Hello!

I am staying at the Hilton, Portland, 921 SW Sixth Avenue. Has anyone stayed there? What is nearby to do? Do I need a car? Do they charge for parking?

Hi, I live in Portland. The Hilton is right in the center of downtown Portland, which is very walkable.

The city has excellent public transportation, so staying at the Hilton, you won't really need a car, unless you want to drive to the mountains or beach.

Parking is $18/night, valet parking is $21/night. Supposedly there's less expensive parking within a block or two.

The MAX light-rail line has a Pioneer Square South stop that's a block or so away. You can ride MAX for free in the Fareless Square area (downtown, plus east to Lloyd Center). Here's a link to the TriMet Web site, which shows a map of MAX and also has bus information:

http://www.trimet.org/

The Hilton must have an airport shuttle(?), but otherwise the MAX train from the airport to downtown (2-3 blocks from the Hilton) is only $1.55 and probably faster in rush hour traffic than a shuttle. You won't need a car if you are staying close-in Portland - easy walking, free buses downtown. Depends what you want to see, how long you are planning to stay. You could rent a car for only a day or two right downtown if you are planning a short excursion out of town.

You didn't say when you are visiting. This weekend (8/22) there's an Italian Festival going on 2 blocks from your hotel at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Saturday and Sunday mornings (not just this weekend) there's Saturday Market right under the Burnside Bridge (take the MAX train east, back toward the river, there's stop right in the middle of the market).

Good walking: walk west to the South Park Blocks (which extend from Portland State to SE Salmon Street). Or walk east to the Waterfront Park. Or take the Portland Streetcar (SW10th/11th Ave) to NW Portland and walk along NW 23rd Ave - lots of trendy shopping, nice houses nearby. You can also take the #15 or #17 bus into NW Portland for the same cost ($1.25).

You can also take the Wasington Park Shuttle up to the Japanese Garden. The International Rose Test Garden nearby is amazing and might still be in bloom.

If it's raining, check out Powell's Books at NW 10th and Burnside - if you like books, you could spend a day there (it's an entire city block of books!).

It is in a good location for walking or using MAX (public transit). Personally, I don't think you need a car but if you want to get out of town then you'll want one. The parking is expensive there, much cheaper at a "Smart Park" (little guy with a cap) a few blocks away.

Enjoy!