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Downtown Portland in Mid-March

akdrc

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My wife and I (Sans kids!) will be in Portland for two nights mid March - Monday and Tuesday night. Where to stay and what to do?

I would like to not rent a car and just walk around. We have also thought of just staying near the airport and taking the rail thingy downtown, but I think I would just rather stay close to where I want to be.

Aside from going to Voodoo Doughnut and the iconic bookstore (The name escapes me right now), what else to do during the day?

For meals, I like brew pubs and we like coffee type shops to eat and she likes fancier 'atmosphere' places with whatever is suppose to come with that. :) Light fair and snacking allows for more food stops as well. :whooopie:
 

Ty1on

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Powell's Bookstore?

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Uber to International Rose Test Garden

Food carts









Strip clubs?
 

PrairieGirl

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The MAX (light rail) will take you to about anywhere you would like to go (maybe even up to Washington Park, the Zoo, Japanese Gardens) which are all worth a visit if the weather is nice. There is NO end of things to do, places to explore and great eats (including brew pubs) in downtown considering you are there for such a short visit. Yes, Powell's Bookstore is the place you were thinking of, but I personally think it is rather over-hyped unless you are really into bookstores. Same with Voodoo Doughnuts. All depends on what your style is. Portland is truly a town with something for everybody! If you are there on the weekend, my vote is for a trip to Saturday Market. Sure its has changed since it was our haunt in high school (early '70s, we got in on the ground floor) but it still has an amazing variety of artisans and craftsmen displaying their wares.
 

dsmrp

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Embassy suites downtown is very good, in a period style bldg, and within walking distance to rail line, Saturday mkt, and voodoo donuts.

We've stayed at the Rose hotel on the riverside. Right on the rail line too. Modern style with tight parking, hard to drive to cause of one way streets. But within good walking distance to many things same as the Embassy.

I know several who have stayed in and recommend the Deluxe. It's on the edge of downtown, maybe on a bus line. Maybe better if you have a car.

Rose garden won't have much to see in March. But will have a view of Portland. I recommend the Japanese Garden across the street. It's quite far from the rail stop. Best to have a car or Uber.

Portland is a foodie town. Many great eats and food carts! Downtown has a full block of them. A popular downtown restaurant for breakfast/brunch is Mother's. I'll have to dbl check on name. Always a line on weekends.
 

dsmrp

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It is Mother's Bistro & Bar, at 2nd & Stark.

The NW (on 23rd) neighborhood district is interesting, nice for strolling with shops and restaurants.
You can get to it by the streetcar.
Many others like the Pearl district, with its warehouse urban chic. But it just didn't appeal as much to me.

The greater Portland area has several very good craft breweries. I'm sure there's a tour or two you could take to see & sample them.
 

lorenmd

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we love staying at the Nines. they have a great rooftop open air bar and if there is a basketball game in town the visiting team usually stays there. walking distance to shopping and an easy uber to the pearl. It is a starwood/marriott property
 

Bob B

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It's been a few years but my two favorite restaurants in Portland were Ring Side (steakhouse) and Jakes (seafood). They were both excellent.
 

Luanne

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I really liked the Chart House restaurant. The food was good, but the view was spectacular.
 

sun starved Gayle

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Don't think anything would be blooming yet in The International Rose Test Gardens in March. Plum and cherry trees could be in bloom in the Japanese Gardens though. Really lovely. http://japanesegarden.com/

If your wife likes " fancier 'atmosphere' places " I suggest Portland City Grill http://www.portlandcitygrill.com/, they have one of the best city views in Portland. If you don't want to spend big $$, go for Happy Hour. Also, Jakes Crawfish House is an iconic Portland landmark with good seafood. http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/locations/portland-oregon/portland-oregon/sw12thave.aspx

The dessert counter at Papa Haydens on 23rd Avenue is worth the trip http://www.papahaydn.com/.

If you are into beer, a lot of visitors and locals like https://www.brewgrouppdx.com/brewcycle/

To me, Voodoo doughnuts is kind of overrated, always a line out the door, and in kind of a sketchy area.

Powells is a must if you love books. http://www.powells.com/locations/powells-city-of-books
 

akdrc

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I'm hungry just reading and looking some of these things up. I'm looking forward to going, even though it's only a couple of days. :)
 

Elan

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We've stayed at the Marriott right downtown (on Broadway, IIRC) and it's an excellent location for both riding the light rail to/from PDX and kicking around downtown (SW) Portland. Recently stayed at the new Hyatt House, which was very nice, but it's not as centrally located. In March, bring your rain gear. :)
 

easyrider

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I like all of the McMenamins. Many are eclectic pubs with a hotel.

https://www.mcmenamins.com/

If you like religiously themed places there is the Portland Grotto. I enjoyed a couple of visits here in the past.

https://thegrotto.org/

Portland is kind of divided by the Williamette River. West Portland is more of the upscale clean cookie cutter area with some cool areas and East Portland is more of the cool areas with some cookie cutter areas, imo. I'm certain my last statement is subjective and debatable. lol


Bill
 

akdrc

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A wonderfully rainy trip. Thanks for the many suggestions. :)
 
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