Looking for recs re: Portland, OR!

[Maureen]

Hi, all ~

My husband and I will be vacationing in Portland for about a week, starting on Wed. (vacation - yay!) Anyone have any recommendations for restaurants, shops, or other things we should see and do while we're there? And no need to mention Powell's - my husband knows I already have a day blocked out for that. :-)

Thanks in advance!

[Ed]

I would suggest you check the following Link to the Constant Reader site, which is planning their next get-together for Portland: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

As you will see there are lot's of suggestions including some from me.

If you do nothing else, rent a car and drive along the Columbia River Gorge, going east from Portland on the Oregon side. It would make a very full day but you could combine it with a ride up to the glacier on Mt. Hood.

I also recommend taking at least half a day to wander around the Central part of Portland, maybe stopping at Stumptown for a cup of coffee, visiting Nordstrom's Rack, hanging out and people watching in Pioneer Square, etc. etc. etc.

On your Powell's day, I also recommend walking West from Powell's into the Pearl District for lunch or Happy Hour. Stop anyplace. they are almost all great.

I like Henry's which is a block North of Powell's. They have, literally hundreds of beers on draft plus a great snack menu and a very happy Happy Hour.

Enjoy. It's a great, manageable, beautiful city.

[Jessica]

My husband and I visited last summer and liked it so much that we're moving there in July!

We had a great time checking out the restaurants (so many tasty ones!), and we loved the Oregon Zoo - a great out-and-about day if you're into nature, because the Arboretum is right there as well. I'll also recommend Portland Walking Tours - we did their Underground Portland tour and Epicurean Portland, and both were a blast.

[Anna]

you should check out the Japanese gardens (I think that is what they are called) they are gorgeous. I always like wondering around the Powell's area mostly because it is just convenient since I always go to Powell's. Seems like I should have more because I just got back from there but I visit a lot so I'm afraid a lot of it is just old hat to me. I love Portland though and it looks like the weather might be nice so I'll keep my figurs crossed for you.