alligator sausage here!
• Finally, The Star Portland offers deep dish Chicago-style pizzas in a fabulous atmosphere.  This is one of the best pizza experiences in Portland.

5. Catch a show at the The Armory theater.

Another gem in the Pearl District is the Portland Center Stage at the Armory on 11th Avenue.  I'm always impressed by the magnificent lobby. There's tons of productions here, like Guys and Dolls and the Twelfth Night.

6. Dip your feet in the Jamison Square splashpad.

I used to live across the road from the Jamison Square splashpad on 11th Avenue. This is the place to be in summer, with a fountain and tidal pool. I also enjoy picnics on the grassed area, then head across the road to load up on icecream.

In winter the water stops flowing, and they put up a huge Christmas tree.

7. Relax at tranquil Tanner Springs Park.

One of my favorite places to relax in the Pearl District, is at Tanner Springs Park on 11th Avenue. It's a lot quieter here, and is an oasis in the middle of the city. Bring a book or a picnic blanket and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

There's a beautiful wetlands area with a fun boardwalk. If you look into the waters you can see koi and turtles.

8. Visit the playground at The Fields park.

The Fields is a revitalized area in the Pearl District, that has a huge lawned area where I like to throw a frisbee, kick a ball, or sunbathe. This recreation area overlooks the old mill and Willamette River.

Families love the fenced in playground, and there's also a decent sized sandbox.

Here's the playground at The Fields.

Bring a bucket and spade to the sandbox.

9. Buy beautiful stationery at Oblation Papers & Press

One of the loveliest shops in the Pearl District, is Oblation Papers & Press. This boutique-like store has so many cool items; like journals, notebooks, greeting cards, custom letterpress, handmade paper and pens. They even have their own printing press which you can watch in action. Don't forget to say hi to the three resident parakeets.

10. Go shopping!

All the big fashion brands are in the Pearl District, like Anthropologie, Free People, and Madewell.  Fashionistas can also check out cute second hand boutiques like Reformation and Shop PVM.

I'm really into furniture, so love browsing all the furniture stores in the Pearl District, like Room and Board, West Elm, CB2, Joybird, Bludot and EWF Modern. Pick up some unique home accessories at Porch Light, or get your mid century furniture fix at the Good Mod.