Agent Info
Marisa Swenson
Earth Advantage Broker
971-285-7955
Agency Info
MRealty Inc
2211 NW Front Ave Ste. 101
Portland, OR 97209
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Ace Hotel Downtown Portland Oregon
photo by Marisa Swenson
I am a huge fan of playing tourist in the city that you live in. A couple of nights ago, some friends surprised me (for my birthday) with an overnight stay at the newish Ace Hotel in downtown Portland. The refurbished DYI feel of this hipster spot is almost overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there is gorgeous dark woodwork, honeycomb tile greets you in the lobby along with a black and white photo booth. In the room, each bed had the most comfortable pillows and these amazing stag wool blankets (pic above, they sell them at the front desk for $275). It felt like I was on the set of a Wes Anderson movie the entire time I was there. The connected retaurant, Clyde Common, was very good (yes, they have side orders of Brussel Sprouts in case you were wondering) and in the morning we hit the Stumptown Coffee Roasters connected to the other side of the lobby. The hotel is in a very central, downtown location a block from Powell’s, close to the Crystal Ballroom, great restaurants and shopping.
The Grotto
photo by Marisa Swenson
Located at the base of Rocky Butte, The Grotto is a great place to get away for a second and enjoy some peace and quiet in a busy, noisy city. Technically, it is a 62 acre Catholic shrine carved into the hill of the mountain but you don’t have to be Catholic to enter and enjoy the beautiful plants and wildlife. Stop into the gift shop and get a token to ride the elevator that is built into the rock wall that will take you to the top of the hill/mountain. Up top you will find the Meditation Chapel (you know that glowing white cross you see coming to Portland on the 205? that’s what it is) which is a sound proof room designed for you to meditate. I will have to admit though if you walk up to the floor to ceiling glass window that runs flush with the mountains cliffs, it give you a slight rush thinking you might actually be able to fall off of it (not recommended trying if there are actually people in there meditating).
Located at the base of Rocky Butte:
8840 NE Skidmore
Portland, OR 97220
Montavilla Farmers Market
photo by Marisa Swenson
Still in it’s infancy stage at 2 years old, the Montavilla Farmer’s Market provides a decent selection of local organic produce, baked goods and handmade wares. The more business it gets each year the larger it will grow so head on down from June 8th through October 5th Sundays between 10am -2pm. Look for me at the community outreach booth at Beets Automotive, I will be there a couple of times this Summer!
Located at:
7600 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Rocky Butte Park
Rocky Butte is an extinct volcanic cinder cone that is a member of the Boring Lava Fields group of more than 30 extinct volcanoes in Portland, OR. Today, Rocky Butte is home to Joseph Woodhill Park and is a popular destination for rock climbers that don’t want to travel out of the city limits. The Grotto, one of my favorite places to take photos at, is also located at the base of Rocky Butte.
Located at:
3351 NE Rocky Butte Rd
Portland, OR 97220
Powell Butte Nature Park
Powell Butte is a member of the Boring Lava Fields group of extinct cinder cone volcanoes in and around Portland. Having been extinct for over 300,000 years it is now used as a city park facility. Activities include: hiking, bike and equestrian trails.
Located at:
16160 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR
The Boring Lava Fields
A couple of years ago I took an Oregon geography class at PCC and was introduce to the Boring Lava fields in Portland. I am a Portland native and had never heard of these and became fascinated with them. The Boring Lava Fields is the name given to all the small mountains that we have sprinkled through the city and along the outskirts of South Eastern Portland to Boring. The lava field is a series of 32-50 (apparently they are still locating all of them) cinder cone and shield cone volcanoes that were formed 2.7 million years ago but have been extinct for about 300,000 years. Some of these extinct volcanoes have been turned into amazing parks while others have been just names as mountains.
Here is a list of some of the more popular ones:
Mt.Scott
Kelly Butte
Larch Mountain
Mt. Sylvania
Mt. Tabor Park
photo by Marisa Swenson
This extinct cinder cone volcano is one of the most unique parks in Portland. Part of the Boring Lava Field chain of extinct shield and cinder cone volcanos, the main rocks that you will find of course is lava rocks. Other features of the park include: amphitheater, dog off-leash area, children’s play area, tennis courts, multiple picnic areas, basketball court refurbished by Nike a couple of years ago (thus the huge swoosh in the center of the court), a track at the top of the park good for running laps, very steep stairs good for exercise, and picturesque reservoirs that are still functional (and not covered thanks to the neighborhood association).
Located at:
SE 69th and Belmont
Portland, OR 97215
Thatcher’s Restaurant and Lounge
photo by Marisa Swenson
Montavilla neighborhood sports bar/dive that just had a face lift. Good place for a casual quick beer with a friend to catch up on old times.
Located across the street from the Bipartisan Cafe:
7905 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Caldera Restaurant
This cozy pub style restaurant at the top of the hill on Stark in SE is a must try. The interior is mainly lit by candles and the back patio in dining in the summer has an equally soothing ambiance. The drinks and food are really good and the waiters are very friendly. Housed in a historic turn of the century drug store painted the most fabulous color of blue gray I have ever seen. It makes me want to take a sample and paint my own house the same color.
Located next to Cooper’s Coffee Shop:
6031 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
Salty’s Dog and Cat Shop
photo by Marisa Swenson
Nothing says “you have arrived” as a hip neighborhood like a boutique for pets. This lovely pet store offers organic food for dogs and cats as well as very hip collars, leashes and toys. Dogs are welcome to come on in and shop too of course!
Located in Montavilla:
8119 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
