Sign in with Facebook
2.5 Stars - 55 Opinions
Tom Otterness's "Law of Nature"
Food carts on SW 2nd Ave in downtown Portland
Union Station main waiting room
SW Broadway
Has anyone gone on this tour: http://www.shanghaitunnels.info
If so, what was it like?
Robert
I myself have never gone (one of those tourist things that goes on inside the city where you are from, so it is taken for granted). However, the visitors that I have heard talk about it have enjoyed it. It isn't something you want to do if you don't like tight spaces, if I understand correctly.
One day I do plan to go on that trip, though.
Go for it G. What it needs is a bright young guy like yourself to take a good long unbiased look at it. From what I've read or heard about it, its all a bunch of hooey dreamed up by the tour group itself for the tourist trade. Fiction, in other words. Granted that Portland may have been the Shanghai capitol of the west coast at one time, a few damp, cramped, dirty basements is not my idea of a good time.
A book on the seamy side of Portland was published last year, the real McCoy. All about rabble-rousers, movers, shakers, and candlestick makers of the sort that didn't get streets named after them. Can't think of the title or author at the moment. If I remember, I'll post it later. Laughing Horse Bookstore off E. Burnside at about 10th may have a copy.
Here it is:
The Portland Red Guide - Sites & Stories of our Radical Past
by Michael Munk - Ooligan Press
"Whoop! Whoop! I'm impressed by how many names from Portland's past have not made it into our official histories and public memorials. Some were good friends of mine. Local history is too often overlooked. Good work, Mike." — Bud Clark, Mayor of Portland, 1985–1992
Yes, I would not be surprised if the tour company made up a bunch of stuff to impress tourists. At one point, Portland Walking Tours offered a reasonably nice walking tour of the historic area of downtown Portland. Unfortunately, with the redevelopment and gentrification that has gone on there it no longer quite has the same atmosphere as it once did.
Their "paranormal tour" certainly has a bad reputation in terms of being a tourist trap:
http://wweek.com/editorial/3351/9871/
Which reminds me, a photo gallery on SW Yamhill between 5th & 6th is featuring photos of the 50's by an Oregonian staff photographer - mostly night shots. While they may not mean much to you, they may be a real treat, a feast for the eyes for your parents - if they are so inclined.
The Marque of the Mayfair Theater is visual proof of how easily our memory banks can play tricks on us. I'd have been willing to bet it was the Music Box, not the Mayfair Theater.
Pittock mansion is a good place to go to see the Portland skyline and MT. Hood on a clear day.
This residence was owned by The Oregonion founder and it has been in a couple movies, One was a USA picture, so you might not have seen it. I miss the fact that I can breathe air in Portland.
April 2008
What line of work are you in? St Johns may be limited in that respect. What you save in rent may be eaten up in time & transportation.
Portland has two youth hostels, each with a 3 day limit as far as I know. Division is the major artery south of Hawthorne. Rents should be cheaper in that area. Belmont, to the north, is getting some of the more popular Hawthorne spill-over. The Hawthorne IYH should be your base for checking out the area between Division & Belmont, both of which are convenient to Hawthorne.
The # 17 Trimet bus runs right by the NW IYH, already mentioned, if you want to job shop in the downtown core. Due to a recent change in administration, the school system is in a state of flux. Some schools now open may soon be closed. Capitol Hill, aka Multnomah Village, on the # 44 bus line is a nice little self-contained community. It might be worth checking out in that respect.
You are smart to plan this far ahead. Even if you plan on driving, I suggest learning to navigate via http://trimet.org/ while you have the time. Following behind a # 4 bus, for instance, will get you to Division Street; # 15 to Belmont, etc.
Look at the sidewalk as you walk around artistic Portland and you will see that even the power company gets in on the act. Roses are used as Portland General Electric's manhole motif in the city of the roses.
Umbrella (though locals rarely use them unless there's an absolute downpour), warm clothes and cool clothes since the weather can change in a matter of minutes. It generally rains from October-May, but the summer months can be pretty dry and warm. The weather here is pretty mild. Definitley bring a camera! There are so many beautiful places. There are many places to camp, so bring your camping gear (make sure it is waterproof). bug repellent is useful
This might be the beaten path as the parking was almost full.
Vista house has a great view of the Columbia river. From this great overlook, built in 1916, you can get a long view of the river and surrounding mountains of the Columbia River Gorge.
Downstairs in the viewing platform there is a good explanation of the development of the road and overlook with pictures.
Latest Portland hotel reviews
Sponsored Links
We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
Address: 3039 Northeast 181st Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97230, United States
Comments