- Portland Farmer's Market at Portland State University - Saturday's on the campus of PSU. One of our favorite things to do each weekend. Great samples! (http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/)
- Saturday Market - longest running craft market in the US. Every Saturday and Sunday underneath the Burnside Bridge. A Portland institution. (http://www.saturdaymarket.org/)
- Waterfront Park
- Washington Park / Rose Garden - Beautiful rose gardens that overlook the city - great view of Mt. Hood on clear days. Washington Park also includes the Portland Zoo, the Japanese Gardens, the Arboretum, and the Children's Museum. Note there are 2 "Rose Gardens" - the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park and the Rose Garde Arena where the NBA's Portland Trailblazers play. (http://www.portlandrosesociety.org/)
- Pioneer Square - open air square in the heart of downtown. great people watching. call "Portland's Living Room". (http://www.pioneercourthousesquare.org/)
- Aerial Tram - take a ride to the top of the West Hills and a great view of Portland and the Cascade Mountains. Rides cost $4/person. (http://www.portlandtram.org/)
- Park Blocks - greenspace that includes the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, Portland State University, Portland Farmer's Market on Saturdays from 8am-2pm.
- McMenamins Pubs & Theaters - a Portland institution...The best part of the pubs are the pubs themselves - historic buildings, cool murals, artwork, etc. They have approx. 50 properties in Portland, and around Oregon and Washington States. There are 5 or 6 movie theater pubs, they own the dance hall The Crystal Ballroom, provide info for Ringlers, Ringler's Annex, Ram's Head, Blue Moon. (http://www.mcmenamins.com/)
- Powell's Bookstore - largest independent bookstore in the United States. Just a few blocks north of the Governor Hotel on Burnside. (http://www.powells.com/)
- Portland Japanese Garden (http://www.japanesegarden.com/)
- Portland Classical Chinese Garden (http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/)
- Walk around the city - it's free and there are great neighborhoods, shopping, pubs, and architecture to check out. Some of our favorite places are NW 23rd Street, the Pearl District, Waterfront Park (along the Willamette River downtown), and Pioneer Square.
MUSEUMS:
- Portland Art Museum (http://www.pam.org/ - 1219 SW Park Ave - (503) 226-2811; MC Escher Exhibit thru 9/13/09 )
- Oregon Historical Society Museum (http://www.ohs.org/ - 1200 SW Park Avenue - (503) 306-5198; Will Vinton Exhibit thru 9/13/09 - claymation pioneer from Portland / "Learn what goes into making some of the world's best-known animated characters, including the Domino's Pizza "Noid," the famous California Raisins, and Eddie Murphy’s "Thurgood Stubbs," from the television show, "The PJ's.")
- Museum of Contemporary Craft (http://www.museumofcontemporarycraft.org/ - 724 NW Davis St - 503.223.2654; FREE!)
- Pittock Mansion (http://pittockmansion.org/ - 3229 NW Pittock Drive - 503-823-3623; need a car to reach the Pittock Mansion; amazing views of the city; adult admission is $7; kids $4)
ODD & Interesting:
- Alibi Tiki Bar on Interstate Ave - Tiki / Kareoke bar (4024 N Interstate Ave; 503-287-5335)
- Voodoo Donuts - a Portland institution that has been featured on many travel and food shows, open at night only in the heart of Old Town (http://www.voodoodoughnut.com/, 22 SW 3rd Ave; 503-241-4704).
- Velveteria - World's Only Velvet Painting Museum (http://www.velveteria.com/ - 2448 E. Burnside St - 503-233-5100; admission is $5)
- Bart Simpson sidewalk on SW 18th Lincoln High School. Matt Groening of The Simpsons grew up in Portland and graduated from Lincoln High off of NW 18th Street (note, many streets in the Historic NW District share names with Simpson characters).
- Ground Kontrol Video Arcade - classic video game arcade, approx. 30-40 video games and 10-15 pinball machines, with a full bar. (http://www.groundkontrol.com/, 511 NW Couch St; 503-796-9364).
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