getting around downtown advice (Portland, Beaverton: new home, restaurants, shops) - City-Data Forum

Élan vital · 01-07-2009, 09:55 PM

moved to Newberg a few months ago and the nearest I've been to downtown is driving from Seattle at 3AM, driving to and from the airport and going to Beaverton. Been waiting for the snow to clear before venturing out on a sight seeing downtown tour.
Can someone advise my daughter and I places we can go to see museums, that world famous book store, shopping? Later,in the spring we want to visit the zoo. Advice needed on parking please. Do we take coins or cash for parking? Use a parking garage? Can we drive from Newberg to....where to catch the lightrail? Is that an option we should consider?
Sorry for all the questions. I'm sure, in time, we will learn how to get around.
Oregon rocks btw!!!

Nell Plotts · 01-08-2009, 12:13 AM

I would pick a light rail park & ride on the west side. There are several, the one I have used is the near St. Vincent's. Take the train headed east, the Zoo stop comes up quickly. Continue east from the Zoo stop exiting the train at SW 10th to go to THE bookstore on 10th & Burnside.. a walk, but not a difficult one. The Art Museum is on SW Park, the same light rail stop and walk the other direction. The Oregon Historical Society is nearby.

Shopping is not hard to do. Light rail will get you to the primary shopping area down town, one more stop after 10th.

That is A LOT to do in one day.

lilypad · 01-08-2009, 11:04 AM

I personally do not like the public transit system here, so do take my car into town (rarely) and just use the parking garage. Be prepared for the expense, they really do gouge patrons. Just part of one's "recreational expenses".

Rob Allen · 01-08-2009, 12:27 PM

The Smart Park garages are not very expensive. I guess "gouging" depends on your perspective.

From Newberg the nearest Tri-Met bus stop is in the central town square of Sherwood. That bus will take you all the way to downtown.

Or, you can continue up 99W to 217 north - when it ends, bear left to the Sunset Transit Center. That's the light rail station that Nell Plotts mentioned. Nell's directions from there are good.

Or, if you like to drive, just continue on 99W all the way into the city. It's an interesting drive. Pacific Highway becomes Barbur Boulevard at the city limits, and then becomes 4th Avenue downtown. Park in a Smart Park garage (there are two on 4th Ave.) or on the street. The parking meters are gone, replaced by machines that take coins or debit cards and give you a sticker to place in your car window.

The physical and spiritual heart of downtown is Pioneer Courthouse Square. Across Broadway from the square is the Nordstrom department store. Across 6th Ave and over a block is Macy's. On the other side and down a block is the Pioneer Place Mall which includes Saks Fifth Avenue. Powell's Books is at 10th & Burnside, as Nell noted; several blocks from the shopping district I just described.

The major museums are in different areas - the Art Museum and Historical Society are on the South Park Blocks, a bit south of the heart of downtown, and well worth a visit just to stroll or go to the Farmer's Market. The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) is across the river from downtown. The Children's Museum and World Forestry Center are adjacent to the zoo. The Classical Chinese Garden is in Chinatown - continue north on 4th Ave.; when you pass thru an elaborate Chinese arch, go another couple of blocks and it's on your right. The Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden and Hoyt Arboretum are all in Washington Park west of downtown.

That should be enough for several fun days!

Élan vital · 01-08-2009, 01:39 PM

wow--thanks so much for the advice. Thanks to you all. Rob, you really were very detailed and I needed that! Hopefully after a few visits into Portland I'll be more confident but for now I truly needed the help you gave.
I love Oregonians!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Allen

The Smart Park garages are not very expensive. I guess "gouging" depends on your perspective.

From Newberg the nearest Tri-Met bus stop is in the central town square of Sherwood. That bus will take you all the way to downtown.

Or, you can continue up 99W to 217 north - when it ends, bear left to the Sunset Transit Center. That's the light rail station that Nell Plotts mentioned. Nell's directions from there are good.

Or, if you like to drive, just continue on 99W all the way into the city. It's an interesting drive. Pacific Highway becomes Barbur Boulevard at the city limits, and then becomes 4th Avenue downtown. Park in a Smart Park garage (there are two on 4th Ave.) or on the street. The parking meters are gone, replaced by machines that take coins or debit cards and give you a sticker to place in your car window.

The physical and spiritual heart of downtown is Pioneer Courthouse Square. Across Broadway from the square is the Nordstrom department store. Across 6th Ave and over a block is Macy's. On the other side and down a block is the Pioneer Place Mall which includes Saks Fifth Avenue. Powell's Books is at 10th & Burnside, as Nell noted; several blocks from the shopping district I just described.

The major museums are in different areas - the Art Museum and Historical Society are on the South Park Blocks, a bit south of the heart of downtown, and well worth a visit just to stroll or go to the Farmer's Market. The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) is across the river from downtown. The Children's Museum and World Forestry Center are adjacent to the zoo. The Classical Chinese Garden is in Chinatown - continue north on 4th Ave.; when you pass thru an elaborate Chinese arch, go another couple of blocks and it's on your right. The Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden and Hoyt Arboretum are all in Washington Park west of downtown.

That should be enough for several fun days!

EnricoV · 01-08-2009, 03:32 PM

You don't say how old your daughter is, but I'm assuming child rather than teenager. If I'm off, ignore a lot of this. Since others have covered the standard info, I'll offer some things kids in my family have really enjoyed doing downtown.

We like the Smart Park on 10th as a central location (or get off the MAX stop there). Parking is cheap, and you're at the intersection of the MAX line and the Streetcar. Northbound, the streetcar will take you the few blocks to Powells, or further into the Pearl District for great restaurants and specialty shops. Hanna Anderson (on 10th) is my favorite kids clothing store.

Around the Smart park: Across the street is the Multnomah County Library. It has a great kids section. The artwork, especially the bronze tree, is awesome. To the south of the parking garage, (just across the street) is Finnegan's Toy Store. A great store. It's not the volume of their selection, but the quality. Art Media is a great art supply store, if that interests you.

A block north of the Smart Park are the Food Carts. They're always a fun place to have lunch or grab a snack. The variety of food available is wonderful.

Pioneer Place, about five blocks east is a good collection of specialty shops. The kids always loved the food court, and its underground "river."

Rob Allen · 01-08-2009, 06:09 PM

I forgot another good museum - the Museum of Contemporary Crafts is in its new home on the North Park Blocks, just off Burnside between Chinatown and Powell's Books. Also on the North Park Blocks is Powell's technical books annex, which could be fun if you're so inclined.

Élan vital · 01-09-2009, 01:22 AM

thanks all!! And no, my daughter(also my best friend!!) is 20ish. We love hanging together, going shopping,museums,zoo, etc.
You all have been very helpful.
So much to do in this area of the country. So many unique towns to explore. So excited to see it all.
When the weather warms a bit we will be out bicycling!!

rosecitywanderer · 01-09-2009, 03:42 AM

Just to correct...if you come up 217 from 99, follow it until it ends and keep right at the fork (follow signs for Barnes Road West). At the first light you can turn left at is Sunset TC. The first traffic light at the base of the ramp says 'NO TURNS' and the 2nd has no street on the left. There is actually a street sign on the signal pole in question that reads 'SUNSET TRANSIT CENTER'. Almost impossible to miss.

kimhamblin · 01-09-2009, 08:42 AM

The commute from Newberg via the 99W can be exhausting! I prefer to take the Tualtin- Sherwood Hwy (more of a road north of Newberg right where Sherwood begins) which connects to I-5. You can take I-5 down to city center exits. I would go armed with a map( a laminate trifold is the easiest) and plan to get a little lost on some one ways. You'll find that most people are friendly and forgiving in town. Roll down your window and ask someone! Don't be intimidated, it's on a grid system in that area and you won't get too lost. If you get stuck crossing the river by accident, just go around the block at the next intersection and go back over. You'll figure it out. Avoid traveling at rush hour your first time or two so you won't get super stressed out.

The river divides the town into east and west and Burnside divides it on the north and south. The city is set up in quadrants, so the downtown quadrants are NW (the Pearl District and Chinatown) and SW (Pioneer Court, park blocks, historical museum, library, art museum). The streets parralel to the river are numbered and the streets parralel to Burnside are alphabetical in the NW starting with Burnside as 'B'. Following this logic, if the address is 310 NW 3rd street, it will be approximately 3 blocks north of Burnside on 3rd Street. Likewise, something with the address 1113 NW Flanders is 4 blocks north of Burnside (B,C,D,E,F) between 11th and 12th. The SW is numbered, but the streets aren't alphabetical, so your map will be useful!

Don't forget the Chinese Gardens in Chinatown, it's on the same side of Burnside as Powell's and Contempory Crafts, but closer to the river.

Good luck! I might hold off on the zoo until you get some hiway travel under your belt, or take the max, hiway 26 is a bit scary!