Portland and Oregon Visitor Information|Questions

PhxDT · #1 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 5:07 AM**

I am going to Portland, with my wife, to get a sense of what a "true" downtown is supposed to be (I am from Phoenix, and dont know the concept of live downtown). I have already booked the Kimpton 5th Avenue for a few days, but I need advice for my last couple of days. Help!!

PacificNW · #2 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 5:13 AM**

Maybe you can get the a suite @ the Vintage Plaza (Kimpton Hotel) or Hotel Lucia. Others downtown are the Benson, Westin, Marriott (City Center), Paramount, Hilton and Hilton Executive Towers, Heathman, Embassy Suites, DeLux. By the way, you and your wife will love the Fifth Avenue Suites. They are changing their name after the new year to Hotel Monaco.

BrG · #3 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 5:21 AM**

You cant go wrong with the Governor, the Heathman, or the Hotel Lucia

PacificNW · #4 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 5:24 AM**

Oh yah, I forgot the Governor....thanks...

seaskyfan · #5 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 6:41 AM**

I really like the Hotel Lucia - there's also a Thai restaurant in the hotel and they provide the room service (breakfast was wonderful).

I've stayed at the Marriott City Center a number of times - they usually offer pretty good deals and it's a great location. More your basic hotel than the Kimpton places.

I've always wanted to stay at the Vintage Plaza - they have suites with outside hot tubs on the upper floors. If you stay there remember that folks next door at the Marriott can see you!!

westsider · #6 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 7:05 AM**

It sounds like Hotel Lucia is getting a lot of props. You would do very well there or at the Benson.

InlandEmpire · #7 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 7:15 AM**

I've stayed in the dt Marriott (on Washington, not the riverfront one), Hotel Lucia, and the Paramount.... they're all quite nice and in great locations.

mcbaby · #8 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 10:14 AM**

the governor is nice, the heathman is great.

PhxDT · #9 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 3:48 PM**

Thanks for the great responses! We are really looking forward to our stay, and I really appreciate the advice!

PhxDT · #10 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 3:50 PM**

Anything that we HAVE to do while we are there? (12/26 - 1/1)?

MitchE · #11 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 4:02 PM**

You HAVE to go to Powell's bookstore.

Walking around the Pearl District and downtown is lots of fun too.

360Rich · #12 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 4:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhxDT

Anything that we HAVE to do while we are there? (12/26 - 1/1)?

Since you're on this sight, I assume you're into high rises. Check out the Discovery Center in the South Waterfront.

http://www.southwaterfront.com/

PacificNW · #13 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 6:52 PM**

While in the Pearl, looking around, head West and cross Broadway and visit the Chinese Formal Gardens.....

roner · #14 Posted **Dec 22, 2006, 10:51 PM**

I would also suggest a walk from NW 23rd to Washington park by way of the Burnside entrance. You can take the streetcar from downtown to 23rd, walk south to burnside, head west about 2 blocks and get into the park. There is some awesome old growth trees along the path and the views are amazing from the park. If it's dry enough the tennis courts are stellar. Also, if your renting a car take a trip to short sands beach, which is 10 miles south of Cannon Beach, or you can always go skiing at Hood....I better shut up, I think I could go on forever...

pdxman · #15 Posted **Dec 23, 2006, 5:17 AM**

I suggest the portland attractions pass, you can get it downtown at pioneer square at the info center. Its $25 and you get into the portland art museum, oregon historical society, chinese gardens, japanese gardens, pittock mansion, omsi plus a few other things. its a killer deal especially if you go to the art museum, that alone is almost $25. Check travelportland.com

mcbaby · #16 Posted **Dec 23, 2006, 10:58 AM**

what an awesome deal! i want one of those! anyway, you can also take the max to the zoo stop which is deepest subway tunnel in north america and go to the world forestry center, hoyt arboretum, japanese gardens, zoo, international rose test gardens (probably not blooming this time of year but great views of downtown) and if you have kids, the childrens' museum is there too. powell's bookstore has a great walking map of portland as well. it's on 10th and burnside along the portland streetcar. if you get to the eastside, check out the hawthorn/belmont area and also division. go to mount tabor for breathtaking views of portland and mt hood. mississippi in north portland is nice too. alberta in ne portland is funky. go have pizza and beer at the laurelhurst on east burnside and ne 28th.

oregone · #17 Posted **Dec 23, 2006, 8:13 PM**

If you happen to know anyone that works at a starbucks (and it's hard not to these days), they get a crazy-good deal at Kimpton Hotels like 5th Ave Suites for some reason. We stayed at the Alexis in Seattle for $66/night.

PhxDT · #18 Posted **Dec 24, 2006, 1:59 AM**

Again, Thanks all, I will use all of these suggestions!

urbanlife · #19 Posted **Dec 25, 2006, 1:11 PM**

drink beer! We have great local beer.

MarkDaMan · #20 Posted **Dec 26, 2006, 5:10 PM**

PhxDT, let us know what you think...having myself lived many years in Tempe and Chandler, the cities are worlds apart...