YAPT: Visiting Portland, OR for Labor Day

[tallest1]

Long story short, I'm a Floridan who hasn't had many opportunities to leave the state because of my career but thanks to a weekend + Holiday + 2 Personal Days, I'm gonna pay Portland, OR a visit.

So far my plans are:
- Sunday afternoon at the Art in the Pearl Festival then visit Powell's Technical Books.
- Monday, all morning at Cannon Beach and Enola State Park, and then the Museum of Science and Industry.
- Tuesday, doing two "Portland Walking Tours" - Best of Portland & Underground Portland, visiting the gardens, and browsing at the Powell's City of Books. Flying home Wednesday morning.

How does this itinerary sound so far? Can anyone recommend any other sights a techie/photographer like me would enjoy? Is there anything for a non-drinker/partier to do at night? I'm going alone and on a small budget but I want to enjoy the town as much as possible.

 

[tallest1]

bump

 

[enwar3]

What kind of stuff are you interested in?

I live practically in Portland and I can tell you the most interesting thing about Portland is its feel (which every city arguably has, although they're all unique). You pick this up from walking around downtown or in the Pearl etc. But as for landmarks, there's not actually that much in Portland.

Actually, what do you know about Portland? Family here?

Also good choice in choosing Powells.. it's an amazing place. Walking around the Pearl is just amazing in general.

 

[tallest1]

I was there for 2 days 8 years ago as part of a bus tour along the coast. Out of the whole trip, I enjoyed Portland the most and all I did was walk aimlessly through downtown. I'm interested in gardens, environments I won't find in Florida, and anything technology-related. I just got a Canon G9 (Thanks to Canon's Loyalty Program) and I'm itching to use it too. And as you say, I really enjoy the general feel of the city. At first I was going to drive only to see Cannon Beach but I hear there are other places worth visiting like the Multinomah (sp?) Falls.

Since I'm not a big fan of drinking or partying, Right now, I'm thinking of spending the nights at Powells till they close at 11pm and using the day hours for more sightseeing.

 

[enwar3]

If the weather is good while you're here, definitely check out Multnomah Falls. Lots of hiking, nature, plus it's really pretty. It might or might not be on your way to Cannon Beach. You could spend an entire day on the coast if you wanted to- lots of shopping/sightseeing/is just a cool, relaxing place to be. And if you go to Cannon Beach, EAT AT MO'S! One of the best things about the Oregon coast, IMO. Mo's is a seafood chain that makes the best clam chowder, and they're only on the Oregon Coast. Prices are not bad either.

If you're interested in gardens, try the Rose Garden (the actual garden, not the arena). They also have a Japanese Garden and other stuff. I'm not sure if the roses are in season though....

And if you're around on the weekend try walking the Willamette and visiting the saturday market (it's on the route).

I personally don't like Portland TOO much but that might be because I live here. Talk back if you have questions about anything. Sites like Oregonlive.com have a lot of stuff for you to look at.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Spending a day at Cannon Beach/Enola is a good idea; I'd skip OMSI.

You should consider using Tuesday to take a drive out the Columbia Gorge (where Multnomah Falls and many others are located); take a couple of short hikes on your way to Hood River. Head north out of Hood River around Mount Hood and take a side trip up to Timberline Lodge. Head back down to Portland.

Have fun!

 

[tallest1]

Thanks for the excellent tips everyone. I just finished mapping all the spots on Google Maps and researching other spots to visit.

It looks like I'll be lucky if I squeeze everything on the coast into one day but I'll give it a shot. Heres my latest polished itinerary:

Sunday - Flying in at 10:30
??? to ??? - Art in the Pearl Festival
http://www.artinthepearl.com/
??? to ??? - Exploring Old Town/Chinatown
??? to ??? - Classical Chinese Garden
??? to 7:00pm - Powell's Technical Bookstore (closes at 7pm)
7PM to late - Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade

Monday
5:30 to 7:30am - Forest Park Trails
8:00 to ????am - International Rose Test Garden & Japanese Garden
??? to 2:00pm Explore Town, Lunch, etc.
2:00 to 4:30pm - Underground Portland Tour
http://www.portlandwalkingtour...derground_portland.php

(TriMet's OMSI Shuttle bus is a quick and convenient way to get to and from OMSI. From July 13 through September 1, 2008, the shuttle will run every 15 minutes from 9:10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily between the Oregon Convention Center MAX Station and OMSI.)
5:00 to 6:30pm - Museum of Science and Industry
7:30 - 11:00pm - Powell's City of Books & Technical

Tuesday
Starting at 6AM
Oswald West State Park/
Short Sands Beach

then

Cannon Beach (eatting at Mo's)/
Haystack Rock

then

Ecola State Park/
Indian Beach

then

Powell's City of Books (after sundown till 11PM)

Wednesday - Flying out at 7AM


I had to pass up on Multinomah Falls, Pittock Manson, Free Geek, and Council Crest Park because I couldn't find a reasonable travel path that goes in their direction.

 

[tallest1]

bump

 

[rbV5]

7PM to late - Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade

Maybe replace this with a 6:30 to 9:00 pm river cruise on the Portland Spirit. Its only $36 if you're just a sightseer passenger and it offers a sweet evening look at Portland from the Willamette River and lots of photo Ops.

I just did the cruise with my wife, from the Dock near Salmon Springs and upriver to ~ Lake Oswego and back..... and we loved it (and I've lived in the Portland area for nearly 50 years) If you spring for the dinner as well..$$$ might break your budget

To bad you don't have time for the Gorge, because the Old historic Columbia River highway, Crown Point to Multnomah Falls is a sweet trip as well. I'd consider reducing your Coast time to sqeeze it in if possible(Short Sands and Ecola are very similar, and you could save a ton of time not making the hike all the way down to shorties...hit Ecola + Indian first and then down to Mo's at Cannon for the Chowder (Seriously, the food and Chowder at Mo's is just pretty OK, the restaurants themselves are meh, but the settings are awesome :thumbsup: I love the view from Mo's at Tolovana (south Cannon Beach area) and we eat there all the time. Unfortunately, it would be barely doable (Gorge + Coast single day) since they are completely opposite directions from Portland, and you'll want to spend more time at either.

3 days is not much time to get it all in, especially when you're heading to the Coast.

 

[tallest1]

thanks! The cruise looks good too!

 

[tallest1]

Final Bump. Making reservations now....

 

[Nik]

Sweet. Hit me up for some beer.

 

[wheresmybacon]

That?s a good itinerary. There?s a ton of live music every night, although with the exception of the biggest shows the venues will be bars. Not sure if that bothers you or not since you don?t drink. The Mercuryis a good source for weekly happenings, music and art wise.

Another thing to check out for a night activity would be one of the McMenamin?s theater pubs. Even if you don?t drink, you can?t complain about catching a movie for $3. The Mission Theater is in Northwest and fairly close to a lot of what it looks like you're into.

 

[dainthomas]

Definitely skip OMSI and hit the Rose Gardens or Japanese Garden.

 

[tallest1]

Well, I just redid my itinerary a bit. A bit more structured but thats okay. If anyone has any additional info on the Columbia River Gorge (thanks rbV5!), that'd be awesome. I'm making all these changes last-minute...

Sunday - Flying in at 10:30
1:00 to 2:30 - Art in the Pearl Festival (http://www.artinthepearl.com/)
3:00 to 8:00pm - Columbia River Gorge
8PM to late - Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade

Monday
7:30 to 11:00am - International Rose Test Garden & Japanese Garden
??? to ??? - Exploring Old Town/Chinatown
12:15 to 1:30 - Classical Chinese Garden
2:00 to 4:30pm - Underground Portland Tour (http://www.portlandwalkingtour...erground_portland.php)

6:30 to 9:30pm - Portland Spirit Cruise
9:30 to 11:00pm - Powell's City of Books

Tuesday

Ecola State Park/
Indian Beach

then

Cannon Beach (eatting at Mo's)/
Haystack Rock

then

Exploring Downtown
Free Geek in SE Portland (closes at 7PM)
Powell's Technical Bookstore (closes at 9pm)
Powell's City of Books (Closes at 11pm)

Wednesday - Flying out at 7AM

 

[Bryophyte]

If I were you, I'd get up early on Monday to go up the Gorge, and do as much of the downtown PDX stuff as possible on Sunday. A lot of stuff is within an easy walking distance from the Pearl, so take that all in at once. Five hours to drive up the Gorge and back to downtown is kind of pushing it, especially in the evening.

 

[Vic]

Don't skip Oswald West and Short Sands in favor of Ecola and Indian Beach. You'll miss this

Something else to keep in mind about your morning trip to the coast. Cannon Beach is about 90 minutes drive each way from Portland in good traffic, and the 2-lane highway through the Coast mountains is dangerous by your Floridian flatlander standards. So give yourself plenty of time.

Mo's is alright, but not fancy. It's geared towards tourist families. The chowder is decent, but not the best.

Going up the Gorge, take I-84 to the Corbett exit, go up the hill to the Historic Columbia River Hwy, and turn east to Crown Point and Multnomah Falls. You'll see a lot more this way than staying on the freeway. But beware the parking lot at the falls. It's infamous for car prowlers targeting tourists, so don't leave anything valuable in the car.

 

[KMc]

you must go to voodoo donut!

 

[Bryophyte]

So, how'd your trip go?