Visiting Portland (Newport, Sandy, Burns: rental car, 2009, rental)

[fuja]

Hello all! I am about to be lazy and ask these questions that I am sure have already been answered. I am visiting Portland for a week, and would like to know:

1. What are the "MUST" things to do?

2. What parts of town should I avoid?

3. I will have a rental car, and probably will utilize the SmartPark garages. How are the areas around the Naito/Davis and the O'Bryant Square garages?

Thanks!

[Wanderer - Not Lost]

You must go to Voo Doo Donuts

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by fuja

.....
What are the "MUST" things to do?.....

That's a really good question.....
and I don't have a good answer for you.

If you are a book type person there is Powell's bookstore (the main one, a 'tech' store, and the Hawthorne branch.) The Main store is really impressive.

Beyond that... You are most likely visiting on a business trip from what little info you provided, and time will most likely be tight.

May I recommend you Google Portland's 'Big Pink' and go to the 30th floor and get a beverage of your choice during Happy Hour, and enjoy the great view(s). If you are lucky you can see Mt Hood. On a clear day, very impressive. People watching is good sport there also.

Many will dis-agree with me, but I would spend one early evening after dark just walking up and down SE Hawthorne street from say SE 30th to SE 38th street. Or do it on a Saturday afternoon.

If, and I do mean only IF, you are young and single glance at the on-line version of a free weekly newspaper Willemette Weekly that tries to keep up with all the local entertainment news.
Willamette Week | Friday, October 16th, 2009
Browse the music, night clubs, and rock bands.

Wish I had some better suggestions.

Phil

[malachai23]

Here is what I would consider "MUSTS" for an out-of-towner (you can Google all of these to get specific hours, directions, etc.):

Portland Saturday Market (under the Burnside Bridge)
Powell's Books (Pearl District/downtown location)
SE Hawthorne (between 30th & 40th)
Multnomah Falls (1/2 hour drive east out 84, and *completely* worth it)
Forest Park and/or Washington Park
Pittock Mansion
Pearl District and/or NW 23rd for shopping/dining/people watching
Kell's Irish Pub (Old Town)
Horse Brass pub (SE Belmont St., Belmont - more microbrews & scotches than you've probably ever seen in one place)
Der Rhinelander/Gustav's (Sandy Blvd., Hollywood - get the fondue!!!)
Newport Bay (Portland's only floating restaurant)

I would also 2nd Phil's recommendation of getting a drink (or a dinner!) up at the top of Big Pink. You can't beat the view. Also, yes, Willamette Week is good for finding music events & etc.... LOTS and LOTS of "etc"