When I moved from Philadelphia to the other coast, I thought I'd never find anything as cool as South Street---an artsy little district where people of all types mingled and coexisted peacefully in the midst of funky, little shops.
Portland's Hawthorne district cured me.
It's a fabulous place -- narrow streets lined with tiny, independent shops (you won't find a Blockbuster here, though I believe there's a Starbucks if you crave a little bit of mass-marketed coffee while shopping). It is mainly geared for those with a disposable income -- however, the people milling about don't seem to know that, or care. It's a very accepting place.
Some of the things along Hawthorne that you can't miss:
- The Ben & Jerry's store, brightly painted with cow print, featuring ice cream to die for.
- The Witch Shop, across the street, which has handcrafted items and books for the earth-loving goddess in all of us
- The Cigar Bar, next to the Bagdad, where you can sample your favorite smokey treat.
- The Bagdad Theater, which is an old movie theater converted into a theater/pizza place. Eat from your seat in the movie -- most shows are between $1 and $3. At night, it's 21 & older, so you can have a beer with your pizza.
The Hawthorne is a must-see while you're here.