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Old 04-30-2011, 03:09 PM
 
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The wife and I are heading your way in August, which we've been told is one of the least rainy months. We're wondering if there's anything in or around Portland we should see, whether it's in a tourist guide or not. We like the outdoors, museums, public art and funky little shops to explore. And of course, if there are any areas to avoid, we'd like to know that too. Anyone? Beuller?
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Old 04-30-2011, 03:29 PM
 
Location: Portland, OR
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Mark:

Powell's bookstore on W. Burnside downtown. Full city block, 3 floors, high ceilings, all books, except for coffee shop with chocolate pastries (which co-exists with about 8 to 9 thousand romance novels.)

Over near the MAX (our light rail transit system) stop near SW 10th and SW Yamhill, is a fantastic toy store named Finnegan's; kind of place you never want your young children to find, but hope their Grandparents do.

BTW: August I have known in Portland have mostly been cloudy Mornings that clear by 10:00am, then bright clear cloudless blue skies, very low humidity, during the rest of the daylight hours. About a 30 degree temp change from sunrise to mid-afternoon. Temp swings from 30% to 35% relative humidity late afternoon to dew point just before sun rise.

Others will add their suggestions.

Phil
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Old 05-01-2011, 09:17 AM
 
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You may enjoy staying at hotel downtown and exploring the different surrounding neighborhoods on foot and MAX. Portland is a small walkable city and I would spend some time in Washington Park. Are you coming for a weekend or longer? We have a ton of local microbreweries and wonderful coffee. Our farmers' markets are great on the weekends. Oh, and we are bicycle friendly so you could explore the city that way, as well. Good luck!
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Old 05-01-2011, 01:58 PM
 
Location: Just outside of Portland
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Most definately take a a road trip to the coast and on another day down through the Columbia Gorge to Hood River to Mt Hood and back to Portland.

Don't confine yourself to the city.
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Old 05-01-2011, 02:09 PM
 
Location: Westcoast
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If you arrive on a Friday, or shortly before, buy the Friday's edition of The Oregonian for the A&E insert. This is a weekly guide to inform you what's going on in the Portland-Metro area, and you could enjoy some of the plentiful events that go on in the area at that time.

How long are you planning to be here?

Powell's Books for sure. We have a great zoo. The Northwest 23rd strip is a popular shopping destination (it isn't my cup o' tea but you might like it).

Pittock Mansion, if you're into old historical buildings.

SE Hawthorne, another interesting neighborhood/shopping area.

Portland Saturday Market for sure, which includes Sundays. Do NOT miss this one!
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Old 05-01-2011, 09:24 PM
 
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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If you're here for the last Thursday in August, definitely go to Last Thursday (Last Thursday - Portland's Best Creative Expression of Art and Diversity) in NE. It definitely will give you public art and funk.

If you're here for the first Thursday in August go to First Thursday (index which is less funky, but still pretty fun.

There are lots of funky little shops on SE Hawthorne (west of 39th).

I'm a huge fan on the Museum of Contemporary Craft in the Pearl. It's not a big museum, but it's really cool and in a good walking area.

August tends to be really nice, though there are some *occasional* really hot days (85+).
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Old 05-02-2011, 02:27 PM
 
Location: Portland, Oregon
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From the Museum of Contemporary Craft, you can walk or bike over to the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Or you can walk in the other direction to the Portland Art Museum. I'd take a car or a bus to get across the river to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, but if you're in great shape you could walk there too - it's at the south end of the Eastbank Esplanade.
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Old 05-02-2011, 03:45 PM
 
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Rose Garden & Japanese Garden at Washington Park. During August there are two bus routes that serve that area: The Washington Park Shuttle and #63 Washington Park. The shuttle takes you into the park, #63 serves the residential neighborhood but brings you very close.

The shops on NW 23rd are funky with a couple well known retailers sneaking in along the avenue. The streets that cross the numbered streets in NW are in alphabetical order which helps in estimating distances. There is a frequent bus that travels NW 23rd from downtown, #15. You probably won't want to go any further north than Thurman (on Thurman near 23rd is St. Honore which has fantastic pastries).

If you can get out of the city Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood is a must-see.
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Old 05-02-2011, 04:25 PM
 
Location: Portland, OR
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There are two day trips I like to take visitors on:

The first is to head south from Portland toward McMinnville on 99W and then to Tillamook on the coast, and then drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop. Stop at the Cape Meares Lighthouse for the view. Stop at Cape Lookout for the view. The hike to the end is spectacular and not too strenuous, but it's a five-mile round trip and can take up a good chunk of the day. Instead, I usually stop at Cape Kiwanda and hike up the big sand dune and to the rock formation at the end. If it's lunch time, there's a good little burger and sandwich restaurant on the beach. Then you have two options. One is to drive up the coast, a meandering journey that will put you at Cannon Beach (an artsy little beach town) in time to watch the sun set. I usually eat dinner at Mo's, a seafood institution on the beach just south of town. Food and service are variable, but usually decent, and the view is great. Then head back to Portland via Highway 26. The second option is to drive south from Cape Kiwanda to Newport, one of my favorite coastal towns. If you like aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium won't disappoint you. Then go down to the waterfront to see the noisy and entertaining sea lions that lounge on the docks, and have dinner at one of the many good restaurants. Head back to Portland the way you came.

The other day trip is to head east out of Portland on Highway 26. You'll go through the town of Sandy, and then head up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. It's where exteriors of The Shining were filmed. If it's lunch time, you can eat at the lodge. Then head down the mountain and up through the Hood River Valley, which is picture-perfect in August, with its many idyllic orchards. If you didn't eat lunch at Timberline, you can eat in the town of Hood River, which is very quaint. Then head back toward Portland on I-84. Stop at Multnomah Falls, which everyone loves. Continue heading west. Near Corbett, take the exit to the old Columbia Gorge Highway, which runs on the upper rim of the gorge. Stop at Vista House at Crown Point. If you timed it right, and the sky is clear, watch the sunset from there. It's incredible. Then head back to Portland.

Then go back home and post to this forum about how you plan to move to Portland. :-)
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Old 05-03-2011, 08:53 AM
 
Location: Portland, Oregon
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I usually take the Columbia Gorge-Timberline Lodge loop in reverse, have dinner at the Lodge. Either way it is a must-do.
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