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Oregon, United States

Northwest Portland

The forested West Hills and NW 21st for a first-day hike and a slow brunch. We have mapped 1 sight, 2 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Northwest Portland with friendsBrowse 6 places
Northwest Portland, Oregon, United States
Places
6

1 See · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Shop

Curated routes
1

Portland New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

29°C / 84°F avg high

Coolest month
December

7°C / 45°F avg high

Wettest month
December

about 251 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Portland, the nearest city we track.

Things to do in Northwest Portland

6 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

1 sight worth building a day around in West Hills.

  • Pittock Mansion in Northwest PortlandPhoto: Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 4.0
    See

    Pittock Mansion

    1914 French Renaissance mansion high in the West Hills; its lawn looks over downtown to Mount Hood.

    Tip The house is closed Jan 1, but the grounds and viewpoint stay open.

    • West Hills
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Clear morning

Outdoors

2 outdoor spots for fresh air in Forest Park. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Lower Macleay Trail and the Stone House in Northwest PortlandPhoto: Finetooth · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Lower Macleay Trail and the Stone House

    Creekside trail into Forest Park past the mossy 1930s WPA Stone House, known locally as the Witch's Castle.

    Tip Start at Lower Macleay Park, NW 29th and Upshur.

    • Forest Park
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Wildwood Trail, Forest Park in Northwest PortlandPhoto: EncMstr · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Wildwood Trail, Forest Park

    The 30-mile spine of one of the largest urban forests in the US, under Douglas fir and bigleaf maple.

    Tip Follow it uphill from Lower Macleay to reach Pittock Mansion.

    • Forest Park
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Eat

Where we would book a table in Northwest Portland in Northwest District.

  • Eat

    Besaw's

    Northwest Portland restaurant founded in 1903, now a brunch standby on NW 21st.

    Tip Expect a wait on Jan 1; put your name in and walk NW 21st.

    • Northwest District
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Brunch
  • Eat

    Ken's Artisan Bakery

    Ken Forkish's bakery on NW 21st since 2001, known for croissants, canelés and country loaves.

    Tip Go early; pastries sell out by midday.

    • Northwest District
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Morning

Shop

Markets and shops worth the detour in Pearl District.

  • Powell's City of Books in Northwest PortlandPhoto: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Shop

    Powell's City of Books

    A full city block of new and used books, color-coded rooms and a rare book room, on the edge of the Pearl.

    Tip Grab a map at the entrance; check holiday hours for Jan 1.

    • Pearl District
    • $
    • 75 min
    • Afternoon

How to fit Northwest Portland into a trip

Northwest Portland is stop 2 of 2 on our Portland New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Northwest Portland into your own plan.

Weather by month, based on Portland

Our climate figures for Northwest Portland come from Portland, about 3 km (2 mi) away. Average daily highs run from 7°C / 45°F in December to 29°C / 84°F in August. December is the wettest month, with about 251 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Portland. Portland weather (covers Northwest Portland) →

Near Northwest Portland

8 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.

Northwest Portland questions, answered

How many days do you need in Northwest Portland?

On our Portland New Year's Eve route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 3-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 7 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Northwest Portland best known for?

The forested West Hills and NW 21st for a first-day hike and a slow brunch. Standouts on our list: Pittock Mansion (1914 French Renaissance mansion high in the West Hills; its lawn looks over downtown to Mount Hood); Lower Macleay Trail and the Stone House (Creekside trail into Forest Park past the mossy 1930s WPA Stone House, known locally as the Witch's Castle); Wildwood Trail, Forest Park (The 30-mile spine of one of the largest urban forests in the US, under Douglas fir and bigleaf maple).

When is the best time to visit Northwest Portland?

Our Portland New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for nearby Portland put the warmest highs in August (29°C / 84°F), the coolest in December (7°C / 45°F) and the most rain in December (about 251 mm).

What are the best things to do in Northwest Portland?

Start with Lower Macleay Trail and the Stone House, Wildwood Trail, Forest Park and Pittock Mansion. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Northwest Portland?

Our picks: Besaw's (Northwest District); Ken's Artisan Bakery (Northwest District). Expect a wait on Jan 1; put your name in and walk NW 21st (Besaw's).

What is near Northwest Portland?

The closest destinations in our guides are Downtown Portland (about 2 km / 1 mi), Portland (about 3 km / 2 mi) and Cannon Beach (about 106 km / 66 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Northwest Portland with your crew

Open the Portland New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 6 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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