Though the main attractions are the castle-like reflective depths of the Mt Tabor Park’s reservoirs and the peaceful hiking trails that wind their way around the namesake park/dormant volcano, the surrounding neighborhood itself has a lot to offer. Quiet and tucked away, the park (also equipped with an outdoor amphitheater, tennis courts, and two dog parks) is surrounded by stately homes. Travel down Burnside for some jerk chicken from Jamaican eatery Jamrock or a famous apple fritter from Donut Queen.

Jump across to Stark to up your style at Béla Hair Studio, strengthen your core at Genuine Movement Pilates, and then get professional photos of said core at Something Blue Photography. The landmark Portland Nursery offers a plant for everyone with its sprawling indoor and outdoor greenery selections; knowledgeable staff are happy to download their encyclopedic plant know-how. Cruise down SE Belmont, where you can enjoy a romantic date at Coquine, a high-end-but-modest neighborhood restaurant tucked away on a park-bordering block. Enjoy upscale delicacies such as smoked trout roe or chicken liver mousse, or, if you’d rather take it home, consider joining their Farm Direct Pickup, getting groceries straight from the farms Coquine partners with. 

The upper reaches of Hawthorne Boulevard offer a serene stroll through Western Seminary’s campus, unbeatable rosemary focaccia at Tabor Bread, and extra-hipster caffeine at Albina Press. Come nightfall, enjoy small bites at the Sapphire Hotel, a self-proclaimed “sexy cocktail bar,” or hit up Apizza Scholls for what many still consider the city’s best pizza, even after all these years and umpteen new competitors. Post-pizza, blow your laundry quarters at retro-groovy QuarterWorld Arcade, or sample the hyperlocal flavors at the Ruby Jewel ice cream parlor. And remember all those questions you had about kayaks and canoes? Answer them all at the Lincoln Street Kayak and Canoe Museum.