Pearl District
Pearl District
4.5
About
This district is the pearl of Portland, home to quirky boutiques and brands, cool restaurants, micro-breweries, and artisan coffee shops, housed in reclaimed warehouse spaces. Don't miss Powell’s City of Books, one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, and neat art galleries like Blue Sky and Augen Gallery. There's even a monthly art walk. The Jamison Square fountain is also a great spot to cool off in summer. Make a stop at Pearl District on a city tour of Portland, which often makes a stop here. If you love beer, you can explore the breweries on a bike tour.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Pearl
How to get there
- Union Station • 8 min walk
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4.5
1,138 reviews
Excellent
544
Very good
415
Average
130
Poor
35
Terrible
14
Max Y
Texas198 contributions
May 2022 • Family
In general I found portland is extreme in many ways:
City in general is extremely liberal even in west coast standard, that in turn shows up in many areas:
Very bike friendly, I drove and rode bike, riding bike is safe and convenient; when driving met several young folks who were on skip board giving middle finger to drivers/cars for no reason which is not cool; too many homeless people running around, shouting randomly, zombie walking, stinky smell.
One tour guide told me getting rid off Lincoln statue is a good thing and Lincoln would like that. Complain other cities are not like portland and not having good public transportation, etc
City in general is extremely liberal even in west coast standard, that in turn shows up in many areas:
Very bike friendly, I drove and rode bike, riding bike is safe and convenient; when driving met several young folks who were on skip board giving middle finger to drivers/cars for no reason which is not cool; too many homeless people running around, shouting randomly, zombie walking, stinky smell.
One tour guide told me getting rid off Lincoln statue is a good thing and Lincoln would like that. Complain other cities are not like portland and not having good public transportation, etc
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
1 contribution
Nov 2021 • Friends
Portland was a beautiful city. Sadly over the last few years it’s gone down the toilet. Homeless tweakers and open air drug dealing everywhere. You can’t even walk from the train station to the Redline metro as it’s blocks by a camp. Trash everywhere. The smell of urine and feces on the sidewalks. Gangs and anarchist have taken over downtown, and many businesses have closed and are boarded up. It’s not a safe place to visit anymore. How bad does it have to get before Portland changes course?
Written 10 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bambamperoxide
Sunderland, UK4 contributions
July 2022 • Couples
Portland has gone down the toilet, watching users injecting, pants down, in full view and the procession of zombies/homeless and mental health patients wandering around. Not a comfortable place to visit, I'm used to this environment but this was way too much when supposedly on vacation. The general vibe of the place is uncomfortable and unwelcoming. America gone down the toilet because they have to have an opinion!
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lockdown99
Leesburg, VA23 contributions
Dec 2021
Oregon is a post apocalyptic hell-hole. There are syringes in the street, human waste on the sidewalk and mentally ill people EVERYWHERE. It really is a mess. Even if you are a paying customer, its almost impossible to find a public bathroom (which is probably why the population uses the sidewalk as a toilet.) I want to like Portland, but it has slid into liberal / leftist anarchy. Very difficult place to enjoy safely.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
familytraveler812
Minnesota130 contributions
June 2021
While we arrived in historic heat, there was only one place open for dinner. They were wonderful. When we arrived a few days later, I was saddened to see the number of homeless everywhere. Tents set up on sidewalks, garbage all over, the smell of urine around every corner. I definitely would not walk around after dark in the area and certainly not alone. Sad to see this.
Written 4 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary B
Waterloo, IL104 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
My husband and I were in Portland for one night and stayed in the Pearl District. After a lot of unfortunate, bad media, we were a little hesitant. Our hotel clerk told us a small area to stay away from and, I must say, we walked for dinner and drinks all around the area (minus the part he said not to) and we found it very safe, well lit, and enjoyable. Clean, too.
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hardeep K
Ventura, CA14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We walked through the Pearl District after a comedy show at Harvey’s Comedy Club. Great area to walk through, cafes and galleries. Beware that everything closes pretty early (we were there at 9p and nobody was really around). We stumbled upon this AMAZING bar called Carlita’s. Delicious cocktails, whiskey, salsas and tacos. Great vibe. Ask for Ashley!
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Den
Miami, FL241 contributions
May 2021
Civilized, clean, safe, a wonderful ambiance. Great restaurants, beautiful parks, and public art. This is what we LOVE about Portland not the disaster of boarded up downtown. City Council is destroying the city.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison B
Seattle, WA99 contributions
July 2021 • Business
Do not visit the Pearl District right now. It looks like a scene from escape from New York. Not kidding. The district and the surrounding Burnside ave are in a sorry state. The pandemic and rival protests have left the area full of trash, graffiti and empty buildings. Portland’s treatment of its un-housed population is reprehensible, tents cover the sidewalks blocking pedestrians. It reminds me more of skid row then the city I visited numerous times in the past. It will take years to fix this.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,803 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
This is the cool part of town and we kept coming back here on our city visit. Lots of places to eat here, emphasis on breweries, craft beer. Some pleasant architecture, lots of good shopping. And lots of coffee.
Written 30 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What street is popular in Pearl district
Written 25 May 2019
There are so many cool neighborhoods on the other side of the river. Almost too many to mention. A couple of places stand out, Por que no, and the Waffle Window.
Written 31 July 2019
A Tripadvisor member
San Diego, California
8 contributions
What is the Pearl District? Is it safe? How far is it from Downtown Portland? Why not stay in downtown? Is this a gay district? Thank you in advance.
Written 3 August 2018
The Pearl District is a nice, safe and bustling part of central Portland. It’s really just a northwest limb of downtown (near to Powell’s city of books). The area is comprised of converted warehouses that have been transformed into a bunch of very nice cafes/shops/bars/restaurants etc. worth seeing and also a good spot to stay in!
Written 4 August 2018
Which are the best streets to walk on in the pearl District?
Written 2 August 2018
Seriously, all of them! I know that doesn’t help much. You won’t get lost, people are very helpful and friendly. If I had to be specific I would say from 12th down to 6th Ave. Keep on exploring and cross Burnside and head into downtown Portland. It’s a great city!
Written 23 March 2019
My family of 3 will be coming to Portland in June. We would like to rent an airbnb right in the heart of Portland (maybe a house, maybe an apartment in a hi-rise building). Our main goal is to walk and bike to places of interest. I've heard great things about the Pearl District, too. Not knowing the geography very well - can we walk/bike from Downtown to the Pearl District or vice versa? Or are they too far apart? Which area would be the best bang for the sight-seeing buck? (goals are OMSI, Bookstores, Coffee Shops, unique gift shops and breweries) Our daughter is 13 and up for anything!
Thank you!
Written 6 January 2018
Pearl District is very close to downtown and a beautiful place. But in the trip I wouldn't leave any piece of Portland behind (not a big city, so bike would take you to most of places). Give South East and North East a chance too - though locals recommend not to go there after dark, they have great restaurants, breweries, cultural places and vibe!
Written 9 January 2018
charlene s
Honolulu, Hawaii
Best hotels for first time visiters.
Interests; artsy, museum, photo opportunities...
4-5 star hotels
Written 9 October 2017
The responses were all excellent recommendations. However, the Pearl District is along the NS Trolley route. My recommendation is to use Google Map and identify the sites you want to visit. Then, identify the trolley routes that passes these locations. There are many hotels along the Trimet (light rail) and Trolley routes. The use of Portland's mass transit is easy, low cost, and very convenient. You can then stay at a hotel outside of the Pearl District which is more expensive than most other places.
Written 10 October 2017
What is the easiest way to get from the Portland Airport to a hotel in the downtown city center? My son and I are coming in on a Monday morning. Thanks!
Written 9 July 2017
Light rail worked like a champ for us. Off the plane, walked to the platform and headed downtown. Couldn't have been easier.
Written 11 October 2017
I am looking at visiting Portland this summer on my way up the coast. I know nothing about the city, so would like ideas on how many days should I plan and what are the major draws/attractions that would justify spending some time there?
Written 31 January 2017
There are several things to do there. We were traveling through Portland on our way to Seattle and stayed there for two days only. You only need two to three days to get your fill. I would recommend:
1. Pittock House
2. Voo Doo Donuts
3. Rose Garden
4. Japanese Garden
5. Powells Book Store
Hope some of this helps you.
Written 1 February 2017
I am planning to do brunch at Olimpia Provisions, and thought we would walk back towards the Pearl district to check it out before doing the BrewCycle tour. Is Pearl district an area that we can just walk along aimlessly and have things to look at/do, or do I need to plan my stops and route? If the latter, any suggestions for us between 11am and 130pm? Thank you.
Written 6 May 2016
I also agree with the "aimless explore" route - there are plenty of shops and a map of the pearl is probably available online (we got one at Northrup Station - the hotel where we stayed).
Some of the more popular places (like voodoo donut & salt & straw ice cream) get slammed with customers. There are certainly lots of places to eat or snack (we like Ken's Artisan Breads and Papa Haydn). We also try not to spend a lot of our day waiting in line somewhere to get it.
In addition to all of the shops, the Pearl also offers a wonderful "neighborhood" of old restored homes - many on the historical register & many with plaques out front outlining their history. A lot of these places also have beautiful yards & landscape elements.
Note: If you're a bookworm, it's very easy to simply spend hours in Powell's - it's huge.
If you want a place to unwind with an interesting or classic cocktail, seek out Portland's Teardrop Lounge.
Just have fun; dress comfortably and while in Portland, always plan for rain (I grew up there and am pretty waterproof - but have always believed carrying a small umbrella keeps the raindrops at bay this time of year.
Written 7 May 2016
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