Portland
 

I am going to Portland 9-12 of March for a college visit at Pacific (Hillsboro Campus). The interview process is 8-4 on Monday. We arrive mid day on Sunday and leave mid day Wednesday. It is a quick trip! And we have been to Portland a few times.

I am looking for things to do with 2 parents and a young PhD bound student. We will either use taxi or street car transport while in the city. We love to eat. And have been to many good restaurants in the area (Mcmenninman's, Opa!, Portland City Grill, as well as others-cannot remember names). We have taken the token Portland dinner cruise, been to the Chinese gardens. We are renting a condo on the water (on the walking trail, which we will be using every morning) by Union Station.

I want to try Pok Pok (have listened to many programs on Splendid Table and want to try it. And have Powell's on the list to do as we are all readers. Read on city website that the Portland Market is open on Sunday. This is our travel day. Is it worth rushing down to spend a couple of hours there? (side note daughter is flying in from Midwest and we are driving large pickup as we will be coming from Yellowstone area) so adults maybe tired from drive depending on weather. May just want to do something really casual.

WE like breweries. Really don't have time to do Winery visits (which we have been to a number in the area--love williamette valley pinot noir. We are not really looking to do a wham-bam whirlwind trip as we know it is basically one full day to explore things we haven't seen yet. We know March weather can be hit or miss, so.....Any feedback is appreciated.

Portland has a great public transport system. Your daughter can use it to get downtown from the airport (red line) and to get out to Hillsboro. Here is the map covering the streetcar, light rail and bus routes. http://trimet.org/schedules/
If you pay $5 each for your first ride of the day, you can ride all day.
My DW and I enjoyed a lunch at Ken & Zukes Deli which is about 3 blocks south of Powell's.

Have you visited the Columbia Gorge during your previous visits? March weather can indeed be iffy, but assuming it's typical (i.e. wet) the waterfalls in the Gorge, of which Multnomah are the most easily accessed, can be nothing short of awesome. You might consider renting a car downtown on your go-home day, swing up to the falls for a gander (take the historic highway from Troutdale if time allows) and then drop it at the airport. Luggage storage, airport transport, tour bus all in one.

In March frankly I wouldn't bust anything to get to the market. Different story later in the year.

If you like breweries, you'll love Portland. Some of my favorites are:

Deschutes
Bridgeport
Cascade Barrel House (lots of sours, well done)
Green Dragon (across the street from Cascade Barrel House)

Not a brewery, but a great taproom with excellent variety is Bailey's Taproom.

thanks for the responses. will definitely try the deli across the street from Powells. We have drive the gorge many times. And have seen Multnomah falls and Bridal veil falls. There is a "house" at the top of the bluff you can see for miles when driving south (as I remember) is it tourable? Does it have a name? That could be something we could do as we drive home. Any other good lunch places?

<i>There is a "house" at the top of the bluff you can see for miles when driving south (as I remember) is it tourable? </i>

This one? http://gardyloo.us/20100509_5a.JPG

Crown Point. It's a visitors' center, hence open.

I would be interested in hearing about your winter in Yellowstone. Leave us a TR, if you can.

Just a note about Pok Pok. They don't take reservations so be prepared for a wait. We have eaten there-it was good but not worth a 3 hour wait which was what it was the last time a I tried. Luckily we hit it at an off time the last time we were there. Also if you don't know about this foodie list-it is a great one:

http://pdx.eater.com/archives/2014/0...nuary-2014.php

Thanks for all the replies. Especially to jpie for the foodie list link!

Gardyloo-that is the "house" I was referring to in the post. We will try to catch that on our way out of town.

Have our hotel reservations! Will try to post a report after getting home.