What to see in Portland
May 3rd, 2017, 02:37 PM
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What to see in Portland
I am contemplating a visit to Portland in August with a friend. My friend will be attending coffee school so I will have my days to myself. She is locked into her dates which are high season so the cost is crazy. I am trying to determine if there is enough to see to fill 6 days.
I have done some research and have come up with only a few things to see.
Zoo
Rose test garden
Japanese garden
A few churches
Other than that all I see is shopping, eating, beer drinking and an art museum. All of which would take me less than a day.
What am I missing?.
I have done some research and have come up with only a few things to see.
Zoo
Rose test garden
Japanese garden
A few churches
Other than that all I see is shopping, eating, beer drinking and an art museum. All of which would take me less than a day.
What am I missing?.
May 3rd, 2017, 03:03 PM
#2
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I love Portland, Or. There is the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Washington Park, the open market I think is on a Sat. Walking around various neighborhoods like North West, Powells Books, Pearl District, Division St and some funky very hip and cool restaurants like Voodoo Donuts, there are many great local homegrown restaurants, beer and coffee shops to hang out and visit too. Portland is really about neighborboods that are distinct and have there own charm. Get a good guide book.
May 3rd, 2017, 05:29 PM
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There is so much to see here, you will most likely have a hard time narrowing it all down
Good suggestions above.
On Saturdays, the Farmer's Market at PSU is very good.
On Saturday and Sundays, the Saturday Market (yes, both days) is really fun. It is right along the waterfront and has all sorts of unique vendors and food. Check it out on Google, but it is a highlight of most people that come here to visit, as well as for us locals.
The Chinese Garden is very good, and very small, so doesn't take most people a lot of time.
If you want a day inside, OMSI is excellent.
If you have a rental car, there are way more options and this is what Oregon is all about really, the natural beauty. Go to the coast for a day. Cannon Beach is only 90 minutes from downtown and a very easy day trip. Head to the gorge and Mt Hood, again an easy day trip and you can do both. Go south near Salem and see Silver Falls and hike the trail of 10 falls. Come to the Willamette Valley and go wine tasting and visit the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. We have over 400 wineries in this region alone, so lots and lots of options.
If you are here over the eclipse date, head south just a bit (Salem/Corvallis area) for prime viewing location.
Hope this gives you some new ideas. Six days here is very easy to fill for most people
Good suggestions above.
On Saturdays, the Farmer's Market at PSU is very good.
On Saturday and Sundays, the Saturday Market (yes, both days) is really fun. It is right along the waterfront and has all sorts of unique vendors and food. Check it out on Google, but it is a highlight of most people that come here to visit, as well as for us locals.
The Chinese Garden is very good, and very small, so doesn't take most people a lot of time.
If you want a day inside, OMSI is excellent.
If you have a rental car, there are way more options and this is what Oregon is all about really, the natural beauty. Go to the coast for a day. Cannon Beach is only 90 minutes from downtown and a very easy day trip. Head to the gorge and Mt Hood, again an easy day trip and you can do both. Go south near Salem and see Silver Falls and hike the trail of 10 falls. Come to the Willamette Valley and go wine tasting and visit the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. We have over 400 wineries in this region alone, so lots and lots of options.
If you are here over the eclipse date, head south just a bit (Salem/Corvallis area) for prime viewing location.
Hope this gives you some new ideas. Six days here is very easy to fill for most people
May 3rd, 2017, 06:33 PM
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Thank you for all the suggestions. I think I was starting to get concerned about the cost. We were up to around $1,700 per person just to get there and sleep. To me that is a lot of money to shop, eat and take in the local vibe especially since I am not much of a shopper and don't drink coffee. My sister just went to Paris for less for 10 days. I was able to find a less expensive flight and I am going to keep looking for a hotel. Sorry tomfuller, I don't think that we could do a hostel.
We will not have a car.
I got a Fodor guide at the library. It has more in it than the online version. I found some more information on trips to the Gorge.
I will keep looking.
We will not have a car.
I got a Fodor guide at the library. It has more in it than the online version. I found some more information on trips to the Gorge.
I will keep looking.
May 3rd, 2017, 06:50 PM
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I would highly recommend getting a car even for just a day or two. You can rent them right in town without needing to go back to PDX, and you can rent them for the day. That way you could do the gorge and the coast. If you rent them for a day at a time, you won't have to deal with parking issues either as most hotels here charge a hefty fee for parking. You would miss out by not getting out of downtown.
May 3rd, 2017, 06:54 PM
#11
Not having a car does limit you. The TriMet System covers a large area. There are cheaper motels out near PDX. Some have shuttle service from PDX. You may find something cheaper out near Beaverton which is the west end of the red line.
May 3rd, 2017, 07:48 PM
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Hi garden diva,
I'd encourage you to check out Portland.
There are tour buses that go out to the Columbia River Gorge as a day trip. I did the Gray Line tour, leaving from downtown Portland--I liked the tour more than I expected; thoughtful commentary by the bus driver/guide, the bus was not too full, saw 3 beautiful falls (Latourell, Shepperd's Dell and Multnomah) and the visit to the Bonneville Dam & Fish Hatchery after. This activity took at least half a day and was a highlight. There are other companies that also do tours in smaller vans I seem to remember.
If the weather permits, maybe see about doing a bike ride?
Best wishes, Daniel
PS. The International Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden were lovely!
I'd encourage you to check out Portland.
There are tour buses that go out to the Columbia River Gorge as a day trip. I did the Gray Line tour, leaving from downtown Portland--I liked the tour more than I expected; thoughtful commentary by the bus driver/guide, the bus was not too full, saw 3 beautiful falls (Latourell, Shepperd's Dell and Multnomah) and the visit to the Bonneville Dam & Fish Hatchery after. This activity took at least half a day and was a highlight. There are other companies that also do tours in smaller vans I seem to remember.
If the weather permits, maybe see about doing a bike ride?
Best wishes, Daniel
PS. The International Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden were lovely!
May 4th, 2017, 01:58 AM
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garden if you are concerned about costs just walking around the various neighborhoods of interest is fun. Before going you might ask via a phone call to the place you are staying if the concierge can find out if you purchase a pass at lets say Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) if it is good at other local museums. Or research it online. My OMSI card had a lot of participating options to go to various other places for reduced or free costs.
May 4th, 2017, 02:18 AM
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We did Portland without a car,taking the train to get into town from the airport, and then used trolleys and buses in town. We did rent a car to see the river gorge area, which could be done in a day. We picked the car up at a downtown location.
Without a car, try to stay somewhere with easy access to the trolley line or bus. Portland has a good public transportation system.
Sounds like a nice getaway if you can make the numbers work.
Without a car, try to stay somewhere with easy access to the trolley line or bus. Portland has a good public transportation system.
Sounds like a nice getaway if you can make the numbers work.
May 4th, 2017, 05:55 AM
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"We were up to around $1,700 per person just to get there and sleep."
Not the usual cookie cutter hotel, in the heart of downtown, and very Portlandia funky: https://www.mcmenamins.com/crystal-hotel. A bit more upscale, on the streetcar line in/near one of the city's popular shopping and dining districts, yet still Portland funky: http://www.northrupstation.com/.
"Other than that all I see is shopping, eating, beer drinking and an art museum. All of which would take me less than a day...What am I missing?."
Do you have any idea how many brewpubs there are in Portland?
Or world class restaurants? Or food carts? 
I do agree with your sentiment though, because some of the best of Portland's sights are is outside the city. But even without a car, I think you could still entertain yourself. One of our favorite activities is to pick a walk out of one of several Portland walking tour books, and just head out. If that's of interest to you, pick a walk that takes you through west hills neighborhoods into Forest Park and up to Pittock Mansion. Good stuff...
Not the usual cookie cutter hotel, in the heart of downtown, and very Portlandia funky: https://www.mcmenamins.com/crystal-hotel. A bit more upscale, on the streetcar line in/near one of the city's popular shopping and dining districts, yet still Portland funky: http://www.northrupstation.com/.
"Other than that all I see is shopping, eating, beer drinking and an art museum. All of which would take me less than a day...What am I missing?."
Do you have any idea how many brewpubs there are in Portland?
Or world class restaurants? Or food carts? I do agree with your sentiment though, because some of the best of Portland's sights are is outside the city. But even without a car, I think you could still entertain yourself. One of our favorite activities is to pick a walk out of one of several Portland walking tour books, and just head out. If that's of interest to you, pick a walk that takes you through west hills neighborhoods into Forest Park and up to Pittock Mansion. Good stuff...
May 4th, 2017, 05:58 PM
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Thank you all for your suggestions. I am feeling a little better. We have booked the flight so we are going. I added to the equation the fact that I will be spending time with my friend of 40 years. Something we don't get to do often even though we live only 5 miles apart. I just might have to learn to wander without a purpose.
Faceinthecrowd - love those hotels. They look like fun places to stay. Unfortunately they do not have the accommodations that we need. This has been the case in many hotels. It seems that there are a lot of rooms in Portland with king sized beds. Good for couples but not so good for 50 something friends traveling together.
Daniel- Thank you for the review of the Gorge trip. I saw that but was not sure. I also found a bus line that goes there but I will have to investigate that more.
Faceinthecrowd - love those hotels. They look like fun places to stay. Unfortunately they do not have the accommodations that we need. This has been the case in many hotels. It seems that there are a lot of rooms in Portland with king sized beds. Good for couples but not so good for 50 something friends traveling together.
Daniel- Thank you for the review of the Gorge trip. I saw that but was not sure. I also found a bus line that goes there but I will have to investigate that more.
May 24th, 2017, 11:00 AM
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Nothing beats seeing the Gorge from a seat in a vintage biplane! We've done it twice -- a really fun experience.
http://www.jimsbiplanerides.com/
http://www.jimsbiplanerides.com/
May 24th, 2017, 02:54 PM
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I don't know what the others have suggested, but Secrets Of Portlandia Free Walking Tour is worth checking out: https://secretsofportlandia.com
Also, the Columbia River gorge and the beautiful Oregon Coast can be visited as day trips from Portland. There are companies that offer escorted tours, if you don't have a car.
We always enjoy exploring The Pearl District and the Nob Hill district on foot. They are walkable from downtown hotels.
Portland has a very good restaurant scene. While your friend is doing her coffee thing, you could explore some of the more intriguing places to grab a bite for lunch.
The Portland Art Museum is very much worth a visit.
HTtY
Also, the Columbia River gorge and the beautiful Oregon Coast can be visited as day trips from Portland. There are companies that offer escorted tours, if you don't have a car.
We always enjoy exploring The Pearl District and the Nob Hill district on foot. They are walkable from downtown hotels.
Portland has a very good restaurant scene. While your friend is doing her coffee thing, you could explore some of the more intriguing places to grab a bite for lunch.
The Portland Art Museum is very much worth a visit.
HTtY
