Hawthorne District

Overview

The Hawthorne District along SE Hawthorne Boulevard is Portland's bohemian heartland — a quirky stretch of vintage shops, independent cafés, and counterculture boutiques in the inner southeast. It epitomizes the city's "Keep Portland Weird" ethos.

Highlights

• Vintage Shopping: Dozens of vintage and thrift stores line the boulevard.
• Baghdad Theater: A 1927 movie palace that screens films with McMenamins craft beer and pizza.
• Counterculture Vibe: Crystal shops, tarot readers, and radical bookstores share space with artisan coffee.

History

Hawthorne has been an alternative commercial corridor since the 1960s and 1970s, attracting hippies, artists, and activists. McMenamins' conversion of the 1927 Baghdad Theater in 1991 anchored the district's identity.

Visitor Tips

• Browse between SE 30th and SE 45th for the densest concentration of shops.
• Catch a movie at the Baghdad — the theater-and-pub format is uniquely Portland.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.