Portland: Last-minute questions!
 

Hi All,

I'm leaving tomorrow for PORTLAND, OR and have only one Official Sightseeing Day (this Sunday).

If you had just one day to explore... would you try to make it out to the Gorge/Falls?

I notice there's a Gorge Express for just $5 that runs from Gateway Transit Center.

Technically I could take MAX-Green-Line from my hotel Downtown to Gateway, then jump on the Express.

Would it be too cold to enjoy the Gorge/Falls at this point? If you were me, would you just stay in the city?

Having a hard time deciding because who knows when I'll be back??!!

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Would you be willing to rent a car for the day? With it, you can enjoy the Gorge, waterfalls, Hood River Valley, even Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. It also looks like there still might be some decent fall color around Hood River and up the Valley (vineyards, orchards.)

YES, take any means available to visit the Gorge. There are various escorted tours available from Portland, some of which include Hood River and Timberline Lodge. If you can afford it (around $60 to $100) and don't want to rent a car, go for one. https://www.viator.com/Portland-attr...ge/d5065-a8026

I don't really understand exactly what you are saying, but it sounds like you have only one day in Portland and that one day wuold be the day you'd have to visit the Gorge as well as anything else you want to do. Not sure what you mean by "technically" you can do xyz, is there some problem with doing that or reason why it's not real?

I don't think anyone can decide for you, because we aren't you and don't have your interests, whatever they may be. We have no idea what things in Portland you DO want to see, and if not much, sure why not go. But we also don't know your interest in the outdoors/nature.

That bus makes it real easy, I'd go to Multnomah Falls but not the full route. That's only a half hour trip. It isn't that cold, it's only in the mid-50s daytime. BUt that depends on you, also, and your clothing. I don't think that's cold. Currently, SUnday is predicted to be a very nice sunny day. I wouldn't go out there if it were raining.

So I don't know what YOU should do, but if it were me, I'd take a half day to do that, and the rest of they day visit the art museum. I don't think there's that much to do in Portland myself, anyway. I presume the rose garden isn't that great at this time of year. I know the roses where I live are all dead. I don't get the fascination with Powell's bookstore, but the last thing I want to do on a trip is buy books (which I rarely buy anyway, I get mine from the library). I'm in bookstores a couple times a month, that doesn't impress me.

Gardyloo and Christina: Thank you! The Falls and Mt. Hood look exceptionally pretty so I will look into that Tour option as I'm a terrible driver! :)

I definitely don’t agree with Christina on powells, and I think Portland’s strength is food/beer/boutiques. It’s a fun town to just wander around. A few of my favorite stores—boy’s fort, Roosevelt terrariums, clever cycles, Paxton gate. The rose garden may be out, but not the Japanese garden or the zoo.

if the weather report is accurate, I might head to the coast or mt hood if you had a car. The gorge is not a big draw to me in the winter. But with one day, I’d probably just enjoy the city. Stay at a fun hotel, pick a good restaurant, check out a few neighborhoods. Portland is a great town for transit, and biking, and it seems like a shame to spend your only day in a car or on a tour bus.

I also do not agree with Christina on several points. Powell's is not just a bookstore. You have to see it to believe it. Also, the gorge is fabulous in the rain!

I think marvelous mouse's suggestion is great. Stay in town as there is plenty to do and see. The Saturday Market (which is also on Sundays) is excellent! This is not a farmer's market. Check the website and you can see the variety of vendors that are there. The Japanese Garden is beautiful, and there is also the small Chinese Garden.

marvelousmouse & mms: Thanks for weighing in! I'm scribbling notes furiously! :)

One of things I enjoyed In Portland is the Epicurian Walking Tour. You will walk to several businesses and try some local food. I think the places change from time to time so you never know for sure where you are going. You get to see some of the city, hear some history. I thought it was a great way to spend part of the day.

Culinary tour | Epicurean Excursion | Portland Walking Tours | Oregon

Check out the Travel Portland website. They have a calendar of what is happening in Portland.

I love the Gorge but not sure how much you will see if you are doing a drive by on a bus. You'd be better off doing a tour of some kind

I completely disagree with Christina. Somehow I managed to fill 7 days with things to do in Portland.

The Hop on Hop off Trolley company offers a half day trip to the Gorge leaving from Pioneer Square. I believe that the tour was $60. Unfortunately we were there during the fires last year and our tour was cancelled.

The Saturday/Sunday Market was fun. The Grotto was really beautiful. You can get there by bus. Pittock Mansions was beautiful and the Japanese Garden in Washington Park was a great experience. All of these have great views of the city and the mountains.

I would echo Mouse, MMS and Gardendiva. All good ideas. In addition to Boys Fort, Made Here is a great stop by Powell's.

There is a lot to do in Portland. I like the Gorge and going to see just Multnomah Falls might be fun. I don't think you should rent a car and go a whole day if you are still planning to see some films in the evening. That seems stressful trying to get back in time.

On your other thread, I also suggested taking the streetcar down to south waterfront and riding the aerial tramfor great views of the city. And the streetcar goes quite near your lodgings.

Christina advised the Art Museum. I do like the Portland Art Museum. However, tomorrow is the Portland Book Festival and the art museum is one of the main venues. I believe you can still tour most of the museum but probably not all. The festival draws about 10,000.

Gardendiva- oooh I didn’t know you could get to the Grotto via bus! I second that suggestion then.

I’m not positive Pittock Mansion’s hours but that’s another place I enjoy. I think the gilded age dining exhibit may still be on.

marvelousmouse, first, I love your handle. I took the bus straight down Burnside. You have to watch for the stop. I missed it and went all the way to the transit center. All was good because there are some beautiful views from the transit site. Make sure that you go up to the upper level. It is beautiful and peaceful up there.

I just wanted to express HUGE THANKS to everyone who took the time out to share your thoughts on Portland for this thread! Unfortunately the Film Festival I went to left me with very little time to explore on my own. I basically made it to CACAO Downtown for a hot-chocolate... just to recover from networking... exhausting! I did not even have enough energy to enter Powell's Bookstore, LOL. But for sure I'll be back. Next time I'll make it a priority to explore the Falls, Mt Hood, the vineyards...

I really enjoyed talking to the locals I met. The food in Portland was uniformly good. Shoutout to the only Mediterranean foodstand that was open at 1am Sunday morning (SW & 10th?), following our Downtown screening...delicious! :)

Also happy I made it to the store Crafty Wonderland to find a bunch of quirky gifts for friends. I think they'll appreciate the Portland sense of humor.

And boy, did I luck out. Not one drop of rain all of last weekend! I managed to walk that path down the riverfront to see all the bridges and also got a few photos of the Simon Benson House.

Great Weekend, indeed!

I'm so glad you enjoyed the city!! And you got to walk, go to cacao, and eat at that med stand (I know which one you’re talking about as I’m a night owl)—I feel even with your limited time, you got a lot of the essential Portland things accomplished!