enjoylife

Hello!

I am going to Portland, Oregon in October.
What area should I stay in? Are there any good, but not expensive seafood restaurants?
What is there to do - museums, shopping, special attractions/exhibits, hikes/drives?

Suzie

A couple of things to do:

Drive up the Columbia Gorge to Multnomah Falls.

Visit Edgefield Winery in Troutdale.

Andrew

Head to the library or bookstore and pick up a travel book on Portland. Fodors must have one (I don't know - I live in Portland).

Stay downtown. Visit Saturday Market (open on Sunday's, too). You could stay out in Troutdale too (way east of Portland) at a place called McMenamin's Edgefield's (and old poor house turned into a trendy mini-resort of sorts). If it's not raining, check out the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge scenic drive (close to Troutdale) - you will find some fall leaves.

Jake's Famous Crawfish is the most well-known seafood place to visit here, but it's not all that cheap. Because Portland is an hour from the ocean, seafood is not as big a delicacy as it is in places that are on/near the ocean.

Andrew

panhandle

I second the saturday market and Columbia River Gorge. I would also would also recommend a latte from starbucks in Pioneer square. Good people watching and shopping. The zoo can make a nice detour also but it isnt the San Diego zoo so if you are particular about them skip it.There are alot of nice galleries to walk through as well. You can do a search on Portland on this website and I have found many posts about particular galleries people liked. You might do a walk by Portlandia as well. It is a beautiful work of architecture that won awards worldwide. I would stay in downtown mainly because of the ease of getting around Portland has a great transit system. The light rail used to be free in downtown(not sure if it still is)It is a good way to see the city too! We also liked Powells book store...it is a very large used and new bookstore with a nice espresso place inside. Have fun.

Andrew

Yes, panhandle, all public transit in downtown Portland (MAX train, streetcar, and buses) is free in "fareless square". About two years ago fareless square was extended out to Lloyd Center. The Portland streetcar will take you from Portland State University through downtown, past Powells, into the Pearl District, and then into NW Portland up to NW 23rd Ave. Not free all the way to NW 23rd though.

Andrew

lcuy

I love wandering the Pearl district..lots of art galleries, funky shops, great restaraunts. Also enjoy Hwthorne out by 35th--again lots of funky shops, little galleries, and a gread bead shop. Mt Tabor is an old volcano park with a nice hike. Love shopping at "the Real Mother Goose" downtown. Tons of crafts, furniture, unusual handmade type clothing, jewelry, and glassware. They have stuff in all price ranges. Take a walk through the college blocks area, or up to Powells ..The main library (and its gift shop) are nice as well as the surrounding areas.
I like staying at mcminimens (sp?) Kennedy school. Its sister spot, Edgefield is also fun and funky, and close to the Columbia Gorge. Nw 23rd street is great for higher end, but still interesting shopping, and tons of great dining places. A few miles south of town, was a great restaraunt called Rivers- 0n the east side of the river. Eat outside and watch the boats go by. food was really tasty and wine great. its next door to a big spa.
My daughter is starting at Lewis and Clark college this month...I think I'm more excited than her to have an excuse to visit Portland more often!

bob_brown

The international rose test garden is in a park to the west of the business district on the side of the mountain.
You will never see more beautiful roses anywhere. There is also a Japanese garden near there which is also exceptional. Even if you don't love roses, this rose test garden is special.

PamSF

Ah Portland..I'd stay downtown. Check out the Heathman or the Lucia. Get a book on Portland(Best Places is a good series). Some of my favorite spots are the Gorge(as Mentioned), the Pearl District(dinner at the Bluehour)and if you happen to be there on a Thursday see if it is open gallery evening & the Rose Garden. If you are driving the gorge I would also recommend stopping in Hood River. It's a sweet town to walk around in and you can also catch some windsurfers doing their thing. We just were in Portland and took a wonderful drive through the Hood River Valley. It was beautiful in mid summer and I would imagine perhaps even more so in the Fall.

SaraLM

You've gotten great suggestions. OMSI is also fun, especially for kids (though you didn't mention any). St. Helens is in Washington but a day trip and well worth it. The Columbia Gorge has lots of hikes, also stop at the dam. There are wineries that would make nice drives if you are interested and through very pretty area. The coast is very nice in October another full day trip.

Some people really enjoy the Pearl District, Powells is great even just to do a quick wander through, I love the Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden. There is also a Chinese Garden downtown, I haven't been so I can't offer an opinion.

I would definately stay downtown, there are also some nice B&Bs very near downtown in great neighborhoods if you like those.

October is a nice time of year but bring a light rain coat just in case.

Enjoy!

melinca

The Portland Art Museum is just fabulous! Highly recommend you visit, and their website will tell you about current exhibits.