scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306 
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Post by scrappinghappy on Mar 14, 2016 1:24:15 GMT
We're planning a week long trip to Portland in July. During that week well be doing a 4 day bike ride though the Columbia Gorge. What other must do things should we do in Portland? Good restaurants, shopping, wineries etc
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 1:38:42 GMT
There's an amazing book store in Portland. I can't remember what it's called but it's like 4 floors of every book you can imagine. I literally spent about 10 hours there one day.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 1:44:06 GMT
^Powell's I'll be back with suggestions when I'm not on my phone  |
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Post by keesha on Mar 14, 2016 1:44:15 GMT
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Post by Skellinton on Mar 14, 2016 2:37:10 GMT
Blue Star Doughnuts
Salt and Straw
Cheese and Crack
Waffle Window is good, but I prefer the actual restaurant, The Bread and Ink. I love their chicken and waffles.
Pok Pok
The wineries are pretty far out, there is plenty to do in Portland, I would stick to the city.
Is it just grown ups?
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Post by Skellinton on Mar 14, 2016 2:45:28 GMT
If you like funky shops, House of Vintage is very fun. Hawthorne (the street it is on) has an assortment of interesting shops. It also has Blue Star, Bread and Ink and a small Powell's that is mostly cookbooks. That one is also connected to amazing cheese and wine store. They are doing some work there, but I don't believe it has started yet.
Eventually a new eatery place called Pine Street will be open with several restaurants, but it was scheduled for Christmas, then February, but I don't think it is open yet. Hopefully this summer!
That reminded me that Pine Street Biscuits is amazing, and hands down my fAvorite place to eat breakfast is Tasty and Sons and the best place for dinner is Tasty and Alder. Same owners, different menus, with some overlap.
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Post by littlefish on Mar 14, 2016 2:59:08 GMT
VooDoo Doughnuts is about a 10 minute walk from Powell's.
The rose gardens are pretty and the Oregon Zoo is a good one too.
Clearly I went with a kid vs an adult (hence lack of wineries, lol).
DD and I spent some time in Hood River and the Hood River Valley (about an hour outside Portland) and absolutely loved it. They have the "fruit loop" that goes through the valley's various orchards and wineries.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Mar 14, 2016 3:03:49 GMT
The rose gardens and the zoo. we also have the Japanese Gardens they are all three near each other and you can take the zoo train from the zoo to the gardens and back.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Mar 14, 2016 3:04:11 GMT
There's an amazing book store in Portland. I can't remember what it's called but it's like 4 floors of every book you can imagine. I literally spent about 10 hours there one day. The name is Powells |
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Mar 14, 2016 3:06:09 GMT
and we can't forget Stark Street pizza. it is on 92nd and Stark right off of I205
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Post by epeanymous on Mar 14, 2016 3:07:52 GMT
I love Portland, but am not a native, so take my suggestions for what they are worth (a person who visits 2-3 times a year). Absolutely, go to Powell's, which is awesome. I like to walk around NE Alberta, which has a good yarn store (Close Knit), a small but well-edited sewing/quilting store (Bolt), a paper/scrapbooking store (Collage), a children's book store, a number of other shops, and Salt and Straw ice cream, which is delicious. I also like to go to the rose garden, which is pretty (although I never remember when roses bloom) and has city views. We usually go to Grant Park, which has statues of Beverly Cleary characters, great tall trees, and a nice playground (if you aren't bringing kids, this might not be as exciting) and Council Crest Park, which is a non-playground park at the top of a winding road and that has great views and is pretty in and of itself. We often go to Hawthorne Street and walk around there, which has two smaller Powell's branches, some funky stores, and is near Mount Tabor Park, which has great views (I am a one-trick pony here).
I'm not going to be able to recommend much for food, since I have a pack of kids with me, always, and that limits where I can go. We often get sandwiches at Bunk on NE Alberta, and they are tasty (they have good cocktails there too, not that I know anything about having a cocktail with lunch while toting kids around) or eat at Hopworks Brewpub near the downtown Powell's (where the beer is excellent and they are super nice to our kids) or at the Bagdad, which is a pub on Hawthorne across from the Powell's branches where they have good beer and are kind to the kids (maybe you are sensing a dining trend for me as well). We often take advantage of the food trucks and the many little restaurants on NE Alberta and around Mississippi that have outdoor seating.
FWIW, if you are intending to get a statement doughnut, everyone in my house prefers Blue Star to Voodoo, but there is probably some local doughnut dive we know nothing about.
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Post by ntsf on Mar 14, 2016 3:16:49 GMT
somthing near by...Maryhill Museum and the Stonehenge replica...just over the columbia river in Washington
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Deleted
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Apr 25, 2024 11:55:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 3:34:26 GMT
There's an amazing book store in Portland. I can't remember what it's called but it's like 4 floors of every book you can imagine. I literally spent about 10 hours there one day. The name is Powells Yes! Thank you!! |
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306
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Post by scrappinghappy on Mar 14, 2016 5:07:19 GMT
Thank you. Lots of research still happening. I do have the Japanese gardens, Powells, salt and straw and a Segway tour already on my research list. Now will add more. We will be all adults, so wineries are a definite option. So excited to hear about Hawthorne St - just the kind of info I love. @epeanynous the info on donuts shops is invaluable. We will have to try both and decide for ourselves  Please keep suggestions coming |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 5:46:04 GMT
Voodoo is so overrated! I'd skip it.
There's lots of great shopping in the Pearl if you just wander and see what strikes your fancy. Same with NW Portland. I also like shopping in Sellwood - less fancy than the Pearl and NW, but lots of great character shops. Tons of music venues and other arty opportunities. What kind of food do you like? Food here is incredible.
I'd do wineries while you're in the Gorge (lots of good tasting rooms in Hood River) and breweries in Portland. Deschutes and Hair of the Dog are both great - there are lots more excellent breweries. Do you have a style of beer you like? Rev Nat's Cider is outstanding as well.
The Portland State farmers market (Saturday mornings) is wonderful and worth a visit, even if you're just browsing and maybe getting breakfast or lunch. It's fun to see the bounty of the area.
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scraptag
Full Member
Posts: 243
Location: Pacific Northwest
Jun 28, 2014 23:03:10 GMT
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Post by scraptag on Mar 14, 2016 12:02:46 GMT
The Portland Art Museum is really nice.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
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Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Mar 14, 2016 14:09:41 GMT
Take a day trip to Astoria!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 15:14:30 GMT
Take a day trip to Astoria! I looooove Astoria and the coast - I lived there for 10 years and consider it my adopted hometown. But, if I only had 3 days in Portland, I wouldn't spend an entire day going to the coast (unless, of course, you've never been to the Oregon coast at all and don't think you'll be back anytime soon, then maybe yes - take highway 30 to Astoria in the morning, poke around town and have lunch there - don't miss Bowpicker fish & chips, the best anywhere, then head down the coast to Seaside and Cannon Beach, then back to Portland on highway 26 in the evening). The coast is marvelous, but is best if you have a couple days there. And there is so much in Portland itself to do... |
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Post by jenis40 on Mar 14, 2016 15:24:42 GMT
Slight thread hijack, would any of you Portland peas recommend some food trucks or a good food truck area? I travel there every 3-4 months to see my transplant doctor at OHSU and am dying to try them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2016 15:39:35 GMT
Slight thread hijack, would any of you Portland peas recommend some food trucks or a good food truck area? I travel there every 3-4 months to see my transplant doctor at OHSU and am dying to try them. is everything you could want to know about Portland food trucks They also have an app that is supposed to be good and is linked from the site. When I am in town, the pod I'm usually closest to is the one on SW 5th between Oak and Stark. Aybla is a Greek cart and is very good. Their gyros are delicious. The Thai cart is also very good, as is the Mexican cart. Mmmm... now I want tacos. There are lots of great carts all over, but that's the pod I'm most familiar with. I think there is a pod pretty close to the base of the tram to OHSU if you take that up there. |
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Post by jenis40 on Mar 14, 2016 15:52:20 GMT
Thanks Busypea!
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Mar 14, 2016 15:53:03 GMT
Saturday market is a great place to go They have a food truck lot. There is also antique stores close to Saturday market.
I haven't been there in a few years but I am gonna take Amanda sometime soon because she loves places like that.
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Post by papersilly on Mar 14, 2016 20:24:22 GMT
isn't the Brew Fest near the end of July? even if I wasn't a drinker, I think it would be fun to check out all the micro breweries and festivities taking place.
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Post by Skellinton on Mar 15, 2016 1:28:03 GMT
I agree Voodoo are overrated, Blue Star is way better. I know Voodoo is what everyone knows, but I think you can get cereal covered doughnuts anywhere now, and theirs aren't even that good.
Pips is the other new "hot" place to get doughnuts, the one on Fremont is just down the street from Jim and Party's Coffee which is well worth a stop too. Make sure you take your time and read the menu if you go, this is not your standard Starbucks coffee house.
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scrapbug
Full Member
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Jun 26, 2014 0:11:46 GMT
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Post by scrapbug on Mar 15, 2016 2:13:09 GMT
OMSI is fun. China town has some good restaurants if you like Chinese.
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chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,860
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Mar 15, 2016 2:21:03 GMT
Okay, not to overwhelm you or anyone else on this thread, but I have so many out of town friends asking me for recommendations that I've compiled a little guide over the years, which I try to keep updated. I'm going to paste some of it here for you. Many of the "dos" have been recommended to you already, so consider my recs as reinforcement. Feel free to ask questions; I love to do "research"
If you're in the gorge, surely it includes a visit to beautiful Multnomah Falls. Parking can fill up quickly, so be sure to go early in the day during the summer. Walk up to the bridge at least and if you hike, stay on the trails. People always seem to be getting lost up there. Snacks, restaurant, gift shop and restrooms available.
As you head to Portland, stop at the other waterfalls along the way if you're taking the scenic highway. Also, if you're on the scenic highway, stop at the Vista House and be buffeted by the crazy winds!
I also like the Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery; it's so serene and it feels like a visit to the 1940's. You can check out the huge sturgeon (including the famous Herman the Sturgeon, who was once kidnapped!), feed the fish, check out who's coming up the fish ladder, or just walk around.
If you want to see where Cheryl Strayed finished her Pacific Crest Trail adventure in the book/movie "Wild", visit the Eastwind Drive In in Cascade Locks and have an ice cream. There is otherwise nothing special about it or the food, but if you like to make movie/book pilgrimages. . .
Then, stop at the outlet stores in Troutdale and visit the Harry and David store. Stock up on red pepper and onion relish, which you can then mix with cream cheese for party dip when you get home. I buy it by the case. We're the official party house of the family, so if we don't serve it at gatherings, people are very disappointed.
An old school restaurant I like to visit when I'm out that way is Tad's Chicken and Dumplins, aka Tad's Chic Dump. It's on the Sandy River, so try to eat in one of the back rooms with a river view. Very homey and it seems like probably nothing has changed since the 40's except the prices and the size of the relish tray. tadschicdump.com/
Whether you do or don't eat at Tad's, stop at McMenamin's Edgefield in Troutdale, even just to stroll the grounds. The McMenamin brothers rehab historic properties and turn them into hotels, movie theaters, restaurants and breweries, often all in one place. This is one of the places with all of those things. You can also book spa treatments and time in the soaking pools in advance. It is the former poor farm for the county. One hallmark of McMenamin's establishments is the artwork, which is everywhere, and let's face it-sometimes a little creepy. They do have concerts during the summer, so I'd avoid visiting on concert days, unless you want to buy tickets for a show and book a room for a complete experience. www.mcmenamins.com/Edgefield
Chendra's Portland Recs
PORTLAND
Powells City of Books (main store SW 10th)
Check for author readings/signings here : www.powells.com/calendar
but pay attention to the location at which store appearances are occurring. The biggest events tend to be at their suburban Beaverton store because of more generous parking. I've walked into Cary Elwes and Tom Robbins signings that I wish I'd known about in advance!
Powell's on Hawthorne/Powell's Home and Garden Books
They are taking over the Pastaworks place between the two Powell's stores to connect them, so soon it will be one more big store!
If you're on Hawthorne, I recommend:
Waffle Window--chocolate dipped, hard! Mmmm. It's on the side of Bread and Ink café.
Three Doors Down--delicious Italian food
Memento--a gift shop with local items, such as Queen Bee bags www.queenbee-creations.com/ a very Portland souvenir, but not cheap!
And, if you like mid-mod/vintage furniture, there are plenty of good shops on Hawthorne, but at opposite ends: Vintage Pink and Lounge Lizard at one end and Hawthorne Vintage and Red Snapper at the other end.
Doughnuts
I'm not a doughnut lover, so maybe I'm not the best giver of advice, but here are some popular choices:
Voodoo Doughnuts SW 3rd voodoodoughnut.com/
If you've never been, you should go for the heck of it so you're in the know. Buy the weirdest doughnut that appeals and admire the others. Stick with a group at night.
Blue Star Doughnuts www.bluestardonuts.com/
There is one on NW 23rd and one on SE Hawthorne
These doughnuts are made with brioche dough, they aren't as sweet, and they have inventive, but not weird, flavors.
Donut Byte Labs SW 4th www.donutbytelabs.com/
This is a mini-donut food truck many people don't know about. Strangely, it's very close to Voodoo. Facing out the front door of Voodoo, cross the parking lot with the "Keep Portland Weird" sign on the back of the wall of Dante's, turn to your right and you should see their blue truck. It was opened by some culinary school graduates and they are very fastidious and passionate and always working on new flavors. They even had rose cream for Valentine's Day. Reasonably priced, and because they're minis, you can share with friends and try several flavors.
Breakfast
Portland is big on breakfast/brunch and you will wait wherever you go unless you arrive near opening time. Some popular places:
Mother's Bistro (good for any meal, really, with an additional special dinner menu by a different Mother of the Month)
Tasty and Sons
Tin Shed (they allow dogs on the patio, which is why I like to go there Recently, I saw a woman and her pug with matching chunky knit scarves )
Pine State Biscuits
Original Pancake House--THE ORIGINAL original pancake house, knotty pine and all. This is not near downtown, so only attempt if you have a car. Totally old school.
Slappy Cakes (make your own pancakes at a grill at your table, including gluten-free; they also have good non-pancake breakfasts you don't have to make yourself and cocktails. Try the chicken fried bacon with caramel apple sauce). slappycakes.com/
If you're waiting at Slappy Cakes, leave one member of your party to wait and the rest of you wander next door to Movie Madness, a movie rental place. It has many wonderful movie costumes and props from well-known films to browse while you wait.
Food Tours
I like to be a tourist in my own town and I can recommend the following:
Forktown Food Tours www.forktownfoodtoursportland.com/
Portland Walking Tours www.portlandwalkingtours.com/
If you take a restaurant/cart tour with one of these groups, arrive hungry! All of my tours ended with people feeling more than satisfied, and you learn about Portland and history as well as eatin'.
I've also taken the "Beyond Bizarre" ghost hunting tour ("the #2 ghost tour in the western US!") twice with Portland Walking Tours, once with my office, and once for my birthday. You are given EMF meters for ghost detection purposes and are taken on a walking tour of downtown, with historical info about the city given and some "hot spots" to assess. You end in the basement of the old Merchant Hotel. Both times, "things" other than EMF spikes happened to members of my group, though not to me, so. . . (I don't recommend Old Town Pizza next door.) Also, the Beyond Bizarre tour include a stop at Voodoo and your guide will emerge with a box of mixed doughnuts for the group, so that takes care of that!
Food Carts
They come and they go, but there are a multitude of choices. The major pods downtown are being threatened with development, but who knows when that will happen. Until then,
the best method is to wander around, see what appeals and look for the lines, or just ask people. In the major downtown carts, the most popular places with my friends are:
Nong's Khao Man Gai for chicken and rice
Tabor for the schnitzelwich
Korean Twist or Koi Fusion for bulgogi tacos
Dump Truck for dumplings
The Whole Bowl for vegetable/grain bowls
Bing Mi for the filled Chinese breakfast crepes
Pulehu Pizza for thin, crisp woodfired pizza
Pollo-tico for Peruvian chicken
Potato Champion for poutine (on Hawthorne)
Aybla for gyros or falafel
Restaurants
So many choices. So many openings and closings. Tell me what you like and I'll do some research
My favorite Mad Men bar
The Driftwood Room at Hotel Deluxe. www.hoteldeluxeportland.com/eat-drink/driftwood-room/ The decor hasn't changed since the 60's. Dark, tiny, old school, interesting cocktails. Walk up the stairs, turn to your left as you enter the lobby, then a quick left into the bar. If the bar is full, you can have Happy Hour in the beautiful lobby. The hotel is old Hollywood themed. In the summer, they show movies on the roof.
My favorite martini bar
www.vaultmartinibar.com/
My favorite cocktail bar (across the river from downtown)
www.mintand820.com/about.shtml
Beer
There are numerous breweries in town and I've been to SO many with my brother when he visits, though I don't drink beer myself. I can ask for specific recs from friends if you need any. However, for a tour, my friends recommend the brewcycle! www.brewgrouppdx.com/brewcycle/ You ride a "group bike" between pubs.
Good shopping/wandering streets
NW 23rd
SE Hawthorne
NE Alberta (mostly between 15th and 25th)
N Mississippi
Pearl District
Sellwood (SE) for antiques
Tranquility
Portland Japanese Garden (my favorite, any time of year!)
Unfortunately, the train between the Zoo and the rose garden/Japanese garden is down for repairs until further notice, but you can take MAX to the Washington Park station and take the in-park shuttle bus(summer only) to the Japanese Garden and rose garden)
Lan Su Chinese Garden--also peaceful, even if it's downtown. They also have a tea house.
Oddball Thing
Ground Kontrol arcade with video games of the past! groundkontrol.com/
Crafty Thrift Store
If you like to dig for crafty treasure: scrappdx.org/
If you like pizza and beer with your movie
www.mcmenamins.com/219-bagdad-theater-pub-home (near Powell's and the Waffle Window)
Portland Farmers' Market at Portland State University
www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/psu/
Portland Saturday Market
Be sure and visit the Spoonman. I'm wearing my silver cocktail fork ring at this very moment! www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/
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chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,860
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Mar 15, 2016 2:43:23 GMT
I'll be watching this thread. I live outside Portlamd but am usually too intimidated to explore it. Driving the roads and finding parking is such a barrier to me for some reason. Just when I think I'm doing really well, some guy on a bike starts screaming at me because I'm simultaneously failing to turn left on a one way red AND straddling the MAX lines, though I see other people doing it and don't know how they determine whether or not they're about to get hit by a train. I definitely realize my pathetic standing. You can do it Gilly (I mean guineahen)! Find a SmartPark and leave your car, then go by foot, MAX or streetcar.
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Post by Flibbertigibbet on Mar 15, 2016 3:04:04 GMT
I'll add a few of my faves to what the others have posted:
Cannon Beach
Council Crest
NW 23rd Street
Burgerville (Rosemary fries)
la provence for breakfast
Weed is legal, if that's your thing.
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