I’ll be in Portland, Oregon for 3 days for a work event staying at The Benson on SW Broadway and SW Harvey Milk Street. I’ve been to Portland for a couple of days before and have visited Powell’s and Voodoo - not a big need to do those again though I’ll be with lots of book people so we may stop.
I won’t have a ton of free time - a few hours day of arrival and a couple hours day of departure - an occasional time for a 30-45 minute walk. Looking for suggestions of where to walk on foot - desires might be a good bakery, a good coffee, a good local outdoorsy store, a walk along water or a walk in a safe green/park area. I could be with others or on my own.
Trip is in the next couple of weeks. I’m thinking weather is like 50’s. Also any Portland airport tips - ground transportation to that downtown area for example.
The MAX will drop you within walking distance of The Benson.
I like the Portland Art Museum and a little cafe right behind it. The walk there through the park from the Benson is nice. There’s also a market in that park on some days.
Ken’s Artisan Bakery on 21st is a 20 minute walk from the Benson. (Their goat cheese & leek croissants are ) From there it’s just a couple more blocks to the NW 23rd shopping district, where there are several good coffee shops. (Ken’s coffee is only okay, tbh.)
Lan Su Chinese Garden is only an 11 minute walk; it’s a wonderful destination for a peaceful walk around the garden, and it also has a lovely cafe/tea house. (Congee Of The Day ftw!) Good combination of indoor and outdoor settings, so it’s nice even if the weather is sketchy.
If you’ll have a couple hours on a Saturday for a guided tour, Tanya March at Slabtown Tours does interesting and informative walking tours of the Slabtown and Nob Hill neighborhoods.
The Max Red Line goes right to/through downtown - looks like Pioneer Square is the closest stop to your hotel. If you download the PDX Bus app, it has a Trip Planner that will show your transit options. Also download the Hop Fastpass app that allows you to pay transit fares with your phone.
We stayed at a B&B or something a couple miles out from Portland many years ago, and walked along the river to get into town. We also stayed right by the river downtown for one night.
I remember there being rose gardens we walked to see, and I remember going to an ice cream store recommended by Oprah - I think it’s called Salt and Straw.
I have no idea how close any of these places are to where you will be staying.
We did go to the rose gardens when we were there before - in June and they were pretty. Oh yes Salt and Straw I definitely know but haven’t had -I’ll add to the list!
I loved the Lan Su Chinese Garden when I was in Portland in March a few years ago! Because it is a walled garden it was warmer and further along in spring than elsewhere. I have since gone out of my way to visit any Chinese Garden I can (there are very few in the US compared to Japanese Gardens.)
thank you!
) From there it’s just a couple more blocks to the NW 23rd shopping district, where there are several good coffee shops. (Ken’s coffee is only okay, tbh.)