What Part of Portland To Stay?

jello_1955 · Jul 3rd, 2008, 05:47 PM

My GF and I are planning a trip to Portland in October. We've never been but heard it's a great place to visit. We like shopping and eating (hey, who doesn't??) and doing tourist-y type things folks usual want to do.

We'll be there 4 days, 3 nights. What area do you suggest we stay that would be central to the things we like to do? Any hotel, shops, activities suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also, how is public transportation there?

BTW-- we're in our 50's so we can pass on the night clubbing stuff and stores that focus on size 0's.

kcf68 · Jul 3rd, 2008, 06:52 PM

I just arrived and I'm staying in Tigard, Beaverton, Portland junctions. I heard that the light rail MAX is great. It will take you down town for about $2.05. Downtown has lots to shop and see. Saturday Market,Yamhill market ect...

VPT · Jul 4th, 2008, 01:08 AM

Which Portland? Maine or Oregon????????

valencia · Jul 4th, 2008, 01:25 AM

jello_1955 - LOVE, LOVE Portland. Would recommend staying downtown. Recommend Hotel Lucia and Vintage Park (right next door to one another and have great staffs) - both are easy walking distance of Nordies, Macy's, and Saks. Great restaurants all around. Pazzo at the Vintage Park is a favorite. Downtown offers great access to the streetcar, MAX, and highways out of town for a day trip. Recommend visiting the Pearl District (easy walk from Downtown), Nob Hill (treat yourself at St. Honore Bakery), Washington Park (Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden are both wonderful), and the Hawthorne District to sample Portland's quirky side.

Have a great time!! BTW, OR has no state sales tax!!!!!!

Christine · Jul 4th, 2008, 01:50 AM

There is a neato tram on the SW side of town - just google portland tram. Great views of everything!

There was a lovely shopping area in the nw quadrant of w burnside x 21st St.

A nice Saturday street market is available as well - near to burnside and naito parkway/burnside bridge.

Any of this is google-able - I'm sure a bunch has slipped my mind since I've been!

Portland is a lovely city. Have fun.

jello_1955 · Jul 4th, 2008, 02:16 AM

Thanks for everyone's reply. It's always great to get someone's real take on an area-- the internet can be so deceiving.

elizabethk · Jul 4th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Hotel Benson and the Governor Hotel are wonderful people watching hotels.
The Ace Hotel is pretty trendy. Priceline's fare (if you choose to do that route 9/10 you'll be stuck at the Hilton. It's all right but there are better places to stay than the Hilton.
The Clyde Common (next door to the Ace Hotel) has an amazing happy hour. The Best burger I've had in 30 years. Kenny and Zuke's Jewish delicatessen is a good breakfast place and not pricey. Oba and Silk Pho (in the pearl district) have great ethnic happy hours too. Typhoon! is good for Thai----

There is a free streetcar from downtown to the Pearl district (middle of the entire trip)...you only have to pay if you decide to take the tram to the end of the line (23rd street----aka TrendyThird). If you are over 40 you can buy a discounted fare called Honorable Citizen...half the price of the adult fare and valid for I think three hours.

If you are food connoisseurs PM me for a list of restaurants. A couple are James Beard winners :)

Jul 3rd, 2008, 05:47 PM	#1
jello_1955 Member Joined: Jun 2006 Location: California Posts: 509	What Part of Portland To Stay? My GF and I are planning a trip to Portland in October. We've never been but heard it's a great place to visit. We like shopping and eating (hey, who doesn't??) and doing tourist-y type things folks usual want to do. We'll be there 4 days, 3 nights. What area do you suggest we stay that would be central to the things we like to do? Any hotel, shops, activities suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, how is public transportation there? BTW-- we're in our 50's so we can pass on the night clubbing stuff and stores that focus on size 0's.

Jul 4th, 2008, 01:08 AM	#3
VPT i ♥ blood oranges Joined: May 2008 Location: Vanc, WA Posts: 1,825	Which Portland? Maine or Oregon???????? __________________

Jul 4th, 2008, 01:25 AM	#4
valencia I love all rainbows! Joined: Apr 2006 Location: In my daydreams Posts: 432	jello_1955 - LOVE, LOVE Portland. Would recommend staying downtown. Recommend Hotel Lucia and Vintage Park (right next door to one another and have great staffs) - both are easy walking distance of Nordies, Macy's, and Saks. Great restaurants all around. Pazzo at the Vintage Park is a favorite. Downtown offers great access to the streetcar, MAX, and highways out of town for a day trip. Recommend visiting the Pearl District (easy walk from Downtown), Nob Hill (treat yourself at St. Honore Bakery), Washington Park (Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden are both wonderful), and the Hawthorne District to sample Portland's quirky side. Have a great time!! BTW, OR has no state sales tax!!!!!! __________________ Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself. ~ Rita Mae Brown The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. ~Oscar Wilde

Jul 4th, 2008, 02:16 PM	#7
elizabethk Jaune-d out! Joined: Jul 2006 Location: USA Posts: 4,802	Hotel Benson and the Governor Hotel are wonderful people watching hotels. The Ace Hotel is pretty trendy. Priceline's fare (if you choose to do that route 9/10 you'll be stuck at the Hilton. It's all right but there are better places to stay than the Hilton. The Clyde Common (next door to the Ace Hotel) has an amazing happy hour. The Best burger I've had in 30 years. Kenny and Zuke's Jewish delicatessen is a good breakfast place and not pricey. Oba and Silk Pho (in the pearl district) have great ethnic happy hours too. Typhoon! is good for Thai---- There is a free streetcar from downtown to the Pearl district (middle of the entire trip)...you only have to pay if you decide to take the tram to the end of the line (23rd street----aka TrendyThird). If you are over 40 you can buy a discounted fare called Honorable Citizen...half the price of the adult fare and valid for I think three hours. If you are food connoisseurs PM me for a list of restaurants. A couple are James Beard winners :) __________________ Tact is for those who aren't witty--Woody Paige Last edited by elizabethk; Jul 4th, 2008 at 02:21 PM.

Jul 3rd, 2008, 06:52 PM	#2
kcf68 Handbag Addict Joined: May 2007 Location: Finally on the West Coast!!! Posts: 578	I just arrived and I'm staying in Tigard, Beaverton, Portland junctions. I heard that the light rail MAX is great. It will take you down town for about $2.05. Downtown has lots to shop and see. Saturday Market,Yamhill market ect...

Jul 4th, 2008, 01:50 AM	#5
Christine Back in 5 minutes.. Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,236	There is a neato tram on the SW side of town - just google portland tram. Great views of everything! There was a lovely shopping area in the nw quadrant of w burnside x 21st St. A nice Saturday street market is available as well - near to burnside and naito parkway/burnside bridge. Any of this is google-able - I'm sure a bunch has slipped my mind since I've been! Portland is a lovely city. Have fun.

Jul 4th, 2008, 02:16 AM	#6
jello_1955 Member Joined: Jun 2006 Location: California Posts: 509	Thanks for everyone's reply. It's always great to get someone's real take on an area-- the internet can be so deceiving.