I am going to Portland from NYC this weekend - anything fun to do

[dr.strangelove]

[pagerbear]

1. Self-delete

[Ready4Change]

2. Portland Oregon or Maine?

No idea's about Portland, Maine.

From Portland Oregon, head up the Columbia River valley and stop at the various parks for waterfalls. Most are very short walks away, some visible from the parking lots, some involve hikes of a couple miles. All are beautiful, and if it's hot the water mist is very refreshing.

If you're into architecture visit Timberline Lodge on Ht. Hood. I think it's a Depression era works project, with huge stone and timber works, and some amazing wrought iron and wood carving elements.

If you travel down the coast, I liked the Devils Cauldron, Devils Churn parks and the Devils Churn Overlook, which provides an amazingly long view of the coastline if the air is clear. Also visit the Aquarium (I forget what town it's located in.) It's an excellent facility.

Back nearer to Portland, if you're into aviation the Tillamook Air Museum is a good stop. Somewhere along the coast is the facility housing Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, but I don't recall where exactly.

If you're really travelling around, head way south to Crater Lake. Spectacular sight. And as long as you're travelling about, drive over the Cascades eastward into the High Desert. (Eastern Oregon.) It's very arid and old west looking, and a stark contrast with Oregons wet west coast.

In case you can't tell, I love Oregon. :)

[Syncronaut Seven]

3. O-ry-gun?

Start at:
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside St
Portland, OR 97209

www.powells.com

[dr.strangelove]

4. I thought since I posted in the Oregon State Forum

it was clear I meant Oregon.
I didn't realize others got a view of it too.

I'll try the aviation museum. I have been to Timberline and Mt Hood several times.
Thanks for the ideas.

[Syncronaut Seven]

6. Some of us junkies take the latest post feed uncut

I don't even look at which forum it comes from.

[depakid]

5. Powell's (the worlds largest bookstore) is must see

I would also highly reccommend having the legendary Spanish coffee at Huber's:

http://www.hubers.com/

[0rganism]

7. You're in luck -- there's a Flügtag at Waterfront Park today

Starts at 12:30. Could be worth seeing, if you're into that kind of spectacle.

Really, the main sightseeing-worthy things that distinguish Portland are
* the river
* the bridges
* the bookstores
* the rain (except in summer, unfortunately)
* the hippies of inner SE Portland
* the light rail tunnel with elevator to zoo park
* the rose garden (not the building, the real one in Washington Park)
* the rhododendrons
* the microbrew theatres

If you're coming from NYC, prepare to be unimpressed.

[sandnsea]

8. Been up the Columbia Gorge?

I live on the coast and I love it. But if, you've never been up the Gorge, it is an absolute must too. If you have, you might want to think about a trip to Astoria and down to Seaside and back. Unless you're particularly wild about airplanes. If you go to Tillamook, there's Tillamook Cheese and Blue Heron Cheese. Both alot of fun and Tillamoook Cheese really is some of the best I've ever had, and ice cream.

http://www.scenic-america.com/columbiariver.htm