Portland, OR Questions
 

My wife and I arrive in Portland at 9:30 AM Friday, 9/11. We have no plans that day yet. Saturday through Wednesday I am in meetings pretty much from 8 AM - 5 PM and we fly home on Wed evening. We are staying at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront (location of my meeting). Questions:
1. How should we spend Friday, our only free day? We've never been to Portland before.
2. Restaurant suggestions for dinner the rest of the week? Prefer close to the hotel.
3. Suggestions for my wife for activities while I am in my meeting?
We are in our late 50's, not big shoppers, but fairly adventurous and don't mind walking/hiking.
Thanks.

Columbia River Gorge for Friday. It's about 30 minutes east of Portland. Lots of waterfalls, hiking trails, and breathtaking views of the river and the Gorge. You can spend a good part of the day there, if you wish. Consider a stop on the way back in Troutdale at the McMenamins Edgefield, a unique little resort of sorts created from a former "poor farm" from the Great Depression era. Now it's a complex of bars, restaurants, a golf course, a movie theatre, a winery...and a European-style hotel. Even if you don't eat there, it's worth a stop to walk around and check out the grounds and the artwork on the walls of the main buildings.

The Oregon Coast, as an alternative, is not that far of a day drive, under two hours each way to Cannon Beach. But that's perhaps a lot of driving for a day after you've just flown in.

There are lots of things to see in Portland itself - well, for your wife to see! There are several gardens, such as the Chinese Classical Garden (very close to downtown), and the gardens in Washington Park, the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden (in the hills west of downtown). She could drive up to Pittock Mansion and see the old mansion originally owned by the publisher of the Oregonian (now a public attraction with beautiful grounds and views).

Perhaps the two of you can take a break in between your meetings and walk from your hotel around the river downtown. Cross the river at the nearby Hawthorne Bridge to the Eastbank Esplanade, walk north to the Steel Bridge and cross back to the waterfront park, then back along the park to the hotel. You'll see lots of Portlanders out biking, running, or strolling. Give yourself about an hour.

Saturday and Sunday, there's Saturday Market up in the park near the Burnside Bridge; if you take your walk on a Saturday or Sunday before 3PM you could stop at the market.

Portland is really a nice walking city with great neighborhoods. If your wife enjoys that sort of thing, she might enjoy simply driving around some of the nice old neighborhoods like NW Portland, Irvington, Sellwood, Hawthorne, etc. Lots of visitors to Portland comment to me about how nice the neighborhoods and the homes are.

And don't forget Powell's Books, a huge independent book store that occupies an entire city block! The place is so big that you can get a map of the store when you come in to get around! Powell's is a prime Portland attraction.

Good stuff, Andrew. I would only add Portland Farmers Market on Saturday as another option for your wife. It's rated one of the best in the country.

For those dinners.... Near/short walk from the hotel: Veritable Quandry, Carafe, and Higgins (one of Portland's first farm-to-table, and very good). For lighter fare, Thirst Wine Bar, south of the Marriott, along the waterfront. If you're willing to walk a few blocks to a streetcar stop, a whole 'nuther world of dining options opens up.

The Heathman in downtown Portland has some great food, enjoy Portland! ***kim*** ((#))

I'm just curious why the above poster would recommend a hotel for food, when Portland has so many wonderful restaurants.

Probably because the restaurant at the Heathman (i've never been) is nationally rated.

Of the other restaurants mentioned, I love Veritable Quandary. First went there in late 1960's when it was a tiny, dark bar.

There is also (I believe) a McCormick & Schmidt on the waterfront just beyond the Riverplace Hotel. Speaking of that hotel, their porch rockers have a good view of the river and people passing. They have an appetizer menu and wonderful wine.

That McCormick & Schmick's is called Harborside. Okay as far as chain restaurants go, but kind of left in the dust of Portland's evolving dining scene. Too bad really, as M&S's roots are here.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I would not be averse to taking the steetcar (or cab) to restaurants a little further from the hotel.

Okay, then hop on the streetcar to the Pearl District, where just about any restaurant you see likely won't disappoint. Personal favorites are Fratelli (and/or the wine bar next door, Bar Due), Piazza Italia (home-style, down to the language), Ten 01, and, if you have anything to celebrate, Fenouil. If you're adventuresome, Andina (other-worldly Peruvian flavors).

We just spent the weekend in Portland at The Benson and enjoyed a nice dinner at Pazzo across the street. The London Grill for breakfast was lovely,lunch at Fenouil on the outdoor patio with our pet was amazing, we toured the Rose Gardens and took in the gorgeous weather. :)

Yesterday afternoon we went back to Portland and had an amazing dinner at Le Pigeon where I would highy suggest you visit. YUMMY! We shared the Pork Belly appetizer, I had the Beef Bourginon which was perfect and for dessert we shared the Bread Pudding with fresh Huckleberry Sauce and Goat Cheese Gelato. We can't wait to return to try the Gnocchi and the Halibut and another innovative dessert. ***kim*** ((#))

Is this a trip report or a recommendation, kimamom?

Le Pigeon has long been one of my favorites, but you'd want to take a cab to get there. And, with communal seating, it may not be your cup of tea.

I had forgotten Pazzo. Yes, we often eat there if we stay at the boutique Marriott on Broadway.

Also, thanks to you guys, I discovered Serrano's (sp) on my last trip.

I had the Lamb Papradelle at Pazzo, totally amazing! ***kim*** ((#))

We were there a couple of months ago. Also stayed at the Marriott. Great location. I agree with suggestion to walk around the river if you are into walking. We also rented bikes one day and rode around it.Maps for routes are available at hotel or at bike rental place across the street. Our fav restaurant there was in the NW area. Small place called Papa Haydens. Very good food at reasonable price.We came back later in day for their wonderful desserts. NW 23rd street, where it is located is a fun area. Lots of small interesting shops and restaurants. A don't miss area for your wife if she wants to go there without you. Was disappointed in Higgins. Food and decor was not up to my standard. McCormicks is just a short walk from hotel.Nice boardwalk area. M&S has a great late nite special bar menu.Extremely active at nite. Mortons is just behind the hotel and it was very good. I agree with advice about the rose garden. Definitely a "don't miss"and best visit in our trip. Rent a car for the day and see the falls then come back to town and see rose garden. Saturday market was fun. Take a cab, tho it is not too far from hotel.

Is Papa Haydens like a descendant, or affiliate, of the old Rose's Delicatessen?

I don't think Papa Haydn has anything to do with Rose's, at least not in recent decades:

http://www.papahaydn.com/about.php

Thanks to everyone. Although, most of my time was spent in a conference room, I did enjoy walking around the waterfront, downtotwn and Pearl areas. Powell's Books was amazing. I did a couple of morning runs along the river, crossing over the Steel Bridge, back along the other side of the Willamette and back to the Marriott via the Hawthorne Bridge. Nice, flat, cool 3 mile run. THe first day, we did the "Epicurean Excursion" with www.portlandwalkingtours.com which was a blast. As for meals, our favorite was either Veritle Quandry or Serrato, but we also enjoyed Thai E-san and McMenamin's Market Street Pub. We also had nice lunches at Higgins, House of Loui (Chinatown), and McCormick and Schmick's. We hope to return soon when we have more time to see the various Rose Gardens, the Columbia River Gorge, and the coast.

Thanks for letting us know how it went! Always good to hear about trips. Glad you had a nice time.

I agree, thanks for letting us know how it went. I haven't done the epicurean tour, but hear good things about it. I know the Louie family:)

Sounds like a lot of fun, we are enjoying our time here in Seaside in the PNW. Thanks for reporting back! ***kim*** ((#))

Glad to hear it all went so well.
Serrato is soooo good. There was this pasta, with crab meat and cream ... sigh..

kimamom, I thought you just got back home to CA a couple of weeks ago! Is it stormy with lots of waves in Seaside?