At the gateway to Northeast Portland you can find one of the funky-chic shopping districts that Portland is famous for. North Mississippi Avenue offers a hipster-friendly assortment of trendy boutiques and restaurants. Find plentiful cheap eats, satisfy your sweet tooth with artisan ice cream, and sip cocktails at a local pub.
The Boise-Eliot neighborhood, where North Mississippi Avenue is situated, has been reshaped by urban renewal and gentrification over decades. The infusion of apartment buildings and condos has led to displacement, and the plentiful shops and eateries of North Mississippi represent the increasingly chic neighborhood character.
You should walk North Mississippi Avenue to take it all in. This is the place to buy (and eat) local. You can find numerous independent businesses here offering everything from encyclopedic selections of lightbulbs to high-end coffee equipment. Continue your walk along nearby North Williams Avenue and you may eat so well you'll cancel your return flight.
Plan to spend time between Fremont Street and North Skidmore; walking is the best way to explore. As finding parking can be tough around North Mississippi Avenue, your best bet is to take public transit. Ride the #4 bus from Downtown Portland—it picks up near Chapman Square—and hop off along North Mississippi when you feel inspired.
Although this bustling stretch offers something to do day and night (some bars stay open until 2:30am), shoppers should arrive during the day, and bon vivants later in the evening. If you're visiting in July you can attend the Mississippi Avenue Street Fair, and art fans should visit on the second Thursday of the month, when galleries premier new shows.
Don't miss the chance to eat on Mississippi Avenue. Although the restaurants are top-notch, the food carts are truly epic. These tiny mobile kitchens are known to deliver culinary feats. On North Mississippi, head to Prost Marketplace. Visit the bar's food cart pod and pair your meal with a pint. You can also take the guesswork out of a foodie excursion by taking a food tour with a guide, to locate the area's hidden spots.