Does anyone know Portland?

I'll be there next week. Any suggestions on places to go?

Portland, Maine?

Oregon, Bugs

I am thinking Oregon Bugs, BnS is a west coast girl.

Whoops forgot about that other Portland...never been over there to the other coast.

I have heard that the zoo is nice, and they have some rose thing but I don't know when it is

Thanks KMS,

The zoo sounds great but honestly, for a change, I won't have any kids in tow so I'm not coming within 50 feet of a zoo or anywhere that sells cotton candy or involves animals of the zoo, circus or petting type.

I'm searching out more sophisticated venues such as restraurants and bars.

Perhaps a museum or anything that would bore kids!!

I'm going up to a Jack Johnson concert and thought I'd spend a couple of days exploring the city.

The Rose Garden is magnificent; don't miss it. Also, if you want to take a little side trip up the Columbia, go see Multnomah Falls (about 40 min east of Portland) and maybe hike to one of the other scenic falls (Bridal Veil or LaTourelle Falls) on the old Columbia River Highway. Take a tour of Pittock Mansion. And yes, the Portland Art Museum (on the Park blocks) is worth an afternoon, or at least a couple of hours.

Portland is chock full of fabulous restaurants - you can't go wrong with dinner at Fratelli's in the Pearl District (lots of other great places there too), Higgins on Broadway, or Castagna in Southeast. Pazzo downtown is superb.

Blue Hour and Paley's Place are also great. Andina is fantastic, but you may not get in without reservations. Typhoon (one on Broadway, one on NW 23rd) is excellent Thai food, the one on 23rd is more casual. Harborside is good (not quite as distinctive as the others, but very good food) and is right on the river; you can sit outside and enjoy the excellent atmosphere.

Go to Elephant's deli (on Broadway or Burnside/23rd) to grab some lunch.

(Aside from Elephant's and Typhoon, none of these places are real cheap . . . but they're worth the splurge.)

'Lil Freak, First of all, whoa. Very unique but I guess I should have expected that! I gotta say that would be a very interesting place to check out. I may just have to swing by there.

I had heard about Powells but I'm not going there. I'm afraid that I'll go in and never come back out.....at least not until after my vacation is over. I'll have to go when I have more time.

Rainman, thanks for all of the restraunt tips. I do plan on spending some time in the Pearl District so I'll check into some of those spots.

I appreciate everybody who took the time to give me some leads!

now, if you want to know about the other (and IMO, better) Portland, let me know.

freaky dude, that's exactly what i'm looking for!!

there's plenty in portland

maybe!!! check it out!

I'm getting a visual and it's not pretty ...just sayin'.

Jack Johnson concert, now that's hip!

its tough to get that boy off the Island.....

I ♥ Jack.....bestest music to kick back and relax to, expecially when on the lake!!

I don't blame him for not wanting to leave there, I'd stay there too.

About an hour from Portland is the Evergreen Aviation Museum (in McMinnville, Oregon). They have the "grey goose" there (the Howard Hughes airplane). I don't have an interest in airplanes, but I loved the place -- well worth the drive.

Thanks Lois, that's interesting. The Grey Goose used to be in Long Beach, CA. I saw it there but not up close, it's huge.