Portland, OR - one day only!
 

Hey everyone... I have about 1 day to spend in the Portland, OR area, and have never been there before. We'll be driving up that morning from around Yachats, and probably won't be on the road until after 10am. So... I *think* we'll get into Portland around 1-2ish. I've already tried to book the Kenndedy School, but it is sold out. I know that the Edgefield was recommended which is in Troutdale. <BR><BR>So my question is... if you only had the afternoon and have never been in Portland, what would you do/see? And would you stay downtown and walk around? Or stay outside the town (Troutdale) and do a winery or something? I'll be there Sat, May 31st. And I'll be leaving the next morning to head up to Seattle.<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>Cindy

Personally, I'd explore Portland. It is a charming cmall city. The rose garden should be in full bloom. That alone will delight you. I would also recommend a stroll around the Pearl District. This is the arts district which includes many galleries, BullseyeGlass,Powells(the bookstore). I suggested in another thread to you the places I would recommend in Portland.

I have to agree with the Rose Garden and just up the HIll is the Japanese Garden which is very tranquil and relaxing. If you plan to have dinner in POrtland I can recommend two great places. First If you are downtown and like oriental food go to Dragonfish. They serve a variety of Asian cuisines from Vietnamese to Laotian to Cantonese to sushi. If you are around the town the Spaghetti factory is a must. It is like a castle on the Willamette River you create your own plate and the ambiance is wonderful by it is casuual and relaxing. One day is not enough to see all POrtland has to offer.

If cost isn't an issue definitely stay downtown. Hotel Vintage Plaza or 5th Ave Suites (4-star hotels that are also pet-friendly) are in good central locations. Sometimes these come up on Priceline at excellent prices (like $55/night).<BR><BR>Skip Spaghetti Factory (a national chain) and stick with something with a local flavor. Jake's Famous Crawfish downtown is well-known as a Portland icon. A little less trendy (and part of a local chain) is Newport Bay at Riverplace - you can eat dinner right on the Willamette River downtown. You can also walk around the riverfront in waterfront park which is adjacent.<BR><BR>If you want something more casual try a McMenamins (a local chain known for slow service but great burgers and fries plus microbrews). There's one at about 10th and Market downtown but many others.<BR><BR>Breakfast, try Zell's Cafe on SE Morrison at about 12th (very close to downtown). Terrific place!<BR><BR>International Rose Test Garden (aka Rose Garden, not to be confused with the Rose Garden arena across the river) is well worth a visit, but it might not yet be in full bloom by the end of May. Cross your fingers.<BR><BR>Portland has terrific neighborhoods. NW Portland is neat. Try walking around NW 23rd Ave or SE Hawthorne for trendy shopping. Escape From New York pizza on NW 23rd had perhaps the best pizza in town - a real hole-in-the-wall place if that's your style. You can take the Portland Streetcar from downtown to NW Portland very easily - a nice ride to look around.<BR><BR>Waterfront Park is a nice walk. There's also a 2-hour cruise on the Portland Spirit up the Willamette at 7PM. Dinner is overpriced but an option.<BR><BR>And if it's raining or you just love books, don't miss Powells Books - a HUGE bookstore downtown at NW 10th and Burnside! It's a legend - not to be missed!<BR><BR>Portland is a nice city - enjoy your brief visit!<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>

Definitely stay downtown. The only reason to stay at Edgefield is if you're planning to head out the Columbia gorge. Even then, I think I'd pass. And I'm not sure what type of accommodations you're looking for, but I might count it a blessing that the Kennedy School was booked too.<BR><BR>Most wineries are 1 - 1.5 hours SW of the city. If you come from Yachats on highway 18 (turns inland just north of Lincoln City, you'll pass several (around Dundee and Newberg) and be within a few miles of many. Most are open for tasting til around 5:00pm on Sats. <BR><BR>I'd look for dinner somewhere in the Pearl District or around NW 23rd: Blue Hour, Fratelli's, Laslow's, and Paley's Place come immediately to mind as places representative of the local food scene. A little lower on the food scale, we've got a number of nice brew-pub restaurants too. And, I'm glad Arkansasnurse liked the Spaghetti Factory, but it's quite a bit lower yet: spaghetti with sauce and a view.<BR><BR>I agree with the Rose Garden (in Washington Park) as a place worthy of your short time in Portland. It's fairly unique to Portland, whereas most other stuff to see/do here can be seen/done elsewhere.<BR><BR>

Okay, so I'm a contrarian, plus I tend to be a pusherman on the Edgefield. But if you're from NYC (as your handle suggests) then more urban chic you need like a hole in the head. So stay in Troutdale, and spend as many daylight hours as you can driving up the Columbia Gorge (the Historic Highway starts half a mile or so from the Edgefield.) The old road is one of America's most beautiful drives, you can stop at any number of waterfalls, especially Multnomah Falls, and see the great river of the West from various vantage points. Portland is great, but the Gorge is unique.

Meant to add, we've taken several NYer friends (well, Brooklyn, really) to the Edgefield and the Gorge, and every time it's been a home run.

You've gotten great recommendations. I too say stay downtown. Marriott has river view rooms. Lots of places there. There are also lots of B&amp;Bs if that is your thing.<BR><BR>If you like gardens the Japanese Garden, just above the Rose Garden (which probably won't be in full bloom but will be blooming and has excellent views of the city and Mt. Hood) is a very nice one - one of the best in the US actually - or so I have read. I love it. Pearl district is interesting. If you are there on Saturday or Sunday there is the Saturday Market downtown - crafts and food, fun to explore and people watch. <BR><BR>Troutdale is far out but if you really want to stay at a McMenamin's then go for it. I enjoy their properties and haven't heard anything negative about them, but they are quirky/different but certainly clean.<BR><BR>Enjoy!

I've stayed Edgefield, and Kennedy school and had family stay at 5th Ave Suites. Keep trying on Kennedy, as they often open up closer to your date. It is a wonderful place to spend the night. Yes, it is funky, but the rooms are immaculate with wonderful beds and baths. Edgefield is 20 minutes from downtown Portland. Similar to Kennedy, but a little noisier as it has some rooms w/out baths, so there is more activity in the halls. I'd wander the funky shops and galleries in the Pearl district or out on Hawthorne, go to the rose garden (or the Japanese or Chinese garden, if you love gardens), browse the area around Powells and have dinner at Papa Haydens, Jakes, Montage, or (what's the name of ??) the Italian place on 23rd or Bluehour. 23rd is a nice street to shop, although it does have lots of chains...Pottery barn, Gap..<BR>The 5th Ave suites are very nice (seem like a manhattan boutique hotel) and right downtown...if you stay there have breakfast at Bijou nearby and look for crafts at Mother Goose..<BR>Portland is a great city...I love visiting!