Montana/Portland State Game

[Get'emGriz]

Hey, Viks fans!

My fiancee and I will be traveling to Portland with the Griz to watch the game on Saturday. It will be our first time in Portland and I was wondering if anyone has any cool suggestions of things for us to check out or do while we are in Portland. We are flying out of Montana Tuesday afternoon and arriving to Portland that evening, and will be staying in downtown Portland. We have plans to go to Cannon Beach on Wednesday but then spending the rest of the week exploring Portland.

What are some fun things to check out or do while in Portland? I know we're planning to go to the Japanese Garden at some point. Any good breweries that we should check out?

Also, any tailgates that will be going on?

Thanks in advance! We're looking forward to this trip and an awesome game!

**Edit - I see that the gardens are apparently closed for construction, so it looks like that one won't be happening.

 

[bigskyconf]

Hey, Viks fans!

My fiancee and I will be traveling to Portland with the Griz to watch the game on Saturday. It will be our first time in Portland and I was wondering if anyone has any cool suggestions of things for us to check out or do while we are in Portland. We are flying out of Montana Tuesday afternoon and arriving to Portland that evening, and will be staying in downtown Portland. We have plans to go to Cannon Beach on Wednesday but then spending the rest of the week exploring Portland.

What are some fun things to check out or do while in Portland? I know we're planning to go to the Japanese Garden at some point. Any good breweries that we should check out?

Also, any tailgates that will be going on?

Thanks in advance! We're looking forward to this trip and an awesome game!

**Edit - I see that the gardens are apparently closed for construction, so it looks like that one won't be happening.

I'm not really sure what you all are in to, but Portland really has something for everyone. My folks come out from Helena and always seem to have a great time.

All the breweries downtown seem to be really good. Of course Widmer is the most recognizable and most famous. I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I do enjoy having a Widmer Hefeweizen every now and then.

If any one of you is a reader, Powell's Books is a must. Also, the Zoo can be a nice romantic place (I saw you referred to your partner as a fiance). If you are somewhat religious, check out the Grotto. Also, while you are in Cannon Beach, clam chowder at Moe's is a must.

Also, just FYI, traffic downtown can get crazy. I usually prefer to ride the MAX train whenever I go downtown. It is a pretty safe way to get around.

Others no doubt will have some ideas. Welcome and hope you enjoy your time and your trip here.

 

[PortlandStater]

Yeah, Powell's is a must. OMSI for those with kids or who are just a little nerdy. If the weather is good, a stroll down Hawthorne for all your hippie needs or 23rd Ave for a fancier experience. The Chinese Garden is a in bit of a shady part of town, but people rave about it. And of course, there are dozens of pot shops selling their goods to the public if you are into that. Breweries...Bridgeport, Deschutes, Rogue, and a bunch of others all have nice pubs in the Pearl (NW Portland). Drink, walk, drink, walk... :thumb: Bridgeport has a brewery there, where you can take tours. Grab a couple of Portland State U IPAs at Rogue. There are many, many breweries in Portland, but as a tourist I'd just stick to what's in one area. The PSU Park Blocks are nice on a rainy day. Very wet, though.

There are a million great dining options in Portland - I'd use Tripadvisor to find your specialty. One of my personal favorites is Andina in the NW. Upscale Peruvian with amazing food and equally amazing drinks.

You'll have a great time. Here's to a good game on Saturday. There's always a good number of Montana fans. Don't forget you can drink at Providence Park, and there are several bus and MAX lines at the stadium, so no need to bring a car (parking is terrible).

 

[pjstano]

You are guaranteed to have a great time in our beloved town. Here are a few suggestions:
1. portlandwalkingtours.com has a great foodie tour (Epicurean Excursion) that we would highly recommend or any of their other offerings that pique your interest

2. Portland is Happy Hour crazy so here are some great HH places:
Departure (asian fusion plus great views of the city; chef Gregory Gourdet finished second on Top Chef recently)
Saucebox (more excellent asian, get the tapioca balls and soft shell crab buns)
Clyde Common (hipster heaven and cocktails by one of our mixologist stars)
TearDrop Lounge (more mixology magic)
Imperial (sophisticated food a great drinks)

3. Definitely go to Powells City of Books)

4. For a romantic dinner go to Paley's Place on 21st. Chef Vitaly Paley is one of our best chefs (a winner on Iron Chef). If you are watching your budget, this is a little spendy, but they are very happy for you to share dishes. It is our favorite place in a city full of wonderful restaurants. We think well worth a little more spending.
Have a great visit (but Go Viks!).

 

[Viktorious]

If you're feeling adventurous there are plenty of hiking trails just shy of the borders of Portland. Can't go wrong with any trails.

Multnomah Falls is a big tourist attraction.

Food:
VooDoo Doughnuts
Blue Star Doughnuts
Portland City Grill (Happy Hour... Bar Area facing the city about 30 stories up, romantic setting)
http://thedeanoftravel.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451fb6869e20148c87c6448970c-pihttp://www.portlandcitygrill.com/menu.php?id=Happy Hour Menu
Henry's Tavern http://henrystavern.com/menu.php?c=plano&id=Happy Hour Love their Gorgonzola Fries
TILT http://www.tiltitup.com/ (Skip the line, order from the bar)
Pine State Biscuits http://www.pinestatebiscuits.com/
Screen Door http://www.yelp.com/biz/screen-door-portland (Chicken & Waffles!)
Stepping Stone Cafe

Breweries:
Hopworks Urban Brewery
10 Barrel Brewing Co
Widmer Brothers
Bridgeport Brewery
Deschutes Brewery

Coffee:
Stumptown Coffee

Events:
Pumpkin Festival (Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm)
haunted houses and corn mazes are every where
OMSI After Dark http://www.omsi.edu/calendar?keywords[]=351# What's better than going to the museum and alcohol? I went to the OMSI After Dark when the Chronicles of Narnya exhibit was in and it was pretty awesome.

Random:
I love walking along the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade at night (can be shady sometimes) but it's along the river with the lit cityscape in the background

We hope you enjoy your stay here in Portland!

 

[bigskyconf]

Also, many wineries to the west and south of the city. My parents always take a load of Oregon wine back to Montana with them.

Some excellent steakhouses as well. The national chains, Mortons and Ruth Crists are both downtown and some local favorites, Ringside and the City Grill are there as well.

Also, the Portland Museum can be pretty good, depending on the exhibit they have.

And if you do see something strange or odd while you're here, don't worry. Portland prides itself on being a little "Weird". :lol:

 

[Vike1981]

Jake's Famous Crawfish, 401 SW 12th Ave.

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/locations/portland-oregon/portland-oregon/sw12thave.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[CaseyOrourke]

If Saturday Market (under the Burnside bridge) is up and running it is a nice place to go before the game and find different local arts and crafts. Since it is on the maxline and a part of fareless square, if you are staying downtown, you don't need to worry about driving or parking, you can ride the max train from downtown for free.

 

[PortlandStater]

Jake's Famous Crawfish, 401 SW 12th Ave.

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/locations/portland-oregon/portland-oregon/sw12thave.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jake's has an awesome late-night happy hour. Starts at 10 at both Jake's Grill and Jake's Famous Crawfish, I believe.

Oh, and the Spanish coffees and turkey sandwiches at Huber's are legendary. Very, very old school.

 

[martymoose]

I know the Ringside up on Burnside was mentioned for steak, but their fish house down on Park Avenue is awesome as well.

Regarding going out to the Gorge to see Multnomah Falls... If there's extra time, we like to do the Gorge in a loop by taking SR14 (Washington side) out east since it's a scenic drive, then cross over at Bridge of the Gods or at White Salmon (if you really have some extra time), then come back west to hit the falls. Stevenson and White Salmon on the Washington side are some nice little places to visit before crossing over to I-84 to come back towards Portland.

Also, there's quite a few great places to east in NE Portland on Mississippi, Alberta, etc.

 

[Pounder]

If you're going to be in Cannon Beach, I say you budget a little time to go 25 miles north to Astoria. Not sure if Bowpicker is open; it's a food cart. Well, check that, a boat. Fish and chips, basically with Albacore Tuna, and surprisingly tasty at that. Also... Fort George Brewery is awesome and at least as good as the Portland Breweries, just hope there's no line. There's other beer options... Buoy Brewing (on the pier) comes highly recommended. Of course, the scenery is nearly all around Cannon Beach, so the trick is budgeting your time well.

Martymoose mentioned a gorge tour. Stevenson has a place called Walking Man Brewing. Great beer.

If no Bowpicker, and you're willing to brave forecast showers in Portland, there's a cart in the area of SW 10th & Alder called Frying Scotsman. That's on a few "best fish & chips in America" lists. Mind you, you'll see a ton of carts in a two-block area along Alder, among them 808 Grinds (Hawaiian, including the Shoyu Chicken), Nong's Khao Man Gai (it's just chicken and rice and sauce... but there will be a line, and for good reasons), and The People's Pig among several dozen options (I certainly don't mind Sawasdee Thai). Good luck selecting if you're up to that.

Of course, if you want to spend a lot more money on food, Ringside really does steak right.

In case you're a bit more adventurous with beer...

Breakside is up in North Portland, and they seem to get an annual award-winning beer out of a smaller brewery. Usually not open until later afternoon.

Amnesia Brewing is on North Mississippi (that little neighborhood has been mentioned), might be the city's best IPA, maybe tied with Fort George's Vortex for the state's best IPA, not that Breakside isn't aiming for that spot.

If you want in a little closer to downtown, Burnside Brewing is a few blocks east of the Willamette on Burnside, and they have a good selection of stuff.

None of those are as famous as Deschutes or Widmer (Deschutes really does have breadth and depth of choices and a more mass-market consistent quality), but there's really several spots around town where you'll find a surprise knockout of a beer better than the standards you've been shown to this point.

 

[martymoose]

More beer if you want to take the short trip across the interstate bridge into downtown Vancouver:

Mt Tabor Brewing
Loowit Brewing
Heathen Brewing (Feral Public House)
Trap Door Brewing

 

[EasternDopa]

Jake's Famous Crawfish, 401 SW 12th Ave.

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/locations/portland-oregon/portland-oregon/sw12thave.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Boom! Whenever my Execs are in town, this is the place they request. It's more of a business dinner-type place, but it's unbeatable for upscale seafood.

Ringside steakhouse is a Portland tradition, and we have all the high-end franchises as well.. Morton's, Ruth Chris, etc. Urban Farmer is another good meat and vegetables joint, but the seating and lighting are a bit off-putting. If you like German food, there is a place called Gruener on the fringes of downtown that is top notch. I love German food, and Rheinlander in the Eastside Hollywood District is great, but more of a festive environment (and it's Bavarian food, which means the name is total BS).

I'd also recommend taking on OMSI. If you have even a little bit of nerd in you, it's one of the better museums you can find. Also, shopping is nice for out of towners since we have no sales tax. We get raped by every other tax you can imagine, but can buy big-ticket items tax free.

 

[PortlandStater]

Amnesia Brewing is on North Mississippi (that little neighborhood has been mentioned), might be the city's best IPA, maybe tied with Fort George's Vortex for the state's best IPA, not that Breakside isn't aiming for that spot.

I agree with your recommendation - the Desolation IPA is one of my all-time favorite - but I think you have moved out of town. The pub on Miss is something different now.

 

[VikThunder]

Amnesia Brewing is on North Mississippi (that little neighborhood has been mentioned), might be the city's best IPA, maybe tied with Fort George's Vortex for the state's best IPA, not that Breakside isn't aiming for that spot.

I agree with your recommendation - the Desolation IPA is one of my all-time favorite - but I think you have moved out of town. The pub on Miss is something different now.

Amnesia moved out and Stormbreaker moved in.

 

[PortlandStater]

Ah, yes, Stormbreaker. Are they good?

Amnesia Brewing is on North Mississippi (that little neighborhood has been mentioned), might be the city's best IPA, maybe tied with Fort George's Vortex for the state's best IPA, not that Breakside isn't aiming for that spot.

I agree with your recommendation - the Desolation IPA is one of my all-time favorite - but I think you have moved out of town. The pub on Miss is something different now.

I meant to say they moved out of town.

 

[Pounder]

Ah, yes, Stormbreaker. Are they good?

Amnesia Brewing is on North Mississippi (that little neighborhood has been mentioned), might be the city's best IPA, maybe tied with Fort George's Vortex for the state's best IPA, not that Breakside isn't aiming for that spot.

I agree with your recommendation - the Desolation IPA is one of my all-time favorite - but I think you have moved out of town. The pub on Miss is something different now.

I meant to say they moved out of town.

Too many neighborhoods, too many breweries, not enough time. Never enough time.