Out Magazine calls Southeast Portland “the Capital of Cool”. They might just be right. Southeast Portland is HUGE! It spans from the river to Gresham and Burnside to Happy Valley. While Northwest Portland is considered the most traditional of the Portland sextants, Southeast is the hippest and coolest.
“The obsession with small-batch living didn’t begin in Brooklyn, as some might have you believe. Oregon’s Portland deserves all the credit, starting with its craft-beer movement in the 1980s. Since then, PDX — locals refer to the city by its airport code — has always been three steps ahead, championing handmade commercialism in all facets of life, from food to home goods. The most enthusiastic flag-bearer of that spirit: its southeast quadrant. With cheaper real estate, a new public transportation link to the west side, and a large sprawl to redevelop, this area is the sweet spot for entrepreneurs and a test site for some of PDX’s established brands.” Out Magazine
Fodors says, ” Packed with shade trees, Craftsman-style houses, and backyard chicken coops, this neighborhood is industrial close in (the river to 7th)—an increasingly trendy food and retail district known as the Central Eastside, which has also lately blossomed with top-quality artisanal distilleries and urban wineries—and middle- to upper-middle-class residential farther out (8th to 82nd)…”
On the Willamette River, the (former mayor) Vera Katz Eastside Esplanade connects the east side with downtown over several historic bridges – the Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, and Steel Bridges. The Esplanade features public art, native plants, and a hiking loop from the eastside to the west and back again.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)is a kid-centric science museum with plenty to do for adults. Large, traveling science exhibitions visit regularly, the USS Blueback (a decommissioned, Barbel-class submarine) and the planetarium make OMSI a fun day for all.
Science-focused people will also enjoy the park atop Mt. Tabor, an extinct volcanic cinder cone and reservoir. TravelPortland says, “This popular park features expansive views, picnic areas, natural-surface and paved paths, a dog off-leash area, a playground and a performance stage, plus tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.”
The Leach Botanical Garden is not a secret, but it isn’t crowded, either. The Leach Gardens are considered a “gem” in Portland’s crown. Nestled in Lents, the green paradise is home to more than 2,000 different species of plants. With a fascinating history, the gardens provide a backdrop to the stone cottage and Manor House (and gift shop). Visitors may stroll along the paths and also rent the Gardens for events.
From the river to about 10th is an industrial area with gems of its own, like Free Geek, sprinkled throughout. Artisanal distilleries and breweries abound in the Southeast, especially close to the river.
From the river to Woodstock and Mt Tabor is considered “Inner Southeast” and has the hip vibe all locked up. In this area are several discrete, trendy, and eclectic shopping districts secreted in residential areas, such as Division/Clinton, Hawthorne, and Central Eastside and several standouts toward Sellwood. Boutiques, galleries, and thrift and antique shops make Southeast a shopping haven.
Toward Gresham to the east, Happy Valley to the southeast, and Milwaukee to the south, Southeast Portland is tree-lined suburbia with homes of wildly different price points. Laurelhurst and Eastmorland top the charts and Foster-Powell and Lents being on the more economical end. Many of these homes, on both ends of the spectrum, are very old, some from even the 1800’s when the original settlers/owners came to Oregon in wagons. Further out, newer homes were built, growing younger as one travels further east until meeting older Gresham. Touring the area, dip into the smaller side streets to find pockets of little gem neighborhoods!
Cross posted on my office site
