10.10.2024

Today’s Forecast

72º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:21 a.m. | Sunset 6:33 p.m.
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Unique places to stay in Portland

A view of the inside of the "Magic Barn" Vrbo listing shows a wood-paneled studio-style space with vintage kitchen appliances and furnishings, a plant growing near a skylight, and exposed beams with vaulted ceilings.

Love the sound of The Magic Barn but need some extra space? You can also rent The Magic House. | Photo via Vrbo

We all need a staycation or a trip to a different city from time to time. Whether you’re a Portlander feeling a little cooped up or a visitor looking for a special Bridge City experience, picking the perfect home away from home is crucial.

We went looking for unique lodgings around town that showcase that “keep Portland weird” spirit. So choose your ideal digs, pack your bags, and get ready for a memorable getaway.

Cabin fever

Magic Barn | Hawthorne neighborhood
Originally built in 1936, this detached unit was a sculpture artist’s studio before being converted into a unique dwelling featuring old growth barn wood. Its history is on display in the outdoor sculpture garden; inside, a small kitchen, vintage furnishings, and a wood stove set a cozy mood.

A narrow, two-story building with a flat roof. Ivy covers the front of the building, turning red during fall. Patio tables line the street in front of the doors. — From eerie ghost stories to tales of patrons being shanghaied via underground tunnels, the White Eagle Saloon & Hotel has a past that’s overflowing with murky lore.
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Photo by @trinnadeleon via @mcmenamins

Hideaways with history

McMenamins White Eagle Saloon & Hotel | Eliot neighborhood
Since the turn of the century, this building has been a popular local hangout for both the living and the dead. Guests and employees have reported paranormal experiences, so if you’re into haunted history, this is the place for you.

The Royal Scott Double Decker Bus | Russell neighborhood
Hop aboard this 1953 commuter bus from Manchester, England, which locals will remember as the former home of the Grilled Cheese Grill. It’s now a tiny home on wheels, complete with a kitchenette, artwork, composting toilet, and lounge areas.

The deck of a floating home hovers over a green-colored river near a bank lined with deciduous trees and bushes. Two blue folding chairs sit on the deck. — This is the perfect jumping-off point for a self-guided wildlife safari, waterway edition.
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Photo via Airbnb

Retreats on the water

Floating Home on the Columbia River | Vancouver, WA
Said to be a “Twilight” filming location, this buoyant getaway offers seclusion and relaxation while being mere minutes from the city. Paddle along the river in one of the home’s provided kayaks or paddleboards — or BYOB (that’s “bring your own boat”).

Willamette River Yacht | Milwaukie
Stay on a 55-ft yacht with three bedrooms, a living room, and an upper deck. Guests can add a private cruise to their stay for an additional fee.

17 more spots

Asked

Do you prefer a “do nothing” vacation or a “do something” vacation?

Do nothing — “I want to relax.”
Do something — “Bring on the adventure.”

Share your getaway goal

Events

Thursday, Oct. 10

South Waterfront Farmers Market | Thursday, Oct. 10 | 2-7 p.m. | Elizabeth Caruthers Park | Free | Shop for locally grown fruit + veggies, meats, and hot foods, or simply wind down your day with live music in an open-air setting.
BODYTRAFFIC | Thursday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Newmark Theatre | $6+ | See the Los Angeles-based dance company’s White Bird debut, featuring contemporary performances showcasing “visionary, bold, extraordinary talent.”
Mel Brown B3 Organ Group | Thursday, Oct. 10 | 8 p.m. | Jack London Revue | $15+ | If you’ve never seen a show by this jazz band composed of Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductees, this is your sign to do so.

Friday, Oct. 11

Dashboard Confessional | Friday, Oct. 11 | 6:30 p.m. | McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove | $38+ | This emo alternative rock band is hands down one of the biggest groups from the early 2000s — devout fans, get ready to feel vindicated.
“Hansel and Gretel” | Friday, Oct. 11-Saturday, Oct. 12 | Times vary | Keller Auditorium | $32+ | Get swept into this dark and timeless tale of survival, wit, teamwork, and hope presented in ballet format with an original score.

Saturday, Oct. 12

Portland Arbor Day Celebration | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Glenfair Park | Free | Join the city’s annual celebration of trees featuring bucket truck rides, local food, arts + crafts, tree planting, and yard tree giveaways (advanced registration required).
Intro to Mime, A Two-Day Intensive | Saturday, Oct. 12-Sunday, Oct. 13 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Curious Comedy Theater | $150 | Instructor Sule Gurbuz distills 40 years of experience into this two-day workshop where attendees will hone (or discover) their physical storytelling abilities.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Real Estate

Two of the Pearl District’s five Brewery Blocks have new owners. California-based Menlo Equities paid $21 million to acquire Block 1, which includes a Whole Foods Market as well as office + residential space; local Guardian Real Estate Services and national investor PCCP bought the Louisa Apartments for $80 million. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Development

Construction on a new affordable housing community in Milwaukie is underway. Three buildings with a combined 275 affordable homes will be built in the Ardenwald neighborhood at a cost of $147.6 million, partially funded by a voter-approved Metro housing bond. Developers expect the project to take two years. (Portland Business Journal)

Biz

Efforts to entice more companies to fill vacant office space in Portland’s central business district have seen some successes. According to real estate research firm JLL, the companies with the largest leases so far this year include eBay, Hoka, Tesla, Collins Aerospace, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. (KGW + Portland Business Journal)

Number

$1 million. That’s how much NBA legend Michael Jordan donated to Portland’s Providence Heart Institute. The money will help fund the creation of a new center where doctors aim to improve early diagnoses of cardiac amyloidosis, a disease disproportionately impacting Black communities, and thus improve healthcare equity. (Portland Business Journal)

Listen

Three local music businesses joined forces to form a hub for Portland musicians and pave the way to long-term stability. Eastside Guitar Repair and Hank’s Music Exchange now share Rhythm Traders’ building in Northeast Portland’s King neighborhood. Hear the owners’ hopes for the new “MLK Music Mall.” (OPB)

Outdoors

Squirrels and rain. Those are the two biggest concerns on Rob Baur’s mind as he and his family raced to harvest their first crop of hazelnuts from their farm in Ridgefield. The nuts produced by Baurs Corner Farm’s 3,100 trees will eventually become hazelnut butter and Nutella. (The Columbian)

Sports

NBA.com’s annual GM survey gave a nod to Donovan Clingan, including him in a roundup of rookies with the potential to become “the best player in five years.” Get the biggest stories every day from the local Trail Blazers experts with Locked On’s daily podcasts. (NBA.com)

Seasonal

You’re invited to get lost in acres of corn on Sauvie Island every Friday + Saturday night this month. Beware… dark ghouls, goblins, zombies, and crazed farmers will stalk you as you make your way through Bella Organic Farm’s Haunted Corn Maze. Are you brave enough to take on the challenge, Portland?*

Arts

🎨 New art incoming

Portland Art Museum to add hundreds of new pieces to its permanent collection

People stand in a large indoor gallery space that features a single, one-dimensional art display of a hyper-saturated image merging familiar film characters with fantastical set pieces, transforming them into infinitely looping memes trapped in time.

“Heaven’s Gate” by Marco Brambilla, displayed here in London, will be adapted + displayed in the New Media gallery on the lower level of PAM’s Main Building. | Photo by Leon Neal, courtesy of Marco Brambilla Studio and bitforms gallery

When the Portland Art Museum debuts its expanded and renovated campus in late 2025, it will include nearly 100,000 sqft of new or upgraded public and gallery space. That means a lot more room for new art.

PAM’s permanent collection will add nearly 300 major new pieces by artists like Jeffrey Gibson, Simone Leigh, Ugo Rondinone, Wendy Red Star, Pedro Reyes, Marie Watt, and Carrie Mae Weems. Rare and never-before-exhibited art will also be on view.

Diverging from traditional chronological and geography-based curation, the galleries will focus on “thematic displays” that foster a sense of storytelling and encourage viewers to see new connections and perspectives.

“The newly unveiled galleries will invite our community to see themselves in our collection, highlighting the myriad identities that make up the Pacific Northwest and presenting works by generations of nationally renowned artists who have drawn inspiration from Oregon’s natural beauty and Portland’s creative culture,” said PAM Director Brian Ferriso.

The Buy

Suede Chelsea boots — they’re the perfect fall/winter staple for your closet that offers you comfortable wear with ankle support and a slim silhouette.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

I’m back after taking a little trip down south to New Orleans, where I gawked at Garden District architecture, rode the world’s oldest continuously operating streetcar line, dug deep into WWII history, and practiced social distancing from alligators. An unexpected souvenir is my new obsession with beignets — do you know where I can find some?

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