Debating whether to go to Portland or Seattle in February. I will be in Portland for business, but my husband is meeting me there for the rest of the weekend. Portland is beautiful in the summer - never been in the winter. Never been to Seattle.

Where would you go? Which has better weather or more attractions?

Hard to predict the weather in the PNW. Normally I'd say both would be pretty awful in February... but here in Seattle today, it is brilliantly sunny, cold and crisp. Would be a beautiful day for sight-seeing.

Seattle is a substantially larger city so has more attractions because of its size.

The weather Portland vs. Seattle does not vary enough to make that a consideration imo.

I completely agree with what suze wrote. One factor though, is Portland is less spread out and we have MAX, so is easier to go carless. So maybe that might sway you one way or another.

Depends what you like.

Portland has some excellent cozy destinations - Powell's Books, plenty of nice cafes and shops on NW 23rd, Hawthorn or in the Pearl District, and Portland's downtown is generally more compact and easy to get around, vs. Seattle's hilly nature.

On the other hand, Seattle has the Pike Market, excellent museums, and its own share of great places to hang out in foul weather. However, it also has great short excursion opportunities - ferries across the Sound, great neighborhood hangouts, shopping and galleries, so it's really hard not to find something of interest to do.

People in Seattle often go to Portland for winter getaway weekends, and people in Portland come to Seattle. Should show you something.

All the foregoing is ture, but, if you've never been to Seattle, that is where I would take you.

Did Gardyloo write >Seattle has the Pike Market< meaning >Pike Place Market<?

Both Seattle and Portland have more than enough attractions to fill your time in the short time you'll have to visit. There is beautiful scenery in/around both cities if you are lucky to get the sunny (but cold!) weather we're having this week in the PNW.

If you will already spend some time in Portland for business (and it seems you have been here before) I would probably venture up to Seattle. I-5 rarely gets hindered by bad weather (except for a recent flood that closed it for most of a week) and even in the rain it's an easy 2.45 hour drive between cities. I've done Portland to Seattle and back in a single day more than once.

If you had business in Seattle but had never been to Portland, I'd recommend you come to Portland. It would be nice to taste both cities.

Both cities have wonderful shopping, entertainment (music, theater, etc) and dining venues. Portland has an edge with no sales tax on your purchases. In Seattle the sales tax is 8.8% and 9.3% in restaurants.

As noted previously the Portland downtown core is more compact and easy to navigate on public transportation via the light-rail streetcar or MAX lines (bus also). Several hotels are located close to the river front which has well maintained jogging trails. A few highlights include the Chinese Garden, Portland Art Museum, and the Portland Center for the Performing Arts also known as the Schnitzer Concert Hall. If you enjoy book browsing then Powell Books cannot be beat.(Links below)

http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org
http://portlandartmuseum.org
http://www.pcpa.com/events/index.php
http://www.powells.com/

Seattle's downtown is bordered to the west by Elliott Bay and to the East by Capitol Hill. Queen Anne and Beacon hills are to the north and south respectively. Public transportation is by bus, no light-rail. The large downtown core can be physically demanding due to steep slopes in some areas, say from the waterfront to Fifth Avenue.

Seattle has two wonderful art museums, the main one downtown and the Asian Art Museum on Capitol Hill.(Links below) There are many performance theaters including The Fifth Avenue, Paramount, McCaw Hall, Benaroya, etc.

http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/visitSAAM.asp

If you are already in Portland and only have the weekend to do anything I'm not sure if I'd try to see Seattle as well. If you have more time it might make a difference if you've never been.

BTW: Alaska airlines (Horizon shuttle) has good rates between the two cities if you can book two weeks or more in advance.

I vote for Portland for two reasons: one, your hubby will meet you and you'll have a relaxed weekend, know more about what to do and where to go without traveling, and you'll be able to share Portland with him. Two, Seattle is just another big city. Granted, it's pretty to look at but it's huge and hard to get around and tiring. Portland will make a great foodie, cool stuff, beautiful and relaxed weekend.

> [Seattle is] pretty to look at but it's huge and hard to get around and tiring.

Huh? Seattle is HUGE? And hard to get around? And tiring?

Seattle is an excellent city for a visit - even over a short weekend. Pick an area or a neighborhood rather than try to see "all" of Seattle. Good bus system, and many very walkable neighborhoods. It's only tiring if you try to cram everything into a short visit.

As a Seattle resident, I also don't understand the comment about it being "hard to get around" or "tiring".

The downtown core is very walkable. There's Metro bus, ferries, taxis, monorail, Seattle streetcar, etc.

Suze is on the mark.

The most popular tourist attractions in Seattle are within walking distance or they are in the ride-free bus zone or, in the case of Seattle Center and the Space Needle, they are accessible by monorail, for which there is a charge.

I'm standing my ground on this one. Seattle is huge.

pdx~ Sure if we're talking about ALL of the greater Seattle, yes it is huge. I agree.

But as a tourist, most people go to the Market, Pioneer Square, Space Needle, etc. which are all in a concentrated area downtown that has good transportation options. There's dozens and dozens of great restaurants within easy walking distance of any of several dozen nice hotels. In an geographic area along in from the waterfront, perhaps 2 miles N/S and 1 mile E/W.

What difference does it make how big a city is if all the places you want to visit are within walking distance of each other?

I've taken Amtrak to Seattle more than once and gotten around just fine without a car, using the buses and walking. There's more than enough to do in the core - very easy to get around.

Having been to Seattle last year for the first time, it is very manageable without a car except for day trips out of the city. The tourist sites are close together and there is plenty of transportation, be it cabs, bus, monorail, walking. I cannot compare it to Portland (never been there) but there is a lot to do in Seattle and I cannot wait to go back.

Some random observations and thoughts, for what they are worth. Both cities are wonderful for the weekend and have enough attractions to keep you entertained. Weather is the same, more or less. Expect overcast skies with the chance of showers. Be happy if it is sunny and join us in complaining if it snows or there is an ice storm.

Driving out of either city on Friday afternoon is a problem - I-5 is a bear. Amtrak is a good way to go, with the understanding you will be carless on the other end, unless you rent a car. I think you have more flexibity for the weekend if you have a car, but it isn't necessary. Portland is easier to get around in without a car. Max is a better system than what we have in Seattle and Portland is more compact and cozy. Seattle has more hubbub going on.

Portland also has a good art museum.

Seattle has lots of beautiful water that Portland lacks.

When would you be traveling? Can you fly open jaw so you don't have to return to Portland? Can you rent a car in Seattle if you don't drive there? That would give you more flexibility - easier to go from place to place more quickly.

I've been to Seattle as a tourist twice and had no car either time. Didn't miss having one at all. We took a cab one night to dinner, but otherwise walked everywhere!

Weather will likely be cold and wet in both cities.

No sales tax in Oregon is very nice.
Lots of food choices in both cities.

I think I'd stay put in Portland. Maybe upgrade your hotel for the weekend with husband. You could do a nice day trip to the coast, Columbia Gorge, or Mt St Helens if you need some variety.

"Never been to Seattle." Then, go.

When in February? I'm heading down from Seattle to see Ornette Coleman as part of the Portland Jazz Festival on the 15th and I believe it's going on through the following weekend as well.

http://www.pdxjazz.com/

So if you're a jazz fan and it's the right timing, that might be the deciding factor.