A Day of Citywalk in Portland, Oregon OR

First Visit for Work: Fish Sandwiches, a Giant Bookstore & Tax-Free Fun ✨ It was my first time in Portland for a work trip—I didn’t know the city well, but I looked up a few must-visit spots in and around downtown to squeeze in a relaxing half-day between work tasks. Little did I know, the day would be filled with "expected surprises" and a few "small regrets"—here’s a little diary of my first Citywalk in Portland! 🥪 Stop 1: Tanaka’s Japanese Fish Sandwich｜A Breakfast Win Right after checking into my hotel, I headed straight to Tanaka, which I’d seen on travel guides—after all, the first step of "eating and exploring" needs to start with something delicious! Tucked on a quiet downtown street, the shop has a simple white storefront; the second I walked in, I smelled a light, non-greasy fried aroma. I ordered their signature Japanese fried fish sandwich. Watching the chef coat the fish in batter and fry it fresh, the golden fish fillet came out of the oil still steaming. The first bite was a revelation: the outer crust was thin and crispy (crunches with every bite 🥢), not heavy at all. Inside, the cod was tender enough to juice, no fishiness whatsoever. Sandwiched in a freshly baked sourdough roll with a light layer of Japanese mayo, the sweet-savory balance was perfect—I even ate the crusts! For a drink, I chose the sparkling strawberry yuzu water—its pink color was Instagram-worthy! It had plenty of fizz, with sweet strawberry upfront and a hint of tart yuzu at the end. Refreshing and grease-cutting, it paired perfectly with the fish sandwich. Two sips in, and my mood was already bright for the day 😋! 🎨 Stop 2: Portland Art Museum｜A "Half-Open" Regret I was most excited about the Portland Art Museum, but when I got to the door, I saw a sign that read "Expansion + Renovations in Progress"—instant disappointment 😮‍💨. A staff member explained, "Most galleries are temporarily closed; only part of the second floor is open right now." I thought, "I’m already here," so I bought a ticket anyway. The open area on the second floor wasn’t huge, mainly featuring modern art and works by local artists—vibrant abstract paintings, fun sculptures, and a small corner dedicated to Oregon’s local historical art (showing early Portland street scenes and natural landscapes). It was a small win, but I couldn’t help feeling sorry for missing the classical art and Impressionist sections. I quietly jotted it down: "Next time, I’ll come after the renovations are done!" 📚 Stop 3: Powell‘s Books｜A Book Lover’s Paradise If the art museum left a regret, Powell‘s Books more than made up for it with surprises! I’d heard it’s North America’s largest independent bookstore, but I didn’t realize how "huge" it really is—multiple floors, with shelves packed but organized. Split into a dozen sections by genre, you can find everything from literary fiction and history biographies to sci-fi comics and cookbooks—even books on "niche hobbies" and "obscure subjects." The variety was overwhelming! The funniest part was stumbling on a "quirky books section," where I found gems like How to Explain to Your Cat You’re Not a Snack and 100 Ways to Daydream on Rainy Days (the books in Pic 10!)—just the titles made me laugh. I stood there flipping through them for ages, almost losing track of time ⏰. The vibe was so cozy too—many people sat in corner chairs reading quietly, with sunlight streaming through windows onto the pages. I could’ve stayed there all afternoon if I didn’t have other plans! 🛍️ Stop 4: Downtown Shopping + Boba Tea｜Tax-Free Joys After the bookstore, I kicked off a "chill mode" in Downtown—after all, Portland is a tax-free state, so not shopping felt like a waste! First, I popped into Nordstrom’s beauty section. No sales tax meant I picked up two lipsticks I’d been wanting, saving almost $10 compared to other states—it felt like a little win 💄. As I walked, I craved boba tea, and luckily spotted RedStraw (from my guide!). I ordered a classic pearl milk tea with less sugar and ice—the tea base was strong, and the pearls were chewy. One sip, and I was satisfied～ I also passed a few small craft shops, popping in to browse. I couldn’t resist buying two cute fridge magnets and postcards as souvenirs. A quick tip: Downtown is lively during the day, but you might occasionally see homeless people. I didn’t run into any trouble, but it’s best to stay alert. We wandered until evening, then grabbed takeout and headed back to the hotel—safety first, so it’s smarter to avoid lingering outside after dark～ #PortlandCitywalk #PortlandArtMuseum #PortlandEats #Tanaka #PortlandBookstore