Dave Killen/The Oregonian

35 ways to have the best Portland staycation ever

It's finally spring, which means it's time to get out of the house, mothball that winter coat and remember why Portland's one of the most popular destinations in America. You don't have to be a tourist (or a California transplant) to experience the city with fresh eyes: there's so much great stuff in Portland that keeping up with what's new is practically a full-time job. But even lifelong Portlanders can't do everything: we're guessing there's a beer you've missed, a park that needs hiking or another 101 restaurants left on your bucket list. Here's our guide to get started on some of our Portland favorites.

-- David Greenwald

dgreenwald@oregonian.com

503-294-7625; @davidegreenwald

Instagram: Oregonianmusic

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Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

Get lost at Powell's

With over a million books covering a full downtown block, there have to be a few corners of the essential Portland book store that you haven't explored yet. Hate parking downtown? Visit the smaller, but no less curated, Southeast Hawthorne edition.

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Ross William Hamilton

Hand over the keys for a brewery bus tour

The tour guides at Brewvana know Portland beer as well as anyone: focus on the hops and let 'em take you to all the good spots.

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Beth Nakamura

Strip down at Sauvie Island's nude beach

Forgot about summer bikini bodies: wear whatever you want, or don't, at Collins Beach, Portland's own little slice of sandy freedom.

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Amy Mintonye/Pittock Mansion

Enjoy the view at Pittock Mansion

A tour of the century-old historic house offers a window into Portland history, but the view from one of the city's best lookout points is free.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Take a hike up Mount Tabor

There are a number of routes up Portland's own inactive volcano, for hardcore hikers and weekend strollers alike—and plenty of kid-friendly playgrounds along the way.

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Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

Get the modern marijuana experience at Farma

The Southeast recreational shop is the Apple Store of recreational weed—and if that's not hippie enough for you, head to Kaleafa for a relaxed vibe and $1 gram Mondays and Tuesdays.

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Stephanie Yao Long

Go on a relaxing tea adventure

Love caffeine, but also herbs and being calm? Portland has your back, and an influential tea scene. Pick any of our 10 favorite places and take a nice deep breath.

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John M. Vincent

Drink Adam on tap at Hair of the Dog

One of Portland's foundational breweries still makes its original beer, an international-grade Old World Ale that should make brewers anywhere jealous.

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Sneak upstairs at the Upper Lip

If the bar's too busy at Bailey's Taproom, that's just fine: the owners are hiding a few of their best beers in the back upstairs at the no-advertising Upper Lip. Don't tell them we sent you.

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Eat an authentic taco at Nayar

Not Austin-style. Not fusion. Not "modern" or "contemporary." Just delicious.

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Brittany Greeson/The Oregonian

Catch a classic movie at the Hollywood Theatre

The nonprofit cinema is one of our favorite art-house theaters, with affordable tickets, comfortable seats, beer on tap and a healthy appreciate for both 70mm and kung fu.

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Pretend you're in New York at Kornblatt's deli

Take it from a Jew from Los Angeles: this is the best pastrami sandwich in town. And the bagels!

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Get on the magic bus

Portland is packed with cannabis bus tours, from High 5 to BridgeTown to the Canna Bus. Or you could just stay home and watch '90s cartoons again.

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Prep for hipster camping

Pick up a sleeping bag you can wear (!) at Poler Stuff, or stock up on gear you can actually afford at Next Adventure.

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Randy L. Rasmussen

Expand your comics collection at Floating World

The downtown store is an indie reader's dream, and they sell a few records, too.

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Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Do some 8-bit drinking at Ground Kontrol and Quarterworld

Yes, Portland has more than one retro video game bar. Bring some friends—that "X-Men" game isn't going to stop Magneto by itself.

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Check out Jamie xx's favorite record store in America

Pick yourself up some rare blues or folk from Mississippi Records, which specializes in reissues made with care, or visit any of our 10 picks from Portland's saturated vinyl scene.

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Stephanie Yao Long

Take your kids to the brewery

Portland has dozens of family-friendly beer bars, breweries and brewpubs—from 10 Barrel to Zoiglhaus. Check out our full list.

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Drink for a good cause

Ex Novo Brewing claims to be America's first nonprofit brewery—and it's not far from possibly the world's first nonprofit pub, the Oregon Public House, which lets you choose where your charity money goes. Mmm, generosity.

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Get sticky at Fifty Licks

Southeast Clinton's little ice cream shop doesn't have Salt and Straw's lines, but creamy classics from the Thai Rice Pudding to Chocolate as @#$& are just as tasty and inventive.

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Samantha Bakall/The Oregonian

Embrace the donut at Tonalli's

We love Voodoo. We love Blue Star. This might be a crazy thing to say, but most donuts are good! That Tonalli's deep-fried banana, though? Come on.

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Absorb some art at Land

Forget the museums: Portland is dotted with indie galleries like this one, full of local talent and prints that need to be in your living room immediately.

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Get that project done at Southeast Grind

On deadline? Portland has a 24-hour coffee shop.

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Randy L. Rasmussen

Melt down with Portland chocolate

Cacao isn't just a "Portlandia" joke. Start there, and get to The Meadow for a selection that would make Willie Wonka giddy.

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Stephanie Yao Long

Get cosmic at McMenamins

That quirky, historic-looking bar you keep walking by? It was probably a building saved by McMenamins, which operates concert venues, pubs, and theaters across Portland (and Oregon, too). The Bagdad Theatre, Crystal Ballroom, Edgefield Winery and the rest are hard to miss, but if their psychedelic vibes are your bag, you can score discounts and prizes with every visit with a McMenamins Passport.

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David Greenwald/The Oregonian

Experience Portland music history at Crystal Ballroom

Over 100 years old and counting, the once-controversial venue makes every show a little bouncier with its unique floating floor.

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Randy L. Rasmussen

Do a food cart feast

Whether at Southeast 12th and Hawthorne's Cartopia, downtown's massive Alder Street Food Cart Pod or beyond, the Portland cart scene remains diverse, innovative, and reassuringly cheap.

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Get fashionable on Southeast Hawthorne

Go designer at stores such as Altar, Mink, or Communion, or hop into the thrift shops down the block for sneaky deals.

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Stephanie Yao Long

Treat yourself to a nice dinner

Looking for a new spot? Here are the best 101, ranked—from longtime Portland favorites such as Le Pigeon to palate-pleasing newcomers such as Coquine.

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Stephanie Yao Long

Become a whiskey librarian

Multnomah Whiskey Library has dozens of noteworthy libations on the shelf, and they don't even charge late fees.

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David Greenwald | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Shuffle through Portland's restaurants for music lovers

From Sweedeedee to the Waiting Room, Portland is full of cafes, coffee shops and restaurants inspired by great music—you might even see the songwriter who inspired them show up for brunch.

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David Greenwald/The Oregonian

See the next big thing at Mississippi Studios

If your friends are always telling you about cool new bands, beat 'em to the playlist: this is where some of the most exciting young musicians on tour (or in Portland) get their start, every night of the week.

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Kristyna Wentz-Graff/Staff

Look down from the 4T Trail

Heading out from the Oregon Zoo, the hike will take you up to Council Crest Park, Portland's highest point, and back down the hill for a ride on the Portland Aerial Tram.

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Kristyna Wentz-Graff

Pick up your Distillery Passport

For a trip to the seven stores of inner Southeast's Distillery Row, the $20 passport will cover tasting fees and other discounts at the likes of House Spirits and more.

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Janet Eastman/The Oregonian

Commune with nature at the Portland Japanese Garden

One of the city's prettiest places will open for spring on April 2 with a new garden spaces and a major expansion, Cultural Crossing.