Stuff to See and Do in Portland, Oregon

In My Humble Opinion
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I moved to Oregon in May of last year and in the ensuing eighteen months, I’ve only managed to make it to Portland twice, the first in July to fly out of PDX and the second this weekend to meet some online friends but, in both cases, I didn’t really do much. I went straight to and from the airport this summer and while I saw a lot of Portland this weekend while driving around talking with one of my friends, I still don’t feel like I saw enough and that was about the extent of our activities so I didn’t see much more than the Saturday Market (which was nifty) and the outside of Powell’s so some more would be good.

Can you offer some suggestions? Neither of us have too much disposable income as she lives alone and I’d be driving a hundred miles round trip with current gas prices so reasonably priced entertainment would be much preferred.

No real preferences otherwise though – I’ve been trying to expand my horizons lately so I’d be willing to try most anything.

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I would recommend the Chinese Gardens, an absolutely stunning walled garden in the heart of downtown. It should be especially beautiful this time of year.

It also is half-a-block away from Darcelle’s, which features talented middle-aged drag queens. They came down to Oregon State last year, and I loved them.

If it is humanly possible, try to make it to the inside of Powell’s. You won’t be disappointed.

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Powell’s Books!!

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Go see the Columbia River Gorge and all the waterfalls.

If you want some cool lodging, go to one of the McMenamin’s locations

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Full Sail Brewing

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Portland Brewing Company.

Subscribing, as A. and I are moving there in August.

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Japanese Garden is very nice, and the zoo is cool. There are miles of trails through Washington park and into Forest park–hike or bike, beautiful scenery and the arboretum is great for those who aspire to Lorax-hood.

If you’re A) with someone who knows where they’re going, and B) the weather report doesn’t include snow at low elevations and C) it’s not already midwinter when you’re here, go to Bagby Hot Springs. Only costs gas to get there (about a 70 mile round trip from downtown PDX) and a parking permit for five bucks, purchasable at the Estacada ranger station.

Nicholas’ restaurant on Grand next to Andy & Bax has the bomb cheap food and a killer mezza.

GO TO POWELL’S. It’s not a trip to Portland without a trip to BookFreakMecca, ask anyone in my family…

Baghdad theater and/or the Laurelhurst–eating pizza and drinking beer while catching a movie is the height of civility. If you’re at the Baghdad be sure to go across the street to Pastaworks for some garlic/sea salt/rosemary foccaccia, you will thank me and bless my name.

Breakfast at the Multnomah Falls lodge is inexpensive and a fabulous preface to hiking up to the top–c’mon, it’s less than a mile and paved all the way up! The view is scary as hell from up there, too.

After breakfast and a hike, the Big River Grill in Stevenson (on the WA side further east, allowing a trip over the Bridge of the Gods [which is a whole 'nother adventure on its own, look straight down as you drive over, whee!]) is a great place for lunch or dinner, spinach salad is ambrosial and they make their own home brewed root beer! There’s a paddle wheel steamer docked at the river in Stevenson, too.

Did you know that in Maryhill WA there’s not only a nifty art museum (everything from native American artifacts to original Rodin pieces to Liechtenstein and everything in between) but also a 1:1 scale model of Stonehenge made from cement? It’s oriented absolutely correctly with all the stones in place and upright–it’s a WWI memorial, very cool spot and it overlooks about a billion miles of the Columbia River Gorge.

Maryhill is right across the river from The Dalles and Hood River–Hood River is ground zero for really great produce in season, the best cherries and apples and strawberries grown on the face of the earth.

Yeah, I know a lot of this stuff isn’t in Portland proper, but I like to drive… :stuck_out_tongue:

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While you are in Powells, you can pick up a flyer for a self-guided walking tour (Also available here: http://www.travelportland.com/arts_culture/cultural_tours/culture_district/culture_dis_tour.html).

Another good way to see the city is to buy an all-day pass on Tri-met. You can take MAX out to the Zoo and Washington Park. There are some very cool districts to visit outside the city center; Hawthorne and Sellwood are two that come immediately to mind.

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I swear that the link worked when I previewed. Really
Portland Visitor’s Association

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In Vancouver, Wa, 7 mi. no. you will find historic Fort Vancouver w/ it’s Officer’s
Row. About twenty 2-3 story mansions built in the late 19th century. Some are open
for tours, one is a restaurant, but a bit pricey and not highly recommended. All are well
maintained w/ flowered and groomed lawns. Across the street is a very large grassy
area w/ a large gazebo. Great place to picnic and the prime viewing site for the largest
Independence Day fireworks display west of the Mississippi. A very short walk/drive
further south is a replica of the original Ft. Vancouver. It’s operated by the park service
and open for tours. About a block east is the small historic Pearson Field, the oldest
active airfield in the U.S. w/ a small, but well stocked air museum.
A drive east from Vancouver on S.R. 14 will take you to Bonneville Dam, where you
can tour the fish ladders and watch the salmon, in season. You can also tour the
interior of the dam. Further east is Beacon Rock, the exposed core of an ancient
volcano w/ spectacular views of the Columbia River and Gorge. You can continue east
to the Bridge of the Gods (toll) and cross back to Interstate 84 in Or. and then head
west back to Portland, stopping at Multnomah Falls. This makes a pleasant day trip and
is not at all expensive.
All the sites mentioned can be Googled for more details.
Enjoy, it’s a beautiful place to live, even w/ the rain and gray winter days.

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In addition to what’s been mentioned, I’d recommend this:

Drive to Washington Park. If you want to spend a little money, you can check out the zoo, the World Forestry Center, the Japanese Gardens. But if you don’t, there are still things to see. You can wander around the trails that go through the Arboretum until you end up at the International Rose Test Gardens, which have a great view of downtown & Mt. Hood. Washington Park is also the “gateway” to Forest Park, which is a yooge place to explore the outdoors. It’s also not far from downtown - you can walk down to NW 23rd (“Trendy-third”) if you want to explore quirky shops, get a bite to eat or have a coffee or beer.

Then I’d recommend getting down to the Waterfront Park, and strolling around next to the Willamette, or sitting and people-watching.

Another thing that doesn’t cost anything (except gas money) - drive up to Mt. Hood and check out Timberline Lodge - it’s a beauty. You could make it a round trip with the visit to Multnomah Falls/the Columbia Gorge, and then stop at McMenamin’s Edgefield on the way home - really cool place with a lodge, brewpub, theater, winery, glass-blowing shop, etc. It’s in Troutdale.

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Remember what I said about money? If I go to Powell’s, I’m either going to spend way more than I can afford to part with or wind up in jail for a couple weeks for trying to shoplift all the stuff I can’t afford. It’s probably for the best that we didn’t make it in.

The Chinese Gardens sound really cool, though. Will definitely check those out.

A local friend just mentioned the Columbia River Gorge about thirty minutes ago in an email. Between you and her, I think I’ll put that up near the top of my list.

No need for McMenamin’s, though. I’m cheap and my car or her floor will suffice.

Be sure to inform me of when you get there so, this time, we can actually meet up and hang out some. I’m not big on beer but we can even try out the Brewing Company if you like.

SmartAleq: All your suggestions sound esepecially awesome and so does the rest of everyone else’s that I didn’t quote or reply to directly. Thanks… I’ll be showing her this later so, next time, we can do more than just drive around aimlessly.

Any other suggestions, anyone?

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We’ll definitely meet up.

Even without the beer, PBC has some wicked food, and cheap.

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Well, strictly speaking, the Maryhill Museum and Stonehenge are directly accross the river from Biggs Junction, which is 19 miles east of the Dalles. Don’t mean to nitpick, but if you cross the river at the Dalles, you still must head east on Washington 14 for about another 20 miles to get to Maryhill/Stonehenge.
In summer, head east to Bend and take Century Drive/Cascade Lakes Highway for some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery anywhere. Also the route across McKenzie Pass will take you right through some high elevation lave flows that are simply mind-blowing. Then there’s Crater Lake, Oregon Caves, Rogue River, etc. etc. etc.

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If you take the little road over from McKenzie to Sisters (which is closed in winter) don’t miss the mountain observatory built of lava rock in the middle of one of the flows. It’s a small building with variously sized windows, each one of which perfectly frames a different mountain, the Three Sisters, Jefferson, Adams, Hood, St. Helens, etc. The second story does something similar but with a big bronze sundial item which points to each mountain. I can’t begin to tell you how cool this place is. On the way up, stop at Cougar Hot Springs for a soak.

Astoria is a beautiful town at the mouth of the Columbia, and on a clear day nothing beats the view from the top of the Astoria column, narrow circular staircase goes up over a hundred steps, tiny walkway around the top, neat murals painted all over it, and they sell you tiny balsa airplanes to sail off the top, how cool is that? Also features a big bronze map with arrows pointing out cool geographic features, I’m a sucker for those. On the way there take the road that goes out of Vernonia through Mist and Jewell, there are a couple spots to check out herds of elk and the scenery is great–also if you’re a driving junkie you must check out this chunk of road, it’s a blast! Swooping curves and very little traffic, whee! Also check out the cool bike trail/park–runs miles along an old railroad embankment and uses the old trestles as part of the trail.

Sauvie Island–great produce stands, corn mazes, good hikes through the wildlife preserve areas and huge clothing optional beach. Rooster Rock on the Columbia, another spot for the nudity aficionados to work on a tan.

Go see mount St. Helens up close and personal–it’s doing cool things right now and it’s like nothing else you’re likely to see or smell in your life. If you don’t have a profound respect for Gaia after seeing the area that got flattened by the last eruption you aren’t paying attention.

Oaks Park–ride the cheesy rides and have a Breaking In/Drugstore Cowboy moment.

I love the place I live–does it show? :stuck_out_tongue:

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If you’re there soon check out the Japanese garden next to the Rose garden and Zoo while it’s still autumn. Nice.

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Check the Portland Mercury for assorted fun activities.

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If you knit or crochet make sure to check out the wold’s best knitting store: Knit Purl at SW 11th and Alder. Just three blocks from Powell. (full disclosure: that’s Mrs. Blather’s store) :slight_smile:

If you go to the Chinese Garden make sure to go to the tea house for exotic tea and snacks. There are several good Dim Sum restaurants in the neighborhood as well. We go to Fong Chong.

Verdun Chocolates in the Pearl is great. Mio Gelato is right across from Powells and has some interesting flavors.

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You can come visit me!

If you visit Powell’s during regular work week/hours (9-5 m-f) I work one block away. We could swing by Peet’s coffee and I’ll buy you an espresso
:smiley:

If you like Sushi there is a place about 6 blocks east of Powells called Sushi Takahashi. The sushi comes around the bar on a train. Really good, very cheap ($1-1.50 for most plates of two to three pieces)

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I’ve sent my friend the link to this thread so we should have lots to do the next time I abuse her hospitality.

Thanks again.

Oh, man. I am so going there next time I’m in Portland. The only Japanese restaurant I’ve ever been to is Kyoto in Salem and while I like it, it’s horribly expensive.

I work 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday in Dallas and while my driving record shows I’m a speed demon, I don’t think they make cars fast enough for that. I’d definitely be up for it, otherwise.