This is topic Oregonians! Hear me! in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=047574

Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
 
I'm planning on making my way down to Portland for a trip around Mar 31 - Apr 3. I'm trying to fill my days with both grand sight-seeing type stuff as well as other random cool places: local places to eat, little shops I can't miss, awesome dive bars, etc.

Thusfar on the list (in the grand sight-seeing vein, mostly):

http://www.aquarium.org/index.asp
http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/
http://www.oregonzoo.org/index.htm
http://www.japanesegarden.com/
http://www.explorethepearl.com/
http://www.shallon.com/
http://www.mentalwanderings.com/gulch_guides/2004/06/liquid_zen.html
http://www.backspace.bz/

Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :
 
I'm not from Oregon, but I don't suggest watching the Trail Blazers play.
 
Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
 
I'm a big fan of OMSI.
 
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
 
Ooooh, that Body Worlds exhibit looks pretty neat-O.

Anything else, y'all?
 
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
I saw Body Worlds in Boston, and it was very cool.

There are some Hatrackers in that area that you might want to catch up with. Foundling, in particular, would be a fun one to go drinking with.

If you're into that sort of thing. I'm not sure how often she's around, but I'll alert her to this thread.
 
Posted by TheHumanTarget (Member # 7129) on :
 
I thought this was going to be a shout out to Oregonians to stop climbing mountains in the dead of winter...
 
Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :
 
If you are interested in testing the cuisine in the area, I have a few recommendations for you:

Typhoon (use google maps to locate): excellent Thai/fusion food. I recommend you try Pine Cone Fish (fried halibut with lime/chile sauce, tangy and spicy!) and the Beef with grapes (basically a salad with grapes, grilled steak served cold, and a lime/chile dressing. SO good)

McMenamin's: (http://www.mcmenamins.com/)local, high quality 'bar food' at good prices, but their locations (all over the NW) are world-renowned for their beers.

The Portland Saturday Market (if it's open when you're visiting) is a good place to visit for local arts and crafts, and also has a good sampling of some of the local cuisine.

On the weekends, the newly built tram that extends from the South Waterfront of Portland to the West Hills offers free rides (normally four dollars, I think). I haven't ridden it yet, but I understand that it is a pretty good view of town. It is part of the Oregon Health Sciences University.


I'll add more if I think of some, but I hope this helps you out!

[ February 21, 2007, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: BandoCommando ]
 
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
 
Bodyworlds is a must for those who haven't yet seen it.

It shies away from nothing. Some of the exhibitions are even funny in their own little macabre way. The dead always enlighten and fascinate, though.
 
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
 
I second OMSI. Also, you might want to visit Powell's Bookstore.
 
Posted by foundling (Member # 6348) on :
 
Hey ersommniac, I'd be happy to meet up if you want a residents view of whats fun to do.

It sounds like you've got a pretty good list going, but just a couple warnings.
The aquarium is a great place to go, one of the best I've been to, but it's about 3 hours outside Portland. It's on the coast in a city called Newport, which is a fun place to visit in and of itself. In fact, the coastal route, from Seaside to Newport along 101, is one of the most beautiful stretches of road you will ever drive. If you've got access to a car, it's a great day trip.

Bagby Hot Springs isnt quite the zen place of beauty that site makes it out to be. It's a lovely spot, but it's crowded, rowdy, and can be dangerous. It's also not the cleanest of public hot springs. It's fun to go to with a group of people you trust to watch your back, and it's better to go during the week than on a weekend.
I've been to almost all the hotsprings out here, so if you want some other recommendations let me know.


OMSI is definitely worth it, and you can get a good deal on package tickets with the Planatarium and OMNIMax included in the price. Thats a full day kind of thing.

The Pearl district is fun to explore, and they do have a gadjillion shops. But on the other side of the river there is the Hawthorne district and the Alberta St district. Both of these areas are alot more fun, alot more real, and a hell of a lot less yuppified than the Pearl.

Portland is an easy city to have alot of fun in. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
Powell's Books. If you've never been there, I suggest taking 3 or 4 hours and just hanging out. It's right on Burnside and 10th, down the street from the public library and Pioneer Courthouse Square...and a great Mexican place and a really really great sub place.

I've been wanting to ride the tram ever since I saw it from the top of the hill up at OHSU. It looks like the view is stunning...and rather terrifying. [Smile]

Multnomah Falls isn't too far out of the city (about 40 minutes) and it's stunning. Offers a nice hike up to the top and one of the most beautiful little places once you get up there. I'd put that way up on your list. Don't go without me. [Smile]

I'm all for hanging out. I'll be in town and on the end of my spring break, so let me know where and when and I'll come on over.
 
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
 
It'll be me and the girlfriend (Squish, she posts...infrequently), and if these plans get solidified, we'd love to meet up with some local jatraqueros/as (this means you, foundling & Narnia) and see some sights during the day, and indulging in barhopping at night.

Bando, thank you tons, food is VERY important to us. [Big Grin]

Foundling, thank you for the suggestions, we're definitely taking your advice on the springs, aquarium, OMSI and pearl into consideration. If you have alternate suggestions, pretty please e-mail 'em!

FYI, yes, we will be driving (in my little, beat-up honda civic, but a car's a car!).

Other recommendations I've gotten:
Columbia Gorge Historic Highway
Shore acres botanical gardens
 
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
 
Yes, you MUST go to Powell's. If only to admire the column with all the science fiction authors' signatures. (Not that anyone ever gets out of Powell's without buying something.) And just across the street is Rocco's, which makes great pizza.

My friends took me to Ground Kontrol, a nice example of that vanishing breed known as the video game arcade. Nifty if you like that kind of thing. They even have a working Atari 2600.
511 NW Couch. Be careful at night, it's not the best of neighborhoods (althought the arcade itself seems safe as houses.)

Maybe I'll get to buy you a drink or something, if only so you can confirm to the rest of Hatrack that I exist. [Smile]
 
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by erosomniac:
Ooooh, that Body Worlds exhibit looks pretty neat-O.

Anything else, y'all?

We have something like that at the Detroit Science Center right now. It's not Body Worlds, but it's the same process.

I haven't gotten around to seeing it yet, but I've been heavily considering going, it's just a bit pricey. It looks infinitely cool though.
 
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
So here's what you do when you have about 5 hours. You drive out to Multnomah Falls via the big old interstate highway. The Columbia Gorge historic high way will get you back into Portland from the falls and it is one of the most beautiful drives. There are waterfalls all the way back and several of them have hikes and trails all around for exploring. On the way through all of this fantasticness, you wind your way up a hill to the Vista House, get out, and see the most beautiful view up and down the gorge from way up high. It's stunning.

anyway. That's my suggestion. You'll want to take some time and I would LOVE to go with you, should you have the desire and weather permitting. But, it's also quite romantic if you and Squish just want to head out there yourselves. [Smile]
 
Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :
 
I hope your trip turns out to be great! I enjoy Portland a lot and get up there fairly frequently to visit my in-laws.

But now that I'm seeing some of these "must-see" places and things-to-do listed, I realize it has been far, FAR too long since I've visited some of them: like the downtown Powell's, Multnomah Falls, and the Gorge in general...

Now I feel inspired for a weekend road trip with my wife now that the weather is starting to clear a little....
 


Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2