A Ticket to Portland
 

It appears that I now have a ticket to Portland but all plans there have fallen through and I will be on my own. What to do? I have already seen Portland and do not want to rent a car. Could I train to Eugene for a few days? What hotels are good? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

So, you've seen Portland, but have you experienced the dining scene here? If that doesn't float your boat, I'd suggest hopping a train to Seattle. Can't imagine why you'd want to go to Eugene.

As for hotels, what kind of place are you looking for?

I think Eugene would be a waste of a ticket to Portland, unless there is something specific you would go there for.

If you have seen Portland, and don't want to rent a car, Amtrak is the best idea. North to Seattle-4 hours and you are there.. or is it 3.. I think it is 3.

Best of luck on your adventure :)

Thanks to Scarlett and beachbum for your replies. I think I am looking for someplace to sob for a little while. But "sobbing in seattle" might be too much. A couple of years ago I spent a week in Seattle .... looking for something a little more "homey" and comfortable. I thought Eugene was a university town and not as touristy? Looking for a mid-range hotel with a good bar.

What time of year are you coming?
Eugene is a university town but of course school out for summer so not mcuh happening there.
The Olympic Trials are coming up in a couple of weeks and every hotel is sold out -
but if you are still interested in coming to Eugene I would recommend Valley River Inn - on the river - great walking/bike bath along the river- adjacent to shopping center and movies and places to eat without driving -
They have a nice bar but I dont know its exactly a happening place -if thats what you are looking for.

Oh dear, sobbing?
If retail therapy helps you, then stay in Portland for a few days at least lol.

Eugene is a neat little college town. I enjoy visiting it myself - but I happen to enjoy college campuses. You could take Amtrak down and get a hotel really close to the station and easily walk to the U of O campus. It's a very tiny, walkable little town - and unlike Portland, it is a true college town.

Unfortunately, Amtrak service to Eugene isn't that convenient, if you check the schedules. You'd think there would be several convenient trains a day but there aren't. The only trains (3X a day) leave Portland after 2PM, which kind of makes it inconvenient since you'll kill two days just on the train, for a ride that takes less than two hours each way by car. A train that left early and came back late would be great - but not happening.

I agree with the Seattle suggestion. Amtrak is more convenient between Portland and Seattle. The U of W campus is beautiful as well.

If you want to stay somewhere unusual closer to Portland, you could stay out in Troutdale (east of Portland) at the McMenamins Edgefield. It's a neat little funky resort, a former "poor farm" that has been transformed into a complex of restaurants, golf courses, etc. You can get out there from Portland without a car, by taking a TriMet bus, but it's not a short ride.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=3&id=30

I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't a launching point for tours of the nearby Columbia River Gorge during the summer; you could call them and ask.

Going the other direction you could take Amtrak (via bus, not train) out to the Oregon Coast to a town like Astoria (not really a beach town) overnight if you want somewhere very low-key to explore and relax.