3-Day Weekend Trip Ideas: Portland / Austin / New Orleans?

[Imported]

We (fiancee and I) want to go to all three cities eventually but are having trouble making a decision of where to go this summer for a quick 3 day weekend. Any suggestions of things to do at each, where to go, etc? Food (and breweries/wineries/etc), outdoors, music would be the main things to consider for each city.

 

[Uppsala9496]

NO in the summer is stifling with the humidity. The garbage stench is pretty strong too. I've gone in the fall and the middle of summer and much preferred the fall.

 

[mrjminer]

Haven't been to any of them, but "food (and breweries/wineries/etc), outdoors, music" sounds like how New Orleans is usually portrayed

 

[nageov3t]

in the summer? I'd do Portland.

New Orleans is perfect for a 3-4 day trip, imo, but I'd probably only want to down there in the late fall/winter/early spring.

 

[smackababy]

NO is fun, but not in a "cultural" kind of way really. If you're looking for some good drinking fun and some spicy seafood, it can be great. I've had fun on the weekends I've been. The major party holidays though are incredibly packed, especially Bourbon St. The downtown isn't bad, but you can quickly end up in some ghetto areas.

Austin is probably the best for live music and some more intimate pub scenes, but a lot of it is blues and classic rock. I'd see who was playing at Stubb's, just to experience it, as a lot of big names come through there. 6th street is the easier "I have no idea what to do or what to see" area, and it isn't terrible. If you're into strip clubs, the Yellow Rose is probably the best.

I've never been to Portland, but I hear it is a lot like Austin. Also, hear that it has a high concentration of hipsters; which, I imagine Austin suffers from as well, although I haven't been there in some years.

 

[smackababy]

Also, avoid NO during August - October, or another Katrina might show up.

Weather wise, it wasn't that bad for me, but I grew up in Houston and spent time on the gulf, so 100 degree heat with 99% humidity was normal. If you spend your life in the Bay Area, you'd hate that weather. Austin can be hot as well, but the humidity is much lower, so it is more bearable.

 

[Imported]

Would most likely be in the summer. Looking from July to September.

Thanks for the responses so far!

 

[BurnItDwn]

I pick New Orleans, that said, the summer is the absolute worst possible time to visit New Orelans.

Portland would be awesome in the summer probably, but, I love New Orleans. So I would go there.

 

[smackababy]

Also, you should clarify the 'we' in your OP. You and a few buddies? You and the wife? You and the wife + kids?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I was in New Orleans on vacation last week. My opinion? It sucks and I won't go back. At least I can say I've been there, however.

 

[ElFenix]

NO is fun, but not in a "cultural" kind of way really.

 

[smackababy]

Please do tell the sites that I would bestow upon my sight when I go to NO? The French Quarter? The ghettos? It isn't a place you really go to take in the culture. You're not going to go see the art galleries and the architecture. NO, as a city, is basically a giant shit hole. Mother nature already attempted to rid us of this once, but it didn't work.

 

[Imported]

Also, you should clarify the 'we' in your OP. You and a few buddies? You and the wife? You and the wife + kids?

Fiancee and I. I'll clarify that in the OP. Thanks!

 

[ElFenix]

Please do tell the sites that I would bestow upon my sight when I go to NO? The French Quarter? The ghettos? It isn't a place you really go to take in the culture. You're not going to go see the art galleries and the architecture. NO, as a city, is basically a giant shit hole. Mother nature already attempted to rid us of this once, but it didn't work.

jazz, cocktails, and much original american food originated in new orleans. new orleans is probably responsible for as much american culture as new york is.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Of those three, I'd recommend Portland based solely on planning the trip for the summer when Portland is nice, Austin is hot and New Orleans is humid. Austin and New Orleans have their charms, but delightful summer weather is not among them.

 

[Drako]

I would personally not go to Austin or NO in the summer months, but I hate the heat.

I would never willingly take a vacation to Portland.

I would go to Seattle, or maybe even a driving trip in the Bay Area. Monterey/Carmel, or Napa if the weather was not too hot.

 

[Drako]

I was assuming OP meant Portland Oregon. If the OP was referring to Portland Maine, I would consider going there, as I have never been there. Portland Oregon is a hipster hell hole.

 

[smackababy]

jazz, cocktails, and much original american food originated in new orleans. new orleans is probably responsible for as much american culture as new york is.

Which is all summed up as 'night life' and NO doesn't particularly have a great one in my experience. The 'charm' of Bourbon street kind of wears off after you've seen it once and turned 22 and the more 'mature' places are so memorable, I can't name a single one. That is not entirely true, I remember the names of the House of Blues and the Circle Club. Another that was similar to porn music sound, but not the exact name.

It isn't a place where you are going to go out site seeing in the day, at least, not if you want to see anything spectacular.

 

[EvilYoda]

Same as everyone else - if you're looking at going during the summer/late summer, NOLA and Austin will be pretty damn hot. I've been to all three cities a few times each and I'd be hard pressed to recommend one over another without knowing you and the lady better.

I disagree that NOLA has nothing to see - just depends on what you're looking for. If you rent a car and drive out away from the city a bit there are great cities to see. And even inside of the city limits, I've spent numerous days walking and biking around.

Austin, on the other hand, doesn't have a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing. Portland's downtown is tiny, relatively speaking, but the outdoor activities there are plentiful.

 

[smackababy]

Fiancee and I. I'll clarify that in the OP. Thanks!

Also, you should probably list some of the types of things you want to do.

I voted Other, because I think Chicago would be the place to visit. There is good night life, a moderate climate (for pussies!), and plenty of other things that can be enjoyed, such as shopping, dining, etc.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I was assuming OP meant Portland Oregon. If the OP was referring to Portland Maine, I would consider going there, as I have never been there. Portland Oregon is a hipster hell hole.

Portland, OR is definitely a hipster hellhole, I'll give you that, but that's why you only come for a short visit and get out before they corrupt you with PBR and flannel and mustaches and ironic glasses.

As to the OP's point, I can post further suggestions later, but one particularly nice evening plan is drinks at Expatriate and dinner at Beast. Beast is a nationally renowned restaurant doing a 6-course prix fixe dinner for a set price; the food is otherworldly, among the best you'll find in Portland. It's spendy, but worth it, especially as far as vacation is concerned. When my wife and I ate there, everyone at our table was an out-of-towner. Expatriate is a bar across the street run by the husband of the head chef/owner of Beast, so there's crossover between their menus and the drinks at Expatriate are sublime; the mixologist really knows his stuff.

 

[ElFenix]

Which is all summed up as 'night life' and NO doesn't particularly have a great one in my experience. The 'charm' of Bourbon street kind of wears off after you've seen it once and turned 22 and the more 'mature' places are so memorable, I can't name a single one. That is not entirely true, I remember the names of the House of Blues and the Circle Club. Another that was similar to porn music sound, but not the exact name.

It isn't a place where you are going to go out site seeing in the day, at least, not if you want to see anything spectacular.

bourbon is dead. it's been completely consumed by bros so all that's there is daiquiri bars, bead shops, and titters. aside from arnaud's. NO's daytime culture is going up st. charles and out to the plantations.

 

[Imported]

Without doing multi-quotes..

We go to Chicago pretty often. Fiancee's family is in Milwaukee and we always take a trip to Chicago when we visit. Its one of the few cities I wouldn't mind a transfer to.

We go to Napa every few months for our wine shipments and make a day of it, so no need to add that as a potential destination.

I completely forgot about Seattle so that will be contemplated.

Used to live in 100º summers so heat shouldn't be an issue but I could see humidity being a factor.

We plan to spend a day tackling deserts at any city we go to. Huge sweet tooths, especially anything chocolate. I'd like to try and visit the track near Austin if it coincides with a race weekend.. otherwise we aren't particularly planning around any event.

Beast restaurant sounds amazing.

 

[AMD64Blondie]

If you come to Portland,OR..swing through downtown.

I might be interested in meeting you.

 

[Chaotic42]

Please do tell the sites that I would bestow upon my sight when I go to NO? The French Quarter? The ghettos? It isn't a place you really go to take in the culture. You're not going to go see the art galleries and the architecture. NO, as a city, is basically a giant shit hole. Mother nature already attempted to rid us of this once, but it didn't work.

Eh... I think you failed at seeing New Orleans, man.