Visitor in Portland for 1 day - Where would you go?

[Stevenson]

I have a friend coming to Portland for a quick trip. He's never been here before and we have one full open day available. I figure we will go downtown, to Powells, and a food cart for lunch.

Where else would you go?

 

[Natebishop3]

Pioneer Square is cool. Walk around the Pearl after Powells. Are you planning on staying downtown or are you open to traveling?

 

[Stevenson]

Nate: I was thinking Multnomah falls, but that would be no big deal for him. Is that what you were thinking?

 

[Natebishop3]

I guess it just depends on how much time you have, what kind of activities you are looking for, and how far you're willing to travel.

 

[tlongII]

Waterfront Park. Ride bikes on the Eastside Esplanade.

 

[Natebishop3]

Waterfront Park. Ride bikes on the Eastside Esplanade.

If the weather is nice, and you have access to bikes, this is definitely a fun option.

I'd also recommend riding the trolley.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I'd go to the coast. Tilamook Cheese factory then cannon beach etc.

Or Multnomah Falls, hike to the top after a hearty breakfast and some good coffee. Check out other falls in the area. Afterwards go for a nice mircobrew and happy hour at Black Rabbit.

If you want to stay in Portland, I'd skip the food carts and go to Pok Pok. I love that restaurant, really unique and great food. Then hang in the Hawthorne area for a bit, then head downtown...honestly not much to do downtown, its pretty small and vanilla. Powells is cool I guess. Pioneer square is tiny, you'll take a pic and go "wow". Maybe walk around, get happy hour at Portland City Grill for the view.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I like 23rd over the pearl district.

 

[Stevenson]

Those are all great suggestions, thanks.

I have never been to Pok Pok. It's supposed to be excellent. Is it on hawthorne? I thought it was out by Wongs King Seafood...

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

www.pokpokpdx.com

36th and division. Its down the street from Papa G's.

Its kind of in a residential neighborhood. Its a cool spot and the food is really good. The wings and the grilled shrimp are awesome. Very unique restaurant.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Don't forget to go to Stumptown!

 

[Natebishop3]

If you want to stay in Portland, I'd skip the food carts and go to Pok Pok. I love that restaurant, really unique and great food. Then hang in the Hawthorne area for a bit, then head downtown...honestly not much to do downtown, its pretty small and vanilla. Powells is cool I guess. Pioneer square is tiny, you'll take a pic and go "wow". Maybe walk around, get happy hour at Portland City Grill for the view.

What's THAT supposed to mean?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Its a bunch of chain stores around pioneer courthouse square.

 

[Natebishop3]

Its a bunch of chain stores around pioneer courthouse square.

Don't try to back peddle from your obvious racist statement!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I'm not white, its impossible for me to be racist. but feel free to be hanging at Abercrombie and Fitch! Everytime I go to Portland, I go downtown, but I get bored after 10-15 minutes and bounce outta there. no style. no flava.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm not white, its impossible for me to be racist. but feel free to be hanging at Abercrombie and Fitch! Everytime I go to Portland, I go downtown, but I get bored after 10-15 minutes and bounce outta there. no style. no flava.

Pioneer Square is pretty boring, and Nordstroms is only fun if you have like 20k to spend on clothes.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I like John Helmer, interesting store.

 

[maxiep]

If you want to take a quick walk, do the Hawthorne to Steel bridge river walk on the East Side. If you cross the bridges and do a loop, it's only a little over two miles.

Try Bunk Sandwiches or Nicholas'. If it's morning, stop at Stumptown or Voodoo. Powell's is a must-see.

 

[MARIS61]

You could take him to watch Kitzhaber debate Dudley, if Dudley wasn't a coward.

 

[MARIS61]

Seriously though, the Portland Art Museum is a fantastic place to go. And Omsi has a submarine and Imax! The Portland Zoo is also nice on a sunny day.

 

[Rodolfo]

Pittock mansion...great view of the city and Mt. Hood. You could hit the food carts on Belmont, next to movie madness, then head up to Mt. Tabor.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

OK, if it were me in Portland for a day.

8:30am: I'd go to Pine Street Biscuits for a hearty breakfast. http://pinestatebiscuits.com/
9:30am: Go to Powell's Books. Grab the newest issue of monocle magazine and take it over to Stumptown and grab a coffee and read for a while.
11:30am: Go to 23rd. Do some shopping. I like the Goorin hat store and the www.loveblake.com store
1:00pm: While in the area, I'd go grab some lunch at Wildwood. Nice, seasonal and local ingredients.
2:30pm: Head to pioneer courthouse square. Drop into Mario's and John Helmer to browse. Walk around downtown a bit, just taking in the atmosphere. Maybe go check out some fountains/parks/statutes/oregon history museum (haven't been there forever). take pics.
4:30pm: Head to Portland City Grill for some drinks / happy hour / view.
7:30pm: Acropolis steakhouse. $5 steaks and strippers.
10:30pm: Back to downtown. Go to some bars downtown if something is "poppin". Maybe go to Kells or Couture for some drinks/ladies/whatever.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

My college roomate visited about 2 summers ago in Portland, this was the schedule.

9am- Byways Cafe in the Pearl
10am- Coffee at world cup cafe
1030am: Fred Meyers for water/snacks for hiking
11am: Pypes Palace for supplies
12pm: Multnomah falls, walked to the top of the falls and then some in the back roads. really awesome.
2:30pm: checked out the other falls in the area
3:30pm: Bonneville Dam (kind of a waste of time to be honest)
5pm: Portland City Grill
7pm: back home. rest. shower.
10pm: Acrop

 

[Natebishop3]

Acrop is overrated like none other. Seriously. That place is filthy. I can't believe anyone would get a steak there.

 

[HailBlazers]

Pittock Mansion!

Great for a sunny day, best view of Portland and a little history mixed in, also real close to NW