What to do near train station??? (Portland, Eugene: lease, home, unemployed)

[joe_obody999]

Hi, a friend and I will soon be traveling to Eugene to scout it as a place to live but also perhaps interested in Portland so we want to take the train up from Eugene to Portland. Are there any recommendations of some things we could do once we hop off the train and are in Portland, even if it requires a short taxi trip, things that might give us at least an introductory feel for Portland? Even if we move to Eugene, I consider that a temporary base to then lease a home 6-12 months and still consider Portland for a permanent move. But for now, we want to plan a day trip via train up from Eugene to Portland. Any help appreciated greatly. Thank you in advance!

[urbanlife78]

How long are you expecting to have in Portland before catching the next train to Eugene?

[joe_obody999]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

How long are you expecting to have in Portland before catching the next train to Eugene?

Day trip. Not sure of the train schedule, but we would catch the earliest train leaving Eugene. Never been to Portland so we just want to get some sort of feel for the city. Wondering if the area around the train station will help get some sort of feel for Portland. We could spend a bit on taxis to get around quickly to some nearby sites, etc.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by joe_obody999

Day trip. Not sure of the train schedule, but we would catch the earliest train leaving Eugene. Never been to Portland so we just want to get some sort of feel for the city. Wondering if the area around the train station will help get some sort of feel for Portland. We could spend a bit on taxis to get around quickly to some nearby sites, etc.

Everything is pretty walkable in Portland with the small blocks. To the west of the train station is the Pearl, which is a urban neighborhood with lots of shops and such, especially the closer you get to Burnside. On Burnside and 10th is Powells Books, you could spend an entire day there, which is a very Portland thing. Grab a drink at the Bailey's Taproom, then walk south on Broadway to Pioneer Courthouse Square. Then from there feel free to wander wherever you want, if you get too far it is easy to catch a cab back to the train station.

[jjpop]

You'll only be a couple of blocks from the MAX stop. You can take the Yellow or Green Line MAX to Pioneer Courthouse Square, which is pretty centrally located in downtown. Then you can fan out from there.

TriMet Interactive Map

Actually, I think riding the MAX is a pretty nice way to see parts of the city if you're on a limited time schedule. If there's a chance that you'll be around longer than 2 hours, just buy an all-day pass (5 bucks).

[oldtintype]

Keep in mind that the train station is in one of the "worst" areas in Portland. So don't base your opinion of Portland on that small area.

[EnricoV]

Well, trains leave Eugene at 5:30, 12:30, 4:00 and takes 2 and half hours. There are a couple of buses in between each train that Amtrak runs. Returning trains leave from Portland at 8:30 am, 2:25, 6:05. Again, a couple buses in between, and two after the last train departure. If you caught the early morning train, you could have a full day (8-6) in Portland.

I second getting a day pass for MAX, and between it and the Trolleys, I'd just ride around town. Rub shoulders with the locals, and get a feel for the layout of the city. Walk around downtown. Eat at some food carts, drink at some breweries or coffee shops, shop at Powell's.

[Steve Pickering]

And there are a lot of unemployed young locals to rub shoulders with, but watch your wallet.

I love train travel. I have been all over the country by train.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

And there are a lot of unemployed young locals to rub shoulders with, but watch your wallet.

I love train travel. I have been all over the country by train.

That is just good advice anywhere you go, especially when one is being a tourist...though in Portland, I wouldn't worry about the young locals, it would be the older ones that I would watch your wallet with. I did once see an old druggy woman steal another woman's purse.