Hike: Wildwood & Redwood Trail Loop
We headed to Washington Park to hike around the Hoyt Arboretum. It’s one of those trails that feels far from the city even though you’re still well within it. The Wildwood and Redwood Trail is a 3.6-mile loop that gives you a little bit of everything—fern-lined paths, towering firs, and a redwood grove. We found easy parking (pay to park) at the Hoyt Arboretum visitor center, where you’ll also find bathrooms if needed.
We hiked on a weekday, meaning fewer people and more of that calm, woodsy silence we always chase. The Redwood Deck near the start is worth lingering at—it’s a peaceful spot above the trail with some benches and a nice viewing area. It’s a short but rewarding loop, and we still managed to cross paths with a few trail puppies, always a highlight in our book.
Bite: Screen Door (Pearl District)
After the hike, we went to Screen Door for a late lunch. This place has been holding it down in Portland since 2006, first on the Eastside and then in the Pearl, built on a deep love for Southern cooking and the ritual of gathering around a table. It’s a spot that honors tradition but doesn’t feel stuck; they consistently put out good food.
We’ve been here many times (more than we care to admit), but this visit still hit all the right notes. We started with the pimento cheese and then moved into a whole spread—roasted carrots with dandelion greens, fried catfish, chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, and cornbread. The carrots were excellent, served over a leek soubise (a creamy sauce resembling macaroni and cheese sauce without cheese), which elevated the dish without overpowering it. The catfish was as reliable as ever, crispy on the outside, tender inside.
Chicken and waffles were precisely what they should be: juicy, well-seasoned, and paired with waffles sturdy enough to stand up to syrup. The mac and cheese came bubbling hot with a cheese crust just salty enough to balance the creamy pasta underneath. We finished with a slice of peanut butter chocolate pie on a chocolate cookie crust that hit all the right marks—silky, rich, but not overly sweet. Beer and kombucha rounded things out, but this one was about the food.
Service was dialed in, as always—friendly and fast, without feeling rushed. There’s a reason this place has become such a fixture. It’s easy to recommend because it never feels like it’s trying too hard. It just shows up every time. If you’re looking for a solid hike-and-a-bite pairing with heart, this loop and this lunch are hard to beat.