Portland advice

Consider staying at one of the McMennamins properties, like the Edgefield or Kennedy School, for at least a night or two:

https://www.mcmenamins.com/edgefield

https://www.mcmenamins.com/kennedy-school

Not sure about their pet policies though.  Otherwise, getting a dog friendly AirBnB in one of the close in east side neighborhoods would be the way to go to get a feel for the place.  

Plenty of great restaurants and food carts.  What sort of food do you like?     The food cart pods are fun.   Asylum on Hawthorne is one of the larger ones and offers a beer cart and a wide variety of street food from around the world.  

I don't have a dog, but people take their dogs off leash on some of the less crowded trails up in Forest Park.  You aren't supposed to let the dogs off leash, but people do it.   If your dog doesn't mind being on a leash, Tryon Creek State Park in the SW burbs near Lewis & Clark college is an excellent, mossy urban forest that makes for great hiking.

And if you haven't been there, the Oregon Coast is only an hour and half away and is a must see for visitors.  I highly recommend Oswald West State Park just south of Cannon Beach.  It has easy short hikes through old growth rainforest down to a picture perfect cove.   Also, dogs are allowed off leash on most Oregon beaches.    

Hey Canyon!  My email is in profile ... Tell me a little more about what area of town you want to be in and what type of food you enjoy, happy to send you some info.

Kennedy School is in a more convenient location than Edgefield. 

www.mcmenamins.com   they also have a phone app!

Soapstone Lake trail is another good hike near the coast... fewer people go there, too.

I'll be visiting Portland for a week in April. So, any recommendations for food/entertainment is also appreciated on my end.

^^^ Please send me an email and I'll reply off-thread.... 

Waterfalls;
https://www.oregonwaterfalls.net

Hot Springs;
https://soakoregon.com

Eats;
https://pdx.eater.com/maps/38-best-portland-oregon-restaurants

Concerts;
https://portlandconcerts2022.com

Local hikes;
https://www.travelportland.com/culture/favorite-hiking-spots-portland/
https://www.alltrails.com/us/oregon/portland

Oregon Gardens; (Silver Creek falls nearby)
https://www.oregongarden.org

Mt St Helens;
http://mountsthelens.com/mount_st_helens_national_park.html
https://www.parks.wa.gov/245/Mount-St-Helens
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/giffordpinchot/recreation

Silver Creek Falls S.P. >>> Oregon Garden.

^
I'll take nature over manmade any day, except for wineries...   wineries (and brew pubs / distilleries), a good wine is sometimes better than a fern or something mossy

Canyon, wishing you safe travels and fun times. If you're going south through Eugene and want to visit (details to be worked out), get in touch. I'd love to see you and the lovely L.

I had the best middle eastern food at a little place just across the river from downtown but can't remember the name (might have been Nicholas). I really enjoyed visiting Portland.

Really liked the Pearl District and the Lovejoy Columns.

>>>> (might have been Nicholas)

Yep.  Nicholas.   Best middle eastern food in town with ginormous portions made from the freshest ingredients.   The recently moved from their flagship location on Grand to another, larger place in the same part of town.   The original location was too small and they would jam diners together shoulder to shoulder in tiny tables overflowing with delicious mezzas and their fresh giant pitas straight from the oven.   The family has another location on East Broadway, which features a slightly different menu. 

>>>>>really interested in the waterfalls

Silver Falls State Park outside Salem. 

Also, if you go up to the Columbia River Gorge, consider skipping Multnomah Falls which can be a real zoo and parking nightmare.  Nearby Latourell Falls, Horsetail Falls, and Oneonta Gorge are just as cool, but have half the crowds.