WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 We are accompanying DH to Portland for a short business trip in mid-November. This will be our first trip there. What are must-sees? My main objective right now is OMSI, the science museum. Any others? I need both fair and foul weather choices to fill up a couple of days. Perhaps OMSI will even be enough, because we tend to go through museums slowly, but I'd like to have other options available. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Powell's. I'd spend my entire visit there, in fact. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Powells. You must go and worship. :lol: Take lots of money. I also like the Portland Zoo, although I haven't been in probably a decade. (So few trips home, so much to cram in.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Oooooh, I HAVE heard about Powell's. I'd forgotten. Wow, that would be a seriously dangerous outing for our budget. Hmmmm . . . could I control myself . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 (edited) The Portland Attractions Pass may be a good idea for you. Here is a link http://www.travelportland.com/deals/attractions.html I have never used one but they look like they could be a good investment if you are going to be here for a few days. If you are only going to do one event each day, it may be cheaper without the pass but this site will give you some good destination ideas. I would call the locations that you are planning on visiting and make sure they are still participating though! Edited October 17, 2008 by Tap, tap, tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Yah, I was just replying to Crissy about Powell's. That might be too good of an option ; ). Is the Portland Zoo doable if it is raining, or would it be miserable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Oooooh, I HAVE heard about Powell's. I'd forgotten. Wow, that would be a seriously dangerous outing for our budget. Hmmmm . . . could I control myself . . . A good portion of their books are used. Much easier on the budget. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Powells is fun, of course. We really enjoyed touring a historic mansion. It's called the Pittock Mansion: http://pittockmansion.com/ It was fascinating to me because they had things like radiant floor heating and intercom systems--and this home was built in the early 1900s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Thanks! It's good to know this is available, although I think it might be too high-powered for us since we'll only be there two days. We are not the rush-from-one-thing-to-another-really-fast sightseeing type. But I'll keep it in mind if we get to go again for a longer trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 A good portion of their books are used. Much easier on the budget. ;) Oh, Crissy, you're not helping!!!! Must. Resist. Bankruptcy. Through. Book. Shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Thanks! That does look interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Yah, I was just replying to Crissy about Powell's. That might be too good of an option ; ). Is the Portland Zoo doable if it is raining, or would it be miserable? Well, I'm a native Oregonian, so I'm not rain-averse. I would say if it is drizzling the zoo is doable. If it is pouring, I'd save it for another day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Well, I'm a native Oregonian, so I'm not rain-averse. I would say if it is drizzling the zoo is doable. If it is pouring, I'd save it for another day. Though if it's a mere drizzle, do go to see the baby elephant. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Probably for three days. The last time I was there, I spent 4 hours just looking through the weaving section. They have every single book. In print or not. Or so it seems. HEAVEN! (There is also a really nice waterfall a short drive away. And visiting Mount Hood, and seeing the big honkin Depression era lodge there is very interesting. My recollection is that it's about 45 minutes away.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Oh, Crissy, you're not helping!!!! Must. Resist. Bankruptcy. Through. Book. Shopping.I believe you can arrange your purchase to be shipped if you take your books up to the fourth floor of City of Books (the main location). It doesn''t help with the wallet, but does with the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 Gee, thanks. ; ) We are driving, so taking books home shouldn't be a problem. If I buy so many that they have to be shipped, they'll have to ship ME too--to an institution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 (edited) Probably for three days. The last time I was there, I spent 4 hours just looking through the weaving section. They have every single book. In print or not. Or so it seems. HEAVEN! One of the major factors in choosing a neighborhood when we were house shopping was proximity to Powells (and public transport/bike paths). We scored on all counts. I still remember my eldest at about 1.5 yo exclaiming, "P for Powells!" when she noticed the big P on the floor of one of the elevators. Edited October 17, 2008 by nmoira punctuation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Powells is one of the main things I miss about living in Portland!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 One of the major factors in choosing a neighborhood when we were house shopping was proximity to Powells (and public transport/bike paths). We scored on all counts. I still remember my eldest at about 1.5 yo exclaiming, "P for Powells!" when she noticed the big P on the floor of one of the elevators. ...after my own heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Powells is one of the main things I miss about living in Portland!!!! My sister and her husband say the same thing. Wouldn't that be the perfect spot for a Northwest WTM gathering?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 My sister and her husband say the same thing. Wouldn't that be the perfect spot for a Northwest WTM gathering?! YUP!!!!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 We went to Portland in June with our virtual academy for an extended field trip and blogged it with lots of photos. The kids had a ball. We used the attractions pass that someone already mentioned and went to: OMSI -- My kids' #1 favorite place in the world second to Disneyland. Five hours wasn't anywhere near enough time for that museum. Portland Zoo -- A very nice zoo. They have animotronic dinosaurs on a trail for an extra cost (a few dollars per person) that my kids loved. Children's Museum -- My kids love children's museums. My kids rank it evenly with our favorite children's museum. It's by far better than the Tacoma one. End of the Oregon Trail - Educational. There's a small self-tour, a guided presentation of what a mercantile store would carry/what the families would need, and a movie. The kids found it somewhat boring but I found it interesting and informative. World Foresty Discovery Museum - Ok museum about forestry. The zoo, children's museum, and world forestry museum share the same parking lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlifemom Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 My sister and her husband say the same thing. Wouldn't that be the perfect spot for a Northwest WTM gathering?! I'd be there in a "New York Minute";) As for OMSI, something to think about. If you are a member of another childrens museum and it has a reciprocal arrangement you could get into OMSI for free. Plus b/c the school year is in full swing the hours b/tw 10-2 are bound to be very busy. For that reason alone you could easily spend 2 days there. We went for free b/c we were members of AC Gilbert house. Think of it this way. If you get in free you would have more money for Powells.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 This reminds me of trying to buy a plane ticket, long ago, from Miami to Portland. The price offered on the phone was so cheap I couldn't believe it and then it dawned on me, they were sending me to Maine. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 We are accompanying DH to Portland for a short business trip in mid-November. This will be our first trip there. What are must-sees? My main objective right now is OMSI, the science museum. Any others? I need both fair and foul weather choices to fill up a couple of days. Perhaps OMSI will even be enough, because we tend to go through museums slowly, but I'd like to have other options available. Thanks! Powells. Look for the Powells sub-section stores. ..like the cooking and gardening one. Pittock House The Japanese Garden. If your kids have never seen one, they should. The Original Pancake house (no relation to the national chain). Potato pancakes and Applepfankuken and coffee to die for. If it is a weekend, prepare to go late in the breakfast time or to have a wait. A walk along the waterfront park in downtown. Look to see what's visiting at the art museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 If you like nature, do not miss Multnomah Falls! It is absolutely breath taking! If you are not one to hike, you can drive right up to it. Actually, there are several waterfalls, in a loop, you can drive to. Also, Mt. St. Helen's isn't far and worth a trip. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_Edgerton Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 My Dh says bring your camera and enjoy all the bridges! If you are into engineering or architecture you will enjoy the bridges of this city. I do have to also put another vote in for Powell's, I would blow all my money there!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 Oh, that is right on our way! We could stop on the way into Portland or on the way home. Thanks for this! We did get to Mt. St. Helens last year, and that was really interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Oh, that is right on our way! We could stop on the way into Portland or on the way home. Also on your way: Sam Hill's Stonehenge http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WA-Stonehenge.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Oh, The Original Pancake House, yes, yes. Kalanamak you are bringing back wonderful memories. I think you are getting good advice all around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laylamcb Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 It's been about 4 years since I've been able to DO anything in Portland besides visit family when I'm there. But here are my faves: 1. Pittock Mansion. The GREAT thing about Pittock Mansion is the view of downtown. Love it! There's another excellent view from the rose test garden, but the garden itself won't be at its best at this time of year. :001_smile: 2. Powell's. Sigh.... 3. Crepes on 23rd. Hey, Portlanders, how 'bout props for NW 23rd? If you like to shop--or even window-shop--this is my favorite spot. We just go from one end to the other, with a stop at the crepe place in between. (I HOPE the crepe place is still there!!) We get a ham and cheese crepe first and wash that down with a banana and Nutella. They are knock-somebody-down good. 4. The gorge. Definitely don't miss the Columbia River Gorge. I personally think that the OR side is more beautiful; drive up that side on the way out, stopping at falls along the way. Don't miss Oneonta Gorge! Then cross over at the Bridge of the Gods, and come back on the WA side to hike Beacon Rock (if you're into that). Or keep going and head to Mount Hood for hot chocolate (or something stronger...) at the Timberline Lodge. Now, it USED to be that we'd come back down the WA side and stop for the BEST GUACAMOLE EVER at Who-Song & Larry's; they made it right there at your table. But I think that maybe they've been bought out? Has anyone tried the guac at the new place? Their margaritas weren't anything to right home about, but that guac was absolutely cosmic. So anyhoo, those are my favorite Portland moments. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.