Milwaukie Heights - Milwaukie, OR Area Guide

Lot Whitcomb founded the city of Milwaukie in 1847, and the area competed with Portland as Oregon's largest city throughout the 1800s. When residents built a railroad through the city in 1870, the population boomed. More people migrated to Milwaukie before settling along its outskirts in Milwaukie Heights in the mid-1900s. The neighborhood's huge residential area and focus on local businesses reflect the history of its cultural growth.

The neighborhood doesn't house any museums, but residents visit the Milwaukie Historical Society Museum north of Milwaukie Heights for a detailed history of the area.

See art from the finest artists in the Portland area when you live in Milwaukie Heights. The neighborhood has a thriving photography scene, with dozens of studios scattered all over town. Watch a live dance performance at Spotlight Performing Arts. The neighborhood doesn't hold any annual festivals, but you find plenty of local art vendors every day.

Nightlife in Milwaukie Heights centers around food. You discover dozens of local eateries to its northeast side, along with sports bars perfect for any football, basketball, and baseball fan. While the neighborhood doesn't have any venues catered specifically to music, residents always find something to do at night.

Rigoberto's never sleeps, making it the most popular restaurant in Milwaukie Heights. This taco shop remains open 24 hours per day. No matter how late you stay up enjoying the neighborhood's nightlife, Rigoberto's has one of its famous giant burritos waiting for you. Chefs stuff one of the most popular versions of this dish with chorizo and cheese. Grab another order of chorizo, a spicy Mexican sausage, for breakfast served next to potatoes, eggs and beans.

Residents drive along Highway 99 East to find the best food around. GG's Deli & Catering holds an ideal location near this major expressway. For $25 per hour, you get a full-service staff to cater any event, along with a selection from one of the deli's extensive menu items. Start with the prosciutto wrapped shrimp, then work your way up to a hearty dinner of chicken artichoke. This dish includes a chicken breast roasted with fresh artichoke and mushrooms, and topped with a sherry sauce. Finish the whole meal off with a slice of New York chocolate cheesecake.

Imperial Garden has some of the best Chinese food in the area, serving staples like General Tso's chicken and fried rice. Try something new here with their sweet and sour soup or bite into a fluffy crab puff. You don't find cheaper lunch options that pack as much flavor as Imperial Garden. Get a hot cup of soup, a spring roll, wontons, rice and an entree special for as low as $6.

Milwaukie Heights loves its sports bars. Head over to The Grove Restaurant & Bar for classic happy hour fries and a wide selection of draft beers and spirits. Residents visit this bar every Thursday for karaoke, and flock here on Fridays and Saturdays to dance in front of a live DJ.

When you want to play a video game while you watch your favorite sports team, check out Stadiums. This bar has a full video game system for customers. For a more casual diner atmosphere, visit McQueen's Bar & Grill on River Road.

Milwaukie Heights has family-friendly entertainment as well. Take a trip to see a movie at Oak Grove 8 Cinemas.

Getting around in Milwaukie Heights usually requires a car, but many areas around Oak Grove Boulevard remain walkable. People who walk feel safe in this neighborhood, since most of the suburban streets have sidewalks and slow, courteous drivers. When you bike, ride along the biking lanes on major roads or stick to the shoulder in residential neighborhoods for a safe trip.

Take a TriMet bus to get anywhere in the neighborhood or directly to downtown Portland. Call a cab from one of the residential neighborhoods or wait for one near popular streets along Highway 99 East. Uber doesn't serve this location.

When you drive, find free public parking near residential blocks or park at one of the shopping center parking lots. You find cheap metered parking on most popular streets.

Drive north along Highway 99 East to get to downtown Portland. This main expressway connects to Highway 26 near the Portland city center.

Milwaukie Heights focuses on home development rather than parks, but two popular outdoor recreational facilities sit just outside of the neighborhood's borders.

The Spring Park Natural Area rests to the east of the neighborhood and features one of the most secluded walking trails in the Portland area. Joggers come to this park to get some exercise while families come to the park for picnics. See the geography of Elk Rock Island, formed 40 million years ago by an ancient volcano.

For something closer to the neighborhood, head south to Risley Park. Play games at one of the park's basketball or tennis courts. Enjoy a walk along its paved trails, or set up for lunch at one of the park's picnic tables.

Expect to find free parks near Milwaukie Heights, with plenty of dog-friendly trails. Remember to keep your pets on a leash at all times. You don't find any annual festivals in these parks, but go on one of The Spring Park Natural Area's occasional touring groups to learn more about its history.

Since downtown Portland is about 5 percent more expensive to live than Milwaukie Heights, this neighborhood remains a perfect investment for growing families. The average rental rate sits at about $795.60.

Transportation doesn't break the bank in Milwaukie Heights, because taking the TriMet bus only costs $2.50 to get to downtown Portland. When you drive, expect to pay about 5 percent more on average for gas than the national average.

When you go out for entertainment in the neighborhood, plan to spend an average of $3 for a bottle of beer at a local sports bar.

Nearly every store in Milwaukie Heights calls the streets near Highway 99 East home. You don't find any centers of commerce, but you have high-end stores such as Fred Meyer Jewelers close by. Most of the businesses in this neighborhood belong to chains, but local boutiques sit between these larger stores.

Buy something for someone special in your life at Mary Jean's Flowers & Gifts on Oatfield Road. This shop has flower bouquets for every occasion, plus gift baskets, stuffed animals, handmade soap and fine jewelry. Send gourmet snacks to coworkers for their birthdays. Have a personalized note with flowers sent to a sick friend. Customize your order to make the gifts you get here even more personal.

Whether you are new to the gaming world or you want to learn about it for the first time, visit Epic Gaming. This specialty store sells merchandise for popular games such as Magic the Gathering, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-OH cards. Build a community with other players when you attend the store's weekly competitive tournaments.

Residents live in Milwaukie Heights because the neighborhood has a long list of major grocery stores. Shop at Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Safeway or Walmart for your basic pantry needs. If you want to shop local, check out the Milwaukie Grocery Outlet.

Head north every Sunday from May through October to buy fresh produce at the Milwaukie Sunday Farmers' Market.