Bargains and reusing are two things that most Portland parents can appreciate 24/7. It’s even better when they’re together at the same place and time. Enter, the giant, multi-family, multi-block phenonmenon, known as the neighborhood garage sale. Whether you want to shop from (or sell to) neighbors in your own hood, or get out of your quadrant, the following neighborhood garage sales make for the perfect treasure hunt while scoring some seriously stellar deals.
photo: wikimedia.org via creative commons
Forest Heights
When: June 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Like scenic hills with your stellar deals? Forest Heights’ neighborhood sale snakes throughout the West Hills of Portland, from Skyline down to Cornell, making it a gorgeous drive that winds through the hills. When you’re done shopping, hit up the Skyline Restaurant (1313 NW Skyline Blvd.) for gigantic burgers, crisp onion rings and rich milkshakes while you sit in classic, red booths – just be sure you bring some cash.
Online: fhhoa.com
Maywood Park
When: June 12-14, Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-2 p.m
Maywood Park’s city-within-a-city lies due east of Rocky Butte. Their annual garage sale happens all weekend, so come early for the best selection, and late for last minute deals. Maywood Park is part of the “40 mile trail” that isn’t quite 40 miles yet, but you can still enjoy this multi-use trail. Bring your bikes, and work off some of the calories from the elephant ears that will be available at the sale.
Online: cityofmaywoodpark.com
Happy Valley Dog Park: photo by Chris W. via Yelp
Happy Valley
When: June 12-14, Approx. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Happy Valley might seem like a bit of a trek for most Portlanders, but it’s only about 25 minutes from downtown Portland and just a hop, skip, and a jump from Clackamas Town Center. This sale has a really cool, updated website that tells bargain hunters what’s selling at each house, for shopping efficiency for those serious sales hounds. This neighborhood doesn’t have set hours, but most sellers open up from about 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Bring Fido and head to the dog park at Happy Valley Park (13770 SE Ridgecrest Rd.), and if it’s a hot day, bring your bathing suits, too. A rollicking splash pad at the same park has 16 sprayers to keep your family cool.
Online: happyvalleysale.org or facebook.com/HappyValleyGarageSale
Laurelhurst
When: June 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Laurelhurst neighborhood is a popular destination for families as it is, with Laurelhurst Park’s (SE Caesar Chavez Blvd. and Stark St.) rolling grassy hills, duck pond, basketball courts and playground. Laurelhurst’s sale will include a map of participating neighbors in a very established part of town with a higher price point – who knows what you’ll find? There aren’t many restaurants in Laurelhurst proper, but your family can grab some grub to go from the nearby food carts at SE 28th and Ankeny for kid-friendly meals or snacks to take to the park. Choose from Mexican, Italian, and more. Falafel from Wolf & Bear’s (113 SE 28th Ave.) makes for portable picnic to refuel after some serious bargain hunting.
Online: laurelhurstpdx.org or facebook.com/events
Eastmoreland
When: June 27 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and June 28 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This sale is especially hopping on Saturday and, historically, has had more than 140 homes participating. Maps will be available bright and early Saturday morning. Bring a change of shoes and socks so you can head across Highway 99 to check out the new Westmoreland Nature Park (SE McLoughlin Blvd. & Bybee Blvd.). Your little naturalists can dig in sand and scoop water, climb around logs, and build structures out of natural materials. Or, head the other way, east up Woodstock, to Cloud City Ice Cream (4525 SE Woodstock Blvd.) for innovative flavors that the whole family can get behind.
Online: eastmoreland.org
photo: John D. via Yelp
Kenton
When: Sep. 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Kenton goes a little more high-tech, with a map of garage sale sites available for download the night before the sale opens, so you can plan your attack. The morning of the sale, low-tech garage sale aficionados can grab a map at Posie’s Cafe (8208 N Denver Ave.), a cool coffee shop with a kids’ play room. Score! You’ll know you’re in Kenton when you see the big statue of Paul Bunyan (8433 N. Interstate Ave.) Don’t forget to pay your respects to old Paul, who’s been overlooking the neighborhood and providing photo ops since 1959.
Online: kentongaragesale.com or facebook.com/kentongaragesale
Did we miss your neighborhood garage sale? Let us know in the comments!
—Kelley Gardiner
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