Things to Do in Portland

[BigWoof31]

Ok - I'm planning a trip to Portland and since this is the most geographically diverse message board I visit - I figured I might pose a question to those that have been.

5 friends and I want to travel to Portland for 4 days of sightseeing and touring what is supposedly one of America's great cities. We've already planned on doing a Brew Pup Tour (but recommendations of pubs to visit would be much appreciated).

Since a River runs through the town - I'm assuming we could do a sightseeing cruise. But what else is there to do in the surrounding areas?

 

[Gatorubet]

Oregon Brewers Guild ? Homepage

A trip to the Timberline Lodge is always interesting too.

 

[Gatorubet]

Spa Resort Hotel Oregon | Golf Courses Oregon Coast | Hotel Golf Packages | Salishan Luxury Resort Accommodations

I've been to this resort, and had a good time. Nice golf course (usually a little damp). You drive west and south on 99 to the coast. Worth doing, and lots of local wineries with kick ass pinot noir. Good seafood in Lincoln Beach.

 

[MaliBuckeye]

I'm guessing you mean Oregon...

Timberline Lodge ain't close, but it's cool. Same for Nike headquarters- you can say "hello" to the money that will eventually buy UofO a national championship. As a bonus, you can find the person who designs the Ducks' uniforms and kick them in the balls.

In town, there are three non-microbrew related musts:

Powell's Books- I can spend a week and a month's pay in there.

Saturday market- If you thought the 60's were dead, think again. If you go, say "howdy" to my friend Eric- he made me one of these in the appropriate colors.

Voodoo Doughnuts. Yeah, I said it.

Have fun... we'll be there in August.

 

[BigWoof31]

Voodoo Doughnuts. Yeah, I said it.

Have fun... we'll be there in August.

I saw this place advertised on a special on the Travel Channel. I definately wanted to try it out.

 

[BuckNutty]

I saw this place advertised on a special on the Travel Channel. I definately wanted to try it out.

Man V. Food? If I were going to Portland I'd have to hit this place. Mancakes (Giant Pancakes) at the Stepping Stone Cafe in Portland, Oregon [video] - Eat Me Daily

 

[OSUsushichic]

If you're a coffee fan, get thee to Stumptown. Some of the best coffee ever. There's one very close to Powell's, which is one of the best bookstores ever!

I'd also recommend the Rogue Public House for beer.

 

[BigWoof31]

One of my travel mates has insisted we hit that spot Sushichic. He's also a fan of "Hair of the Dog" beers so we're going there too.

I'm interested in the Brew Pub tour because its supposed to be very educational. Specifically in reference to Micro-Brews vs. Craft beers.
Apparently - the guys who teach it can pick up spices in the beers just like wine sommeliers.


I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't interested in eating bad ass seafood too.

 

[OSUsushichic]

I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't interested in eating bad ass seafood too.

Hmmm...can't really give you a suggestion there (although my boss had some great oysters there -- don't know exactly where), but if you like sushi, Sushi Land is a fun, inexpensive sushi-go-round place near Powell's.

Marinepolis Sushi Land - Pearl District - Portland, OR

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

OregonBuckeye's mom. Can't-miss experience. There will be a line, so wear comfy shoes.

 

[BigWoof31]

Hmmm...can't really give you a suggestion there (although my boss had some great oysters there -- don't know exactly where), but if you like sushi, Sushi Land is a fun, inexpensive sushi-go-round place near Powell's.

Marinepolis Sushi Land - Pearl District - Portland, OR

Sushichic - first comment in the restaurant review thread.

It's not quality sushi. But if you're getting sushi off a conveyor belt for a buck, you don't really have a right to bitch, you cheap bastard.

I've never been to a conveyor belt sushi place before (we don't have them here in Atlanta :( ) So I'm excited for this.

 

[Oneshot]

Hiking around Mt. Hood and Mirror Lake.

 

[muffler dragon]

I live south of Portland by 45 miles. While not a native Oregonian, I work with plenty. One particular co-worker of mine grew up on Portland, and he has a plethora of knowledge regarding the town. I can pose any and all questions to him that you need answered.

Portland's a town of about 2 million. It has more microbrews than any other city in the world. The town has (I believe) nine bridges that go in and out of it. The downtown is actually a downtown where there is [censored] to do. The diversity of the town is amazing as well. There are Chinese and Japanese gardens. And for some reason, NW Oregon has become a hub for "Old" Russians. This is the group that left Russia during the Revolution and made their way to the Left Coast via South America.

If you want to PM about particulars of your trip ($ to spend for food, housing, travel, etc; desired destination types; anything else); then I'll get in touch with those in the know and get back to you.

FWIW, the rain will continue rather steadily until the end of this month and into June. I consider September to early October to be the best time of the year to visit. All of the waterfalls are gorgeous then because of the melts from the summer.

edit: here's the traveler's guide (don't know if it's worth a damn) http://www.travelportland.com/

 

[OSUsushichic]

Sushichic - first comment in the restaurant review thread.



I've never been to a conveyor belt sushi place before (we don't have them here in Atlanta :( ) So I'm excited for this.

Sushi-go-rounds are definitely a West Coast thing. It's a fun experience. I want to start my own here in Boston!

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Sushi-go-rounds are definitely a West Coast thing. It's a fun experience. I want to start my own here in Boston!

They've had those in Japan since at least the mid-70s. Genroku Sushi is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, conveyor sushi chains in the world. That's where I got over my initial dislike of sushi...