Marcia & Ray's Portland guidebook
Sightseeing
Traditional, authentic, and unique in the world. A 5-acre gem high in the Portland hills. Hidden and self-contained. Spectacular view down on the city and (on a clear day) out to Mt. Hood.
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Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveTraditional, authentic, and unique in the world. A 5-acre gem high in the Portland hills. Hidden and self-contained. Spectacular view down on the city and (on a clear day) out to Mt. Hood.
This city block was transformed in the 1990s from a parking lot into a splendid garden in the Chinese tradition. A short walk from the heart of downtown. The Meridian app can enhance your visit.
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Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 NW Everett StThis city block was transformed in the 1990s from a parking lot into a splendid garden in the Chinese tradition. A short walk from the heart of downtown. The Meridian app can enhance your visit.
Find out why people call Portland the City of Roses. Extra beautiful in June. Includes a Shakespeare Garden. A short walk from the Japanese Gardens—don't miss them.
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International Rose Test Garden
400 SW Kingston AveFind out why people call Portland the City of Roses. Extra beautiful in June. Includes a Shakespeare Garden. A short walk from the Japanese Gardens—don't miss them.
You'll find lots to do and see in Bend. While you're in that part of the state, swing out through the stunning Oregon High Desert. (5 hours from our house.)
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Bend
You'll find lots to do and see in Bend. While you're in that part of the state, swing out through the stunning Oregon High Desert. (5 hours from our house.)
The center of town. An acclaimed public space. Stop at the visitors center and Trimet office for maps and info about Portland.
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Pioneer Courthouse Square
701 SW 6th AveThe center of town. An acclaimed public space. Stop at the visitors center and Trimet office for maps and info about Portland.
Food Scene
Delicious seafood, central location near a park, convenient parking in the Southpark Garage on Taylor & 9th. Take your parking-ticket stub to the restaurant to get it stamped for reimbursement.
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Southpark Seafood
901 SW Salmon StDelicious seafood, central location near a park, convenient parking in the Southpark Garage on Taylor & 9th. Take your parking-ticket stub to the restaurant to get it stamped for reimbursement.
Eat at the top of Big Pink, one of Portland's tallest buildings. Fill your eyes with bridges and, on a clear day, Mt. Hood and Mount St. Helens. Lunch is surprisingly affordable. Try the crab cakes.
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Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th AveEat at the top of Big Pink, one of Portland's tallest buildings. Fill your eyes with bridges and, on a clear day, Mt. Hood and Mount St. Helens. Lunch is surprisingly affordable. Try the crab cakes.
A popular coffee shop. 15-min. walk from our house. Near lots of eateries and shops lining NE Broadway.
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Peet's Coffee
1441 NE BroadwayA popular coffee shop. 15-min. walk from our house. Near lots of eateries and shops lining NE Broadway.
Fabulous desserts, playful décor, and famously fun restrooms.
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Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
707 SE 12th AveFabulous desserts, playful décor, and famously fun restrooms.
Call waaaaay ahead. Even in a town of unsurpassed restaurants, this one stands out. For dinner during peak hours, you may need reservations weeks in advance.
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Ava Gene's
3377 SE Division StCall waaaaay ahead. Even in a town of unsurpassed restaurants, this one stands out. For dinner during peak hours, you may need reservations weeks in advance.
It's so ... so ... Portland. Go only if you're prepared to stand in line. Notice the famous "Keep Portland Weird" mural across the street.
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Voodoo Doughnut
8145 SE 82nd AveIt's so ... so ... Portland. Go only if you're prepared to stand in line. Notice the famous "Keep Portland Weird" mural across the street.
Helen Bernhard Bakery
1717 NE BroadwayClassic bakery goodness. 15-min. walk from our house.
Unusual ice creams that people wait in line for. Caveat: Long lines are the norm.
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Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StUnusual ice creams that people wait in line for. Caveat: Long lines are the norm.
Carts of many cuisines line 5th Ave between Oak & Stark. Hop off the #17 bus at 5th & Stark. For more, get the FoodCartPDX app: http://bit.ly/1thNPiH. See also http://bit.ly/1lvNNOt & http://ti.me/1n4ILqL
SW 5th & Oak MAX Station
Carts of many cuisines line 5th Ave between Oak & Stark. Hop off the #17 bus at 5th & Stark. For more, get the FoodCartPDX app: http://bit.ly/1thNPiH. See also http://bit.ly/1lvNNOt & http://ti.me/1n4ILqL
This understatedly elegant Italian restaurant (no need to dress up) is a five-minute walk from our house through a beautiful neighborhood. Recommended: Anything on the menu that's labeled "wood fired." If you like red wine, try the Barbaresco. They're closed Mondays. Sunday brunch. You may not need reservations, but it's a good idea to make them.
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Lucca
3449 NE 24th AveThis understatedly elegant Italian restaurant (no need to dress up) is a five-minute walk from our house through a beautiful neighborhood. Recommended: Anything on the menu that's labeled "wood fired." If you like red wine, try the Barbaresco. They're closed Mondays. Sunday brunch. You may not need reservations, but it's a good idea to make them.
Arts & Culture
The Art Museum has wonderful exhibits (mostly). Located next to the stroll-worthy South Park Blocks. The Meridian app can enhance your visit.
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I-Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park AveThe Art Museum has wonderful exhibits (mostly). Located next to the stroll-worthy South Park Blocks. The Meridian app can enhance your visit.
Built in 1914 for one of Oregon's most influential early families, the Mansion overlooks the city's skyline. Glorious inside and out.
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Pittock Mansion
3229 NW Pittock DrBuilt in 1914 for one of Oregon's most influential early families, the Mansion overlooks the city's skyline. Glorious inside and out.
You need reservations. Make time to visit the Oregon Garden just next to the Gordon House. Wear comfortable shoes. (90 min. from our house.)
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Frank Lloyd Wright Gordon House
869 W Main StYou need reservations. Make time to visit the Oregon Garden just next to the Gordon House. Wear comfortable shoes. (90 min. from our house.)
Ashland
Oregon Shakespeare Festival. (5 hours from our house.)
Inspiring building. If nothing else, go in and walk up the staircase.
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Multnomah County Central Library
801 SW 10th AveInspiring building. If nothing else, go in and walk up the staircase.
OMSI
1945 SE Water AveFascinating for all ages.
Shopping
You have to experience this bookstore at least once in your life. Prepare to get lost in it despite the color-coded rooms and stairways. The Meridian app can enhance your visit.
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Isifunda sasePowell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StYou have to experience this bookstore at least once in your life. Prepare to get lost in it despite the color-coded rooms and stairways. The Meridian app can enhance your visit.
The largest continuously operated outdoor arts and crafts market in the United States. Eat, shop, listen to live music. Don't let the name fool you; it's open Sunday's too, March–Christmas Eve.
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I-Portland Saturday Market
2 SW Naito PkwyThe largest continuously operated outdoor arts and crafts market in the United States. Eat, shop, listen to live music. Don't let the name fool you; it's open Sunday's too, March–Christmas Eve.
Notice the "Jumpman" (Michael Jordan) statue hanging from the ceiling. Go up to the second floor and walk around the display of Air Jordan shoes made through the years. Oh, and you can buy Nike stuff.
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Nike Portland
638 SW 5th AveNotice the "Jumpman" (Michael Jordan) statue hanging from the ceiling. Go up to the second floor and walk around the display of Air Jordan shoes made through the years. Oh, and you can buy Nike stuff.
Apple Pioneer Place
450 SW Yamhill StThe building alone takes your breath away. Just go.
Made in Oregon
340 SW Morrison StPendleton blankets, Oregon wines, other local artisan crafts.
Shop 'til you drop, then go see a movie. Someone's always skating at the ice rink in the middle of the mall. Join them, or just pause and watch. A 40-minute walk from our house.
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Lloyd Center
2201 Lloyd CenterShop 'til you drop, then go see a movie. Someone's always skating at the ice rink in the middle of the mall. Join them, or just pause and watch. A 40-minute walk from our house.
Delicious, creative hand-crafted chocolates. You'll want to reach out and pet the "chocolate lab." Their drinking chocolate is like a melted candy bar in a cup.
Moonstruck Chocolate Shop
608 SW Alder StDelicious, creative hand-crafted chocolates. You'll want to reach out and pet the "chocolate lab." Their drinking chocolate is like a melted candy bar in a cup.
Parks & Nature
In April and May when rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom, this sprawling garden takes your breath away.
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Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
5801 SE 28th AveIn April and May when rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom, this sprawling garden takes your breath away.
One of the oldest parks in Portland, Washington Park hosts the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden (extra beautiful in June), and lots more. It's next to the Japanese Gardens—go there, too!
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Washington Park
4033 SW Canyon RdOne of the oldest parks in Portland, Washington Park hosts the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden (extra beautiful in June), and lots more. It's next to the Japanese Gardens—go there, too!
The largest wooded urban park in the United States, Forest Park boasts more than 70 miles of walking and hiking trails. Wear comfortable shoes.
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Iphaki yomduliya
The largest wooded urban park in the United States, Forest Park boasts more than 70 miles of walking and hiking trails. Wear comfortable shoes.
Make a day of this drive. Stop, and hike if you like, at a series of waterfalls—including Multnomah Falls. The view from Crown Point's Vista House alone justifies the trip. (60 min. from our house.)
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Isifunda sase Columbia River Gorge National Scenic
Make a day of this drive. Stop, and hike if you like, at a series of waterfalls—including Multnomah Falls. The view from Crown Point's Vista House alone justifies the trip. (60 min. from our house.)
Mount Hood
Because it's there. (75 min. from our house.)
Beautiful. Make a day of it: include a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house near the entrance—reservations required. Wear comfortable shoes. (90 min. from our house.)
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I-Oregon Garden
879 W Main StBeautiful. Make a day of it: include a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright house near the entrance—reservations required. Wear comfortable shoes. (90 min. from our house.)
The definition of getting away from it all. Lots of up and down trails, several waterfalls. Wear comfortable shoes; take water. (90 min. from our house.)
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Iphaki yaseState yeSilver Falls
20024 Silver Falls Highway SoutheastThe definition of getting away from it all. Lots of up and down trails, several waterfalls. Wear comfortable shoes; take water. (90 min. from our house.)
Shop and enjoy the Oregon Coast in this upscale town, home of Haystack Rock. If you've seen postcards of the coast, you've seen Haystack Rock. (90 min. from our house.)
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Cannon Beach
Center StreetShop and enjoy the Oregon Coast in this upscale town, home of Haystack Rock. If you've seen postcards of the coast, you've seen Haystack Rock. (90 min. from our house.)
INational Park ye-Crater Lake
Inspiring. (6 hours from our house.)
Painted Hills
37375 Bear Creek RoadOtherworldly. (6 hours from our house.)
Drinks & Nightlife
McMenamins turned this once-abandoned elementary school into a beloved Portland landmark featuring unique artwork, eateries, small bars, a movie theater, a soaking pool, a brewery, and a gift shop.
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McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveMcMenamins turned this once-abandoned elementary school into a beloved Portland landmark featuring unique artwork, eateries, small bars, a movie theater, a soaking pool, a brewery, and a gift shop.
Entertainment & Activities
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon RdBecause animals.