Fun Stuff To Do In Portland?

[Janir]

I'm going to Portland to visit my sis next week. I know she already has some fun stuff planned, but I was wondering if they're are any Portland (OR) folks here with some tips? Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to it.

[BridgetF]

The Japanese Gardens are a beautiful sight to see.

[twilightspirits]

Another wonderful garden is the International Rose Test Garden!

http://www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Gardens/IntRoseTestGarden.htm

[RockysJewel]

A short drive east and you can see Multnomah Falls and hike to the top. It is really fun and beautiful ! Only about 30 miles or so outside town.
Lots of bike trails around town. Have her take you to the Oregon Coast. LEave early morning for a less than 1.5 hour drive to see spectacular sites! Visit for the day and then home that evening.
OMSI whiich is just about in downtown Portland. Really fun!
Could take a drive to TimberLine Lodge on Mt. Hood, that is about an hour drive from Portland. It is beautiful up there this time of year. If you saw the movie The Shining with Jack Nicholson the lodge they used in that was Timberline! Nice day trip

[RainGypsy]

I agree with Rocky's Jewel.... if you head east from Portland, you will enter the Columbia River Gorge Scenic area.... take the historic Columbia River Highway.... if it is a nice day, you will see Mt Hood clearly as you are driving. There are several waterfalls along that road... including Multnomah Falls. Some very stunning scenery in the gorge.

You might want to check out Powell's Books. Supposedly the largest used and new book store in the world.

The Rose Gardens, The Japanese gradens, and the Classical Chinese Garden.

You could hit the Saturday Market under the Burnside Bridge on the weekend. Lots of local artists sell their wares, some outdoor entertainment, food, etc... right near the downtown waterfront.

If you are into microbrews, there are a lot of good microbreweries in Portland.

Tons of day trips you could make... to the beautiful Oregon and Washington coasts, Mount St Helens, forests, wineries, Mt Hood, Seattle, etc!

Have a wonderful trip! :gvibes:

[sugarspice117]

Oregon.com has a lot of ideas for portland also. Have a great time!!! You will love it here!!! :fairy3:

[grimmouse]

One of my favorite places is the Chinese Classical Garden in downtown Chinatown...Do not miss it. :gift:
plus it's fun to take the tram all over downtown... get on and stay within the the "fareless zone" and doesn't cost a penny. Don't forget the zoo either!

[pambanter]

The Japanese Gardens, the Rose Gardens, the Portland Zoo and a whole bunch of other things are all contained within the city's Washington Park. PLUS it is bordered by the swankiest of swanky homes. One of the coolest entrances is the one from right in Downtown Portland. If you go that way, you will see houses that knock your socks off. Like old money houses. Sunset Boulevarde movie star houses. Weird castles and houses with stained glass and oh just the neatest houses. You will pass by a reservoir, and a fountain and a large grass area, past the last of the coolest houses. Then you will come out near the Rose Gardens (free) and the outdoor Amphitheater (Phil Donahue did his show from there once), the tennis courts, the Japanese Gardens (kinda pricey but worth it if you are into calm, zen, chakra sort of thing). Here, at this place, is a stop for the zoo railroad (at least I think there is, there used to be) and then up up, through the most beautiful wooded park and there is the zoo and OMSI (left) or Hoyt Arboretum (right). The Vietnam Vet Memorial is up there. You could spend DAYS just in Washington Park. And this is the time of year to do it.

Map: You can't get anywhere with this map, but look at all the stuff I forgot!

http://www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Parks/PDF/WashPkmap05.pdf

Website:

http://www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Parks/Washington.htm

You have it ALL at Washington Park. You will see Portland at it's best, skylines like you couldn't believe (from the back edge of the rose gardens), people watching like a maniac, some wildlife. This IS the time of year to do it.

[TabooU]

I'm jealous. :cry2:

[jacksgrl]

I have to say the portland zoo is really cool. When my family goes we always go on there simulator ride. It's really neat. Hope you have a great trip! :gvibes:

[Janir]

Thank you for all the great ideas, I can see I'll be a busy girl if I even make it halfway through the OLS must-sees! I'm leaving Monday, I'll report back... :grouphug:

[pambanter]

Hey Janir!

Have the goodest of good trips. You drivin'? Got your pm. Aw shucks. Shut up, you're embarrassing me.

It HAS been hotter than a two peckered billy goat the last few days. Like 95. Yesterday it cooled down and today is looking to be gorgeous. I hope you have nice Portland weather when you come. 76 and clear would be nice, but it's July so it will prolly be hotter. :frown3:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/pambanter/portlandweather.bmp

You know I am right across the river from Portland, right? Vancouver is considered a suburb of Portland.