First time to Portland Oregon and was wondering what places NOT to see this time of year.

Also,
I bought 2 travel guidebooks that were somewhat boring and could use some advice.
Not really into sight seeing a bunch of statues or stores, but after I done driving to the mountains, valleys and oceanfront’s I would like to get a feel for the people. (I may be taking a job offer in the city of Portland). Other then walking downtown Portland any ideas?

Also want to point out after reading many posts on this forum, and coming from Hawaii, I am deathly afraid I will hate the rain. Not to say I like sunny days all the time because I don’t care for that either. But how can people work outdoors in the drizzle? As an Air conditioning mechanic working on rooftops all my tools would be damaged in short order.

Are you sure you are not my husband? LOL..we went to Portland in September, we both loved it and would have moved there right away, but he said he is worried about the rain. (like we did not have 4 hurricanes this summer?)
We found that riding the trolley car, walking in the Pearl , walking NW23rd street and just chatting with people in the stores/bars/restaurants, gave us a very good feel of what the people and city are like.
I found the people in POrtland to be some of the friendliest I have met. And very helpful.
Go to the Saturday market, great way to browse and chat ..
We went to Seaside one day, loved it.
The Historic ride past all the waterfalls, wonderful.
Take the wine road, we missed it but plan to next time.
We saw the Taiko drummers while we were there.
So it is a varied city, people are all healthy and interested in hiking and being outdoors and none seem to mind the rain. In fact, a friend of mine who lives in Portland, says she prefers the cool rainy days to the heat of a Southern summer.
Hope this helps a little bit

I live here, and absolutely love the weather, including the rain. It doesn't stop me from doing anything...just layer up a bit and you can do anything outside.

My favorite guide book for the area is "Trips & Trails Oregon" by William Sullivan. It has many more suggestions than the usual guides.

I cannot think of anything to NOT see...ther is so much around here, but sometimes things are hidden in fog or clouds. Just sort of have to take it day by day for that.

Scarlett is right about us...we are a friendly bunch. So when you are here, just stop in a restaurant for a meal and start talking to the locals and I am sure people would love to share their feelings on the area.

What are your main things you want to do while here? We have had lots of snow up at Mt. Hood the last week or so, so maybe ski or snowshoe? Hiking in the Gorge?

If you need anymore help, just ask.

It may be too dark and dreary to see anything in the mountains and valleys depending on the weather. The coast might be okay in the winter. Some people like to "storm watch," and there is an occasional clear day in the winter, and summer, for that matter!

There are lots of interesting neighborhoods. Scarlett has pointed out some of the highlights. Also the Hawthorne district is fun. If you're into antiques, Sellwood is nice. Check out Irvington, Westmoreland and Laurelhurst to see how different each neighborhood can be. You might like the World Forestry Center.

Ha ha Hawaii. You'll have to ask at your potential employment place about the work conditions in the rainy months.

Only you can determine how you will feel about the rain, overcast skies, and relative darkness (due to latitude). Many people don't mind at all (especially people who work indoors all day....). Here's the good news on the weather. I've observed that more people grow to accept the weather than grow to hate it. There are lots of compensations.

Maybe try skiing at Mt. Hood Meadows. Maybe drive east of the Cascades to Bend, where it is sunnier.

The people are nice. That will definitely not be a problem.

Report back, okay?

Hi mms, formerly of Seattle! Yours wasn't posted when I was writing. Great minds think alike, though. I think we are all having the same ideas. I do not mind the rain either, though I'd be afraid of spending too much time in the southwest or Hawaii for fear of turning green with envy instead of moss!
It's been dreary in Seattle the last few days, that's for sure. Darkness has definitely set in. Hoping for a break!

Orcas...yes, great minds We have lived in those sunny spots before, but I guess being born and raised in the PNW I always missed the rain and couldn't wait to return! We are really missing Seattle right now...we lived in the convergence zone and our old neighborhood had quite a bit of snow. Enjoy some Seattle sites for me

I would like to correct a mistake I made..We went to Cannon Beach, not Seaside. We love Cannon Beach

Hi mms & orcas, I miss Portland, I have been going through the real estate listings again~

Scarlett--You know you and the Yankee are welcome to stay in our guest room for house hunting

Thanks for all the input. The reason I asked about places NOT to go is because I am new to driving in bad weather conditions (don’t snow much here). All the places in the city you all mentions are unfamiliar to me. I read that the city of Portland is divided up in quadrants. What area of town we all talkn bout? And do I get there via my rent a car or just park and walk?

To avoid driving in bad weather, the only place to really avoid would be Mt. Hood, and that is really only if the weather is bad at the time. The roads are usually kept very clear, so its not normally a bad drive from Portland up to Timberline.

Definitely drive out to the Gorge area (Columbia River Gorge). There will probably be rain, but thats all. The entire area is beautiful. A good place for a first time visitor to see is Multnomah Falls. The exit to park from the freeway (I-84) is to the left.

Portland itself has different neighborhoods, just like most cities. The great thing about Portland is that you can park pretty much anywhere and just walk. There are a lot of Smart Park garages that are pretty inexpensive. There is a good public transportation system here between TriMet and the Max rail, but I haven't used those in over 20 years...I just walk. So if you are walking and get cold at least you have options.

Hope some of this helps.

We've got snow and freezing rain in the forecast this weekend. If that hangs on into next week, you may not feel safe driving up the mountain, to the coast, or out the gorge.

I think a weekend breakfast is a good meal out if you're trying to get a feel for the people around here. Pick a spot in the Pearl District, on NW 23rd, or along Hawthorne Blvd. For the good, bad, and the ugly, sit at a stool in the Starbuck's at Pioneer Square for a few hours any day of the week.

Beachbum, are you saying the weather will be so terrible that I should skip the mountains and ocean scenic routes?

When are your arriving in Portland? Check the local weather (www.kgw.com is one local station). We have a winter storm predicted starting late tonight (Friday) and possibly continuing through the weekend. It will probably return to cool and relatively dry weather sometime next week (we've had an unusually dry winter so far - California is getting all of our rain).

someone above suggested the Saturday Market - it is closed for the winter until sometime in March, I believe. So to answer your question, that would be one place to avoid!

alikair, Most routes to the coast go over the "coast range", the exception being highway 30 to Astoria. And much of our cold weather comes down the Columbia Gorge from the east. If the nasty weather we're expecting this weekend hangs on into next week, the roads over the coast range and out the gorge may be packed with snow and/or ice. It's almost a guarantee that the road to the top of the Mountain will be.

Definitely check the forecast before venturing out. Right now though, this storm is "supposed" to be done by Sunday and then we would be back to normal during the week. Then again, you never know with forecasts. As long as its rainy I would venture out to wherever it is I wanted to go.

alikair, listen to Beachbum and Pdxgirl! I wouldn't attempt the Gorge area next week. There are lots of things you could see/do in Portland to keep you busy right in town!

Suggesting the Sat. Market when it's closed is just tooo funny! The Pearl District is a great place, try to have a meal at Bluehour there. www.shopthepearl.com is a website for you.

I hope you get to try clarklewis for lunch or dinner, it's Portland's "hot spot" right now. Let us know how you like Portland, we'll be there in a few weeks ourselves.

An old friend stopped by to chat yesterday and said his daughter has recently moved to Portland with her husband and they love it there. She's getting into the culinary arts and wants to be a pastry chef. I informed him that Portland has many great places for her to exercise her skill!!

Stay dry, next week looks wet and cold. Spend an afternoon in Powell's Bookstore, then get something warm to drink and grab a pastry from Pix. Have a great time! ***kim***

alikair,
Are you coming just for a visit, or are you planning to move here? The latest forecast for next week looks typical for winter in Portland: rainy and cool. But, it will probably be warm enough that there won't be snow in the gorge or on the coast range. If you've the time, you might spend a night at the coast, where storm watching is a favorite activity this time of year (what else is there to do?).

kim, so happy to have your endorsement of my recommendations. Where do you live, by the way?

If it's not icy a visit to Multnomah Falls in the winter can be impressive...much water.

Then there's beer. Portland is beer capital of America. Hit www.mcmenamins.com for lodging, food, movie, and...beer ideas. Remember, beer is food...

Ugh, to late now to cancel my trip, it’s this Jan 20th. It’s the only time I can travel. Last year this time we had a great time in Seattle. I bypassed most of the town stuff and went to places like Friday Harbor and Leavenworth. Sound like this trip will be a mistake. I hope the lousy weather will clear up so I can at least see out my car windows L

Definitely do not cancel your trip! This area is gorgeous even with rain, and like everyone that lives here has said, the weather is supposed to improve a bit. Just come and enjoy