If you had a free day (a Sunday) in Portland, OR in a couple weeks what would you do? We’ve been several years ago and did the rose gardens, Saturday Market, Multnomah Falls, and a few other things. We’re only free until maybe 5 pm. Would you do something in the city? Visit the Columbia River Gorge? Go on a hike? Whatcha got? Thanks.
I have never been - but my top stop if in Portland would be Powell’s City of Books. Supposedly the best book store in the country!
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That’s what I’d do, go to Powell’s, have a coffee at Coava and eat at Le Pigeon, Canard or Eem.
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You don’t mention the Japanese Garden but if I were ever to be back in Portland, that’s where I’d like to return.
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Not sure what you are doing before in the trip that lands you in Portland, but if you have already been there, one of our best side trips I would do again -
I would rent a car (if I did not have one already) and drive to Cannon Beach on 26 -
https://maps.app.■■■■■■/NB9vwEQFAtGU87TW8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Loop up the coast north on 101 to Astoria, check out the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park https://maps.app.■■■■■■/Le5Tx3JYmv9NeEpB7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
or there are always more Goonies filming locations or Kindergarten Cop stops
https://maps.app.■■■■■■/Kn18EouSqUBHFLys8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
and then head back to the airport in Portland down 30.
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If you want a hike in the city then Mt Tabor is great. If it’s really hot then I agree with the suggestion of escaping to the coast, or head towards McMinnville for wine tasting.
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SO MANY things you could do if you didn’t want to actually be in Portland
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If I had 1 day, I would go to Lan Su Chinese Garden, then the Japanese American Museum of Oregon, then Powell’s City of Books. All within walking distance of each other.
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Yes, the Japanese Garden is terrific. And right next door is the Hoyt Arboretum which is also terrific.
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How about just snack all day around the city?! https://pdx.eater.com/maps/38-best-portland-oregon-restaurants
I have to agree with others that a side trip to Cannon Beach is really worth it! Make sure you get gas before leaving Portland - when we did the drive it was a gasoline desert between Portland and Cannon Beach!
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Portlander here.
I would leave town and head out to the gorge, have a beer in Cascade Locks at Thunder Island (there’s a good ice cream place next door too), go to Hood River and walk around and then drive back on 14 on the Washington side and stop in White Salmon, Carson, and Stevenson on the way. This is especially a good trip if you’re a beer fan, small breweries all along the way. Be sure to stop at Backwoods in Carson for pizza.
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This is what I’d suggest too. Then again I love drives.
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This is actually before we are spending 12 days on the coast - 5 staying in Seaside and 7 staying in Yachats.
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If the 5 pm is a hard deadline, I’d be very careful about the traffic on a Sunday, to either the beach or along the Columbia River.
You could walk along the Willamette river and see the houseboats, watch rowers, have good coffee and bakery items. See if there are any festivals on the day you’ll be there.
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Ooh! DH and I love Seaside and Yachats!
If you like wine, you could head to McMinnville (an hour south) and enjoy a winery. There’s an abundance of them and the wine is good! We really enjoyed a stop at the Yamhill Valley Vineyard last fall, and a stroll around McMinnville on our way to Yachats.
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Definitely Powells!
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Enjoy! Wonderful adventure!
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Pittock Mansion or Japanese Gardens for the view and serenity. Wander along Alberta or Hawthorne or Missisippi (all streets with shops and restaurants) for the “hipster” vibe and a good lunch options. Dinner at Le Pigeon if you want to go fancy, Ken’s Pizza if you want a long line for award winning pizza. If you like bookstores Powell’s does have a lot of books, but I’m a library person so I don’t really see the point as a tourist destination. Rent some electric bikes an buzz along the Willamette waterfront.
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Yes. Breathtaking views. Lots of waterfalls.
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