Sellwood

Portland is full of charming, walkable neighborhoods. One of my favorites is the southeast neighborhood of Sellwood.

It's perched on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River, with a riverfront park that has a sandy beach popular in summer. Oaks Amusement Park is a vintage amusement park north of here, established in 1905.

I'm always in search of vibrant restaurant and shopping districts, and Sellwood delivers along bustling 13th Avenue.

There's an eclectic range of eateries along 13th Avenue in Sellwood, like some of the best BBQ in Portland at Reverend's BBQ, and the lush patio at Jade' Bistro (vietnamese).

For a truly unique experience, I dine at Gino's Italian restaurant inside an old silent movie theater! Another prominent landmark is the red caboose, serving bubble tea and traditional teas from the Portal Tea Company inside a vintage caboose.

Where is Sellwood?

Sellwood is in SE Portland and is an easy 15 minute drive from downtown Portland across the Sellwood Bridge.

10 best things to do in Sellwood

1. Restaurants along SE 13^th Ave.

I'm always surprised that Sellwood's 13th Avenue doesn't have the popularity of Mississippi Avenue or Alberta Arts District. It has such a charming, tree-lined street, full of restaurants, antique shops and quirky stores. My recommendation is to walk the 10 blocks along 13th Avenue, bookended by Malden and Harney Streets.

My first stop along 13th Avenue is the Portland Bottle Shop (pictured above), where I indulge in a smash burger or turkey BLT.  There's also shared plates like fries and soft pretzels. They sell wine by the glass, and there are 8 types of beer on tap.

Here's some of my other restaurant recommendations along 13th in Sellwood:

• Reverend’s BBQ has some of Portland's best BBQ. Indulge in fried chicken, St Louis cut pork ribs, and sliced beef brisket.
• Jade Bistro has delicious Vietnamese food like chicken mango and fresh salad rolls. Dine on a lush patio or inside in the minimalist interior.
• Gino’s Italian restaurant is inside an old silent movie theater. Pass through the copper metal door to a restaurant with a warm ambiance, and hundred year old oak bar.

I also walked to the corner of 13th and Lexington to check out the food carts in Sellwood.

2. Shops along SE 13^th Ave.

I learned that Sellwood is one of Portland's most popular neighborhoods for antique hunters. Search for cool art, vintage furniture, costume jewelry, homewares, clothing and knick-knacks. I enjoy the thrill of finding something completely unique here! My top recommendation for quality finds is The Collective in Sellwood.

My favorite antique shops along 13th are:

• Elemental Arts
• R.Spencer Antiques
• The Collective in Sellwood
• Antique Boutique

This is the popular Antique Boutique on 13th.

I love the eclectic range of stores along 13th Avenue in Sellwood. These include:

• Dig Vinyl Record Store is a used vinyl record store, where you can buy, sell and consign. There's a strong focus on jazz and soul.
• Raven’s Wing Magical Co-op sells books on witchcraft, voodoo, and astrology. Find crystals and gems, tarot and oracle decks, incense, candles and house made sprays. Book a reading!
• Cloud Cap Games is a unique concept, offfering board game trade-ins and game rentals. All your favorite games are here, like jigwsaws, card games and more.
• Sellwood Flower Company is a pretty store with the most tasteful flower arrangements.
• Columbia Factory Store is the place to find an incredible deal on Columbia goods.

3. Drink tea inside the red caboose in Sellwood

One of my favorite landmarks in Sellwood, is the red caboose on 13th, home to the Portal Tea Company.  On a cooler day I'll step inside and enjoy a piping, hot cup of tea from over 100 award winning varieties.  It's so cosy inside, and there's even a fireplace surrounded by comfy chairs. I also love to browse their amazing selection of mugs and teapots.

On a summer day, it's hard for me to resist a cup of refreshing bubble tea, out on the patio. 

4. Oaks Amusement Park

I'm not a fan

 

Oaks Amusement Park first opened in 1905, and is a throwback to vintage amusement parks. It is one of the oldest continuously operating parks in America, and has a beautiful setting on the east bank of the Willamette River in Sellwood, with ample space for relaxation and picnics. There’s roller skating, bumper cars, mini-golf and thrilling rides, perfect for all ages!

Ride the Atmosfear Pendulum 100-feet into the air. It's the scariest ride at Oaks Amusement Park!

The Oaks Park Train travels around the beautiful grounds, and is free to ride!

Step up to an old school shooting gallery, and win a prize!

Zip around the Go Kart racetrack at Oaks Amusement Park in Sellwood.

There's also lots and lots of rides for little kids!

5. Sellwood Park

Sellwood Park is one of Portland’s loveliest green spaces, with a bluff-top location overlooking the Willamette River and downtown Portland. 

The 13-acre Sellwood Park sits at the site of the old City View Race Track, opened in the late 1800’s as a fun outing for Portlanders to gamble on horse races, and watch baseball and cricket games.  It was later acquired by the city in 1909 and made into a public park.

There’s so much to do here, including two playgrounds, an outdoor swimming pool, baseball and soccer fields, and basketball and tennis courts.

The picnic tables and walking trails wind through a forested area, with a majestic groves of trees. This is an absolutely stunning park.

6. Sellwood Pool

Sellwood Pool is on the southeast corner of beautiful Sellwood Park, perfect for all ages, and is open seasonally. The pool’s depth varies from zero entry to 7-feet, with fun features including a tube slide and spray fountains.

This oval shaped pool has been operating continuously since 1910, and is Portland’s oldest pool, replacing a floating pool that once operated out on the Willamette River. 

The historic bathhouse at Sellwood Pool was added in 1929, completing this picturesque setting. Enter here to purchase tickets to the pool.

7. Sellwood Riverfront Park

The Sellwood Riverfront Park is on the banks of the eastern shore of the Willamette River, down the hill from Sellwood Park, and has great views of downtown Portland and the Sellwood Bridge. The sandy beach attracts swimmers and tubers in summer (no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk).

This is the view of Sellwood Bridge from the park, with lots of boat activity out on the Willamette River.

The huge off-leash dog park is a popular attraction at the Sellwood Riverfront Park.

The riverfront trail (0.5 miles) along Sellwood Riverfront Park is popular in all seasons, passing a boat dock and picnic tables, before looping around an unpaved wetlands area at its northern end. 

8. Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge bluff trail

The 168-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is on the east bank of the Willamette River in Sellwood.  

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge has a lovely bluff-top walk, passing through meadows and wetlands. The main entrance is across the road from the Oaks Amusement Park.  From here you can walk 0.5 miles along an unpaved trail and boardwalks, until you reach a viewing deck on a marsh with over 185 species of birds! Continue 1-mile uphill through a forested trail, to reach the north parking lot on Milwaukie Avenue (limited parking spots).

9. Oaks Pioneer Church

The quaint Oaks Pioneer Church is south of Sellwood Park on a bluff.  It has a charming setting surrounded by lush gardens, and stone pathways, and hosts over 300 weddings a year.  The chapel’s interior is striking, with stain glass windows, chandeliers and a vintage organ, and can seat up to 75 guests. 

The church has been moved three times, twice within the township of Milwaukie south of Sellwood, until it was shipped up the Willamette River by barge to Sellwood in 1961.

10. Portland Puppet Museum

Stop by the whimsical Portland Puppet Museum in Sellwood (906 SE Umatilla), for live puppet shows, and exhibits from all over the world. There’s a gift shop upstairs with cool puppet building kits for kids. Check hours.