The Alberta Arts District is one of Portland’s most storied and beloved creative corridors, and that’s for good reason. As one of the oldest sections of Portland, the neighborhood has deep ties with the local Black community and is a hotbed for artisans across the creative disciplines. Alberta Street, the district’s central artery, is lined with vibrant murals like the one on The Black United Fund building and To Oregon with Love, as well as several eclectic art galleries like Alberta Street Gallery and Antler Gallery. The area is also home to quirky little book stores for every kind of reader like the tiny-but-mighty Parallel Worlds Bookshop and Vivienne Culinary Books, and a plethora of cafes and diverse restaurants to keep you good and fueled on your Arts District walk-about with the family. If you’re on the lookout for ways to get the kids in touch with their creative side, this Alberta Street itinerary is just your ticket.
Stop No. 1: Tin Shed Garden Cafe
But first, coffee. The Tin Shed Garden Cafe is one of the best breakfast spots in Alberta, with homemade biscuits, a very good vegan gravy and some of the best dog-watching in town. It gets very busy, so getting your name on the list as soon as possible is the best way to go. Expect a warm, convivial atmosphere thanks to the vibey brick fireplace and the exceptionally friendly service. If your furry friend is tagging along for the adventure, do note there’s even a dog-friendly section on the menu!
Stop No. 2: Green Bean Books
Not even a block up the street is Green Bean Books, a children’s bookstore tucked snugly into a red bungalow on the corner of Alberta Street and 16th. There’s a board book section for infant and toddler parents. And be sure to check out the ever-popular Magical Creatures and Peace, Kindness and Social Activism sections. There’s a lot to love about Green Bean Books, but the reason it’s a NE Portland staple is its community programming. Every Tuesday at 11 am, they host a weekly Story Time on the covered porch, where parents and their littles ages 0-4 seem to be the most popular attendees. They’ve also got lots of other events like reading with therapy dogs and a monthly Spanish Story Time.
Stop No. 3: Mimosa Studios
For parents with children who are a little older, Mimosa Studios is a great opportunity to get kids working creatively with their hands. Mimosa sells an inventory of unfinished pieces of pottery that guests can paint themselves. Popular options are coffee mugs, plates, figurines and ornaments. If someone has a birthday or special occasion coming up, a painted piece of original pottery would be a lovely, personalized gift option. They do take walk-ins, but reservations are highly encouraged because the studio fills up fast. After pieces of pottery are painted, Mimosa staff fire pieces in the on-site kiln. Your family’s creations can generally be picked up a week later. Pro tip: They also sell take home pottery painting kits, so be sure to ask about those.
Stop No. 4: Collage Art Supply
If you’re looking for a way to stoke your little one’s creative sensibilities, be sure to hop on over to Collage Art Supply for some supplies and materials for any at-home art projects. Popular supplies for younger artists are sticker book collections, embroidered notebooks for journaling, a floor-to-ceiling washi tape wall, the miniatures section for diorama-making, cool enameled pins, and crochet kits. Now that the weather is getting sunnier, you may even want to grab some good drawing paper and pastels for some creative time in the great outdoors. To that end, our last stop on the Alberta Street walk-about has got you covered.
Stop No. 5: Alberta Park
As a toddler-mom, I can’t reasonably plan outings without at least one solid park excursion up my sleeve. And what child (or parent?) won’t benefit from an hour in green space after strolling Portland’s favorite arts district? Alberta Park has a great rolling lawn for picnics, so consider grabbing some crackers, fruit and cheeses from the Alberta Co-op for lunch. The trees in this park are especially tall and offer plenty of luxurious shade on sunny days. Be sure to take your budding herbalists to the native plant walk in the middle of the space right near the jungle gym. There’s also a basketball court, tennis court, and a fabulous tree-covered dog park for the animal lovers in your crew. This green space has a fun array of slides and a terrific play fort for the active littles. Pro tip: If you need a pick-me-up before loading your kids back in the car and heading home for the day, Extracto Coffee House is on the east side of the park and stays open until 2 pm.
Want even more family-friendly neighborhood itineraries? Head to Foster Powell for some tasty bagels, new games and toys, a scoop of ice cream and more. Or visit Woodstock for a cool, kid-friendly hair salon, consignment shopping and a food cart pod in a renovated bank building.