Portland: A Tax-Free Haven with Surprisingly Stunning Scenery đż
Portland is such a great place for shoppingâand who knew it also has such incredible views! We visited Multnomah Falls, and it was absolutely spectacular and breathtaking đż. Now that the tripâs over, hereâs a breakdown of our itinerary: Day 1: Shopping Spree in Tax-Free Portland đď¸ First Stop: Nordstrom (Downtown)Weâd placed an online order a few days earlier, so we went straight to pick it upâsuper convenient! From there, we walked to Chanel, then to LV right nearby, and across the street to the Apple Store. Hopping between these spots was easy, and not having to pay sales tax made every purchase feel like a win â¨. Next: Woodburn Premium OutletsIt took about 30 minutes to drive here, and the outlet mall was huge! The stores we loved browsing included Disney, Kate Spade, CK, MK, and Lululemonâperfect for picking up clothes and accessories. If youâre into kitchenware, the Zwilling store was also worth a visit đĽ˘. We spent hours wandering and loading up our bags! Dinner: Sichuan City Chinese Restaurant (Shuxiangting)On our way back downtown after shopping, we stopped at this Sichuan restaurant to refuelâand it was exactly what we needed! We ordered four dishes, and the total was only $71. Compared to the Bay Area, thatâs such a steal đ¤. The pork knuckle was highly recommended; the other three dishes were delicious too (check out Photo 8 for a peek!). Quick Stop: CostcoWe popped into Costco to buy some health supplements for our familiesâanother tax-free win, and the selection was great đĽ. Overnight: Downtown HotelWe checked into our hotel downtown to rest up after a busy day of shopping đ¨. Day 2: Scenery & Casual Exploration đ Morning: SE Hawthorne BoulevardWe wandered this commercial street for a bit. There wasnât much to buy, but it felt safer than other parts of downtownânice for a slow morning stroll â. Brunch: Master Kong (Chinese Dim Sum)We grabbed a casual meal hereâthey had steamed buns, wontons, noodles, and more. The food was just âokay,â but it worked perfectly as a quick breakfast/lunch to fuel our day đĽ. Afternoon: Multnomah FallsIt was only a short drive to the falls, and after parking, we walked just 5 minutes to reach the viewing area. We sat down in front of the waterfall, letting the mist brush our faces, and just for a whileâit was so peaceful and refreshing đ. Tips to Note Homeless Concerns in Downtown: We did need to be careful around the homeless population in downtown. We noticed homeless individuals watching us from nearby and afar, so we wore jackets to hide our bags (we didnât dare let them show). We only went to essential spots, and after buying designer bags, my friend went to get the car first, then picked me up right outside the mall. We felt a bit sneaky, like we were âup to somethingââbut it was better to be safe. Driving in Downtown: There are lots of one-way streets and railroad tracks downtown. Drive carefully and follow your GPS closely to avoid getting lost đ. #Portland #TaxFreeState #USA #TaxFreeShopping #Oregon #Outlets #WoodburnOutlets #Chanel #LV #PortlandFood