I agree, it’s just a bookstore, a big one. If you only had a few hours I’d say hit Powell’s but a whole day I would spend in the gorge. Portland is just a city like a lot of cities, the Columbia Gorge is something you can’t see anywhere else. Same with our wine country, which would also make for a lovely tipsy day 
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I agree those are lovely day trips, but if you want to “see Portland” I think brunch at the Tin Shed and a wander down Alberta, an afternoon in the Japanese garden, and dinner at Le Pigeon would be a nice day.
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Hiking in Forest Park?
Our retirement plans might include the Oregon Coast…
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Oh another nice eatery is Coquine on Mt Tabor. And there’s a nice park up there to walk in and catch views of the city before or after.
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If you have already hit the Portland hot spots, I recommend you head across the river to Vancouver, Washington (just minutes from the Portland airport).
Visit the Fort Vancouver National Historic site. Walk along the waterfront in downtown Vancouver and grab some lunch at Grassa or a milkshake at The Yard. Or wander the Farmer’s Market a few blocks north of the river at Esther Short Park.
Drive half an hour up the Washington side of the Gorge and climb Beacon Rock at Beacon Rock State Park — great river/gorge views. It is about 1.5 miles and takes about an hour to enjoy.
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I live here. If I had a day I would drive to Hood River, watch the windsurfers, have lunch at Solace at the riverfront, walk around town and get ice cream. Cross over the Bridge of the Gods to Washington and drive back to Portland. If you have time, stop at the Vancouver waterfront and take a walk around. Lovely day.
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LOVE the Columbia River drive(s), but I would not do them on a weekend unless you go VERY early. Much too crowded (imho).
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I was going to say the same thing. I think it is too far to drive to Canon Beach etc or even McMinnville if you have only until 5pm. Traffic in the summer is crazy.
Vancouver is close and fun things to do as @CMA22 stated.
If it has been awhile since visiting Portland I would say you might be in for a rude awakening in the downtown area.
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It’s been 7 years since we’ve been to Portland. I’m not sure that we’ll really go downtown. We’re staying near Lewis and Clark and meeting friends for dinner in Lake Oswego.
We were thinking maybe hiking on Forest Park or Tyron Creek? While I’d love to go to Hood River, I’m not sure that we have enough time especially on a Sunday.
Dinner in LO will be lovely. Going on the lake would be fun too if they have a boat?
If you have a chance to get over to the waterfront in Vancouver that would also be nice. It is a quick trip from Portland.
Hope you have an enjoyable day. Right now the weather is really great
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Tyron Creek is easy and accessible. I’d do that if I were staying in Lake Oswego. Milo McGuyver (sp?) State Park also has some nice hikes down that way
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