Address: 529 NW 23rd Ave
Pricing: N/A
Phone: N/A
Hours: N/A
How To Get There:
From downtown Portland:
Take Burnside west to NW 23rd Ave. and turn right.
By public transit:
Served by TriMet Route #14 from downtown Portland as well as the Portland Street Car.
Parking:Street parking is available
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The Alphabet District: A neighborhood with fun from A to Z
May 31, 2010
Even if you have never been to the Rose City, chances are the names Flanders, Lovejoy, and Quimby ring a bell. These names made famous by the long-running Simpsons television show are just one of the ways the Alphabet District is such an endearing part of Portland. Combined with delicious restaurants and a plethora of shopping, the district is a perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon.
Located northwest of downtown, it has a different look from the shiny downtown corridor and the “organic” feel of Southeast Portland. This neighborhood has a modern vibe with new shops and condos populating the area.
The Alphabet District is known by many names, including simply Northwest 23rd, for the busy 23rd Avenue, as well as Nob Hill. It received its name since the district's streets run alphabetically from south to north. The creator of the Simpsons television program, Matt Groening, grew up in Portland and used many of this neighborhood's street names as last names for his show's characters.
To get a true feel for the neighborhood, grab a coffee or tea at one of the many cafes lining 23rd Avenue. With ample outdoor seating, you can relax and take in your surroundings.
For those looking for shopping, NW 23rd and 21st avenues are lined with choices. The neighborhood offers a good mix of local shops and national chain stores. One of the lesser-known highlights is the Pop-Up Shoppe, a new vintage clothing store.
If you are in Portland during the holiday season, plan a trip to the Alphabet District. You can be sure to cross almost everyone off your list in one afternoon. Whether it is homemade children’s toys, scented soaps, or even expensive kitchenwares, the Alphabet District has a shop for you.
For food, there are plenty of choices. You can grab a low key slice of pizza from Escape From New York Pizza or have a more upscale dining experience at 23Hoyt.
If it is a sunny day, there are plenty of nearby parks to throw around Frisbee, lounge in the sun or just have a quiet picnic. A local’s favorite is Couch Park, located on 19th Ave and Glisan. Its central location makes it a perfect spot to relax after exploring downtown Portland.
HelloMetro Tip: Looking for a fun evening event? Nearby PGE Park hosts the Portland Timbers’ soccer club, Portland Beavers baseball, and Portland University football. All of the games are reasonably priced and promise a good time.
- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro
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William CraneWilliam Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues.
Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.
