Favorite Parks, Veg Restos in Portland, Oregon Accessible by Public Transit
Apr 22nd, 2013, 05:54 AM
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Favorite Parks, Veg Restos in Portland, Oregon Accessible by Public Transit
Hello all,
Coupled with a trip to see a friend in Vancouver, BC in June, I've decided to visit Oregon's largest city for the first time ever. I'm from the East Coast and find I feel a certain glee to be surrounded by West Coast scenery; it'll be my first time in Oregon period. I won't be driving so am planning on staying somewhere reasonably central.
Are there any parks you particularly love in the city, either for the vibe, the gardens, the greenery, the view, the charm of surrounding houses? I'll happily take transit or bike to get out to them if that's what it'll take. If you think it's an interesting park, regardless of what anyone else thinks,let me know. I love to cycle too, so ideas about cycling paths that are pleasant would be something I'd love to hear about.
Any favorite healthy, home-cooked or vegetarian restaurants (I'm not actually vegetarian but I love vegetarian cuisine) I'd love to hear about also. Hole-in-the-wall budget places up to say $20 a plate. Places a solo diner would feel comfortable would be preferred.
Any and all thoughts (even tangents) are appreciated! Best wishes, Daniel
Coupled with a trip to see a friend in Vancouver, BC in June, I've decided to visit Oregon's largest city for the first time ever. I'm from the East Coast and find I feel a certain glee to be surrounded by West Coast scenery; it'll be my first time in Oregon period. I won't be driving so am planning on staying somewhere reasonably central.
Are there any parks you particularly love in the city, either for the vibe, the gardens, the greenery, the view, the charm of surrounding houses? I'll happily take transit or bike to get out to them if that's what it'll take. If you think it's an interesting park, regardless of what anyone else thinks,let me know. I love to cycle too, so ideas about cycling paths that are pleasant would be something I'd love to hear about.
Any favorite healthy, home-cooked or vegetarian restaurants (I'm not actually vegetarian but I love vegetarian cuisine) I'd love to hear about also. Hole-in-the-wall budget places up to say $20 a plate. Places a solo diner would feel comfortable would be preferred.
Any and all thoughts (even tangents) are appreciated! Best wishes, Daniel
Apr 22nd, 2013, 06:27 AM
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We have a lot of beauty here, so you won't be disappointed with that!
Our weather is usually still chilly and a bit rainy in June though. Not cold, but the local joke is that ours summers do not begin until July 5th.
As for things around downtown, here are some of the usual must sees. Japanese garden, International Rose Test garden, zoo, Forest Park, Pittock Mansion, Chinese garden, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Saturday Market(on saturdays and sundays), Portland Farmers Market (the big one is on saturdays in the park blocks at PSU), Portland Art Museum, OMSI, and ride the Springwater Trail on the east side.
The gorge is stunning, but most people use a car to visit there. It starts about 15 minutes outside of Portland. If you can't/don't want to rent a car for a day, consider going on a tour. It is one of the highlights of the state.
As for vegetarian places, I can't help with that. But for cheap, try the food carts as we are well known for those. There is a large pod at 10th and Alder.
If your trip coincides with the Rose Festival, book a hotel NOW and be prepared to pay a bit more. The festival is a lot of fun.
This should get you started
Our weather is usually still chilly and a bit rainy in June though. Not cold, but the local joke is that ours summers do not begin until July 5th.
As for things around downtown, here are some of the usual must sees. Japanese garden, International Rose Test garden, zoo, Forest Park, Pittock Mansion, Chinese garden, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Saturday Market(on saturdays and sundays), Portland Farmers Market (the big one is on saturdays in the park blocks at PSU), Portland Art Museum, OMSI, and ride the Springwater Trail on the east side.
The gorge is stunning, but most people use a car to visit there. It starts about 15 minutes outside of Portland. If you can't/don't want to rent a car for a day, consider going on a tour. It is one of the highlights of the state.
As for vegetarian places, I can't help with that. But for cheap, try the food carts as we are well known for those. There is a large pod at 10th and Alder.
If your trip coincides with the Rose Festival, book a hotel NOW and be prepared to pay a bit more. The festival is a lot of fun.
This should get you started
Apr 22nd, 2013, 09:10 AM
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Hi Daniel. You will enjoy your visit to Portland. It is both vegetarian and pedestrian friendly. I just returned and am way behind on a trip report. My go to girl for information was mms. She is very generous with her advice and she was spot on. I just want to add a ditto to the suggestion of the Chinese garden. I found it very beautiful and an excellent experience. Do go on the docent led tour. As for vegetarian choices, I recommend Farm, Cafe Bijou, and Pazzo. If you like ice cream, get in line (and don't be daunted by a long one) for Salt and Straw. It is absolutely fantastic! Well worth going out of your way to try.
Have a wonderful trip and I look forward to your report. If you decide to add a trip to the coast to your itinerary, please let me know. I have several vegetarian options which I highly recommend.
Have a wonderful trip and I look forward to your report. If you decide to add a trip to the coast to your itinerary, please let me know. I have several vegetarian options which I highly recommend.
Apr 22nd, 2013, 09:15 AM
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Daniel,
mms gave the best advice. Unfortunately - all of spirobulldog's suggestions require a car - perhaps he/she didn't read your post about you not having a car...
Re. cycling: You'll be pleased to discover the whole city is bike lanes. It's the bikeyest city I've seen outside of Amsterdam. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/39402
The Zoo is wonderful and there is a MAX station right at the entrance. The Hoyt arboretum, the Japenese garden, and the International Test Rose garden are all right there too. http://trimet.org/maps/railsystem.htm
DO get make an exception for your independent streak and take a bus tour (or if you can find one, a van tour) of the Columbia River Gorge. It is absolutely DON'T MISS.
mms gave the best advice. Unfortunately - all of spirobulldog's suggestions require a car - perhaps he/she didn't read your post about you not having a car...
Re. cycling: You'll be pleased to discover the whole city is bike lanes. It's the bikeyest city I've seen outside of Amsterdam. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/39402
The Zoo is wonderful and there is a MAX station right at the entrance. The Hoyt arboretum, the Japenese garden, and the International Test Rose garden are all right there too. http://trimet.org/maps/railsystem.htm
DO get make an exception for your independent streak and take a bus tour (or if you can find one, a van tour) of the Columbia River Gorge. It is absolutely DON'T MISS.
Apr 22nd, 2013, 12:43 PM
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Yes, there are bike rental places. Just do a Google search to come up with the names and locations. I have seen one along the waterfront, but never pay much attention to that since we live here and have our own bikes.
There is a visitors center right in downtown at Pioneer Courthouse Square (another place to visit, which is also known as Portlands living room). The visitors center has all sorts of info on tours for the gorge, bike rentals, pretty much anything you could want. You can also check out some of this stuff online at www.travelportland.com
There is a visitors center right in downtown at Pioneer Courthouse Square (another place to visit, which is also known as Portlands living room). The visitors center has all sorts of info on tours for the gorge, bike rentals, pretty much anything you could want. You can also check out some of this stuff online at www.travelportland.com
Apr 22nd, 2013, 03:05 PM
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mms, cmcfong, bardo1-- Thanks for the suggestions! More than I'll have time to do during my 3 days there I suspect. You can expect a trip report for sure. Looking forward to the great cycling and vegetarian meals! spirobulldog-- I'll have to check out your ideas some future trip!
jayne1973-- Feel free to hijack my threads; I love them being hijacked because it boosts them to the top so that others might get a chance to see my query! Besides, I was curious about bike rental and appreciated mms's answer. Can one on a nice day *bike* to the Columbia River Gorge? I see the Columbia River is not far, but I'm unclear if close-by River= Gorge.
jayne1973-- Feel free to hijack my threads; I love them being hijacked because it boosts them to the top so that others might get a chance to see my query!
Besides, I was curious about bike rental and appreciated mms's answer. Can one on a nice day *bike* to the Columbia River Gorge? I see the Columbia River is not far, but I'm unclear if close-by River= Gorge.
Apr 22nd, 2013, 03:08 PM
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There is a 40 mile bike trail in Portland you might like to try - or part of -
here is a link
http://www.40mileloop.org/trail_springwatercorridor.htm
I have only done the portion starting downtown and over to Sellwood - but its a nice ride- the portion I did was all paved, I think all of it is.
I brought my own bike but I have seen rentals close to where the Sat market is.
here is a link
http://www.40mileloop.org/trail_springwatercorridor.htm
I have only done the portion starting downtown and over to Sellwood - but its a nice ride- the portion I did was all paved, I think all of it is.
I brought my own bike but I have seen rentals close to where the Sat market is.
Apr 22nd, 2013, 03:18 PM
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Daniel--The gorge starts about 17 miles outside of Portland, so I wouldn't recommend biking there. Plus once there, you are either on the freeway (which I don't recommend even with a car) or the old scenic highway(best way to see all the good spots) and that highway is really narrow and so not good for bikes.
sunbum--I have always been on the springwater from out near gresham and east of there. We start at a family members house and go from there. Need to do all of it at some point though!
sunbum--I have always been on the springwater from out near gresham and east of there. We start at a family members house and go from there. Need to do all of it at some point though!
Apr 24th, 2013, 03:26 PM
#16
There are lots of great vegetarian restaurants in Portland. My daughter is vegetarian. When she lived there, we didn't need to hunt down places to eat as almost every restaurant has vegetarian dishes (and not just salads). You will find good choices everywhere!
check out Chowhound.com for specific places.
I've never seen a more bike friendly city in America. Bike lanes are everywhere, and the car drivers have some pretty strict penalties so are fairly gracious to cyclists.
check out Chowhound.com for specific places.
I've never seen a more bike friendly city in America. Bike lanes are everywhere, and the car drivers have some pretty strict penalties so are fairly gracious to cyclists.
Apr 25th, 2013, 07:05 PM
#18
You can get to nearly everything either on the MAX trains or with the streetcar. http://trimet.org/max/index.htm
There is no need to rent a car if you fly into PDX. Just ride the Red line into the city. The end of the red line is right outside baggage claim at PDX.
There is no need to rent a car if you fly into PDX. Just ride the Red line into the city. The end of the red line is right outside baggage claim at PDX.
