Hello All,

Our 1st trip to Oregon! Arriving early in the day @ PDX and heading to Cannon Beach for a couple of nights to start the trip.

We're thinking of stopping at the Japanese Gardens (we're avid gardeners) for a few hours on the way out.

Questions -

1- Good lunch spot (preferably local as opposed to chain) on the way, or in the vicinity?

2- We're doing carry-on, so we need to find some kind of drugstore/supermarket to stock back up on toiletries. A good stop for that along the way out of PDX?

3- Lastly... a well-stocked beer retailer/distributor? We always grab some Fat Tire Ale for the cooler on vacations out west - we don't have it here.

Thanks for any/all help!

Definitely stop at the Japanese Gardens! They are off of Burnside, which is a major street that runs through town so you can't miss it.

There is a Fred Meyer on Burnside, around 18th or so, which is perfect for both toiletries and beer. Yes, they carry Fat Tire After Fred Meyer, on the north side of Burnside is the NW area of town (the 22st and 23rd avenues especially) which is a hotbed of local shops and restaurants.

After that, get back on Burnside and drive up to the Japanese Gardens. The gardens are not ON Burnside, but there is a sign for them for where to turn.

After the gardens, head back to Burnside and keep heading west and it will take you right out to HWY 26 which is a straight shot to Cannon Beach.

Wish there was an edit button. I meant to say the 21st and 23rd avenues. Anyway, you get the idea

Search here for "portland restaurants" - lots of recommendations for you, most of them fairly close to Washington Park (where Japanese Garden is). NW Portland - between NW 21st and 23rd Ave - is a good choice for you to stop. There's an Elephant's Deli there as well as lots of other restaurants. If you're in the mood for pub fare, a local chain called McMenamins has great burgers; the Blue Moon on NW21st and Glisan is a good choice. Papa Hayden on NW23rd is great for dessert. Kornblatts Deli on NW23rd is an authentic NY deli. Escape from New York pizza next door is one of the city's best-known dive pizza joints with tasty slices.

There's a Trader Joe's on NW Glisan nearby and a Fred Meyer on NW 20th and Burnside; Fred Meyer should have everything you need, including beer. We sell beer in the grocery stores in Oregon.

You'd get off on Everett Street off I-405 to get into NW Portland. From there, it's fairly easy to get to Washington Park and up to the Japanese Garden. Be sure to stop in to the adjacent International Rose Test Garden!!!

Andrew

Fat Tire's Grrreat, but we will be "offended" if you don't check out the vast array of Oregon Brewers(And Winemakers too!)
...Or you could stop at Henry's
http://www.henrystavern.com/index.cfm
and solve the Beer and Lunch thing with one fell swoop.

bbqboy has an excellent idea..Henrys Tavern for lunch. Whole Foods is across the street, if you want to buy toiletries there ( although I doubt they would be what you usually use) and on up Burnside.
There is a RiteAid on the corner of Hoyt & NW10th.
You can get to the Japanese Gardens from Burnside ( to Vista right on Park and follow the road up...ask someone for directions, it is not hard) ..
If not Henrys, NW 23rd has dozens of restaurants and cafes that will appeal.

Thank you, thank you!

mms, Andrew, bbqboy, and Scarlet... I appreciate the VERY helpful replies. Perfect.

Small side question...

Microsoft Streets/Trips has us going from the airport:

205 south
84 (30) west
5 (30) north
405 over the river
and then getting off at Burnside

In your experience, does this sound like a good way? We'll be getting in around 10:30 in the morning on a weekday.

Thanks again for all your help!!

Yes, those directions work

BTW, Henry's is great. You can't purchase beer to take away though, it is a restaurant, but has over 100 beers on tap. So if the passenger wants to imbibe, they would have more choices than they can probably imagine, lol!

Zupans which is on Burnside/Vista has a nice big beer/wine selection too.

Yes, you can get off at Burnside from I-405 south. That is not the most direct way, but getting off at Everett Strett is probably too confusing to explain. If you want to go to NW Portland, follow the Burnside exit, right on Burnside, and go up to NW 21st or NW 23rd and turn right. Meanwhile, you'll pass the Fred Meyer on your right (can't miss it, big sign) and the Zupans's is up on your left at 23rd and Burnside (23rd turns into Vista if you turn left there).

Andrew

Thank y'all again. You've been VERY helpful!