Whether you’re a visitor or a longtime resident, Portland’s neighborhoods are always worth exploring. New sights and scenes are popping up all the time, and the chances are very good that you’ll happen upon something new, even in familiar corners of town. With the release of our PDX Community Cider and our Portland Neighborhood Photo Contest, we thought it’d be the perfect time to share some highlights from all over town.

Because Portland is Portland, our city is divided into six main “quadrants”: North, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest, and the newest one, South Portland. Navigating the city is fairly straightforward, with the Willamette River neatly dividing east and west, and Burnside Street splitting north from south. Added bonus: alphabetical street names north of Burnside!

Let’s get exploring!

North Portland

Occupying the space east of the Willamette, but west of I-5, NoPo is the vibrant, lively home to the beautiful St. Johns Bridge, the restaurants, shops and nightlife of Mississippi Avenue, the gorgeous rose garden in Peninsula Park, and the scenic Overlook bluff near the University of Portland. Visit the Kenton Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons, sample the many food carts tucked away at Killingsworth Station, Mississippi Marketplace, or St. Johns, and browse the wide variety of boutiques that line North Williams Avenue. Follow your ears to Portland International Raceway, featuring races (where you might find owners Jeff & Lynda), rallies, and a popular drive-through holiday light show.

Northeast Portland

This quadrant is Portland’s largest, among its oldest, and it’s impossible to pigeonhole. Inner Northeast has a lively entertainment district at the end of the Burnside Bridge, and is full of apartment dwellers who enjoy the youthful vibe of this part of town. Heading east through the area towards Outer Northeast, you can’t help but come across some of the city’s prettiest neighborhood parks, like Irving Park, Grant Park and Fernhill Park, all filled with towering, century-old evergreens. The Alberta Arts District always has something new to offer, with shops, restaurants and entertainment venues like the Alberta Rose Theater. Sandy Boulevard cuts a diagonal path through Portland’s rigid street grid, passing the historic Hollywood Theater, vintage shops, dive bars and high-end grocers. It’s also the quadrant that houses Portland International Airport, with easy access via the MAX light rail to explore a little of our town during long layovers or short visits. And of course, the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trailblazers and every big performing act that comes to town, is in the Lloyd District on the banks of the Willamette River.

Southeast Portland

The southeast quadrant is nearly as large as the northeast, stretching from Burnside south to Milwaukie, and the Willamette all the way to Gresham. This is one place where Portland’s subculture really shines. The list of things to see and do is endless: see a movie at the Baghdad; get lost in Ladd’s Addition; wander the gorgeous grounds of Reed College; check out the Montavilla Farmers Market; do science at OMSI; stroll the streets and shops of Sellwood-Moreland; climb a cinder cone volcano in Mt. Tabor Park; ride the roller coaster (or go roller skating!) at Oaks Amusement Park; see a concert at the Aladdin Theater; hike to the top of Powell Butte; and of course, stop in for a nice, refreshing cider and a meal at Portland Cider House on Southeast Hawthorne!

Northwest Portland

A good portion of downtown Portland is in this section, with Portland landmarks like Powell’s City of Books, historic Chinatown, Portland Center Stage, and the high-rise condos and shops of the Pearl District. This is also where those alphabetical streets come in handy, starting with Ankeny, crossing Burnside, then Couch...all the way to Wilson. Follow Northwest 23rd Avenue up through the letters and you’ll discover dozens of shops, restaurants, theaters and street art. And you’ll end up at the edge of Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. 5,200 acres and 80 miles of trails are waiting for you up there, full of wildlife, with hidden treasures to find like the Witch’s Castle. Just make sure you plan your hike in advance–it’s a big place!

Southwest Portland

This is downtown Portland at its best, with the Portland Art Museum, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and Portland State University’s tree-filled campus all within a couple of blocks. The tram glides overhead, taking patients, workers and tourists on a quick, scenic trip up to Oregon Health Sciences University, a great place for panoramic views of the area. Tom McCall Waterfront Park bridges Southeast and Northeast, and provides a great way to experience the beating heart of Portland. And Washington Park, where Hoyt Arboretum and the Oregon Zoo share space with the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden, is worth at least a full day of exploration. Further out, Multnomah Village will make you feel like you’ve traveled in time, with its tiny, winding street full of cute boutiques, ice cream parlors, and Portland’s oldest yarn shop.

South Portland

Portland’s newest quadrant, designated in 2020, includes the South Waterfront–a multi-use area including medical offices, high-rise condos, shops and dining options like our friends Blue Star Donuts, and the lower tram station. Willamette Park offers boat launches and walking paths along the river, and the grounds of Lewis & Clark College are peaceful and quiet. The Lot at Zidell Yards provides a unique outdoor event venue, and Oregon Ballet Theater offers a more traditional space to get your fill of the arts. Tillikum Crossing is a bike, foot and light rail bridge over the Willamette that opens up access to the perks of inner Southeast Portland just across the river.

Also worth a mention:

Oregon City, home of the original Portland Cider Pub & Cidery! Worth it for the views of the falls, bustling downtown, and the city elevator.

Clackamas, home of our current cidery and tap room! We’re located right in between Milwaukie and Happy Valley, with easy access from I-205.
Tigard, home of Wolf’s Farm--the source of a good portion of the fruit included in this year’s PDX Community Cider!

Exploring Portland’s Six Quadrants–and Beyond!