We will be visiting Portland in late August. We will arrive in Portland around noon on Thursday. We are staying near the airport and plan on taking the light rail into the downtown. We will have the rest of the day on Thursday and all day on Friday to visit the downtown. We have been to the Portland area before, but did not go downtown, except for a stop at the Saturday market before we continued on our way. We would like to visit Powell Books, the Rose test garden, and possibly the Japanese garden. What are the other must sees in the downtown area? Where should we get off the train? We don't mind walking to see a lot of sights.

Take a look at the website www.trimet.org and you can plan your trip precisely.

The rose garden is beautiful, and since the Japanese Garden is right by it, definitely do those together. Pitch Mansion is near there as well and if it is a clear day there are stunning views of the city and Mt Hood.

Right in downtown though is the Chinese Garden. It is tiny, just one square block, but enjoyable.

You might check out the Farmer's Market at PSU, or the Portland Art Museum. Many visitors like VooDoo Donuts, but locals prefer Blue Star, FWIW.

Take a walk along the waterfront. Maybe take one of the Portland cruises up the river.

What about renting a car for a day to go see the Columbia River Gorge? If that is not feasible, there are shuttles now to Multnomah Falls, but the the shuttle doesn't leave from downtown. You would need to take MAX to to the station for the shuttle, but the gorge is beautiful so I think it would still be worth it, even though a rental car would be MUCH easier and better.

If you like to hike at all, Forest Park in the NW area is fabulous and has over 80 miles of hiking trails.

Lots of unique shops/restaurants in the NW area of 21st/23rd streets.

This should help you get started

mms gave you lots of great options for your short visit!

I think autocorrect played with her mansion suggestion though. It is Pittock Mansion, in case you want to look it up. I'd also suggest you combine that with the rose & Japanese gardens.

lcuy--ugh, yes, auto correct. Thanks!

If you go to the Washington Park stop on TriMet, to go to the zoo, World Forestry Center or Hoyt Arboretum. you are getting off at the deepest transit stop in the US.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washin...rk_MAX_Station
The east end of the red line is right outside baggage claim at PDX.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. We are visiting Portland at the end of a longer trip to Crater Lake and up the coast. We visited the Columbia River Gorge when we were there 4 years ago. When we arrive in Portland we are going to return the rental car and use Trimet for our 1 1/2 days in Portland.
Glad to know there are several places in close proximity to each other. Will look up the hours of operation. Hope to get an early start on Friday. Glad to know there are better options than Voodoo Donuts. That was one of the places DD wanted to visit. I've heard the lines can be long.

Ken & Zuke's Jewish Deli is a bit healthier choice than VooDoo Donuts. the deli is a couple blocks south of Powell's World of Books (10th & Burnside).

bookmarking

mlm59--Yes, Voodoo almost always has a long line. Partly due to the location being right at the Saturday Market, and also that it is well known to tourists. But if you want to try them, and maybe compare to Blue Star, there is a location on the east side of town that doesn't get the lines that the downtown location does. But if you are at the Saturday Market, then stop by and check Voodoo out. Then try Blue Star for the fun of it and compare