I will find myself with a free day in Portland, OR next month. Never been to that area of the country. Any suggestions for how to spend the time?
It will likely be raining and cold. Plan accordingly and dress appropriately. However, I’d recommend visiting Powell’s, walking through Pittock Mansion, and grabbing a meal at the food carts on 10th and Alder.
I second Powell’s- the BEST bookstore. I could spend the whole day there!!
International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. Aerial Tram could be fun, if the weather’s clear enough. There’s also lots of good food in Portland. Voodoo Doughnuts is fun, go to Salt & Straw for ice cream. Tons of amazing restaurants.
If you’re there for only one day, probably better to stay in the city, but if you have a car, it’s not too far to Multnomah Falls.
Multnomah Falls might not be the scenic stop it has been, what with the raging fire last year. I think it’s still viewable from the parking lot but I haven’t heard that they’ve reopened the trails so check before going out there.
Powell’s for sure. There is a reason why everyone says Powell’s.
Be sure to hit VooDoo donuts in the morning.
I doubt the Rose Garden will be in bloom in March. If it’s a clear day from a high point in town there could be a nice view of Mt. Hood. I’d second or third Powell’s Books; more books for sale in any one place ever.
Powell’s no doubt. My favorite PDX donut is Blue Star, which has a location pretty close to Powell’s. Second the Salt & Straw recommendation, though Ruby Jewel is also quite nice (and likely with far less of a line).
Within walking distance of Powell’s is the Armory, which houses Portland Center Stage, a cool theater. Especially if the weather is bad, I recommend spending a couple of hours at the theater!
If the weather is nice, I would recommend the Japanese Garden, adjacent to the Rose Garden–a truly beautiful example of a traditional Japanese Garden, with a wonderful view of Mt. Hood. And, of course, Powell’s, especially if the weather’s not so nice. We never made it to Voodoo, but really enjoyed the donuts at Blue Star. Salt and Straw always had a huge line, but we really enjoyed the ice cream at Cool Moon, which had no line at all! And this was during a heat wave last summer.
If you’re a shopper you can take advantage of the sales tax rate of 0%.
If you’ll be there in March then it will be spring Chinook season on the Willamette. Any interest in catching a salmon?
It would be a lot of walking, but Powell’s Books, VooDoo Donuts and the Waterfront Park are all close enough to downtown. You can rent a bike if you get a nice day. Bring a raincoat if you don’t.
Be prepared to see a ton of homelessness.
Forgot to mention that I love walking the bridges and along the river whenever I visit. If you’re a walker, that’s a good loop to make. (And bike rental is an option for that as well, of course.)
Did enough people mention Powells? Plan a lot more time than you think there. You can do online orders if you find too many books to haul home with you.
We have spent time in Portland in March and in the summer. You can still visit the gardens for the scenic overlook and Japanese garden but not the same.
Guess Powell’s will make the list! How about suggestions for a brewery for lunch/dinner?
If I were only here one day and the weather was nice I would walk through Powell’s but only spend an hour there. From Powell’s you can walk to the armory and just go inside to see the beautiful space.
Salt and Straw is an experience. Waiting in line, being given as many tasting samples as you want by
happy workers. Salt and Straw is on 23rd which is a very popular area and fun to walk. Great place for people watching. Try the gorgonzola and pear. They add new items frequently. The bone marrow! skip.
Be sure to go into Papa Hayden’s on 23rd and look at the desserts in the case.
Our downtown, Pioneer Square is called our “living room” and something cool happens most days around lunch–music and such. The weather statue is cool and goes off at noon showing current conditions.
Walking the water front is wonderful.
If you are here on a weekend, we have Saturday Market on the waterfront. Lots of local artisans.
Washington Park–rose garden–is fun even when the roses are not in bloom.Our Japanese Garden
is considered the most authentic outside of Japan and is truly beautiful anytime the year.
Pittock mansion is fun but if time is limited so just walk the small grounds to see the view.
All of this is on the West side of PDX and close to each other. It would be simple to Uber from place to place.
We ate at Bridgeport Brewpub when we were there, but at other locations in Oregon, we ate at both 10 Barrel Brewing and Deschutes Brewery, both of which are also in Portland. All of them had similar menus and all of them were good!
Blue Star Donuts over Voodoo any day. Plus, it’s just a quick walk from Powells. There’s a million Brew Pubs near Powells so that’s an easy one.
The Japanese Garden, and The Rose Garden are right next to each other. The Japanese Garden is stunning. Both are a quick Uber up Burnside from Powells.
NW23rd has lots of shops, plus Salt and Straw, Papa Hyden is known for its desserts but also has a fantastic lunch menu. I’d do that for lunch then walk the few blocks to Salt and Straw for ice cream.
If you love Sushi, Bamboo Sushi is across the street from Powells. Is it fantastic! Actually Powells, Blue Star Donuts, Bamboo Sushi are all within a five minute walk from each other. There’s also a huge Anthropologie Store, Lululemon, Whole Foods, Sur La Table also within a block or two from Powells.
We love to eat upstairs at the bar at Bridgeport Brewery. Always good food and good drinks.
When you are at Powell’s stop and walk through the Anthropology. It is the largest they have and the upstairs is partly a wedding salon. The decor changes frequently and is often very artistic.
We liked Meriweather’s Restaurant. We caught the bus from it to other places in town and walked, to avoid parking in town. We stayed at a hotel just across the street from the restaurant. They have some unique farm to table offerings.