Going to Portland this weekend, what to do?

[Balog]

We're fleeing Mother's Day and getting out of town for the weekend. Hotel is booked, but so far all we have on the calendar is Powell's. Anything else we should check out while we're down there? Any food spots to not miss?

[coppertales]

The TV show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives has hit several really good looking eatin' places in Portland.  I think you can find out what they are from the web site.  Also, one of the old downtown hotels is haunted also.  I can't remember the name though. Either Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures did a show on it.  I am going there next month for an internment at the VA cemetery there....chris3

[Regolith]

You should check out OMSI while you're there. 

Also, if you have the time, the Evergreen Aviation Museum (home of the Spruce Goose) is less than an hour or so drive away, depending on traffic.

[AmbulanceDriver]

Regolith hit two of my favorites.  Add Powell's (which you've already done) and you've got the trifecta.

For some prettyness, there's the Rose Gardens, (not to be confused with the Rose Garden, the glaringly ugly sports arena), the Japanese Garden as well.

As far as food:

Any of the McMenamins properties, especially if you enjoy beer.  Decent food, GREAT beers.  www.mcmenamins.com

Trying to think of uniquely Portland things.

D'oh!  Voodoo donuts.  But go to the one on NE 14/Sandy, NOT the one downtown.  Little easier to find, LOT less scary.

Also, Balog, check your PM's.


Oh, and if you have time, the Portland Underground Tours are really cool as well....

[RocketMan]

You might hit the zoo, if you like that sort of thing.  Portland has a nice one.

Drive up the Columbia River Gorge if it's a sunny day.  It is an absolutely gorgeous drive (no pun intended).  Lots of waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls.  There is a pretty decent restaurant at the lodge there.
Stop at Bonneville Dam, see the fish hatchery, the monsterous looking sturgeon and the salmon-sized rainbow trout they have in ponds there.  They also have a neat visitor center that describes the history of the area, including information on how the gorge was formed.
All of the Gorge destinations are eastbound on I-84 within about 40 miles of Portland.

[Hawkmoon]

Oh.

I was going to suggest a stop at L.L. Bean, but I gather you mean Portland, O-ree-gun.

[Stickjockey]

Looks like most of the good Portland-y stuff's been covered, although There's also a Chinese garden downtown. If Mom's a fabric-y crafty type, there's Fabric Depot on 122nd and Stark. If you run into the cheery redhead cashier, that's Mrs. Stickjockey. Be sure to say howdy.

[Balog]

Somehow, I have to imagine walking up to the cheery redhead cashier and saying "So are you Mrs Stickjockey?" wouldn't go over too well... :D

[AmbulanceDriver]

The Saturday Market can be kinda fun if you don't mind rubbing elbows with lots of hippie-wannabees.  Oh, and if you do check out OMSI, the USS Blueback tours are pretty cool.  Old diesel-electric boat (can't remember the class off the top of my head).

[MillCreek]

Balog, remember that your Washington or Utah carry permit is not valid in Oregon. 

[Balog]

Millcreek: yeah, I know. :(

Any crazy knife laws I'll run afoul of with a Civilian?

[Stickjockey]

Somehow, I have to imagine walking up to the cheery redhead cashier and saying "So are you Mrs Stickjockey?" wouldn't go over too well...

Well if you put it that way, she'd probably roll her eyes and say, "You must be one of those ArmedPoliteSociety nuts." But if you just kept it to a "Dave said to say hello," She'd probably be okay with that.

Oh, and if you do check out OMSI, the USS Blueback tours are pretty cool.  Old diesel-electric boat (can't remember the class off the top of my head).

Barbel class. Last of the Diesel-electrics.

[AZRedhawk44]

On the Washington side of the Gorge, there's a replica of Stonehenge that is pretty neat.  It's a WWI memorial, but otherwise identical to the English original.  It's near Maryville, WA.  There's also a WWII/Korean War museum nearby.

Towards the coast, you can go to see the ruins of the Peter Iredale.  Ft. Stevens park is neat.  Astoria is a nice little town, and if you're 80's-inclined then you can go hunt down the house they used to film the movie, The Goonies.

[sanglant]

don't know Portland, but. the civ has a 4_1/8 blade, if it's measured like my spydyers. it has a 4_1/2+ blade, in most cities(sp?) that will cause trouble if it's noticed. outside cities, it should be ok.

i don't see and length laws in Oregon on this link. i wonder why politicians feel length is so important?

[RocketMan]

So, what did you end up doing in Portland, Balog?  Did you enjoy your visit?

[Balog]

So, what did you end up doing in Portland, Balog?  Did you enjoy your visit?

We did, at least as much as possiblr given the circumstances. Lots of walking around, checked out the (scary downtown ) Voodoo Donuts, spent most of Saturday at Powell's (they have an entire pirate section!), then Sun had a nice breakfast and went to the Hoyt Arboretum (accidentally, as it happens) and had a lovely walk around there. Weren't really feeling up for anything adventurous. Thanks to all for the tips tho, next time we get down there we're hoping to be a little more ready for fun.

[Chuck Dye]

What?  No pub crawl?  So many brew pubs and micro breweries!  Bridgeport and Hair of the Dog are good.  I cannot name a bad one.