Well-Rounded First Experience of Portland, Oregon - and a few day trips

One of the highest spots in the city where you can almost get a 360 degree view of Portland were it not for all those trees! On clear days you can see Mount St. Helens and Mt. Hood. Beautiful park setting (try to ignore the huge water tower and cell phone tower), always well manicured, never many people. Give yourself enough time to walk the numerous trails, pack a picnic lunch, a blanket, and a good book and lay out on a sunny day. Free to enjoy. TIP: No bathrooms are located here but if you can find your way to OHSU hospital via the back roads from Council Crest you can use their bathrooms in a pinch (good luck - it's easy to get lost once you're on the hill).

I suppose a huge university hospital is not really on everyone's must-see list when traveling to cool destinations, but listen up! Go to the new OHSU South Waterfront Campus and ride the tram up to the main OHSU campus on Marquam Hill (AKA Pill Hill). Not only will you have awesome views of the city, you will also be in for a fun ride when the tram swings shortly after it takes off (especially on a windy day)! Stand front & center on the tram ride to get the best effect! The ride is definitely more fun going up but you have to buy a $4 ticket if you hop on at South Waterfront. It happens to be a free ride if you go in the opposite direction (from OHSU main campus on Marquam Hill down to South Waterfront) but it's not quite as fun. When you exit the tram once you're at OHSU's Marquam Hill campus, walk around the balcony surrounding the Kohler Pavillion (the building where the Tram drops you off). Take the stairs from the 1st balcony to the one below it to enjoy the Healing & Meditation garden (please respect patients who may be there). There are interesting sculptures and a water feature...oh yeah, did I mention the awesome views which includes Mount St. Helens & Mt. Hood on a clear day? Great place to catch a sunset. If you go after 7pm it's free to park at the meters at South Waterfront campus, free to park on OHSU's Marquam Campus after 5pm. $4 to board tram from South Waterfront, free to ride one-way boarding from Marquam Campus. TIP: If you want to grab something to eat Daily Cafe is located in the building that houses the tram station at South Waterfront. Also, the Portland Street Car will take you directly to the South Waterfront campus and tram station if you are sans car.

Although this place may sound totally boring it offers a variety of cool things for kids and adults of all ages - something for everyone. I would advise checking out their website to see what kinds of special events and shows they are offering. We were able to catch Body Worlds 3 (the exhibition of human bodies) and saw a laser light show to Pink Floyd music. Cost of attractions vary depending on time of event and age of patrons (anywhere from $5.50 to $21 pp). Matinee prices exist for certain shows, varied prices for certain age groups, discount prices for large groups. Free parking. TIP: Bring student IDs for special student rates, enjoy walking along the Willamette River which borders one side of OMSI.

One city block of books with shelves from floor to high-ceiling in every room (rooms are color-coded and map provided at info desk - yes, you need a map to get around). New & used books - claims to be the largest independently owned new & used bookstore in the nation (and maybe the world as I've read in some places). Bonus unique non-book shopping to be had here as well as coffee and snack shop. Great late-night activity as they're open till 11pm most nights. Free to hang out and look.

Indoor rock climbing gym offering 40' high ceilings with routes of varying difficulty and you don't have to be a pro to try it out. Do Friday Night Heights for $20 (climbing gear included) and a staff member will belay (manages the rope) while the group takes turns climbing. Or if you're in town for at least a week you can sign up for the intro class offered 3 times a week for $49 (climbing gear included) where staff will teach you how to belay and other climbing basics. Intro class includes a week of free climbing and gear use - however you will need at least one other person to take the class with you so when you return for your free week you can take turns climbing and belaying for each other. TIP: Small exercise room & equipment available for patrons as well as some yoga classes.

Beautiful rose gardens with pond and fountain (which kids are allowed to play in but it looked pretty nasty to me - the fountain was not on when we stopped by & the water looked stagnant & had a lot of algae growth), lots of open park space, gazebo, and covered pavillion (you can reserve this site for large parties in advance). Check out the link for better info and some photos. Free street parking, free to view and hang out.

A Chinese garden surrounding a man-made lake with rocks brought in from China all contained within one city block. It's amazing that this little oasis is right smack in the middle of the city but while you are in the relaxing garden environment you will be reminded of the city that surrounds it when you try to take a picture and can't get one without a towering building in your frame! Regardless, this is a little gem and worth visiting. Stop for tea and nibbles at the Teahouse. $5.50-$7 pp entry fee, additonal cost to sample tea & cookies at the Teahouse, metered street parking. NOTE: In hot weather the Teahouse is also extremely hot! TIP: Free guided tours available at set times.

This tour meets at Hobo's restaurant in the Old Town/Chinatown area of Portland (this is a gay-friendly restaurant). The building Hobo's is located in is a historic one and has a very cool alley and coutyard in the back. The tour consists of a number of connected underground basements - you don't actually walk very far (maybe through about 4 different building basements) but it is still a very cool experience that includes viewing a recreation of a holding cell for the "White Slave Trade," an actual holding cell for the kidnapped men who were sold to the sea captains as unsuspecting crew, an authentic opium den, and trap door. Our guide was excellent and gave us the history behind Portland's shady past as well as some ghost stories. Cost is $12pp. TIP: Wear layers because it can get super-hot down there, and be advised that if you will probably breathe in a lot of dust. We were coughing for a long time afterward and got a lot of dirt out of our noses. If I were to do it again I'd either wear a bandana around my face. (Get doughnut snack at Voodoo Doughnut after tour ends - see info below.)

This doughnut joint is open 24 hours and is a good place to stop for a snack after getting out of the Portland Underground tour because of it's close location to the tour site. Crazy assortment of doughnuts in a small hole in the wall place (no pun intended). TIP: You can apparently get married here if you wanted to - check out their website for details.

Approximately 40 minutes from Portland, Oregon. Spectacular water fall with perfect picture-taking bridge. Steep paved walk up to the top of falls for additional views (note about top of the falls - you can see it go over the edge from the additional viewing above but won't be able to see it actually fall which is kind of disappointing). Best view is definitely from the bridge and bottom of the falls. Soft serve ice cream at the snack shop. Free parking, free sight.

More fun than we expected! Pretty park-like grounds with tons of fish ponds. You can feed the trout - you can even stick you hand in the water and touch them (but your hand will be stinky afterward). Great viewing window to see the huge sturgeons. Look for Herman II the 70-year old, 500 lb, 10-foot sturgeon. Good side-trip on the way to crossing the Bridge of the Gods to spend the day at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa (see info on that next).

Handcrafted beers, good food, cozy environment with indoor and outdoor seating in the small quaint town of Stevenson off the Columbia River. Small menu but food and beer is delicious - try the Black & Blue pizza (loaded with blue cheese, mushrooms, black olives). Note they have limited hours so do your research to make sure it's open on the day & time you plan to stop by. It's a great place to stop for dinner after a relaxing day hanging out at the mineral pool at the Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa. Menu items average $7-$9. (Minors allowed!) TIP: It's so close to the Columbia River that you should take a walk to the water and maybe the end of the old pier. Stop for ice cream afterward at Little Viking Drive-In around the corner on the other side of the street.

Approximately an hour & 45 minutes from Portland, Oregon. Free public parking near the main attraction, famous Haystack Rock (across from the SurfSand Resort & Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge). Walk across the street and through the resort grounds (with public beach access) to find the perfect spot to set up your beach chairs. Water is usually freezing so this isn't the type of beach you'll want to swim at but exploring the tide pools around Haystack Rock while tide is out is fun - look for sand dollars. NOTE: Public Restroom available in parking lot of the SurfSand Resort but be aware that it is locked by around 8pm, however maybe the Wayfarer restaurant will allow you to use theirs in an emergency since they're open till around 11pm. TIP: Plan on sticking around for sunset and bring your own firewood (don't forget lighter fluid & matches) to have your own bonfire on the beach. Bring hot beverages tol help keep you warm. Even with sunny weather it's often chilly with the strong breeze so wear proper attire & bring rain gear. Free to explore.

Will write more about this at a later date...

Will write about this at a later date...

Will write more about this at a later date...

Will write more about this at a later date...

Will write about these later...

High-end open air shopping village. A relaxing place to spend a nice day and shop if you want to spend the money. Besides numerous upscale shops (and some chain shops like J.Crew, J.Jill, Borders Books & Music, etc, there are beautiful grocery stores, a spa, movie cinema, and a variety of restaurants. TIP: Small play ground for little kids and water fountain (which I've also seen little kids playing in), cheap eats at McCormick & Schmicks happy hour for 21 & older.

There are a handful of Pho Vans in the city - note that each one has a slighly different menu. I think the one on 82nd is probably the most authentic (I used to work with a lot of Vietnamese people and they liked to go to the Pho Van on 82nd during lunch break), the one in the Pearl District is probably the most expensive. The one I like to frequent is in the Hawthorn District. This is a cheap eats place with regular menu items from about $4-$8 (specials are in the $10-$15 range). Their pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) is really tasty and filling, and they give you plenty of food for regular entree items $7-$8. TIP: Coldstone is right around the corner for ice cream and the Bagdad Theater is a good place to catch a cheap flick, however you must be 21 yrs or older to enter because they serve beer.

This is probably not authentic Thai food but at least there are Thai people in the kitchen so it is probably authentic to a certain extent. Bo (the owner) gets really creative with her dishes and you usually can't go wrong with whatever you order. Prices are kind of steep with most entrees $10-$15 (for dinner) but most dishes are large enough to share with 2-3 people. This is one of my favorite places to eat in the NW 23rd (Nob Hill) district. They have a small parking lot (holds about 5 cars) in front of their restaurant which is rare for the area, they also have outdoor seating when the weather is warm. My favorites on the menu are their Tom Kah Gai soup, Eggplant Lover entree, Green Papaya Salad (I request without bay shrimp), and Thai iced tea. Those are always a hit with out of town guests whom I bring to Typhoon. There is an additional location off of SW Broadway in downtown attached to Hotel Lucia but parking is a little trickier, especially during rush hour. TIP: Lunch menu items are cheaper in the $7-$9 range but you do get slightly smaller portions. If you like it super-spicy, ask for the condiment tray!

This is a mom & pop restaurant right off the max line and near the streetcar and bus stops - so very easy to get to if you're coming by public transportation. The mom and daughters wait on tables and the dad does all the cooking. Apparently he cooks everything from scratch, like if you order hummus you are going to have to wait for the dad to actually smash up your garbanzo beans for the dish and individually cut the lemon garnishes. This means wait time for food can be up to an hour and a half on busy nights (noted on their menu are wait times for certain grilled meats and some are 45 minutes). If you don't feel like waiting for the food but want to try Persian food then you should view their menu on the website in advance and call in your order (to dine in) at least one hour in advance - that's what I do all the time. There's something very satisfying about walking in, sitting down, and getting all your food served to you within minutes while other diners are still waiting for their appetizers to be delivered... Their lentil bean soup would be my #1 recommendation, closely followed by the Nazkatun (eggplant appetizer served with pita bread). They are both so delicious (the lentil bean soup is slightly different every time because each batch is homemade that night). The "Tour of Persia" is a good way to sample the menu and includes soup or salad (choose soup over the salad as there is nothing special about it), an appetizer, an entree, after dinner tea, and a piece of baklava for about $18pp. NOTE: I have never eaten lunch there and I believe they only offer a set buffet during lunch. I have heard that you are only allowed to make 1 trip to the buffet during lunch.

This is a newer fish and chips joint that opened in 2006 in the Albera Arts District - my fav. Ignore the bad decor and just try their fish and chips - always fried to perfection with wonderful light batter. The owner offers an impressive assortment of fish in addition to the staple halibut and he also has the best jumbo prawns. He makes the yummiest coleslaw (with tiny pineapple chunks in it), and even the tartar and cocktail sauce is good to boot. The downside is that dinner for two could easily run you close to $30 for 2 orders of fish and chips or jumbo prawns and chips, 2 sides of slaw, and 2 non-alcoholic beverages.

Good food and fun experience using their table top grills. Best to go with a larger group of people to absorb the cost of the experience (for the 4 of us our tab came to about $70 for the set entree plan and 1 appetizer - with a lot of leftovers). We went with 4 people and ordered the meal that feeds 4, but there was so much meat (3 different kinds) that it would have easily fed 6-8 people, especially with all the little sides that came with it. This place has a very extensive menu, nice environment, conveniently located (in the Hawthorne District) but tends to be short on staff.