Summer Guide 2023

Best summer ever! 100 ways to enjoy our most epic season, from sunshiny suds to floating hot tubs (yes, really!). Plus: the rise and demise of a natural gas pipeline, getting lost on the Lower Deschutes, another Oregon connection to the Women's World Cup, and a sweet recipe from Sugarpine's pastry chef

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Music

The PoMo Essential Summer 2023 Playlist

Summer songs from Portlanders old and new to spin this season on our Spotify playlist: Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the Decemberists, Five Fingers of Funk, and more

06/14/2023 By Matthew Trueherz and Margaret Seiler

Pride

Pride Parades and Events 2023: Portland Upgrades to 2 Months of Celebrations

The big parade moves to July, but June is still packed with Pride events and festivals, from the Portland Gay Men's Chorus Disney Show to the Queer Wine Fest.

06/08/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Summer Fun

An Incomplete Guide to Portland’s Biggest Summer 2023 Concerts and Events

From Pedalpalooza to Pickathon, Diana Ross to Diana Krall, Shakespeare to Samantha Bee, a roundup of what's happening in Portland, Oregon, this summer.

06/01/2023 By Margaret Seiler and Sam Stites

Animation

A Behind-the-Scenes Pinocchio Exhibit Lands at Portland Art Museum

'Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio,' with props and set from the Oscar-winning film, is on view at PAM from June 10 to September 17.

05/31/2023 By Conner Reed

Road Trips

Concerts and Events Worth a Trip Out of Town This Summer

Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, rodeos, big-time fairs, and more can be found in other places around Oregon, Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest.

05/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Business

The Queen of Influencers Lives Not in Hollywood but in West Linn

A manager to reality TV stars and social media influencers like Lo Beeston, Lindsay Nead of Parker Management is a homegrown talent in her own right.

05/02/2023 By Rachel Saslow Photography by Christopher Dibble

Visual Art

A Texas Art Gallery Is Taking Over an Old Orchard Hardware

Hopscotch, Portland opens this summer in 23,000 square feet with bites from Top Chef’s Sara Hauman and an international cast of installation artists.

03/31/2023 By Matthew Trueherz

Eat & Drink

Dining Picks

The 6 Hottest New Restaurants for Summer 2023 Dining: Janken, Kaede, Workshop, and More

Janken, Kaede, Ki’ikibaa, Tasty Corner, Toyshop Ramen, and Workshop

06/08/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Recipe

Bake Tres Leches Just Like Sugarpine Drive-In's Pastry Chef

Victoria Ascencio, pastry chef at this essential Portland pit stop in the Columbia River Gorge, combines nostalgia, seasonal bounty, and an unexpected ingredient.

05/31/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton Photography by Michael Novak

Eat the Northwest

Get to Know Oregon’s Namesake Summer Fruits

From Bing cherries to Hood strawberries, in the Pacific Northwest it’s easy to plan summer eats around the harvest.

05/24/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Farm Fresh

Fabulous Farmers Markets in Portland, Beaverton, and Beyond

Where to stock up on the best of the bounty of every season.

05/22/2023 By Dalila Brent, Katherine Chew Hamilton, and Margaret Seiler

Lunch

5 Great Grab-and-Go Sandwiches for Portland Picnics

Pick up an easy lunch with takeout from Ken’s Artisan Bakery, Café Olli, Oyatsupan, and other Portland restaurants.

05/17/2023 By Karen Brooks

PDX Food History

A Look Back on a Century of Portland Burger Joints

From Yaw’s and TikTok to Bless Your Heart Burger and Mike’s Drive-In, local fast-food restaurants have held their own with Shake Shack and In-N-Out.

05/16/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Beer City, USA

What Does a Canceled Oregon Brewers Festival Mean for Portland?

The summer standby was drawing fewer people to Waterfront Park, but niche beer festivals like Cask Ale Festival and Festival of Dark Arts are on the rise.

05/15/2023 By Jeff Alworth Illustrations by Chris Gash

Where to Eat Now

A Whirlwind Food and Drink Tour through Portland's Dame Collective

Clandestino, Chelo, Dame, Lil' Dame, Sea Can, Bialy Bird, and Matcha Freak—all live in just a few connected spaces.

05/10/2023 By Karen Brooks

Food Carts

Meet the Food Carts at Lil’ America, Portland’s Most Exciting New Pod

Come for Korean fried chicken wings, longanisa burgers, and a sense of community and camaraderie.

04/18/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton Photography by Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Restaurant Review

No Saint Carves a Place among Portland’s Pizza Elite

The scrappy pizza pop-up takes residence on NE Killingsworth Street in Vernon, with dinner-party charm and ridiculously light and bubbly pies.

03/23/2023 By Matthew Trueherz Photography by Thomas Teal

Review

Hidden Clandestino Is Portland’s Best New Mexican Restaurant

Chef Lauro Romero’s casual experiment is the electric jolt we need right now.

02/20/2023 By Karen Brooks

Home & Real Estate

Home

The Woodworker, the Upholsterer, and Harry Styles

Portland’s Your House Couch couldn’t find a stylish loveseat pictured on a pop album cover. So they made it themselves.

04/25/2023 By Angela Cabotaje Photography by Christopher Dibble

News & City Life

Movers & Shakers

Perfect Party: Summer 2023

From the first Goonie to win an Oscar (sorry, Corey Feldman) to the Portland-snubbing Taylor Swift, here’s who’s invited to our table.

06/05/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Editor’s Note

From the Editor: What’s Your Favorite Part of Oregon Summer?

An ocean vista on the coast, an ice cream sundae in the Gorge, a beer along the Sandy River, or a day at Enchanted Forest

06/02/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Environment

Who Killed Jordan Cove?

How an unlikely band of activists vanquished an energy megaproject in Southern Oregon.

05/31/2023 By Ramona DeNies

Going Yard

Portland Baseball by the Numbers: Hops, Pickles, and More

The stats on the new Hillsboro Hops stadium, wacky Portland Pickles promos, and the MLB dream that will never die.

05/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Houses with History

Where Governors Go Shopping: The Oregon Historical Society Vault

Tina Kotek, Kate Brown, John Kitzhaber, and others could have decorated their residence with the Trojan control panel or the Santaland monorail.

05/23/2023 By Byron Beck

La Grande to the Filipinas

Another Oregon Connection at the Women’s World Cup 2023

Former Eastern Oregon University soccer player Kiara Fontanilla might be in goal for the Philippines at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

05/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

In Short

Hot Takes on Portland's Latest News

Real news in small packages, from a Portland State alum's NASA gig to a new airport bar at PDX to Nike saying no to white shorts.

05/17/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Style & Shopping

Q&A

Ripping the City with Chris Yen

The shop owner dishes on his favorite summer eats, go-to Oregon road trip, and Portland’s best-kept secret.

05/09/2023 By Dalila Brent Illustrations by Betty Turbo

Interview

Thu Fashion Brings Italian Street Style to Sandy Boulevard

Portland tailor Thu Duong talks immigrating from Vietnam to Italy, her philosophies on boots and selfies, and her love for fashion.

05/03/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Travel & Outdoors

Rivers

It's Time For You to Meet the Magical Lower Deschutes River

From its beginnings high up near Mount Bachelor to where it flows into the Columbia River, Central Oregon's Deschutes River is a special place.

06/08/2023 By Sam Stites and Chad Brown

Adventure

Your Best Ever White Water Trip on the Lower Deschutes

Rafting on the Lower Deschutes River is an Oregon rite of passage, just 2 hours from Portland. A former rafting guide tells us the outfitters, guides, and rapids to know.

06/08/2023 By Sam Stites

Essay

The Deschutes River Became My Therapist and Healer

A navy veteran fighting PTSD reflects on the Central Oregon gem, where he found healing, hope, joy, and fly-fishing.

06/08/2023 By Chad Brown

Getaways

Going Luxe on Lodging Along the Lower Deschutes

Staying on the Deschutes River doesn’t have to be a grimy and bug-filled experience, thanks to luxurious and charming spots like these.

06/08/2023 By Sam Stites

Swimming

Portland Is a Beach Town. It's True.

Poet’s, Audrey McCall, Sellwood, Cathedral, Tom McCall Bowl, or Duckworth Dock—which Willamette River swim spot is best for you and your crew?

06/02/2023 By Margaret Seiler, Michelle Harris, and Matthew Trueherz

Thrills

Oaks Park vs. Enchanted Forest: Oregon Amusement Park Showdown

Which classic theme park is for you, a Southeast Portland gem with carnival games and a roller rink, or a storybook village just south of Salem?

05/19/2023 By Margaret Seiler

#VanLife

6 Signs You Should Try Van Life

Does the open road call your name? Do crowded campgrounds give you the ick? You might be a perfect candidate for van living.

05/05/2023 By Sam Stites Illustrations by tara jacoby

#VanLife

Tips for First-Time Camper Van Buyers

How to land the camper van or RV of your dreams, with advice from Axis Vehicle Outfitters, GoCamp, and Overland Van Project.

05/05/2023 By Sam Stites

Summer Fun

Floating Hot Tubs Offer Novel Way to Get Out on the Willamette River

Rentable floating hot tubs from Yacht Tubs offer novel way to relax on the river, with no boating license required.

04/26/2023 By Sam Stites

Swimming

Portland's Regional Government Wants to Give You a Life Jacket

A Metro naturalist breaks down his best pieces of advice staying safe near water, including the Sandy River, the Columbia River, and Blue Lake Park.

04/21/2023 By Sam Stites