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Haunted Houses

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It’s that time of year when we all want to walk up to that edge of spooky and scary and get our hearts racing and our adrenaline pumping, so why not check out one of these fantastic haunted houses? Let us know in the comments which one is your favorite or if we missed the best one of all!

Fear Asylum

13121 SE McLoughlin Blvd Milwaukie OR 97222

Fri/Sat 7-11 Sun 6-9

$15 admission, *light touch*

Clark County Scare Grounds

17402 NE Delfel Rd Ridgefield, WA 98642

Fri/Sat 7-10 Sun 6-9 Halloween week 7-10

$25 for any 3 haunted houses

Strip Club Haunted House

33 NW 2nd Ave Portland, OR 97209

Thurs the 24th through Halloween 9pm-2am

$18-$30, *21 and older*

Fearlandia

16255 SW Upper Boones Ferry Tigard, OR 97224

Oct 24-26, 31, Nov 1-2 7-11pm

$20 for 2 haunted houses

Have a spooktacular time!

Pumpkin Patches

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Fall is a great season for so many reasons, the leaves changing colors is definitely my favorite part of fall, but I also love to visit the pumpkin patch! There are so many good options near Portland so I though I would include some of my favorites! Do you think we missed the best one? Let us know in the comments!

Bauman’s Pumpkin Patch

12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais, OR 97026

Open 9am – 6pm

Bella Organic Pumpkin Patch

16205 NW Gillihan Rd, Portland, OR 97231

Open 9am – 6pm

Liepold Farms

14480 SE Richey Rd, Boring, OR 97009

Open 9am – 5pm

Mr Tree’s Pumpkin Patch

8560 SE 172nd Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086

Open 10am – 6pm

Plumper Pumpkin Patch

1435 NW Old Cornelius Pass Rd, Portland, OR 97231

open 9am – 5:30pm

The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island

16511 NW Gillihan Rd, Portland, OR 97231

Open 9am – 6pm Sunday-Thursday

Open 9am – 10pm Friday-Saturday

We hope to see you there this fall!

Coffee Shops

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The Pacific Northwest is known for it’s amazing coffee. How could we not be when Seattle was the birthplace of the now ubiquitous Starbucks? But, with so many incredible and unique coffee shops in the city, who even has time for a chain like that? Not us! Here’s where you should grab your morning (or evening) caffeine buzz instead.

  • Carnelian Coffee 6923 SE Foster Rd This fantastic addition to the up-and-coming strip that is Foster Rd is owned by two rockhounds, so you can sip your exquisitely made oat milk latte while looking at awesome geodes through the provided magnifying glasses.
  • Crema 2728 SE Ankeny St Crema is the perfect spot to go if you are looking for some phenomenal baked goods to go alongside of your Chai, and the bright and airy sitting area is a great spot for a meeting.
  • Extracto 2921 NE Killingsworth This place is known for their precision when it comes to their pours, and are exacting in making sure you get the best possible cup of beans. A great spot for the true coffee nerds!
  • Outlier Coffee 5029 SE Division St Hands down the absolute best place in town to get a Bulletproof coffee. Made with butter (or coconut oil for the vegans) the caffeine molecules bond with the fats for an amazing extended boost. They also have incredible flavor combos like the Liger, which adds ginger and turmeric for and extra fun kick.
  • Ovation 941 NW Overton St This cute little NW shop has wonderful baked goods, and also features amazing Moroccan coffees and teas, some of which are serves in ornate silver pots for added atmospheric immersion.
  • Rimsky-Korsakoffee House 707 SE 12th Ave If you are looking for an after dinner espresso and dessert in a quirky old art house with occasional live music, this is the place to be. Make sure to bring cash and to take a quick peek in the upstairs restroom. You won’t be disappointed.

Did we miss your favorite spot for a pick-me-up? Let us know in the comments!

Pancakes

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It’s National Pancake Day and we are HERE for it! But what are the most scrumptious spots in Portland for a stack, you ask? Read on for 5 of our faves.

  • Arleta Library Bakery Cafe 5513 SE 72nd Ave All of the baked, sauteed, or griddled grub here is phenomenal and the Semolina Griddlecakes are no exception. Plus, sometimes they have amazing seasonal pancake specials. Check the blackboard! https://arletalibrary.com/
  • Broder Multiple locations If you are looking for something outside of your traditional flapjack comfort zone, look no farther than the Æbleskiver (Danish pancakes) at one of the fantastic Broder locales. They are fluffy and delightful and served with lemon curd and lingonberry jam. https://www.broderpdx.com/
  • Gravy Locations in N Portland and NE Portland Breakfast foods are the focus at the two locations of Portland staple Gravy. They have several options to scratch that pancake itch, including Banana Chocolate Chip and Blueberry Pecan. http://gravyrestaurant.com/
  • Jam on Hawthorne 2239 SE Hawthorne With an extensive menu that features delicious breakfast options for all dietary walk of life, Jam even has Oatmeal Chai Blueberry vegan pancakes (that you may just order even if you aren’t vegan). Head there on a weekday to avoid the line. http://www.jamonhawthorne.com/
  • Slappy Cakes 4246 SE Belmont If your pancake proclivities lean towards the DIY but without the prep and clean-up, Slappy Cakes is the place for you. You can choose your batter and sweet or savory toppings, and then make your own fun pancake shapes on your personal griddle. https://www.slappycakes.com/portland

Did we miss your secret spot for the best pancakes? Let us know in the comments!

Pizza

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There are few things in the world better than a good pizza. Portland has plenty of delicious places to get a good pie, so here are some of our favorites!

Oven and Shaker

1134 NW Everett St
Portland, OR 97209

This restaurant by 4 time James beard nominee Cathy Whims tastes as delicious as it looks. She uses local and fresh ingredients on her wood fired pizzas.

The Crown

410 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205

This New York style pizzeria by Vitaly Paley does sourdough crust better than anyone else in town. They have both classic pizza flavors and some fun northwestern twists.

Sizzle Pie

multiple locations in Portland

This is easily the best greasy pizza you can get in town, plus they are open very late! They always feature a vegan pizza, a specialty pizza, and the classics.

Lovely’s Fifty Fifty

4039 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227

Lovely’s specializes in fresh locally sourced ingredients that are in season. Plus her pizza’s are frequently adorned with flowers making them look as lovely as they taste.

Ken’s Artisan Pizza

304 SE 28th Ave
Portland, OR 97214

These thin crust, wood-fired pizza’s are frequently touted as the best in Portland. Though they have long been in a battle with Apizza Scholls for the battle, I will let you decide.

Apizza Scholls

4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215

These wood fired pizzas have won the hearts of many Portlanders, and for good reason. The dough is made fresh every morning and perfectly charred in the wood fired ovens. The pies are simple and classic, but delicious.

Pizzeria Otto

6708 NE Sandy Blvd
Portland, OR 97213

These Neapolitan pizza’s are covered in northwestern ingredients. You can find pizzas with foraged mushrooms, tails and trotters ham, and fresh heirloom tomatoes.

Char

4144A SE 60th Ave
Portland, OR 97206

This Foster Powell Neapolitan style pizzeria does wood fired pizzas all named after cats! They use fresh and local ingredients and change the menu frequently.

Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Favorite camping spots

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With Labor Day this weekend and summer wrapping up, we thought it was the perfect time to introduce you to some of our favorite camping spots! While there are places very near Portland that you can camp, some of the most beautiful ones are just a short drive away. It’s always nice to get out of the city!

Lost Lake

A beautiful lake in the Mt. Hood National Forest, here you have access to hiking, biking, fishing, and canoe or kayak rentals.

Silver Falls State Park

This is the largest state park in Oregon and is home to the famous trail of 10 falls. There is hiking, biking, and horseback riding allowed on the 35 miles of trails that run throughout the park.

Crater Lake

No list would be complete without the iconic Crater Lake. There are 2 campgrounds and both are only open during the summer. There are various hiking trails around the Caldera and beautiful vistas everywhere.

Sparks Lake

This shallow lake in the Deschutes National Forest is a great place for hiking, stargazing, and trout fishing. You can see Broken Top and the Sisters from the lake and campground.

Bonus!

Free camping sites in Oregon

Crane Prairie Campground

This lake is great for birdwatching, hiking, fishing, swimming and boating. Because it connects to the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway you can boat between multiple lakes in the area.

Green Mountain campsite

This is great for the camper wanting to get away from it all, accessible only by rough access roads, the hike is worth the views. You can hike among the lava tubes and enjoy the volcanic scenery of the area.

Upper Lake Creek Campground

This campground is great for water activities like swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and warm water fishing. If you want to hike, there are many forest roads that are accessible by foot or horseback.

Cape Arago State Park

This offers some of the best camping on the beach. There are many trails that you can hike to take you to sandy beaches for whale watching or tide pool exploring.

We hope that you enjoy camping! Let us know about your experiences or if we missed your favorite spot.

Rum Cocktails

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Today is National Rum Day! Who want’s to celebrate?? If you said yes and you live in Portland, you are in luck. We have a multitude of fantastic rum-focused bars all across the city for your sipping pleasure.

  • Rum Club 720 SE Sandy Blvd The name says it all. They have rums from all over the world and use them in a variety of ways in their many delicious cocktails. Happy hour 4-6 daily.
  • Hale Pele 2733 NE Broadway If tiki cocktails are more your style, and you possibly want them on fire, stop by this spot that will instantly transport you to island life. Bring friends to share a Volcano Bowl.
  • Acadia Bistro 1303 NE Fremont Sometimes you need just one perfect drink to make the list, and Acadia’s rendition of the classic New Orleans Hurricane is it. A blend of three rums and passion fruit puree, it goes down a little too easily for it’s strength.
  • The Alibi 4024 N Interstate Ave Who doesn’t want to croon along to some yacht rock while downing a few daquiris? Karaoke daily and a serious span of happy hours are hallmarks of this long-standing North Portland spot.
  • Eem 3808 N Williams Ave This too-hot-to-touch BBQ and Thai fusion restaurant just started serving brunch/lunch everyday, so you can get your boozy slushy craving satisfied whenever it may strike.

Did we miss your favorite place to sip some rum? Let us know in the comments!

August Events

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Portland summertime. The season we look forward to all year, that always passes in a flash. But never fear! If you are looking for some last minute summer fun in PDX, here are some August events that you may enjoy.

  • Saturday 8/3 Rosé All Day You know this one has our heart. Entrance includes a frosé, tasting glass, 8 tasting tickets, and snacks. Produce Row $45 11am-5pm Benefits Make-A-Wish https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rose-all-day-at-produce-row-cafe-tickets-63984632759
  • Monday 8/5 The Moth StorySLAM Amazing storytelling, and you can enter as well! Keep it under 5 min, the theme this month is Animals. Secret Society $15 Doors-6:30pm Show-8:00pm https://themoth.secure.force.com/ticket/#/instances/a0F0e00000V3lsUEAR
  • Monday 8/5 – Saturday 8/10 BURGER WEEK! $5 burgers all over town! Can you eat them all? Probably not, but why not try? https://www.portlandburgerweek.com/
  • Saturday 8/10 Pan African Festival Live music, dance, food, and entertainment, plus supporting education, awareness, and opportunities for community involvement! Pioneer Courthouse Square FREE 12pm-8:30pm panafricanfestivalor.org.
  • Saturday 8/17 Adult Soapbox Derby One of my favorite (and most ‘Portland’) events of the year; a bunch of people make extravagant and homemade vehicles and plummet down a big hill to the delight of all. Mt.Tabor Park FREE 10am-4pm https://www.facebook.com/PDXsoapboxracer/
  • Saturday 8/17 Cocktail Crawl This month’s cocktail crawl highlights the classic Cosmopolitan! Each distillery creates their own spin and $1 of each one goes towards Causa: Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Org. Distillery Row $6 per cocktail https://www.cocktailcrawlpdx.com/2019-causes-and-cocktails
  • Saturday 8/24 Soulful Taste of Portland Eat delicious food and enjoy live music while supporting and celebrating the contributions of African Americans to Portland’s epic culinary scene. PCC Cascade Campus FREE 11am-7pm https://www.facebook.com/events/414652442596225/
  • Saturday 8/24 ANDAZ Bhangra Bollywood Dance with DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid The longest running Bollywood dance party anywhere, you are sure to have a blast learning fun moves and sweating the night away with this fantastic duo. The Liquor Store $10 ($5 before 10pm) 9pm-2am https://www.facebook.com/events/517664808977484/
  • BONUS Every Wednesday in August Movies at Dusk Every year Pix Patisserie hosts movies at dusk. Epic champagne list, amazing macarons, and a free movie on the patio? Count me IN. This month features The Terminator, Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail, The Breakfast Club, and Pulp Fiction. Pix Patisserie $5 min. purchase of food or bev (includes free popcorn) Seating opens at 7pm http://www.pixpatisserie.com/events