Shopping in Portland Oregon can be an inviting endeavor, especially since the state doesn't have a sales tax. What you see on the price tag for any given item is what you pay at the register. This is part of the reason why many residents of Washington state cross over the Columbia River to do some serious shopping. In addition to not having to pay sales tax, those who go shopping in Portland Oregon will enjoy a wonderful mix of stores. At least a few Portland shopping malls offer multiple shops under one roof, while a number of department stores and independent boutiques dot the landscape, only adding to the options. Throw in the local markets and antique stores, and you have yourself one excellent shopping destination.

When it comes to the Portland shopping malls, there are a few that can adequately cure the shopping bug. They include the Pioneer Place Mall and the Lloyd Center Portland. The former can be found near the Pioneer Courthouse Square and offers an upscale collection of shops for visitors to choose from. These shops, many of which you won't find anywhere else in the state, are spread out over four city blocks and can be found in a series of buildings that are interconnected with skywalks. Shoes, high-end clothing, jewelry, toys, and just about everything else that you could want to buy are on sale at the Pioneer Place Mall and a fine collection of restaurants provide ideal places to break for a while. You can also visit the mall's cinema and watch a movie when looking for things to do.

The Lloyd Center Portland is the largest mall in the Rose City, and you can find it on the northeast side at 2201 Lloyd Center. Common mall stores mix with some more unique shops at the Lloyd Center, and when you're not shopping, you can entertain the option of taking a spin (or a fall) on the ice rink. As is true of the Pioneer Place Mall, the Lloyd Center Portland also offers a cinema where you can expect to catch the latest flicks, so it can be easy to spend at least a few hours there. As for some of the other Portland shopping malls that you might keep in mind when looking to make a day of it, they include the Washington Square Mall to the south of Downtown Portland and the Clackamas Town Center, which is also on the south side. The Washington Square Mall is slightly more high-end than the Clackamas Town Center if you are in the market for high-end goods.

Portland Map

When Downtown Portland shopping is the aim, the various shops that are spread out over the blocks around the Pioneer Courthouse Square offer an all around upscale appeal. This is the heart of the downtown shopping scene. When you're not hitting the downtown shops while shopping in Portland Oregon, you might head up to the Pearl District. This neighborhood begins where the northern side of the downtown area ends, so it is very easy to find. Hip is a word that could be used to describe the Pearl District and its shops, as is upscale. Most of the best shops are found along NW 10th Street and NW 11th Street. Not far from the Pearl District, the Nob Hill neighborhood offers a similar shopping and entertainment experience. You can find some popular chain brand stores in the Pearl District and in Nob Hill, but it's the trendy boutiques that are arguably most interesting.

There are shops and stores to fit every taste and preference when it comes to shopping in Portland Oregon. The Hawthorne District, for example, offers some funky shops with a counterculture appeal, while the Sellwood/Westmoreland neighborhood is the place to go for antiques. Art galleries abound in the Downtown and Pearl districts, and if you like books, this area is also home to famous Powell's Books. Souvenirs and arts and crafts are on sale at the also renowned Portland Saturday Market, making a trip to the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood worth considering.