Pearl District Weekend Guide

By Linda Rae

Linda Rae is a lifelong Portland resident and has been a loft dweller in the Pearl District for over three years. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the Pearl as an active member of the Communication Committee with the Pearl District Neighborhood Association.

Dining at Piazza Italia

Welcome to your weekend guide to the Pearl District, the mini-Manhattan of the West Coast. I hope you're ready for some fun!

And yes this is “your guide.” I love my neighborhood and I have my favorites, but you’ll have the opportunity to contact me with your comments and suggestions for “your guide,” and about the merchants you’ve visited, so this will become your “one-stop” place to plan your weekend fun in the Pearl. Don’t forget to save some money while you’re having that fun, by using the special discount coupons

that I’ll be offering each month from the best of our local merchants. Please check back every Friday for new coupons.

If you are a lover of the "Arts" then September is your month to visit the Pearl District. Especially on Labor Day weekend, which will explode with possibilites with the start of two favorite events. An abundance of talent will be showcased from every genre.

Here’s what you can expect if you’ve never visited the Pearl District; that Manhattan feeling, but without the big expense, and with a slight twist as you enjoy our unique blend of Northwest charm and European style. You will be pleasantly surprised as you explore the 100-block footprint of the Peal while riding the Portland Streetcar or walking on our cobblestone streets. Each block is filled with a vibrant mixture of one-of-a-kind galleries, shops and restaurants.

Don’t worry about getting lost if you’re new to the Pearl as you uncover our many treasures; just remember the Street names go alphabetical as you travel north from Burnside Street and the Avenue numbers go up from Broadway west to the 405 freeway. It’s also easy to find a friendly resident who will be happy to give you directions anytime. If you’re driving to the Pearl District you’ll find parking meters everywhere, as well as several parking lots and parking garages near all the best places to visit. You can park for free at the meters on Sundays until 1pm, so come early for breakfast.

Pearl Festivals and Events for September

Friday and Saturday's

Live Music

NO COVER!

Wine Unwind (Listen to music samples by the artist on their website.)

Near NW 11th and Lovejoy

Acoustic and electric-classical guitar with former Carnegie Hall performer Sean Frenette-Friday September 11th at 7:30pm

Swinging Gypsy Jazz with Jason Carter-Saturday September 19th at 8pm

Indie Folk-Pop wth Lizzie Huffman-Friday September 25th at 7pm

Art in the Pearl

Labor Day Weekend 9/5-9/7

Admission is Free!

13th Annual Art in the Pearl

North Park Blocks (Between NW 8th and 9th) from 10-6 Sat./Sun. and Mon. 10-6.

Fine Arts and Crafts Festival with great music and food too,

Annual Sidewalk Sale

Labor Day Weekend 9/5-9/7

Pearl District Annual Sidewalk Sale

Rain or shine visit over 50 merchants with discounts up to 80%. Check the link for participating stores and hours. There will be bargains galore!

Time Based Art Festival

9/3-9/13

TBA:09

Hosted by Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA). Tickets are available at their Central Box office at 224 NW 13th. Three Venues in the Pearl District will be featured; PDX Contemporary Art, Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), and Portland Center Stage at the Gerding Theater at the Armory.

Venues Map

Slabtown Festival

Saturday Sept. 19th

3rd Annual Slabtown Community Festival in the Conway parking lot at NW 23rd and Savier St.,from noon-6pm

The Pearl District's neighbor just to the west was once a vibrant hotspot during big league baseball from 1901-1956. It's a fun community event for the whole family to re-visit some exciting history with comedy, music, games, food and a beer garden all sponsored by local merchants and residents to benefit the Friendly House.

Pancake breakfast at St. Patrick's Church 1623 NW 19th Ave., from 9am to noon.

All Month

Fridays and Saturdays at 10am and 2pm

Sundays at 11am

Portland Walking Tour in the Pearl for "Foodies"

This is a one-of-a-kind Epicurean adventure. In a short walk of just 1 1/2 miles and in 3.5 hours you will visit all of the best the Pearl has to offer in wine, beer, tea, coffee, local produce, cheeses, artisan breads, pastries and so much more. Make sure you come hungry and wear your stretchy waist-band pants. Meets at the Mezzanine Library at the Heathman Hotel at 1001 SW Broadway and Salmon. Buy your tickets early, they sell-out fast!

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Jimmy Maks' Jazz Club

Portland Center Stage, Gerding Theatre at the Armory
"Guys and Dolls" through November 15th

The new season of plays and musicals begins September 22nd with "Ragtime." Tickets for all new shows go on sale September 1st.

Museum of Contemporary Craft

Powell’s City of Books

PARKS AND RECREATION

Jamison Square, between NW 11^th and 12^th, and Johnson and Kearney

A splashing good time

A fun place to take the kids for a picnic, they'll love the fountain while you soak up the sun.
Check back later for fun events that will take place all summer long and for coupons to get some great treats nearby.

Tanner Springs, along NW 11^th and 12^th, and Marshall and Northrup

This is the perfect place to relax and read a good book or grab some great picnic food at the Little Green Grocer
just across from the park. Check out their great produce!

Little Green Grocer Produce Section

Pearl Court Activity Center at NW 16^th and Pettygrove
Open 7 days a week for a variety of court activities. Reserve a court for a private event.

Ready Paint Fire on NW 13 between Hoyt and Glisan
Great indoor creative fun for kids and adults. Wine and Beer served! Check out their calendar for special events.

ART GALLERIES

Click here for the best link to all the Art Galleries in the Pearl
(Link courtesy of The Pearl District Group with Willamette Realty)

BREW PUBS

(Sometimes you can smell the hops coming from Bridgeport as you walk through the Pearl.)

BridgePort Brewing Company on NW Marshall Street between 13th and 14th
Rogue Brewery on NW Flanders Street between 13th and 14th
Deschutes Brewery on the corner of NW 11th and Davis Street

Visiting all three pubs is a great way to check out the Pearl District, as each one is located in a very unique section of the
neighborhood.

HAPPY HOUR

(Too many great places to list, but here are a few that offer Happy Hour Specials Friday-Sunday.)

Bluehour at NW 13th Avenue and Everett Street
Bay 13 at NW 13th Avenue and Irving Street
Oba at NW 12th Avenue and Hoyt Street

Oba Restaurant

Cool Moon Ice Cream Company at NW 11th and Johnson (For the little kids and big kids, get a non-alcoholic pint of ice cream for only $4.00 from 4-6pm daily.)

Please tell them who sent you.