Portland Getaway: Bonsai Dreams, Bookstores, and Pizza Magic

Trip Overview

A quick, cozy weekend road trip from Seattle to Portland, just the two of us (Katie + me). The mission? Soak up some fresh Pacific Northwest vibes, eat well, explore local spots, and maybe—just maybe—pick up a new hobby or two (hello, bonsai dreams).

Despite being a short trip, it packed a ton of great little moments: gardens that made us want to grow tiny trees, libraries of whiskey, endless bookstores, surprisingly good tacos, and people-watching that fully lived up to Portland's "keep it weird" reputation.

Most Memorable Moments

Japanese Garden + Bonsai Exhibit

Our Saturday morning started at the Portland Japanese Garden, which turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of the trip. The Bonsai Society of Portland was hosting a special exhibit, and the trees were absolutely stunning—majestic, quiet, and peaceful. We're seriously considering trying to grow one ourselves now.

A robot barista inside the Muji store!

Kyle got a Chai from a robot barista at Muji. It was highly satisfying to watch. The chai was only OK ;).

Powell's City of Books

Easily a five-star stop. Powell's City of Books is huge (world's largest independent bookstore) and has incredible selections—even in super niche sections like crocheting amigurumi. Good vibes, great browsing, and ironically so big it might squash other "shop local" bookstores nearby.

Portland's Public Transit

We took the bus everywhere, and it was clean, easy, and tap-to-pay with your phone. Huge bonus points. Also, some Portland buses are small and kind of charming compared to the huge ones we're used to.

Portland Weirdness + Cat-Watching

While people-watching (very Portland), we were mistaken for chicken-spotters by a guy who lost his chickens in the city. Not kidding. Meanwhile, we were just admiring a very cute orange and white cat in a window.

Whiskey Library

We stumbled into the Whiskey Library above the Green Room. Think leather chairs, old wood, speakeasy vibes, and cocktails that felt like time travel.

Ken's Artisan Pizza

Worth the wait. Ken's Artisan Pizza had sourdough crust, three-day cold ferment, low-moisture sauce—it was some of the best pizza we've had, hands down. We waited about 90 minutes, but there was a lively outdoor food cart spot nearby with beers and snacks to kill the time.

Hopscotch PDX Interactive Art Exhibit

On Sunday, we hit up Hopscotch PDX. Fun, colorful, and interactive—like a playful art playground. Not a must-do, but worth it if you've never been to a place like TeamLab Planets in Tokyo. (Big ball pit = bonus.)

Boulangerie Morning Pastries

Chai lattes, fruit tarts, and almond croissants from Little T American Baker kicked off each morning. It's a vacation staple.

Logistics & Practical Information

🚗 Travel

Drove from Seattle to Portland (approx. 3-hour drive)
Stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Portland (valet parking, chocolates on the pillows!) - special thanks to our friend who helped us get a stellar deal.

🚎 Transit

Took buses almost exclusively while in Portland—super efficient and easy

🍴 Favorite Eats

Ken's Artisan Pizza (seriously, don't miss it)
Mango Sticky Rice Beer at Flock Food Hall
Solid tacos at the Mexican stall at Flock
Milk tea from T&T with a cute panda logo 🐼

Reflections & Final Thoughts

Even though it was just a weekend trip, Portland gave us a lot. Good food, art, moments of calm, and people-watching stories we'll tell for years to come ("lost chickens" included). It also made us appreciate living on the West Coast—where Asian cultural influences feel more integrated into daily life, from food to art to design.

There's a calming element to Portland's vibe that made it different from both Seattle and the East Coast. It's quirky but consistent. A little weird, a lot welcoming.

Also... we're now seriously considering growing our first bonsai.