Enjoy a warm croissant and caffeinate for the day at Lovejoy Bakers. Grab a seat, people-watch and and have numerous refills of their Stumptown coffee.

Take a breath at this gem of a natural space, which fuses a wetlands conservatory with urban architectural elements. A quiet and peaceful spot perfect for contemplation.

A trip to Portland is never complete without a visit to the world's largest independent bookstore, Powell's. Get lost in a sea of books spanning an entire city block, the stuff literary geeks' dreams are made of. You'll likely find me nestled in the stacks of the Purple Room, paging through an existentialist paperback. Make sure to check out the Rare Books room and marvel at the first edition of the Hobbit.

Record nerds - hightail it over to Jackpot Records and joyfully peruse their carefully curated selection. I once came here three days in a row, not sure if I managed to weird out the employees. Made one of my all time best record discoveries here, a double-LP 1970's italian "cinematic listening experience."

Catch a flick at Living Room Theaters, an independent cinema located just across the street from Powell's. Grab a drink at the bar and enjoy a swanky moviegoing experience.

Hang with friends and try some of Portland's finest craft brews at Bridgeport. This pub is located in a lofted, modern space that still manages to feel cozy and inviting... must be all those friendly Oregonians.

Get a taste of Portland's eclectic music scene at the Crystal Ballroom- an absurdly beautiful venue with consistently awesome lineups. Bonus: the wooden floors have springs underneath, so it bounces when things get a little raucous.