Portland, Oregon Advice
Apr 6th, 2010, 04:09 PM
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Portland, Oregon Advice
Ok, Fodorites, need your help, please.
Thinking about Portland for a 3 to 4 day visit. Have never been so am not at all familiar with the ‘lay of the land.’ Hubby loves his beer so brewery visits are a must! We’re an active couple and like to walk everywhere so Portland seems conducive to that.
What to see/do: in my limited research, farmers market, Chinese/Japanese gardens, Waterfront Park.
Where to dine: love all sorts of ethnic cuisine; recommendations, please.
Where to stay: Prefer private homes [vrbo.com] instead of hotels. What part of town should we stay in that’s walking distance to everything? How about condos on the river?
When to go: we’re coming from the Bay area so would prefer weather in the 80s…would that be in August? We’re somewhat flexible with which month to visit.
Thank you!
Thinking about Portland for a 3 to 4 day visit. Have never been so am not at all familiar with the ‘lay of the land.’ Hubby loves his beer so brewery visits are a must! We’re an active couple and like to walk everywhere so Portland seems conducive to that.
What to see/do: in my limited research, farmers market, Chinese/Japanese gardens, Waterfront Park.
Where to dine: love all sorts of ethnic cuisine; recommendations, please.
Where to stay: Prefer private homes [vrbo.com] instead of hotels. What part of town should we stay in that’s walking distance to everything? How about condos on the river?
When to go: we’re coming from the Bay area so would prefer weather in the 80s…would that be in August? We’re somewhat flexible with which month to visit.
Thank you!
Apr 6th, 2010, 04:56 PM
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July or August would be the months for you.
A great place to stay would be the Nob Hill neighborhood--somewhere in the vicinity of NW 23rd Street which has good shopping and restaurants.
You may find other ideas here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/portlandor/
A great place to stay would be the Nob Hill neighborhood--somewhere in the vicinity of NW 23rd Street which has good shopping and restaurants.
You may find other ideas here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/portlandor/
Apr 6th, 2010, 07:06 PM
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If you don't have a car and want to walk and take mass transit around while visting lots of good pubs and restaurants, your best bet is to stay in the Pearl District/Downtown/Nob Hill(aka NW Portland) areas. I would probably do that on my first trip.
Be sure and explore some other areas of Portland on the east side of the Willamette, such as Alberta St, Sellwood and Hawthorne - to name a few. You will find good pubs and restuarants in most Portland neighborhoods. My fav pubs are Widmer (best reuben and root beer float), Hop Works (organic), Mash Tun (laid back) and Kennedy School (quintessential Portland).
Be sure and explore some other areas of Portland on the east side of the Willamette, such as Alberta St, Sellwood and Hawthorne - to name a few. You will find good pubs and restuarants in most Portland neighborhoods. My fav pubs are Widmer (best reuben and root beer float), Hop Works (organic), Mash Tun (laid back) and Kennedy School (quintessential Portland).
Apr 6th, 2010, 09:04 PM
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First of all do a "search" for" Portland,OR"Some results will be helpful for general info..
Be sure to take note of the dates----
The Pearl District is noted for the Pearl Bakery AND Powell's bookstore__..the latter is the largest privately owned bookstore in the USA...
Also be aware it can get HOT -occassionally up to 90 to 100 in August.
It is a great walking town and if you get tired, hop on the transit system-free in the downtown area..
a great city..
Be sure to take note of the dates----
The Pearl District is noted for the Pearl Bakery AND Powell's bookstore__..the latter is the largest privately owned bookstore in the USA...
Also be aware it can get HOT -occassionally up to 90 to 100 in August.
It is a great walking town and if you get tired, hop on the transit system-free in the downtown area..
a great city..
Apr 7th, 2010, 03:20 PM
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The Pearl District has several very good restaurants: Park Kitchen, Bluehour, Ten 01, Andina, Fenouil. I would try to get over to Le Pigeon for a nice meal. In the downtown area, Portland City Grill has good food and you will have some gorgeous views of Portland, it is up at the top of a bank building, try to go at night. Have fun! ***kim*** 
Apr 8th, 2010, 09:38 AM
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Apr 12th, 2010, 03:30 PM
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ok, so now we're thinking about taking the Amtrak from San Francisco to Portland. Don't want to rent a car or rely too much on public transit. I found some accommodations [private homes] walking distance from the train station. Is this a good location? Thank you.
Apr 12th, 2010, 05:45 PM
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I'm interested in what you decide on as we are taking the Amtrak Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle in September. We're spending some time in San Francisco and Napa, and are trying to decide on another stop before we get to Seattle. Seems that Portland is the logical choice, but it would only be for one day. Do you know where the train station is located in relation to the Waterfront area? Is that were we should stay?
Thanks for letting me ride your skirttails!
Thanks for letting me ride your skirttails!
Apr 12th, 2010, 07:06 PM
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Portland's Union Station is at the north end of town close to the popular Pearl District. There are no hotels in the Pearl, unfortunately, but you can take the MAX train easily into downtown and get within a block or two of some nice downtown hotels like the Monaco and many others.
Portland's downtown is a lot smaller than Seattle's FYI. It's easy to get around, very walkable. It's not so important (in my opinion) to be in a specific area if you are just doing a generic visit. There are a few hotels close to the Tom McCall Waterfront Park downtown - e.g. the Hotel Fifty, Marriott Waterfront, Riverplace Hotel - that may have view rooms of the river and (on a clear day) Mt. Hood. Other hotels like the Monaco, the Hotel Vintage Plaza, the Lucia, the Heathman, and the Benson - all well-regarded places - are only a few blocks from the river but have no real views of the water. But any of them would be fine for basic sightseeing in Portland without a car.
You didn't mention a budget, but if you want to save a little money, you can stay on the east side of the Willamette River in the Rose Quarter/Convention Center/Lloyd Center area. This area is easy to get to by the MAX train - just a quick two or three stops across the river from Union Station, almost walkable if you didn't have bags. But this side of town, while safe, is a bit dull at night.
Read the hotel reviews on Trip Advisor for Portland if you want a better idea of specific places to stay.
Portland's downtown is a lot smaller than Seattle's FYI. It's easy to get around, very walkable. It's not so important (in my opinion) to be in a specific area if you are just doing a generic visit. There are a few hotels close to the Tom McCall Waterfront Park downtown - e.g. the Hotel Fifty, Marriott Waterfront, Riverplace Hotel - that may have view rooms of the river and (on a clear day) Mt. Hood. Other hotels like the Monaco, the Hotel Vintage Plaza, the Lucia, the Heathman, and the Benson - all well-regarded places - are only a few blocks from the river but have no real views of the water. But any of them would be fine for basic sightseeing in Portland without a car.
You didn't mention a budget, but if you want to save a little money, you can stay on the east side of the Willamette River in the Rose Quarter/Convention Center/Lloyd Center area. This area is easy to get to by the MAX train - just a quick two or three stops across the river from Union Station, almost walkable if you didn't have bags. But this side of town, while safe, is a bit dull at night.
Read the hotel reviews on Trip Advisor for Portland if you want a better idea of specific places to stay.
Apr 13th, 2010, 09:18 AM
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carolj: this is our first Amtrak trip and our first visit to Portland so can't help you out.....sorry ;0(
andrew: thanks for the info. we like to stay at private homes thru vrbo.com instead of hotels. our plan is general sightseeing, museums, gardens, parks and breweries ;-)
Which area would you select as 'base camp?'
andrew: thanks for the info. we like to stay at private homes thru vrbo.com instead of hotels. our plan is general sightseeing, museums, gardens, parks and breweries ;-)
Which area would you select as 'base camp?'
Apr 13th, 2010, 09:44 AM
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caribcarol, if you want to stay in a condo or apartment, I'd look in the Pearl District, downtown, or even Riverplace. If you want to stay in a more conventional house, I'd look in Northwest Portland (aka "Alphabet District" aka "Nob Hill"), which is a traditional "leafy sidewalks" neighborhood with lots of cafes, bars, etc. The Pearl (adjacent to NW) has lots of trendy restaurants and galleries but is all condos and apartments, not houses. Both areas are connected to downtown by the Portland Streetcar.
If you want to get out of downtown, try the east side of the Willamette River: a popular area like the Hawthorne District in SE or Irvington in NE. These are connected by buses, not trains or streetcars, though, and are more isolated from the things you might want to see.
If you want to get out of downtown, try the east side of the Willamette River: a popular area like the Hawthorne District in SE or Irvington in NE. These are connected by buses, not trains or streetcars, though, and are more isolated from the things you might want to see.
Apr 13th, 2010, 11:32 AM
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Thank you Andrew. doesn't need to be a conventional house; condo/apt/cottage/houseboat is what we prefer. feel you get more bang for your buck when staying at those kinds of places rather than a hotel. not really interested in "trendy." we're a 57 year old couple who like to visit museums, go on walking tours, bicycle, good restaurants, live music, brew pubs, etc. If we stay in the Pearl or Riverplace, will that be walking distance to museums, etc.?
Apr 13th, 2010, 11:55 AM
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The Pearl and Riverplace are at opposite ends of downtown, but you can take the Portland Streetcar from either point to get into and through the heart of downtown all the way up to NW 23rd Avenue - so plenty of restaurants, etc. nearby. The Portland Art Museum is 1-2 blocks away from the Streetcar stop. Portland is also a compact, easy-walking city; if you are in good walking shape, you can walk just about anywhere if you stay near downtown on the west side.
The Pearl is by far more lively and less touristy than Riverplace, but Riverplace is, well, on the river. Riverplace is a lot smaller and will have fewer housing choices; the Pearl is full of condos and apartment buildings.
Another option a few Fodorites like is the Inn at Northrup Station in NW Portland. It's right on the Portland Streetcar line and also in the heart of the wonderful Northwest Portland (Alphabet District) area, really nice homes and trees, etc.
Personally, I doubt you'll get more value for your money over a 4 day visit at a house/condo/apartment rental in Portland vs a hotel. If you are looking for a hotel deal, use Priceline or Hotwire to get a 4-star hotel downtown. Do some research on "bidding result" sites like betterbidding.com and you can likely get a 4-star hotel in downtown Portland for $60/night (plus parking if you have a car). You do have to have your plans locked in, though, because you can't change or cancel a reservation once you've paid Priceline or Hotwire. I am an experienced Priceline bidder so that's how I do it when I travel.
The Pearl is by far more lively and less touristy than Riverplace, but Riverplace is, well, on the river. Riverplace is a lot smaller and will have fewer housing choices; the Pearl is full of condos and apartment buildings.
Another option a few Fodorites like is the Inn at Northrup Station in NW Portland. It's right on the Portland Streetcar line and also in the heart of the wonderful Northwest Portland (Alphabet District) area, really nice homes and trees, etc.
Personally, I doubt you'll get more value for your money over a 4 day visit at a house/condo/apartment rental in Portland vs a hotel. If you are looking for a hotel deal, use Priceline or Hotwire to get a 4-star hotel downtown. Do some research on "bidding result" sites like betterbidding.com and you can likely get a 4-star hotel in downtown Portland for $60/night (plus parking if you have a car). You do have to have your plans locked in, though, because you can't change or cancel a reservation once you've paid Priceline or Hotwire. I am an experienced Priceline bidder so that's how I do it when I travel.
Apr 13th, 2010, 12:29 PM
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Andrew, just checked the Inn at Northrup website......perfect! Exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!
I did change my stay from 3-4 nights to probably 5-6.
Yes, we're in great walking condition and love to walk everywhere!
I did change my stay from 3-4 nights to probably 5-6.
Yes, we're in great walking condition and love to walk everywhere!
Apr 13th, 2010, 02:09 PM
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I have never stayed at the Inn at Northrup Station, but I know the area well, love that neighborhood! Expensive to buy a place there - so I live across the river. I hope you enjoy your trip to Portland!
