On your way in or out of town, this could be a necessary stop. Located near three of Portland's main roadways (Interstate 5, State Highway 26 and State Highway 217), Washington Square is a convenient place to shop. Saturdays get fairly crowded, but the five major department stores, 100-plus specialty shops and well-kept landscape make it worthy of a visit if you like the mall thing. Be sure to grab a bite in one of the many restaurants.
Sure, you could order online from Powell's City of Books, but you would miss seeing one of the largest independent bookstores in the United States. With over 1.5 million books in 3,500 different sections, this shop covers an entire city block and offers new, used, rare and out-of-print books. Many come to browse, get out of the rain, drink coffee in the cafe and pontificate. Authors read their works several evenings a week. This iconic store is a Portland must visit.
An Oregon tradition, this open-air market is the largest continuously operated outdoor market in the United States and is comprised of tents, booths and sidewalk displays stretches from the Burnside Bridge to the Skidmore Fountain. Every batik wall hanging, tie-dyed T-shirt, papier-mache mask, glass sculpture and wooden trinket box is handmade, usually by the person manning the booth. Ask the craftspeople about their work or commission a one-of-a-kind item. Stroll around and watch magicians, listen to music or nosh on a world of food—from falafel to chowders and everything in between. Credit card acceptance varies from vendor to vendor.
No one would blame you for mistaking the Belmont Station for beer heaven. This charming shop and cafe offers its customers a jaw-dropping selection of over 1200 bottled varieties of beer that are cared for in a manner that ensures absolute freshness and crisp taste. Adjoining the shop is a delightful little biercafe where people can meet over a pint of brew and explore the current brew selection with fellow beer lovers. The cafe serves up a rotating selection of 20 beers on tap alongside delicious Italian-inspired meals from The Italian Market. With such a well-curated and varied selection on offer, you are sure to find something that perfectly suits your taste as you explore new discoveries and indulge in old favorites. Keep an eye on the Belmont Station website and facebook page for updates on beer tastings and special events.
Summer Saturdays are special in the City of Roses. Not only is the Saturday Market in season, but so is all the beautiful produce that is traded at this farmers market. Spread out in the South Park Blocks near Portland State University, the market features fresh plants, flowers, herbs, breads, cheeses and organic meats. From May through October, the country harvest is brought into the city. Visitors should check out the Oregon History Center while in the area. If you are feeling adventurous, there are many other locations- one for every day of the week.
With origins that can be traced back to Oaxaca, Mexico, this family business has made a name for itself in Portland as creators of handcrafted, durable, leather goods that are stylish, minimalist and timeless in their beauty. A lifetime of experience has been distilled and combined with the fresh perspective of today's generation to create the fashionable wares sold at this Old Town boutique. Browse through a rotating selection of accessories, bags, purses, wallets and shoes crafted by hand at the store's on-site workshop. As you marvel at the fine craftsmanship and thoughtful design of the Orox Leather Co.'s fantastic pieces, take a few moments to visit the craftsmen as they work at their desks just a few feet away to truly appreciate what goes into the making of these functional works of art. Exceptional craftsmanship and the inherent richness of leather come together at the Orox Leather Co. to create everyday pieces brimming with charm.
This one-stop shopping center boasts eight great restaurants, including Honeybaked Ham. Find that perfect gift at the Mole Hole, Shimeras or one of many other specialty shops. Pick up some grub at Trader Joe's or walk across the parking lot to Hollywood Video and rent a movie. Be sure to do your Christmas shopping in this unique setting; the enormous tree-shaped light structure on top of the square is a remarkable sight.
Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing opened in 2006 in spacious Cascade Plaza at the city of Beaverton. The store is home to rare-to-find, used and new books along with the intriguing collection of technical books. With a funky yet relaxing atmosphere, knowledgeable staff and Wi-Fi connectivity, you are sure to land in a paradise. The store also hosts monthly authors like Mirielle Guiliano, Erik Larson, Nick Bantok and Christopher Kimball. Do check the website for more.
Ulta Beauty stocks an expansive collection of popular, salon and prestige brands of fragrances, cosmetics, skincare products, haircare products and personal care tools and appliances. Under its makeup section, you can shop for concealers, BB creams, bronzers and highlighters, and a lot more. Its bath and body section features various products like scrubs and exfoliants, soaps and creams, shower gels, shaving gels and lotions, spa essentials and more. It also has a separate men's section consisting of aftershaves, moisturizers and cleansers. Do check the website for the Gifts and ULTAmate Rewards.
Ideally located in one of the most buzzing locations in Portland, Nordstrom Rack Cacade Plaza offers high-quality clothing for men, women and kids. Owned and managed by Harsch Investment Properties, it features an array of brands like Burlington Coat Factory, David's Bridal and Best Buy. BCBG and Free People sell chic blouses and sweaters here. Chanel, Burberry and Michael Kors are other popular brands selling stylish jeans, handbags and all other accessories at Nordstrom Rack Cacade Plaza. It also stocks a decent collection of men's shoes for all occasions. After an extended shopping spree, hoppers can satiate their taste buds at Fresh Grill, a casual eatery serving delectable waffle fries and hamburgers.
An authentic sports goods retailer, Dick's Sporting Goods is a full-line store that offers a wide range of branded sports apparel, sports equipment and sports footwear. Its footwear section stocks a range of shoes from casuals and boats to cross training shoes, hiking boots and sneakers, crocs and a lot more. The store also has an expansive range of camping and hiking equipment.