First trip to Portland
 

We are a couple of 70+ year olds planning a visit after Labor Day NEXT YEAR. Flying into Portland from the UK, we would spend a week to 10 days in the city and northern Oregon. I have kept for reference plenty of good ideas posted by other Fodorites, am noting the current weather and looking forward to some excellent Willamette Valley pinot noir with today's Sunday roast!

I have a couple of specific questions that I hope someone with local knowledge can help answer:

1] We are members of Marriott's loyalty scheme so would prefer to stay in one of their hotels while in the city. We would rather rent a car after exploring the city, so which of their hotels would provide the most convenient base for doing that?
2] Getting there from the airport - taxi or public transport?
3] At the end of our time in Oregon we thought we might take "The Empire Builder" to MSP. Is late September/early October likely to bring weather problems for Amtrak?

Nothing like forward planning! Hope someone can help

Portland Marriott City Center has the best location for walking around the city center, but the Residence Inn comes with more space and breakfast.

Ten days in Portland is quite a long time to spend there with the Columbia River Gorge and the coast nearby, and with Mt. Rainier three hours away.

<i>Is late September/early October likely to bring weather problems for Amtrak?</i>

Amtrack always has problems no matter what the weather.

HTtY

You can't do any better than this: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...t-city-center/
The TriMet red line light rail is right outside the baggage claim at PDX. When you are ready to leave the city I think Enterprise will deliver a car to your hotel.
The problems with the Empire Builder being late and sometimes very late for the past 2 or 3 years has been with the freight railroad moving large amounts of oil from the oilfields of North Dakota both east and west.
On the eastbound Empire Builder you get to see the southern edge of Glacier NP in daylight.
The view of the Columbia River from the train after leaving Portland is nice.

Today the Empire Builder arrived in MSP 4 minutes late, YMMV.
Amtrak (no c) has been running the rails since 1970.
I started riding in October 2001. Do not plan on a same day flight out of MSP. Spend a day checking out the city before flying out the next day.

in enjoy staying at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront.

It is very easy to get in and out of when driving and is at the edge of the downtown area. I am your age and find it easy to walk anywhere I want to go from there- but then I am a walker.

I would take a cab from the airport.

September is usually a beautiful month here- late Sept there is more chance of rain.

There are so many things to do in Portland area- come and enjoy our Oregon Pinot Noirs.

I recently visited a winery in Roseburg - Hillcrest- which is the oldest winery in Oregon and produces some lovely wines. The wine is sold only at the tasting room.
There are many wineries in the area- the Umqua Valley- but it would be more than a day trip from Portland.

Hope you will have a fabulous trip.

roger,

One thing I enjoyed on my visit to Portland was a walking tour, a tasting tour which was recommended by one of the OR Fordorites here. It was a fun 1/2 day and we went to about 9 different places for tastes at each. All were very, very good!

Also, if you want to spend a few days out in the Willamette Valley wine tasting, I can give you a recommendation for a lovely vrbo property up in the hills above McMinnville, less than 10 minutes from the town. Very nicely furnished, with views of their vineyard and the mountains, and super hosts who have this little "cabin" on their large, beautifully landscaped property. Let me know if you are interested.

Cheers!

Epicurean Walking Tour is the name of the food tasting tour. Well worth a few hours of your time. You will taste some local foods, maybe a beer and learn some bits of Portland history as well.

Thanks HTty & Tom for the hotel advice.
I see that the Empire Builder is scheduled to arrive in MSP @ 7-30am but I agree that an overnight there would be wise [if for no other reason than to sleep in a bed that is not jolting!] Hopefully the Guthrie will have a show on.

We rode the California Zephyr from Sacramento to Chicago a couple of years back and I was impressed with Amtrak. I think some of their reputation is unjustified, but we will factor the oil freighters into our plans.

The walking tours sound right up our street. Noted!

Thanks for all the help.

Dayle; The address [website?] of that cabin would be welcomed.

Hi Roger,

Go to vrbo.com and it's listing # 298582. In just a gorgeous location and Don and Jean are very lovely people. Tell them Dayle from Park City recommended the cabin to you!

Enjoy!

Dayle
Have looked at the website -delightful.
Will get in touch with the owners nearer the time. Thanks for the heads up.