Discover Portland's Mississippi Neighborhood
Home to live music, locally owned shops, and unique bars
Trendy North Mississippi Avenue is in the Boise-Eliot neighborhood. Bordered by the Overlook, Humboldt, King, and Eliot neighborhoods, North Mississippi is centrally located for convenient commuting to Vancouver or Downtown Portland. This street is also close to other exciting areas, like the Alberta Arts District and up-and-coming North Williams Avenue, so it’s the perfect home base for exploring.
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Mississippi Neighborhood Real Estate
Homes in Boise-Eliot range from charming Victorian cottages to Craftsman to East Portland styles that have plenty of historic character. And don’t forget about the new urban-style lofts for those who want something a little more modern. This neighborhood gives you the best of urban living, cultural diversity, and small-town community.
3939 North Mississippi Avenue
Walker’s Paradise
It’s no surprise that home prices have gone sky-high over the past several years. This neighborhood is in demand and the real estate prices show it! Apartments and rental homes are pricier in this area when compared to other parts of Portland.
NORTH MISSISSIPPI AVENUE
Date Night: Eat & Drink
Ready for a night out? There are plenty of options in North Mississippi, whether you love live music, romantic dinners, or unique shopping. Plan your date night with some of our favorite options!
Mississippi Pizza: Music, trivia and other all-ages events featured at this cozy pizzeria that includes a lounge, and vegan and gluten-free pies.
Service Options: Dine-In · Curbside Pickup
Address: 3552 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227
503-288-3231 | Website | Menu
Ecliptic Brewing: Modern brewpub serving seasonal salads, burgers, and sandwiches along with a variety of craft beers.
Service Options: Dine In · Take Out · No Delivery
Address: 825 N Cook St, Portland, OR 97227
503-265-8002 | Website | Menu
Prost!: Warm pub with communal tables and a patio serving hard-to-find German beers, sausages, and pretzels.
Service Options: Dine In · Take Out · No Delivery
Address: 4237 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
503-954-2674 | Website | Menu
The People’s Pig: Known for its smoked meat sandwiches, this chill BBQ joint has classic sides, plus beer and cocktails.
Service Options: Dine In · Curbside Pickup · No-Contact Delivery
Address: 3217 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227
503-282-2800 | Website | Menu
Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty: Lively setting for wood-fired pies, plus other casual eats including salads and housemade ice cream. Woman-owned business by two sisters.
Service Options: Take Out · No Dine In · No Delivery
StormBreaker Brewing: Welcoming and comfortable destination for enjoying delicious beers, tasty food, and friendly company.
Service Options: Dine-In · Curbside Pickup · Delivery
Address: 832 N Beech St, Portland, OR 97227
Stem Wine Bar: Upscale wine bar in the heart of N. Mississippi Ave.
Service Options: Dine-In · Curbside Pickup · No-Contact Delivery
Mee-Sen Thai Eatery: Creative Thai dishes and cocktails are the draw at this hip hideaway with funky, reclaimed-wood décor.
Service Options: Dine-In · Take Out · Delivery
The neighborhood is full of families and young people alike, and it’s welcoming towards all. With a strong sense of community, the area is walkable and safe.
Schools
Boise-Eliot/Humboldt Elementary School: 620 N Fremont St, Portland, OR 97227
503-916-6171 | Website
Harriet Tubman Middle School: 2231 N Flint Ave, Portland, OR 97227
503-916-5630 | Website
Jefferson High School: 5210 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97217
503-916-5180 | Website
Neighborhood Events
Celebrate community throughout the year at a variety of fun, family-friendly events. Check out 2nd Thursdays, which feature local artwork and the annual Mississippi Street Fair, held in July.
These events bolster local businesses and organizations while showcasing the neighborhood’s incredible food, music, and art offerings.
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NORTH MISSISSIPPI AVENUE
Shopping & Businesses
From gifts to home décor, there are plenty of local shops and businesses to check out!
Pistils Nursery: Small nursery carrying exotic and everyday plants, terrariums, urban farm supplies, and gifts.
Bridge City Comics: Cute bookshop featuring new and used graphic novels, comic-sized bags, and boxes in gallery like environs.
Mississippi Records: Record store and label. Founded by Eric Isaacson in 2003 and houses a café, equipment repair shop, and the Portland Museum of Modern Art.
Sunlan Lighting: Offbeat emporium supplying a huge assortment of rare, retro-style, and specialty light bulbs.
The ReBuilding Center: Eco-friendly vendor specializing in selling used, reclaimed, and salvaged materials for home projects.
North Portland Bike Works: Nonprofit community bicycle store selling new and used bikes and gear, with weekly repair workshops.
Service Options: In-Store Shopping
Black Wagon Kids Boutique: Emporium for contemporary handcrafted gifts, apparel, bedding, and furniture for children and infants.
Service Options: In-Store Shopping · Curbside Pickup
The Meadow: Emporium focusing on artisan chocolates, gourmet specialty salts plus wine, bitters, and flowers.
Service Options: Curbside Pickup · Delivery
Picnic NW: Women’s clothing store carrying dresses, shoes, rattan furniture, baskets, handbags, and more.
Service Options: In-Store Shopping
Parks & Green Spaces
Denorval Unthank Park is the only park that is technically in the Boise-Eliot neighborhood, however, there are plenty of other options close by! Most of these parks have fantastic amenities, such as playgrounds and sports fields.
- Denorval Unthank Park: Baseball field, basketball court, soccer field, playground
- Patton Community Garden
- Overlook Park: Baseball field, basketball court, dog off-leash area, playground, soccer field, softball field, track and volleyball court
- Two Plum Park
- Lillis-Albina Park: Playground, soccer field, softball field
- King School Park: Basketball court, playground, soccer field, softball field, tennis court, and track
- Beach Community Garden
- Irving Park: Baseball field, basketball court, dog off-leash area, horseshoe pit, playground, soccer field, softball field, lighted tennis court, and volleyball court
- Peninsula Park: Basketball and tennis courts, gymnasium, paved paths, gorgeous old rose garden, play structures, and outdoor swimming pool.
NORTH MISSISSIPPI AVENUE
Things to Do & See in Mississippi
Featuring blocks of quirky shops, fun bars, top-notch music venues, and locally owned restaurants, North Mississippi Avenue has something for everyone. Scroll here for highlights of our favorite things to do and see in Mississippi.
Q Center: Non-profit organization acknowledging an individual’s whole experience; seeking to be a culturally, emotionally, and physically safe place for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
Mississippi Studios: Live music venue and recording studio owned by Jim Brunberg and Kevin Cradock. Venue was formerly a Baptist church, but has since been completely rebuilt and enlarged, partially using materials from the church.
Paxton Gate: Boutique shop specializing in taxidermy, fossils, framed insects, science kits, jewelry, and plants.
Service Options: In-Store Shopping · Curbside Pickup
Multnomah County Library: North Portland location
The Fresh Pot: Bustling, small chain serving up espresso drinks and baked goods in a cozy corner shop.
Service Options: Dine-In · Takeout
DIY Bar: Unique venue with a warm vibe offering beer, sangria and mimosas as guests work on craft projects.
Service Options: Dine-In · No Delivery
Address: 3522 N Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR 97227
503-477-6090 | Website | Menu | Reservations
North Portland
Nearby Neighborhoods
Alameda
Alameda is a beautiful neighborhood with quiet, tree-lined streets and some gorgeous homes, many on larger lots. Homes on Alameda ridge have a stunning view of Portland and the West hills.
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Concordia
Northeast Portland’s Concordia neighborhood has beautiful, historic homes with plenty of original character. Close to bustling Alberta Street, Concordia has fantastic dining and shopping options. It’s a great choice for those who value living in a walkable neighborhood.
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Kenton
The Kenton neighborhood in North Portland is bordered by Arbor Lodge, St. Johns, and Piedmont neighborhoods. Kenton is also close to other areas via the Max light rail, which is located on nearby Interstate Avenue.
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Woodlawn
This cozy community in Northeast Portland is home to gorgeous homes and tree-lined streets. It’s close to major highways so it’s easy to access Vancouver and inner Portland. With restaurants, parks, and a seasonal farmers market, Woodlawn is a beautiful neighborhood to call home.
Visit NeighborhoodHistory of VanPort / Mississippi
The VanPort tragedy of 1948 plays a significant role in the neighborhood’s past. Built in the 1940s, VanPort (today called Delta Park) was a wartime housing development for defense employees and their families. VanPort was deeply segregated and after the war, many Black Americans remained since they had few other housing options. In fact, the only Portland neighborhood where Black people could legally live was the Albina neighborhood, which was too small for the population.
The Columbia River flooded in May of 1948 and VanPort, Oregon’s second-largest city, was destroyed in a single day. Over 18,000 refugees sought safety in Portland. Many went to the Albina-Mississippi area.
In the 1960s, Interstate 5 was built, and it ran right through the neighborhood. This essentially destroyed the community. Not only were homes demolished and not replaced, but the interstate fundamentally damaged the character of the area. The neighborhood continued its decline into the 1980s, when crime was rampant.
Portland started a revitalizing effort in the 1990s to improve public safety and upgrade housing. Today, the neighborhood is safe and so desirable that housing prices have skyrocketed with many individuals and families clamoring to be a part of its unique spirit.