April Trip-Weather in Portland?
Feb 13th, 2009, 07:02 PM
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April Trip-Weather in Portland?
My husband and I are trying to decide if Portland would be a good place for a visit in mid-April this year. We prefer cool weather over hot, but are concerned about the amount of rain at that time of year. Any input would be appreciated.
Also, if we decide to go, would 'greater downtown' be a good place to stay or is there another area that would be better? Our main travel interests are good food/restaurants, history/culture/architecture, and beautiful scenery.
Also, if we decide to go, would 'greater downtown' be a good place to stay or is there another area that would be better? Our main travel interests are good food/restaurants, history/culture/architecture, and beautiful scenery.
Feb 13th, 2009, 07:32 PM
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lovebug, please use the fodor's search function and search for "portland" . You'll find a ton of posts about Portland here.
April is probably going to be wet and/or overcast. It's not known as a dry month - but yeah, you can't predict the weather. It could be sunny and 60 the whole time you are here. Odds are better it will be 50 and slightly rainy...
Many people prefer staying downtown at hotels like the Monaco, Hotel Vintage Plaza (4-star "botique" hotels). Others prefer staying in NW Portland (a favorite neighborhood of mine - don't live there, but I'm there right now) at the Inn at Northrup Station, which is in the heart of the neighborhood but also on the Portland Streetcar line to get you quickly into the popular Pearl District and through the heart of downtown (past Powell's Books and the Portland Art Museum).
If you want beautiful scenery, there's plenty of it all over the place here even in lousy weather. The Columbia River Gorge is amazing even in rainy weather; waterfalls are still breathtaking even if it's not sunny (though if overcast you'd miss the awesome Gorge views you see on postcards). You won't see Mt. Hood or Mt. St. Helens if it's cloudy, but if you head to the Oregon Coast you can still see great dramatic coast scenery, even without sunshine.
April is probably going to be wet and/or overcast. It's not known as a dry month - but yeah, you can't predict the weather. It could be sunny and 60 the whole time you are here. Odds are better it will be 50 and slightly rainy...
Many people prefer staying downtown at hotels like the Monaco, Hotel Vintage Plaza (4-star "botique" hotels). Others prefer staying in NW Portland (a favorite neighborhood of mine - don't live there, but I'm there right now) at the Inn at Northrup Station, which is in the heart of the neighborhood but also on the Portland Streetcar line to get you quickly into the popular Pearl District and through the heart of downtown (past Powell's Books and the Portland Art Museum).
If you want beautiful scenery, there's plenty of it all over the place here even in lousy weather. The Columbia River Gorge is amazing even in rainy weather; waterfalls are still breathtaking even if it's not sunny (though if overcast you'd miss the awesome Gorge views you see on postcards). You won't see Mt. Hood or Mt. St. Helens if it's cloudy, but if you head to the Oregon Coast you can still see great dramatic coast scenery, even without sunshine.
Feb 13th, 2009, 07:36 PM
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The weather in Portland this year has been a bit unusual, cold but not wet. My son's birthday falls in late April and we've always been able to celebrate it outdoors. Even if it does rain, it shouldn't hamper your visit. The rain would be light and scattered. Just be prepared and wear layers.
I would also recommend staying in the "greater downtown" area since that would be the most central and logical place to stay. You'll have easy freeway access, be close to many excellent restaurants, sights, and attractions. The Portland Art Museum, theatres, and historical society are downtown. The Rose and Japanese Gardens are only a short drive away.
I hope you plan to come to Portland. It's a great town!
I would also recommend staying in the "greater downtown" area since that would be the most central and logical place to stay. You'll have easy freeway access, be close to many excellent restaurants, sights, and attractions. The Portland Art Museum, theatres, and historical society are downtown. The Rose and Japanese Gardens are only a short drive away.
I hope you plan to come to Portland. It's a great town!
Feb 13th, 2009, 07:45 PM
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I travel to Portland quite frequently because I have family there - I love Portland but don't go there for the weather.
Go for the great restaurants, the Colombia River Gorge, and all the great cultural activities.
Some of my favorite trips have been to Portland in the worst weather.
I love sipping organic coffee while reading at Powells Books Store Coffee Shop, spending a day at the Japanese gardens, watching my granddaughter play at the OSMI, going out to fantastic restaurants, shopping in the Pearl District, checking out funky shops on Alberta Street.
Go for the great restaurants, the Colombia River Gorge, and all the great cultural activities.
Some of my favorite trips have been to Portland in the worst weather.
I love sipping organic coffee while reading at Powells Books Store Coffee Shop, spending a day at the Japanese gardens, watching my granddaughter play at the OSMI, going out to fantastic restaurants, shopping in the Pearl District, checking out funky shops on Alberta Street.
Feb 13th, 2009, 08:17 PM
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Thank you all for the terrific information and encouragement. Three completely different perspectives all coming to the same conclusion....visit Portland no matter what the weather. I like that kind of energy! I'm going to book our flights. I'll be back to ask about restaurants, etc. at a later time.
Feb 14th, 2009, 03:29 AM
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www.pova.com
I always recommend the hotels in the Downtown area of Portland.. you can get all over town by Streetcar as well as this is where a lot of / most of the big/good hotels are, more restaurants and it is basically safe and easy to just wander one neighborhood to the next.
My favorite hotel is the Monaco.. but there are all sorts for all budgets etc.
I lived in the Pearl District which is where Powells is ( right on the streetcar line) and a day can be easily spent wandering the galleries, boutiques and shops not to mention the great food available everywhere.. the NW neighborhood (NW 23rd especially) is fantastic for shopping, eating, looking..
It will no doubt rain and be chilly.
That doesn't stop anyone
Some sights not to miss...
Even in the rain, go to the Japanese Gardens.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...e-japanese.jpg
The Portland Art Museum is quite nice.
The entire place is steeped in history.. most buildings in Portland are old, they gutted them and built new inside so the look of the town is one of an older area with wide sidewalks.. there are charming parks scattered around as well as Forest Park and Washinton Park.. huge forests within a city ..
Pittock Mansion is wonderful, history, beauty and a fabulous view of the city and beyond.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...ck-mansion.jpg
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...om-pittock.jpg
The Gorge is about 30 min by car from dowtown, take the Historic Hwy and see waterfall after waterfall.. amazing.
The Coast is a 90 min drive from downtown.. not a bad daytrip .. go to Cannon Beach, have lunch , walk ..take lots of photos!
I always recommend the hotels in the Downtown area of Portland.. you can get all over town by Streetcar as well as this is where a lot of / most of the big/good hotels are, more restaurants and it is basically safe and easy to just wander one neighborhood to the next.
My favorite hotel is the Monaco.. but there are all sorts for all budgets etc.
I lived in the Pearl District which is where Powells is ( right on the streetcar line) and a day can be easily spent wandering the galleries, boutiques and shops not to mention the great food available everywhere.. the NW neighborhood (NW 23rd especially) is fantastic for shopping, eating, looking..
It will no doubt rain and be chilly.
That doesn't stop anyone
Some sights not to miss...
Even in the rain, go to the Japanese Gardens.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...e-japanese.jpg
The Portland Art Museum is quite nice.
The entire place is steeped in history.. most buildings in Portland are old, they gutted them and built new inside so the look of the town is one of an older area with wide sidewalks.. there are charming parks scattered around as well as Forest Park and Washinton Park.. huge forests within a city ..
Pittock Mansion is wonderful, history, beauty and a fabulous view of the city and beyond.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...ck-mansion.jpg
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...om-pittock.jpg
The Gorge is about 30 min by car from dowtown, take the Historic Hwy and see waterfall after waterfall.. amazing.
The Coast is a 90 min drive from downtown.. not a bad daytrip .. go to Cannon Beach, have lunch , walk ..take lots of photos!
Feb 14th, 2009, 02:54 PM
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Author: Scarlett
Date: 02/14/2009, 07:29 am
"It will no doubt rain and be chilly.
That doesn't stop anyone"
I have to laugh!
That is so true.
During a downpour (while visiting DD) I looked out the window and saw the neighbor washing his car (bucket of soap, hose and scrub brush)!!
Whenever I'm out in the rain, I fuss with the umbrella, and my DD says "oh mom, no one ever bothers to open an umbrella in this little downpour."
Date: 02/14/2009, 07:29 am
"It will no doubt rain and be chilly.
That doesn't stop anyone"
I have to laugh!
That is so true.
During a downpour (while visiting DD) I looked out the window and saw the neighbor washing his car (bucket of soap, hose and scrub brush)!!
Whenever I'm out in the rain, I fuss with the umbrella, and my DD says "oh mom, no one ever bothers to open an umbrella in this little downpour."
Feb 24th, 2009, 09:09 PM
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I agree with the majority of the posts - the weather will probably be cool and drizzly, but PDX is known for having fun even in that kind of weather. I live here now (after 1 years in NYC) and I check this site frequently to see what's going on around town: http://www.travelportland.com/
Feb 25th, 2009, 10:08 AM
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Martrese , we were NYers before arriving in Portland too ( with a year in Fl between)..
You got more snow this winter, than we ever did in Portland , but isn't it a great city? I loved the view of the hills and Mt Hood in the distance.. so much more than buildings everywhere I looked .. are you just loving it ?
You got more snow this winter, than we ever did in Portland , but isn't it a great city? I loved the view of the hills and Mt Hood in the distance.. so much more than buildings everywhere I looked .. are you just loving it ?
