Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

going to be in Portland for almost a week with only a couple days taken up with stuff, so free time to kill.

staying downtown (the benson) and have spent a bit of time there before, but was wondering if there is some can't miss places to:

eat, drink, hang out, local things to see, or possibly even local poker if i get really really bored.

let me have it edf'ers. would probably buy any locals a lot of beers and/or lap dances if really good advice ensues.

thanks. J.

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

yikes

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

Go see some live jazz. There is jazz Tue-Sat in the lobby of the Benson. Goto Jimmy Mak's on a Tue/Wed/Thur for a guaranteed good time.

Drink lots of beer on tap. Portland has some of the best beer in the world, and its varied and plentiful.

I'm not sure that it's much of a sight-seeing town. You could go hiking in the Columbia Gorge , its pretty nice out there.

Others will have better ideas, i'm pretty much a homebody. However i will take you up on beers and lap dances if any of the above ideas prove to be fun.

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

[ QUOTE ]
going to be in Portland for almost a week with only a couple days taken up with stuff, so free time to kill.

staying downtown (the benson) and have spent a bit of time there before, but was wondering if there is some can't miss places to:

eat, drink, hang out, local things to see, or possibly even local poker if i get really really bored.

let me have it edf'ers. would probably buy any locals a lot of beers and/or lap dances if really good advice ensues.

thanks. J.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Benson is in prime lap dance territory, although the quality is extremely questionable. I like Portland, but whenever this question comes up, I'm usually at a total loss regarding what visitors should do.

Oh, since we're talking about the Benson, if you want a steak go to the London Broil in the basement of the Benson, and not El Gaucho next door. El Gaucho is better known, but the London Broil has just as good a steak and menu at a fraction of the cost.

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

Go eat some seafood. I really like Jake's Grill on 10th and Alder. It's in underneath the Governor hotel. Get the jumbo prawn cocktail and try the plank roasted salmon stuffed with crab, bay shrimp and brie.

Also, do the obvious Powell's visit if you like books at all.

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

Breakfast at Acropolis is a must do.

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

Definitely check out the The Kennedy School in the Alberta Arts district (NE, about 10 minutes from downtown).

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

If you like Thai food, I highly recommend Lemongrass on NE Couch St. They close for a month every year and I don't remember when, so call first. If you are into Sushi I can recommend some great cheap places.

Another random recommendation is Powell's Books. It's downtown, and the best used bookstore I've ever been to.

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

All,

thanks for the recommendations.

have ate and london grill, it pretty good. great wine list.
powell's is an obvious must.
will def. check out the jazz.

lemongrass is going to get done now for sure and jake's was recommended by another friend so that is a go too.

thanks again. up for more options if some have been missed.

pm me if any of you locals want to cash in on the beer and/or lapdance offer. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] later. J.

Re: Portland, OR--things one must do while visting
 

walk along park ave in the SW part of the city. park ave is a separated road and running down the middle of it there is a long, beautiful park, wide enough that you don't really feel like you're between two roads, and the roads are very quiet and pretty anyway.

when you get to the SW end you can poke around portland state if you want.

small warning: i found portland microbrews to be kind of underwhelming.