If you’d like to squeeze as much adventure possible out of Portland’s Boise neighborhood, you’ve come the right blog. We’ll cover the highlights in two of Portland’s hippest enclaves, providing an outline of how to get cover the most ground in a single day. Portland’s Boise neighborhood spans two prominent cultural pockets, including Mississippi Avenue and Williams Avenue. Unrecognizable from its history as an oft-neglected residential community, much of Boise now represents the creative and entrepreneurial energy that is so frequently associated with Portland. Here, vibrant urban life has sprung from its industrial roots, blossoming into a cultural hub for locals and tourists alike.
MORNING
An area known for its easy walkability and interesting shops, the sidewalks of Mississippi are often spilling over with pedestrians and their furry counterparts. Getting an early start will allow you to bypass some of this congestion and enjoy the magic effect that morning stillness has on one of Portland’s most charming avenues. In doing so, you’ll also get first dibs on the neighborhoods’ competitive brunch scene, consisting of Gravy, Interurban, Miss Delta and Radar, which draw crowds so sizeable, they’ve been spoofed on Portlandia. For something more lowkey, stop off for a coffee and snack from Fresh Pot Coffee, Jory or Blue Star Donuts.
If you plan your trip just right, you should aim to finish your breakfast around 10 am, when local establishments like the modern, arts inspirited children’s boutique Black Wagon idyllic Pistil Nursery, eccentric Sunlan Lighting and community-focused ReBuilding Center are just opening doors their doors to the public.
AFTERNOON
As you finish exploring the storefronts of Mississippi Avenue, begin to head south along the strip toward Fremont Street. Along the way, you’ll also pass local breweries including Stormbreaker Brewing and Ecliptic. Both areas offer indoor and outdoor seating, providing an ample canvas to while away the afternoon. Turning left from Mississippi Avenue on to Fremont, you’ll head east to Boise’s other shining star, the Williams neighborhood. You’ll pass local institutions Spin Laundry Lounge – Portland’s hippest boozy laundromat, Grand Central Bakery, and Boise-Eliot Elementary.
Reaching Williams, you’ll find another bustling strip of restaurants, shops and bars. The area draws influence from its creative residents, integrating artistic touches alongside the existing history and new developments, as pictured below.
Some shopping highlights include the immaculate In God We Trust women’s retailer, ink & peat lifestyle boutique, Lark Press and Queen Bee Creations. Give your wallet a break at Dawson Park, where you can enjoy high-reaching maples and local events. Across the street from the park, you can find the delightfully painted and long-standing Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, which was established in 1887.
EVENING
Tired yet? Us too. You’ve done a lot of exploring and deserve some time to relax. We can’t think of a more deluxe place to unwind than Tasty N Son’s. Something of a local legend, Tasty N Son’s manages to accomplish the impossible by actuallyliving up to the hype. Other great nearby dining options include The People’s Pigand XLB. After dinner, it’s time to wrap things up in Williams.
LATE NIGHT
Yes, a quiet walk along the avenue is a dreamy morning activity; however, nighttime is an equally exhilarating time in Portland’s Boie neighborhood. Along Mississippi, people filter in and out of the area’s bars. There are a lotof them here, so regardless of your scene, Mississippi will likely offer a bar that’s well-suited to your taste. Some local favorites are Bar Bar, which dishes up delicious burgers within the Mississippi Studios venue, Crow Bar, The Rambler and Sidecar. Moloko is especially fun for small groups. Surrounded by an expansive selection of populated fish tanks, you can easily make an activity out finding your aquatic doppelgänger!
There’s so much to explore within this popular district that very little direction is actually required to have a great day in Mississippi and Williams, but the above activities are some of our time-tested favorites. What attractions draw you to Portland’s Boise neighborhood?
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