Cherry blossoms and sunny weather graced Portlanders during the first few weeks of spring, and during Ida B. Wells Barnett High School (IBW) students’ spring break at the end of March. During that week off, we all got a taste of what spring could be like.
With April upon us, the time to enjoy this weather and explore the city in the sun is now. Here are a few locations to visit this spring, including options based on accessibility and pricing.
An adventure in the Northwest
Looking for a street in Portland that has it all? NW 23rd Avenue is a great place to start. It’s around 20 minutes from IBW by car and includes a surplus of shops. However, it doesn’t stop there. 23rd boasts four blocks of unique shops and restaurants. The whole street includes various stores, from Paper Source, housing a cute stationery selection, to Escape From New York’s iconic pizza; it’s a perfect place to window shop and walk along on a nice day.
If you’re looking for a niche thrift store, William Temple House off of 23rd and Glisan is a great stop. While unassuming at first, after spending some time looking through the racks, you might just find something that fits your style. Being a community thrift store, the items there are unique and can sometimes be a good find; from a large book collection in the back to cute handbags in the front, there is something for everyone at this store. Not to mention, they also have a cat who roams the store.
If in the Northwest and near 23rd, you can also stop by the International Rose Test Garden. While it’s a 20-minute walk away from 23rd, it also includes parking near the garden, making it a convenient and very accessible garden for all Portlanders. Enjoy the rose blossoms of over 610 varieties for no entry fee. With them blooming throughout May to October, you can hike around the park for a perfect spring day to complete your weekend. If the roses are not in bloom yet, hike up a little further to the Portland Japanese Garden. While there is an entry price, the garden is open most of the year and blooms beautifully in spring.
Multnomah Village and the many coffee options
Any spring day is even brighter with a good coffee or chai. Multnomah Village harnesses this with multiple coffee shops and cafes to keep you company during the springtime. The Village Coffee has a large selection of drinks, from Italian sodas to classic black coffee. They are a key, local and friendly cafe to visit.
Just down the street from Village Coffee is Grand Central Bakery, where you can find a fresh loaf or pastries to complement any drink, whether hot or cold. Additionally, they have a strong breakfast and lunch menu; their handmade pecan pull-apart and frittata sandwich are just a few of their standouts. Grand Central is a great place to meet someone for brunch, catch up, or simply enjoy.
But, if you’re looking for a quieter space, not as cramped as Village Coffee, Lost & Found Coffee might be right for you. They originally opened a coffee cart at the far edge of the village, but in November 2025, they were able to move into the adjacent building, into the Alive Center building lobby area. Now, the shop has plenty of space, couches and chairs perfect for studying on your own, or in a group of friends.
Outdoor fanatics
If you’re ready to move and be outdoors, the Southwest and surrounding Portland areas are there to help. Woods Memorial is a nice, gentle walk and has a multitude of trails, full of forest bathing and one even includes a beautiful mandala. With such a wide selection, you can get lost in the beauty of the trees while taking a leisurely walk or run.
But if you’re looking for more of a challenge and maybe a hike, head to the Marquam trailhead off of Terwilliger Blvd. and start the ascent to Council Crest park and viewpoint. The hike is around four miles round trip, full of many switchbacks and a tough incline, but the reward is worth it. Enjoy the view of Mt. Hood and Portland when you crest. But if you’re not feeling up to a long hike, there are many streets to start from that can shorten it, from Robert Gray Middle School to Fairmont Blvd. Council Crest is also a great park for games and picnics with friends, with bonus points if it’s in the evening at sunset.
If you’re feeling adventurous, explore Forest Park in the Northwest or Mount Tabor in the Southeast. The best thing about these parks and their lengthy trails is that they don’t cost a penny to experience.
Outside the bounds of the Southwest
If you’re feeling antsy from staying local in the Southwest area, there are many cool neighborhoods to check out in Portland. Take a trip to the Southeast, visit the Hawthorne district and discover many vintage, quirky and fun shops. From thrift stores to book stores, it’d be easy to spend a nice spring day there. Topping it off with a walk up to Mount Tabor park, another great spot to watch a sunset.
Or if you’re willing to take a bit more of a drive, the St. John’s area is full of local and creative shops. Take a gander at Shirtzenpantz’s new location there, and learn some of its backstory here.
