If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
"Dennis P. Harris" wrote in message ... On Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:34:29 GMT in rec.travel.usa-canada, "Bill in Schenectady" wrote: We will arrive in Portland on June 27 and leave Portland for Glacier National Park (and ultimate trip back home) on July 6. So that's ten days, including arrival and departure day. We don't intend to rent a car immediately, but would like to stay a couple of days in Portland without a car. After that, we'll do a slow loop around the Columbia River Gorge, with side trips to interesting areas. Figure that we'll rent a car for a week of the ten days. if you have that long, and you want to range south, remember that the oregon shakespeare festival in aspen has performances almost every day, and there are lots of associated performances and activities. this could work with a coastal trip that returns to portland via crater lake... Uh, not quite so far south as Aspen. You meant Ashland. Marianne |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
Bill in Schenectady wrote: I'd love to get ideas of things not to miss in Portland. We are a family of four with two teenaged girls. By the way, we are not shoppers....even the women of the family...unless it's really unusual. You are probably getting overwhelmed with ideas by now, but I don't think anyone has mentioned Mount St. Helens, which could be done as a lengthy day trip from Portland. All this talk has made me realize I need to spend more time in Portland (I live near Seattle). |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
We'll probably spend a couple of days in Portland before moving on to spend most of our visit
in and around the Columbia River Gorge. If epic works of engineering are of interest, be sure to tour Bonneville Dam (http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/b/home.asp). The nearby fish hatchery is educational and has Herman the Sturgeon and some "smaller" (relatively speaking) examples of the mighty Columbia's biggest fish (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/hatchery/bonneville.htm). This is accessible by Gray Line tour bus, among other means. Some ideas re the Hood River area: http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore-...ver-Gorge.aspx There are large areas of backcountry that most people don't get to (dunno how woodsy you and your are, or how heavily you will be traveling). Just a few examples: http://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/directions.htm http://www.oregon.com/trips/craterlake.cfm and links therein. Note carefully the descriptions of each suggested activity: a lot of Oregon is the sort of country where a "rigorous" or "strenuous" and/or "technical" activity may be presumed to be Not for the Tenderfoot. Also, I missed the previous thread and thus don't know when you plan to take this trip, but the character, types of activities, and even the outright possibility of the outdoorsy stuff can be very dependent on weather and season. Just a few suggestions regarding a part of the country where you could spend days, weeks, or months... Enjoy your trip, --Joe |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
if you have that long, and you want to range south, remember that
the oregon shakespeare festival in aspen has performances almost ^^^^^ Ashland. Near Crater Lake, and almost on the border with California, on I-5. Kay |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
even for books? i always set aside a half day for powell's
bookstore, a full block x 4? 5? stories of books, new and used, complete with in-store coffee bar. great way to spend a rainy day. Or an evening when you're a little tired. a drive up the columbia gorge to hood river is a great day drive if you take the old highway along the top and stop at the viewpoint (can't remember the name). hood river seems to be the busiest windsurfing spot in the west, great fun to watch the sailboarders. Crown Point Vista House. And there's a small park about a mile closer to Troutdale on the Historic Highway that's got some nice view spots: http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stori...columbia03.asp http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/HCRH/ And here's a link for the gorge bike map: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/HCRH/...CRHbikemap.pdf If you want to get farther off the gorge (and into some possibly hot weather), consider the John Day area in the high desert-- John Day Wild and Scenic River and John Day Fossil Beds http://www.nps.gov/joda/ (Clarno and Painted Hills have some wonderful geology, and fine views) http://www.canoekayak.com/destinatio...ernus/johnday/ There's also an area in Fossil, OR (near John Day) where you can dig your own fossils, mostly leaves -- http://www.a2zgorge.info/community/towns/fossil.htm Kay Our interests include museums, unique parks and views, hiking, perhaps bike rentals if there are good bike trails. the rose garden is really a don't-miss if you like flowers at all. such a great variety of roses, and it overlooks downtown. the oregon museum of science & industry always has exhibits for kids of all ages, many of them interactive. portland is also the home of the movie theatre/pizza brewpub. one of the local brewpub chains owns a couple of movie theaters where they took out half the seats & installed tables. you buy your ticket, walk in, order your pizza, get your pitcher or pint, and place the little numbered sign for your pizza order at the end of your aisle when you sit down. they bring the pizza to your seat. something for your kids to enjoy (minus beer) if they're showing an appropriate flick. the lloyd center has a nice ice rink in the middle of a shopping mall, if your kids like to skate. and the public transportation in portland is pretty good, especially the MAXX light rail system. |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
|
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
wrote in message ups.com... On Feb 11, 3:28 pm, "Bill in Schenectady" wrote: I had previously asked about things to do and see in Seattle. Well, our trip plans have changed and instead of taking Amtrak to Seattle, we will disembark in Portland. We'll probably spend a couple of days in Portland before moving on to spend most of our visit in and around the Columbia River Gorge. I'd love to get ideas of things not to miss in Portland. We are a family of four with two teenaged girls. By the way, we are not shoppers....even the women of the family...unless it's really unusual. Our interests include museums, unique parks and views, hiking, perhaps bike rentals if there are good bike trails. Thanks. -- Downtown Portland is a free fare zone, that is the buses and trains are free in the downtown area. Don't miss Powells Books, the largest independent book store in the country. Jakes Seafood is close and not to be missed, especially for it's happy hour specials. Take the bus across the river to the Hawthorne District, where all the old hippies have become capitalists. Further up is Mount Tabor, the only volcano within a city limit. Don't worry it is extinct, but great for hiking. Huber's is the oldest restaurant in Portland, famous for it's flaming drinks and turkey is big on the menu. Al Amir is great Lebanese cooking in a historical building. For wonderful Northwest cuisine may I suggest Lucy's Table? There are seven bridges crossing the river and each one is a different type. The River Walk goes by many of them is a great little hike. The Spirit of Portland is ship that does a tour of the river and is the best way to see and understand the river. There is also a jet boat that does the river and goes all the way to the falls. Not for wussies. Portland is very low crime, you should feel safe in any neighborhood. One thing different from most cities is that you will see no grafitti. First Thursday of every month is the day when the local artists are on display. Go to the Pearl District and enjoy the carnival atmosphere. Fit in with locals by not dressing up and never carry an umbrella. Also, the river is the Multnomah pronounced mult-no-mah. Portland is a very bike friendly city, nearly evry road has a bike path, perhaps you might rent them. Trivia: Portland was almost named Boston. A flip of a coin made the decision and that coin is diplayed in some museum downtown. Interesting post. I've been told that it never rains in Portland in the summer. So I don't believe we'll need umbrellas. Besides, we're packing light with gear intended for hiking, including rain shells. |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
"MadHatter" wrote in message oups.com... On Feb 11, 3:28 pm, "Bill in Schenectady" wrote: I had previously asked about things to do and see in Seattle. Well, our trip plans have changed and instead of taking Amtrak to Seattle, we will disembark in Portland. We'll probably spend a couple of days in Portland before moving on to spend most of our visit in and around the Columbia River Gorge. I'd love to get ideas of things not to miss in Portland. We are a family of four with two teenaged girls. By the way, we are not shoppers....even the women of the family...unless it's really unusual. Our interests include museums, unique parks and views, hiking, perhaps bike rentals if there are good bike trails. Thanks. -- What have you got planned in the Gorge? Not fully planned yet. We'll have about a week and will probably do a long loop and stay in different places so that we do not have a great deal of driving in any given day. I'd like to go rafting on one day, lots of hiking (and I have guidance documents with lots of ideas), perhaps a bicycle tour if we can rent bikes someplace and have some off road paved trails, certainly a winery tour, watching the wind surfers, perhaps a flat water kayak day. I already have about a half a foot of paper to wade through. As one poster mentioned, someone has to support the forest industry! |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
"Dennis P. Harris" wrote in message ... On 13 Feb 2007 03:42:06 GMT in rec.travel.usa-canada, Kay Lancaster wrote: Don't know if the Elvis museum is still around but it may be. Very odd place. No, no, no! it's the 24 hour CHURCH of Elvis! but according to the web site, it's no longer open. apparently the landlord raised the rent... http://www.24hourchurchofelvis.com/ I've never been a member of the Elvis fan club. But if it was there, it just may be weird enough to generate some interest. |
#30
|
|||
|
|||
Portland, OR ideas
"Dennis P. Harris" wrote in message ... On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:28:13 GMT in rec.travel.usa-canada, "Bill in Schenectady" wrote: I'd love to get ideas of things not to miss in Portland. We are a family of four with two teenaged girls. By the way, we are not shoppers....even the women of the family...unless it's really unusual. even for books? i always set aside a half day for powell's bookstore, a full block x 4? 5? stories of books, new and used, complete with in-store coffee bar. great way to spend a rainy day. a drive up the columbia gorge to hood river is a great day drive if you take the old highway along the top and stop at the viewpoint (can't remember the name). hood river seems to be the busiest windsurfing spot in the west, great fun to watch the sailboarders. Our interests include museums, unique parks and views, hiking, perhaps bike rentals if there are good bike trails. the rose garden is really a don't-miss if you like flowers at all. such a great variety of roses, and it overlooks downtown. the oregon museum of science & industry always has exhibits for kids of all ages, many of them interactive. portland is also the home of the movie theatre/pizza brewpub. one of the local brewpub chains owns a couple of movie theaters where they took out half the seats & installed tables. you buy your ticket, walk in, order your pizza, get your pitcher or pint, and place the little numbered sign for your pizza order at the end of your aisle when you sit down. they bring the pizza to your seat. something for your kids to enjoy (minus beer) if they're showing an appropriate flick. the lloyd center has a nice ice rink in the middle of a shopping mall, if your kids like to skate. and the public transportation in portland is pretty good, especially the MAXX light rail system. I thought Portland has no rainy days in the summer! And yes, the family does like book stores. Last year, we spent a week in Boston and a major highlight for the kids was an afternoon at the Harvard Coop. Thanks for the ideas. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Driving to Portland, Oregon from California (April 07) with kids - Need Ideas | [email protected] | USA & Canada | 14 | February 2nd, 2007 09:09 PM |
more things to do in Portland, OR? | Anonymous | USA & Canada | 0 | July 30th, 2004 06:21 AM |
Portland Maine | Brian | USA & Canada | 2 | July 23rd, 2004 10:05 PM |
more things to do in Portland, OR? | lilacjennifer | USA & Canada | 7 | May 8th, 2004 11:36 PM |
Portland, OR to Hong Kong???? | Jack Willson | Air travel | 1 | April 25th, 2004 07:17 AM |