Portland Spring Dates

Last month, Susannah from Simple Moments Stick emailed me and other bloggers to share some spring date ideas for a post that she shared today. The first 'spring date' that came to mind was my first spring date (week) ever: last year in April, my boyfriend came to visit me for the first time since we started dating a few months prior. So naturally, that week is very dear to my heart! Take a stroll down memory lane with me as I share some of our Portland dates last spring . . . 

City of Roses, Bridge City, Rip City, PDX. 

So many nicknames for this urban masterpiece called Portland! It was hard to pick the dates we'd go on since Portland is full of so many unique sights, but it was a good reason for him to visit again some day!

 Without further ado, here are my Portland spring date ideas:

 Portland's Waterfront

If it's a sunny day in PDX, the Waterfront is where it's at! We walked alongside Waterfront Park, crossed the Willamette via Hawthorne Bridge, hung out on the docks of Eastbank Esplanade, then made our way back to Waterfront via the Steel Bridge. The total walk was somewhere between 2-3 miles and was perfect on this lovely sunny day. We made a full circle to Waterfront Park and rested on the grass before heading to dinner. 

our first "couple" photos. Awwww :)

Pearl District

A few days later, we explored another corner of downtown Portland, the swanky Pearl District. Brimming with local specialty shops, cafes, restaurants, and the urban Jamison Park and Tanner Springs Park, the Pearl has become an iconic pearl of downtown, pun certainly intended. 

 Tanner Springs Park

Portland Saturday Market

 If you and your date find yourselves in downtown Portland on a Saturday, do not miss the Saturday Market! We goofed around, smelled all the homemade soaps and lotions, and our tried hard to tame our growling bellies while smelling of all the delicacies around us. 

Pittock Mansion

We ended our tour of downtown Portland by watching the sunset at Pittock Mansion, which boasts a gorgeous view of downtown and is just minutes away from my favorite downtown shopping area, 23rd Avenue. 

Laurelhurst Park

Quite possibly my favorite park in Portland, Laurelhurst boasts several miles of walking paths, a spring-fed pond, and plenty of trees under which to read a book or share a picnic. It is a few minutes away from Belmont, a hip area full of great restaurants, so it is a great place to work off some calories before or after enjoying a good meal!

Day Trips Near Portland

We also took a few short trips out of Portland, which made for gorgeous northwest scenery for my Texan handsome mister to enjoy!

Seaside & Ecola State Park

The Oregon coast is something beautiful to behold no matter the season. This spring beach trip was a bit windy, but we didn't mind since it was dry and sunny! We walked around Seaside, enjoyed sushi at Tora Sushi Lounge , threw the frisbee on the beach, and relaxed on a bench overlooking the gorgeous view from Ecola State Park.  Less than 2 hour drive from Portland, it makes for a great escape from the busy city!

Angel's Rest

This beautiful hike is located about 45 minutes outside of Portland, on the western end of the Columbia River Gorge. It boasts an exposed bluff that gives a nearly 360 degree view including Beacon Rock, Silver Star Mountain, and the Columbia River. It is a 2.4 moderately-easy trail and is worth the view. G and I made 3/4 up this time around because we wanted to relax and chat at a nice spot we found, so we let my brothers go ahead to the top. 

Spring in Portland is gorgeous! G and I loved exploring the city as well as escaping to the coast and the gorge, especially since the rain stayed away all week (which is quite a miracle in April!).  

What are your favorite spring date ideas in (or around) your city? Be sure to visit Susannah's post for a myriad of ideas from other bloggers!