Hi there. I'm planning my first trip to Portland, OR and I'm looking for suggestions on what neighborhood to stay in while I'm there.

I'm traveling by myself and I'm more interested in being in a fun and interesting neighborhood than I am having a nice hotel. I just need the basics. What I'm more interested in is being located in an area where I can easily get from one interesting place to another - restaurants, bars, coffee shops, museums, parks, sites, etc.

Would love to get some suggestions.

Cheers,
Mike

There are two HI Hostels in Portland. The one that I like best is at NW 17th & Glisan. http://trimet.org/maps/citycenter.htm
The bus, light rail and trolley is a bargain for $5/day.
The other HI Hostel is in the Hawthiorne district east of the Willamette River.
The east end of the Red Line is right outside the baggage claim at PDX. The other good way to arrive in Portland is on an Amtrak train. If it happens to rain whole you are in Portland, go check out Powell's bookstore.

The Crystal Hotel, a Mcmenamin property. Smack downtown and exactly what you say you are looking for.

Also the Ace Hotel which is also downtown and The Inn at Northrup Station which is walking distance to the "23rd St Shops" where there are many restaurants, bars etc and close to the trolley for easy access to the downtown area.

I think a fun thing to do in Portland is the Epicurian Walking Tour- you get to walk a bit of the city, get some history and stop along the way tastes of local food along the way.

Hello mike_pakowski,

Last year I stayed at the Portland International Guesthouse without a car, which is located in the heart Alphabet District. It's quite reasonably priced in a well-maintained house (6 rooms I think?). It's a very hands-off affair, meaning there's no one manning a desk there but that was fine by me (if needed, the proprietors available by phone).

From what you describe, I think it might be a fit for you with its biggest plus being the location. The area I would say has an energetic, creative, alternative crowd, with lots of 20- and 30-somethings, plenty of tattoos, unusual hair colours and hairstyles peppering the numerous brewhouses and restaurants right nearby on Glisan St & 21st Avenue about 2-3 minutes walk away, even though Flanders St., where the inn is found, is leafy green and quiet. From there, you're about a 10-minute walk to the Pearl District with its nightlife and not much more to downtown. In the other direction, you're about 20-minute walk to Washington Park with the International Rose Test Garden and Japanese Gardens.

Anyway, check it out on Tripadvisor to see if it appeals to you. Best wishes, Daniel