Portland, OR + Add a trip

A walk in the forest, ten minutes from downtown

There aren't many cities where you can get lost in a forest and still be within 10 minutes of downtown. It's the largest urban forest reserve in the US. Don't go shopping in another mall, go for a walk in Forest Park

Powell's Books

Powell's is one of the best book stores in United States. It's certainly the largest, amongst the independently owned. Start with the downtown Burnside location but realize that they've also got other locations and warehouses where your impossible to find book might be found.

It's wide AND deep. Good combo.

Ira Keller Fountain

Check out this fountain if you are visiting in between spring and fall. Impressive in it's scale and form, it's nice just to walk around and interact with all the water. Plus it's right downtown so you can walk from there to any number of places to eat or get some entertainment.

Walk on Hawthorne

Take a walk up Hawthorne Blvd to get a feel for the lifeblood of the Portland independent scene. This is where all the DIY, hipster, hippy, alternative crowd congregrates. Great shops, independent restaurants, good coffee, even a pub movie house. Beautiful views of Mt. Tabor in the summer to the East.

Ace Hotel - Best new hotel in North America

The Ace Hotel in a refurbished rooming house is unlike any other bespoke hotel out there. Calling it a boutique is an insult. Everything is personal and created with immaculate style and design reflecting the Oregon sensibility and heritage with reams of recycled materials (not the sheets or custom designed military blanket top sheet.)

Best pizza. Period.

Ken's Artisan Pizza is phenomenal. Make sure to be prepared to wait and try the veggie app plate and the Arrabiata Pizza.

Parking in downtown Portland

You don't have to pay $20-28/day for parking.

Parking on the street is free from 7 pm to 8 am. The downtown lots usually have daily rates from $7- $10 which works from about 8 am - 7 pm (check with the lot). So if you don't mind moving your car around, you can park in downtown for about $10/day.

Paid street parking uses a ticket machine system (like Seattle). There is usually a ticket machine in the middle of the block. I believe it is $1.50/hr. The machine issues a sticker which is placed in the window nearest the sidewalk. The machine will post what the max time is for that block. I saw times ranging from 60 minutes to 3 hrs (along river).

Japanese Gardens

If you have the time, visit the Japanese Gardens, convenient to the MAX light rail or via bus. Take the free tour; the information presented by the guide is worthwhile. A good place for quiet contemplation. Right next to the Rose Garden.

PALA - Bar

A gorgeous atmosphere, lush with orchids, romantic lighting, candles, bronze buddhas, and mixed drink specials. We were there to see DJ Icey spin breakbeat records. We came for the music, and the decor and service was an incredible bonus. Very sexy, never sleazy!

There's so much good to explore, if you've got kids with you then places like OMSI, The children's museum, and Oregon Zoo are great days out. The Rose test garden, japanese gardens are perfect for chilling out and just soaking up the calming atmosphere. Just taking a walk downtown is a great experience, you can really get the feel of the city culture down there in the pearl etc... After dark you should check out some bars, or music venues - Crystal Ballroom, Doug Fir, etc etc, there's a whole bunch of interesting places for the visitor.

What about exploring Park Avenue. A great part of town where you can explore the park, statues, visit the Portland Art Museum and more. It is a great full day. Here is a

great article

On a sunny day, grab a car and head east on Interstate 84 to "The Dalles. About an hour plus drive. It's spectacular as you hug the Columbia River gorge. Once in "The Dalles", cross the bridge to the Washington side and return along the north side of the river. Images of Napa and Sonoma come to mind, with the Columbia now on your left. Simply a treat if you have the time. Cross the bridge back to Portland, just east of Vancouver, Washington. Overall about 3 hours, if you take the time to savour the view.

What can a book-lover say about "the largest new and used bookstore in the world"? Plan to spend hours (and dollars) in this remarkable Portland institution.

Washington Park. It's free & beautiful. Visit the Hoyt Arboretum and explore Oregon's lush beauty with miles of walking trails. Get lost in the Rose Gardens in the summer. Anytime of year is good to visit the Oregon Holocaust Memorial & the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial. There is a huge playground for kids, lots of picnic areas, & a gorgeous place to spend the day outside!

Check out this fountain if you are visiting in between spring and fall. Impressive in it's scale and form, it's nice just to walk around and interact with all the water.

This is where all the DIY, hipster, hippy, alternative crowd congregrates. Great shops, independent restaurants, good coffee, even a pub movie house. Beautiful views of Mt. Tabor in the summer to the East.

Awesome transportation service in Portland. A PDX airport service for travel throughout northwest.

Very nice shuttle service. If you visit PDX Portland airport, make sure to call this company for transportation.

Great time. Fantastic performers. Good underage LGBTQI club. Right next to O'Bryant Square.