Margaret Seiler loves to write about local politics, history, sports (from the Thorns to Tonya Harding), and her hobby of extreme transit. A longtime copy editor, she also helps keep Portland Monthly clear, readable, and grammatically correct. The native Kentuckian landed in Oregon after youth-hostelling her way around the continent (before cell phones!) and worked at Willamette Week and the Portland Tribune before joining Portland Monthly in 2010. She lives in North Portland with her family.

Superfan

At Chin’s Kitchen in Hollywood, It’s Always Soup Season

Patrick Herlihy is working his way through the menu at the Chinese restaurant, but a steaming bowl is a must.

09/12/2025 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Michael Raines

Big Brains

Your Ultimate Portland Bar Trivia Guide

Where to get your brain workout (almost) every night of the week.

09/09/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Swimming

Portland Hotels with Outdoor Pools for Summer Splashing

Why should tourists have all the fun? Avoid the city's overcrowded public pools by treating yourself to a lil' staycation.

08/26/2025 By Margaret Seiler and Isabel Lemus Kristensen

PDX Index

Portland Public Schools’ Numbers Problems

The new bond will help school buildings, but will there be enough kids to fill them?

08/25/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Transit Trip

We Took the New North Coast Express Bus to Rockaway Beach

This summer weekend bus heads straight for Oregon Coast hits like Tillamook and Cannon Beach. We had the cushy coach practically to ourselves.

08/21/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Summer Weekends

Portland Staycation: Dinner and a Movie (and a Swim)

Craft a dreamy weekend out of the house without leaving the metro area.

07/21/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Property Watch: Downtown Skyscraper Big Pink Is for Sale

The US Bancorp Tower is an elder millennial ready for its next chapter.

06/20/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Superfan

At the Nite Hawk, the Patty Melt Is Perfect Every Time

The cooks may change over the years, but Terrance Moses says his sandwich never does.

06/16/2025 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Michael Raines

Transit Trip

How to Camp Without a Car Close to Portland

Go glamping by bus, or bring your own tent for a car-free getaway.

06/03/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Index

The Goonies Turns 40

A look at the numbers behind the Oregon-shot classic.

05/28/2025 By Alex Frane and Margaret Seiler

Real Estate

Portland Neighborhoods by the Numbers 2025

Home sale prices, rent costs, commuting habits, and demographic info for every neighborhood, from Buckman to Bridlemile, Hillsdale to Humboldt.

04/14/2025 Edited by Margaret Seiler With Owen Scholes and David Banis

Real Estate

Portland Suburbs by the Numbers 2025

Home sales prices, rent costs, demographics, and walkability for Portland's suburbs.

04/14/2025 Edited by Margaret Seiler With Owen Scholes and David Banis

Transit Trip

An Escape to Estacada on TriMet’s Southernmost Bus

A lakeshore stroll, murals galore, doughnuts made with love, and shouts of ‘fore!’

04/02/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Way Out West

Neighborhood Guide: Orenco Station

Part Portland, part Truman Show, this master-planned Hillsboro hood is all grown up.

03/18/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Plague

Please Don’t Give Me Norovirus

A layperson’s tips on how to stop the spread of the vomit-diarrhea nightmare. (Hint: Laundry is dangerous.)

01/23/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Transit Trip

We Took the Bus to the Oregon Coast for a Car-Free Getaway

Bar trivia, a tunnel to a hidden beach, steaming chowder, and wild-yeast beer are just a $25 round-trip bus ticket away.

01/21/2025 By Margaret Seiler

Oregon Trails

Step Inside the Oregon Coast’s Historic Bowling Alleys

Life’s a beach. Then you bowl.

01/07/2025 By Margaret Seiler Illustrations by Jordan Kay

Deep Fake

We Took a Spin Around OMSI’s Plastic Ice Rink

The Swiss-made synthetic surface is Glice, Glice, baby.

12/17/2024 By Margaret Seiler

Transit Trip

We (Eventually) Rode the Current to Downtown Ridgefield

It took a couple of tries.

12/09/2024 By Margaret Seiler

Shopping

9 Portland-Area Malls, Ranked

Pioneer Place, Clackamas Town Center, Washington Square, and more—which ones are retail heaven, and which should come with a sad trombone?

11/20/2024 Edited by Margaret Seiler By Portland Monthly Staff