neela
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I'm going to Portland. Anyone have any tips for places to go, restaurants to hit, etc...
I won't have enough time to do camping and all that other outdoorsy-stuff that they seem to have a lot of. Will probably be my one and only trip to Portland ever.
Thanks
dirtgirl
University District
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My information is pretty dated because I haven't lived there in a LONG time, but there are some perennials not to be missed...
check out one of the many local brewpubs. All have their own unique specialties.. Widmer (maker of the semi-famous, hefeweizen you are probably most likely to see in the rest of the country), Bridgeport (awesome pizza at their brewery location), Rogue etc...
The McMenimins chain has locations everywhere (very unique, not-chainy)and I think they've recently opened a boutique hotel in an old elementary school which sounds like an awesome place to stay (http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=57&category=Location%20Homepage), featuring an on-site brewery and theatre, among other adult amusements.
Powell's bookstore is pretty famous and a must-stop for book geeks.
And if you're there on a weekend, check out the Saturday market (actually open Saturdays and Sundays, under the Burniside bridge downtown), which is a really big arts & crafts market that features many local restaurants offering a range of cheap ethnic offerings.
I also like to just walk the Hawthorne district. There are probably way more hip arts districts these days... I last lived there in 1991 and haven't visited since around 2003. You are lucky - Portland is an amazing place to visit!
pixiecrinkle
Old North Columbus
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I second McMenemin's and Powell's. I too haven't been in quite some time, though I plan to go back this fall (the National tournament for Roller Derby will be there, in November) so please let us know where you go.
We hired a driver to take us around wine tasting at the local vinyards while there -- if you do that, don't miss Sokol Blossor or Argyle.
zp945
Clintonville/Short North
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I second staying at the Kennedy School. Its a great place, no TVs, no phones, but it has 4 bars, a pool and a movie theater. Not to mention an amazing garden where you can spend an afternoon with a bottle of Oregon wine.
If you plan on getting out of the city at all, which I think you should, check out Saddle Mountain. It's not crowed and the hike is not that difficult if you are in decent shape. It's the highest peak in the Cascade Range and the views from the top make the workout worth it. Plus the drive up 101 is really nice.
http://www.nwhiker.com/SaddleMtHikes.html
It is the city of roses so check out the rose garden. It overlooks downtown and should be in full bloom this time of year. The best part of this park though it the Japanese garden. There's an entry fee but it's worth it.
Other than that I say get out of your car if you have one and walk around. It's a nice city.
johnwirtz
Evanston, IL
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I LOVED the Japanese Garden (Washington Park Station) when I was there. It has great views of downtown and Mt. Hood (weather permitting). You should walk around the Pearl District and I assume you plan to ride the streetcar. From a planning perspective, I thought the Park Blocks (along Park Street just west of the bus mall and east of the streetcar) were very cool.
whitespace
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Love, love, love Portland. Oh, wow. Too many great places in that city to recall. But here is a start:
Doug Fir Lounge
Jupiter Hotel (right next to Doug Fir)
Yummy brunch:
Italian Dinner:
Gino's Restaurant & Bar
8051 SE 13th Ave
Portland, OR 97202-6663
Phone: (503) 233-4613
Sushi:
Saburo's Sushi House
http://www.saburos.com/index.html
1667 SE Bybee Blvd
Portland, OR 97202-5700
Phone: (503) 236-4237
Nice wineries near Portland:
whitespace
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If you are into shopping for hardware and house parts, and have time to spend visit Rejuvenation and Hippo Hardware:
http://www.rejuvenation.com/index.html
http://www.hippohardware.com/index.htm?lmd=39604.690752
And I believe this place was really good:
captain janks
south side 4 life
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i thought this thread was about cement.
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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Wonderful place and a perfect time of year to go there.
You haven't mentioned if you're visiting friends, going for work or just winging it. Generally I go for business, but also have friends there, and try to tack on a few days of vacation every trip.
If you're not renting a car or won't have a car for the full time, make sure you check out the TriMet website or Google Transit.
Keep in mind that there is a "fareless square" downtown that allows you to get all over downtown pretty easily just by hopping on any bus. The MAX lines (suburban light rail) goes to spots in NE and NW Portland including the Airport and Washington Park. There are also many transit centers built into the system for feeder buses through different neighborhoods. Overall the system is pretty good, but keep in mind you still might find yourself having to take the bus a lot if you're visiting an area without a lot of light rail (e.g. SE and SW Portland).
Portland had a push to renovate old theaters a few years back, and this seems to manifest itself via many art house theaters, so keep an eye out for little oddball single screen theaters.
There's a large Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese population in Portland. I'd recommend visiting the Chinatown downtown for dim sum at least one day(I forget where friends took me, so check Yelp). My fave Japanese place is Restaurant Murata in downtown. It's spendy, but very very good. And last, but not least hit Fubonn Shopping Center and Market, if for no other reason than to buy lunch at the deli. It's amazing and cheap, but best reached by car (sadly). Also visit the tea merchant around the corner from the market itself as they will gladly share their tea and their knowledge with you.
In addition to the above, I should mention the Just Be Japanese Pop culture store/Pop Art Gallery/sneaker freaker heaven. If any of that appeals to you, check it out. You may also enjoy Ground Kontrol Retro Arcade as well.
I'll also recommend the Hawthorne district. Very nice small galleries and shops. It's not huge, but good for an afternoon of shopping and cafe lounging.
Powell's is of course a destination, but keep in mind that there are a number of branches all over town with the main store downtown.
If you have a car and can make it out of town, head to Cannon Beach. It's possibly my favourite beach on the West coast now (as featured in The Goonies!). Miles long and very wide sand dunes with huge rock outcroppings everywhere. It's a good day trip. I like to head out in the morning. and spend until about 4pm there.. Then pick up a few pounds of oysters and head back to grill with friends. Totally worth the trip.
NelliChaos
Clintonville
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Most certainly make time to go to Powells. I went to Portland in the winter and the only three places on my agenda were Upper Playground, VooDoo Donuts and Powells.
I can recommend all three and they're also all fairly close together.
neela
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'm taking notes.
I won't have a car while I'm there, but that's OK by me. I am basically going for vacation, and I've planned my trip around a fun conference, so it's not like my days will be totally free...
I don't know anybody in Portland, so your suggestions are very helpful.
Before I take off I'll post my blog URL - yes I'm such a blog nerd I'm making one just for this trip. On the way to Portland I'm taking Megabus, hitting Chicago very briefly, and then Amtraking over to Portland.
milodesc
NJ
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check out this thread too:
http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8483&highlight=
zp945
Clintonville/Short North
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I know you said you won't have a car but I have to back up Micheal on Cannon Beach. If you don't plan on going back to the Pacific Northwest much you should make it a destination while you are there. Plus, if you go to Saddle Mountain you will be more than half way there.
Manatee
The eternal present
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Damn I HEART Portland. And Powell's. Many a cold and introspective day was spent over a hot bowl of soup and a weird book gazing out at Burnside Street.
...and Japanese Garden, and the city-block-size Chinese Garden, and the little sushi restaurant on Northwest 21st that always had steamy windows and gave me a tiny set of baby chopsticks when they figured out I was expecting.
And Mount Hood, and far off Mt. St. Helen's, and all the streets with Simpson's character names (Burnside, Flanders, Lovejoy, etc.). And Ramona Geraldine Quimby!!!!
Mountains called Cascades, and how the distant foothills always looked purple and smoky. Grey mist swirling around giant slumpblocks jutting out of the ocean.
And two old Catholic guys I worked with at a temp agency. And how every person I worked with at Kitchen Kaboodle was gay except me.
nexttuesday
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Agree on the Chinese Garden and Voodoo doughnuts. Wherever it was that I got off the bus, it wasn't the best area of town (right by a homeless shelter/Chinatown) and for a girl alone in a city I don't know, that wasn't fun. Hawthorne was great, Missing Link, at 3582 Hawthorne, was one of the cooler stores I have ever been to. Lots of pop culture/Japanese culture...vinyl toys, tokidoki, dunny, etc. It rained almost the whole time I was there, but I flew for 10 dollars and stayed with a friend, so I can't complain. Have fun!
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