Subject says it all. I’m planning on driving down to Portland this Sunday, primarily so I can say that I’ve been to Oregon. I’ve had Powells book store, Pioneer Square and Ira Keller Fountain suggested to me, and I’ve also heard that the city has the best strip clubs in the country (although I’m a real newbie to that and don’t know which specific one, if any, to check out). What would be other good suggestions?
Also, I’m stationed in Bellevue, WA for the next 2 weeks, at a hotel next to 405, and it’s been pretty dull. I have a rental car so I can get around. Is there anything interesting to check out in town…or anywhere else within driving distance (aside from Seattle…I spent the last week there and already had a great experience).
In Bellevue? Not really. You’re better off heading to Seattle.
I suppose you could head over to Redmond to check out the Microsoft campus and gawk at the Borglings, but it kinda looks like any large company campus.
Portland is not my forte. However I have a brother that lives in the area and evidently the night life is incredible in Portland if that’s your style. I’ve heard the strip club reputation too, but can’t speak to it first hand.
One other thing to do in Seattle, think about taking a ferry ride out to Bainbridge Island or something. The Queen Elizabeth 2 it ain’t, but the scenery is great.
Already got the all access MS Redmond tour. I also did the peon Nintendo visit, which wasn’t much to speak of.
I really do need to get back to Seattle for one of those cruises. Tomorrow I’m planning on going to the EMP/Scifi/Pacific Science museums so I may be able to squeeze it in.
One thing Bellevue has going for it is the free parking…i may have to take public transit to Seattle since I took notice to how expensive it is there.
The Bellevue Art Museum is really quite good, especially if you enjoy modern art.
For breakfast, you MUST go to Chase’s Pancake Corral. It’s at very close to the intersection of Bellevue Way and 108th at 1606 Bellevue Way. Order the potato pancakes, or at the very least a sampler (like the Joe Adam’s Assortment) with a potato pancake. The place is swamped on weekends, but weekdays can be manageable.
Are you outdoorsy? Do you like kayaking or canoeing? Try renting a kayak or canoe at Enatai Beach. From there you can paddle through Mercer Slough (they have maps at the rental kiosk). It’s pretty cheap and VERY pretty. You’ll see all sort of birds, some turtles, etc. Too bad it’s too early to pick blackberries along there.
While I am thinking of parks, there are some gorgeous botanical gardens at Wilburton Hill. Perfect for a sunny (or at least not actively rainy) day.
It’s not nearly as cool or varied as Seattle, for sure, but Bellevue has its bright spots. My folks all live there.
Mary’s Club in downtown gets all the tourists. It was the first all nude club in Oregon, I believe. I respect that they were pioneers, but it is one of the worst in town, IMO. Coming south from Washington, you can get off the highway at the third exit after you cross the I-5 Bridge and come across The Dancin’ Bare. I live in the neighborhood and that’s where I go when I want that kind of entertainment. It feels like a neighborhood bar, but with naked women. Also, The Bare has an unusual billiards table(no it is not used by the dancers as part of their act; it’s for playing pool.)
Powell’s is the greatest bookstore in the world. Yes, the world.
Have some good donuts at Top Pot in Bellevue downtown. Walk around Alaska Way and climp up to Pike and check the market out, if you haven’t yet. Go to Marymoor park which is close to Bellevue (just off WA 520). Go to Ballard Locks, have some delicious Molly Moon ice cream on the way back (be prepared to wait in line though) and also say hi to the Fremont Troll. Rent a Kayak at Agua Verde Paddle Club and kayak around Lake Washington and / or Lake Union.
Snoqualmie Falls is definitely gonna be a afternoon trip sometime this week. I still haven’t made it to Portland…possibly this Friday. I hear Memorial Day (and holiday traffic) isn’t nearly as big a deal out here as it is back east, but it still worries me a bit…
If you like barbecue, you might want to check out Dixie’s while you’re in the neighborhood. It’s right underneath the I-405/520 interchange. I moved away a while ago; hope it’s still as good as it used to be. If someone asks you if you’ve met The Man, proceed carefully. The Man is the hottest hot sauce I have eaten in my life.
If you’re going to Portland, you definitely want to go to Powell’s, but you also owe it to yourself to check out the microbrews for which Oregon is famous. Fortunately, two of the state’s best have wonderful bars just blocks from Powell’s.
Deschutes Brewery’s huge pub is just two blocks north at 210 W. 11th. In addition to superior brews, like the Black Butte Porter, it features exquisite pub food, with an extensive menu. Check the Cuban sandwich or the pulled-pork sliders.
Rogue Ales is just a couple of more blocks north and west at 1339 NW Flanders. (East-West streets are alphabetical in that section of town, known as the Pearl District. So Flanders is four blocks north of Burnside and 10th, where Powell’s is. If you’re a fan of the malty rather than the hoppy end of the beer spectrum, do check out the Chocolate Stout or Hazelnut Brown Nectar.
On the East side, you might want to hunt out Belmont Station, with more than 1,000 beers in stock, and a nice adjoining pub with 20 of them on tap.
Check the list on the site. You can count the first 100 beers and barely leave the As.
For something completely different, head forOaks Amusement Park, celebrating its 104th year. Worth it for the 110 foot by 200 foot roller skating rink alone.
Yeah, it probably should worry you; I sure wouldn’t want to drive to Portland this Friday. If you’re still planning to do so, you might want to wait till very late evening before setting out.
I just got back from Snoqualmie Falls and did the hike. Man, what a place…I’m gonna have to pop in a Twin Peaks DVD tonight.
Okay, Portland it is tomorrow. I’m leaving in the morning, and will probably drive back at night. One thing I did forget to ask is are there any stops off of I-5 I should make between Seattle and Portland? It was mentioned that there were a couple of natural scenic spots to see (mountains, forests, parks, etc).
I don’t know about in between but I hear Portland has the nicest Japanese garden outside of Washington DC.
Since you like hiking there’s a place close to Snoqualmie Falls called twin falls that’s a nice hike with 2 waterfalls right next to each other. You should check that out. Also the Mt Si hike is a good one.
If you’re not gone all weekend this weekend is the Folk Life Festival in Seattle, so if you like hippies, patchoulli, noodle dancing and pot smoke you might want to check that out.
