lovelytravels

First time your houseguests come to Portland, where do you take them? Everybody has their own list. Here’s my summertime list.

Start downtown at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Tell them how it used to be a miserable parking lot. Go to the circle in the northeast corner of the square and let them hear their voice echo when they stand in the middle. Point out the weather machine that changes symbols accordingly.

Jump on a streetcar or walk to Powell’s, largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Drag them out before too long and head to nearby Whole Foods or Pearl Bakery (best chocolate chip cookie in town) for a sandwich to take to the European-feeling Jamison Square Park (810 NW 11th). On the way, dart into colorful Cargo (380 NW 13th for a quick browse through rooms of Asian delights. At Jamison Square eat lunch while watching kids and dogs in the fountain. Jaunt through the Ecotrust Building across the street (NW 10th & Johnson) and explain how cool and green (LEED certified/gold) it is, going up to see the Eco-roof and deck.

Zip uphill to Washington Park. Admire the Rose Gardens, and remember the corner with Shakespeare’s Garden, full of perennials. Look at the names and handwriting of all the Rose Festival Queens in Bronze along the brick footpath, choosing your favorite. Hope that Mount Hood and Big Pink are in full glory for a group photo. Throw your frisbee around in the amphitheatre, as long as a concert isn’t blocking your way.

If you have a garden lover, make sure to climb the stone steps up to the Japanese Garden. If you have a war memorial lover, continue on to the Vietnam Memorial over by the zoo and children’s museum where a beautiful walking spiral honors the dead.

Go back down the hill to the Pearl District for dinner. Maybe Andina for Peruvian or Fratelli for Italian or Silk for Vietnamese. There are endless truly delicious options around.
End up at a good theatre or dance performance at the beautiful refurbished Armory (128 NW 11th). Drive up to Council Crest, highest point in Portland, after dinner for some views and windy streets with great old houses.

On day two, hop on your bikes and coast to the waterfront esplanade. Take reflective time at the Japanese-American Memorial to read the inscriptions and look at the gorgeous, subtly carved columns. Get wet at the Salmon Street Springs Fountain if it’s hot. On the southwest waterfront, lock your bikes and ride the three-minute tram for $4 up to OHSU and back down again. Back in the saddle, continue down and across the Sellwood Bridge, cutting up into the Sellwood neighborhood for lunch at Grand Central Bakery (7987 SE 13th) and an antique shop or two. On the way home, along the east bank esplanade stop in at OMSI (1945 SE Water Ave) if there is a good exhibit. Tour the submarine if you’re not claustrophobic and if it’s over 100 degrees jump on a jet boat for a ride on the river and to get really wet. Maybe have a drink at Clarklewis down the street from OMSI for happy hour. Go home, shower off and head up to Mississippi (check out the light bulb store) or Alberta for stroll and dinner. Alberta Street Oyster Bar and Grill, Lovely Hula Hands, Equinox or Siam Society are only a few possibilities. If you’re still hopped up with energy, take in a movie or performance at a funky east side venue: the Aladdin for great concerts or the Baghdad or Laurelhurst for movies.

On the third and final day, start extra early with a coffee and pastry at La Crema on NE 28 and Ankeny. Hit the gas pedal and head up the Gorge, easily one of the most beautiful drives in the Northwest, if not the country. Give a nod to over-touristed Multnomah Falls as you zoom past. Just past Hood River, cross the bridge and wind up 23 miles on Route 141 to Trout Lake, and continue on up to Bird Creek Meadows on the flank of Mount Adams, the most stunning day hike in the Northwest. If you convince your guests to come in late July or August, you can guarantee wildflowers and mountain meadows and streams that look like Switzerland, all in a two- hour hike appropriate for all levels and ages. On the way home, either stop for a late dinner in Hood River (try Sixth Street Bistro, Celilo or Brian’s Pourhouse, or spend the night at a b&b like Sakura Ridge or Inn at the Gorge, really lovely places. If you want to get closer to Portland, spend the night at MacMenamin’s Edgefield in Gresham where you can catch a concert if you’re lucky, feel like you live in a giant dorm, and drink scotch in the Little Red Shed. If you elect to drive back home, go to Ken’s pizza on NE 28th for mouth-watering wood-oven fired pizza and a nice salad, or Tabla down the street for a fancier and more expensive dinner of perfect food.

The fourth day, it’s time for your guests to leave. As my mother-in-law always says, “Guests are like fish. They smell bad after three days.” Tell them on their next trip, you have a whole second round of goodies in store. See “Second Visit” blog tomorrow.

Copywright JFaulkner 6/2008

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