North America Long Weekend: Portland 4-Day 3-Night Lazy Itinerary 🗺️

Portland is the perfect pick for a long weekend getaway! I’ve visited three times now, and each trip feels fresh and wonderful. Sure, the city seems a bit run-down post-pandemic, and there are more homeless people in downtown—but even so, it’s still a totally worthwhile destination. I’m obsessed with its natural scenery and amazing food! Below is my laid-back itinerary—no rushed schedules, just easy fun: 📅 Day 1: LAX → Portland Landed in the evening and grabbed a casual meal at Noodle Point 🥢 (great for post-flight comfort food!). Checked into our hotel: Hyatt near the Convention Center—super convenient for getting around later! 🛏️ 📅 Day 2: Relaxed Brunch + City Walk + Serene Garden Slept in (the best part of a lazy trip!) and headed to Hat Yai Belmont for Thai food 🇹🇭. Everything was a hit: the curry was rich and flavorful, the fried chicken was crispy and juicy, and even the cauliflower was delicious! Drove to downtown for a leisurely city walk (no need for a car here—all spots are close by!): Stopped by cool boutiques and bookstores: Stand Up Comedy, Frances May (great for unique finds), Powell’s Books (a book lover’s paradise 📚), and MUJI—all worth a browse! Grabbed a tasty tiramisu coffee at Less and more coffee ☕️—the perfect pick-me-up. By 4 PM, we headed to the Portland Japanese Garden 🌸 (book tickets online in advance!). ⚠️ Note: Closed on Tuesdays, closes at 6 PM, and the tea house shuts at 4 PM (reservations required!). It’s so worth visiting—quiet, peaceful, and lush with greenery. The perfect spot to unwind! Dinner at Mucca Osteria 🍝 (Italian cuisine). Average cost per person is around $150, but the food is delicious and portions are huge—total value! 📅 Day 3: Brunch + "Little Mount Fuji" of North America Slept in again (no alarms = vacation win!) and had brunch at Proud Mary 🥞—cozy and tasty. Spent the whole afternoon at Trillium Lake ⛰️ (you can rent boats until 6 PM!). It’s a 1-hour drive from downtown, but so worth it—often called "North America’s Little Mount Fuji"! It’s incredibly peaceful—bring your dog, pack some snacks, and stay all afternoon. We only visited this one spot today, and it was more than enough! Dinner at Powell's Seafood Restaurant 🦞 (Cantonese-style seafood). Highly recommend! It’s even better than some Cantonese restaurants in LA. 📅 Day 4: Shopping + Quiet Waterfall Went downtown to buy tax-free LV 🛍️ (a nice little treat!) and had a casual brunch nearby. Visited Latourell Creek 🌊 (a beautiful waterfall). It’s not as crowded or grand as Multnomah Falls, but it’s still stunning—perfect for a relaxed morning walk. 💡 Bonus Recommendations More Eateries: Keep exploring Portland’s food scene—there’s so much more to try! Scenic Spots: Hood River Lavender Farms 🌿: Perfect for lavender lovers (go when it’s in bloom!). Hope Ranch Lavender: Another lovely lavender spot for photos and relaxation. Cannon Beach 🌊: A iconic coastal spot with beautiful beaches and views. #NorthAmericaLife #PortlandTravel #PortlandFood #MyHiddenGemTravelGuide #NorthAmericaLongWeekend #WhereToGoOnNorthAmericaHoliday #PortlandItinerary