Daytrips from Portland
 

My husband & I are visiting relatives in Forest Grove, OR (about 30 miles from Portland) at the end of May. We have been to Oregon several times before and visited Seaside, Newport, Cannon Beach. We haven't spent much time in Portland before so we were wanting to do some sightseeing in Portland. Any suggestions on what to see while we're there?

Hi HMC,

If you have plans to visit downtown Portland there is a lot to keep you occupied. There is, of course, lots of shopping available, but you may also want to consider the Portland Rose Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Chinese gardens, Powell's bookstore, walking along the waterfront, riding max around town, walking all around the pearl district (my favorite shopping area in the city)....really there are a lot of things to occupy your time. I'm sure others will have additional ideas for you. Have fun!

Cheers,
Tracey

Saturday Market in downtown Portland under the Burnside bridge is a lot of fun and a definite experience. It is filled with handmade items, arts, crafts, etc. along with food. You get a real flavor for Oregon! Here is the website...www.saturdaymarket.org

Also, I love going to NW 23rd for the little shops (roughly between NW Everett and NW Johnson). It is about 5-10 minutes by car from Saturday Market. It is about 10 blocks of little stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, etc. There are some chain stores (Pottery Barn) but it is mostly little quaint shops. You could easily combine the two into an afternoon.

I'm from Oregon originally and live in NYC now. These are the two spots I always go when I fly home!

Multnomah Falls is also great and not too far from Portland. Mt. Hood is worth the drive and you can have a nice lunch at the Timberline Lodge.

Have a great trip!

I am looking at all the Portland postings because I am longing to be there again :)
The Pearl
NW23rd street with lunch at Papa Haydn or just dessert.
Powells
Definitely the Japanese Gardens!
If you are there on Saturday, go to the Saturday Market, buy some incense and tie dye shirts :)
We just walked every day and took the trolley or Max..it is a great walking city!
Go to the Museum of Fine Art too!
And let's not forget, there is some good shopping in Portland, Nordstroms and the Pioneer Square mall, you can see a movie there too..just in case you have a rainy day LOL
Have fun! Do post a report when you get back and make me more "homesick" :D

On our visit to Portland last month we enjoyed a nice stay at the Riverplace Hotel. We had a deluxe room with a river view this time that was very nice. While we were in Portland we enjoyed meals at Wildwood, Higgins, Pho Van Bistro (Pearl District) and Park Kitchen. :)

We also enjoyed touring the Pittock Mansion and spent one afternoon at the Chinese Classical Gardens that was very pretty. Shopping in the Pearl was great (www.shopthepearl.com) and we enjoyed the Verdun chocolate shop and a glass of wine at Vigne.

Past visits to Portland we've enjoyed the Rose Gardens, Oregon Zoo, Pioneer Place, Saturday Market and meals at Bluehour, Paley's Place and Hurley's. It's also fun to go to Sauvie Island if you haven't been there before. A carriage ride through town is also fun. Two members of our family are headed to Portland again next week! Have a great time! ***kim*** ((*))

Looks like you've plenty of suggestions on what to see in and around Portland. Even recommendations on what and where to eat, and the kind or room to stay in!

If you run out of things to do in Portland, Forest Grove is close to some of Oregon's best wine country. Just take highway 47 south towards McMinnville: rolling green hills, quaint little burgs like Gaston, Yamhill, Carlton, and a number of boutique wineries along the way.