Lamin

Hi,

I am planning a wkd break from Calgary and have flights booked to Portland Oregan. I arrive Friday evening and depart 1500 Monday afternoon.

I would love some advice or suggestions. I am keen on aviation so was thinking of goig to the aviation museum (especially the bit about Howard Hughes). I also didn't know if I should split the trip in two and hit the coast? I understand seaside is a 90 minute drive from Portland.

Being in landlocked Alberta I would love to feel the sand, sea breeze etc and sample seafood, but am I missing out on things to do in Portland.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions given.

S Folinsky

Oregon. It has been a long time since I've done it -- but the drive on the south bank of the Columbia River to Astoria is quite beautiful.

meauxna

How much running around do you like?

It's about an hour & a half from Portland down to the air museum, and it is fan TAS tic. Well, if you like planes. If you really really like planes, you can burn the best part of a day there no problemo.

From McMinnville, you can make it straight over to the coast, but it is an extremely slow road there. If you plan it, plan on speeds equal to about 45 over the mountain there.
I would recommend Cannon Beach over Seaside; you will be charmed.

The city is great, but you live in a great place too. With only two days, I'd tend to focus on what you can't get in AB no matter what.. the ocean (it's no pansy sea!).

lansbury

I agree with meauxna. Head for the beach. If you want to stop overnight in Cannon Beach book something now. This weekend looks like great weather and it will get busy there.

Anything from Seaside down to Newport is an easy trip from Portland. You could land at PDX and be on the coast 3 hours or so after, (depends how many Portlanders decide to head to the coast at the same time). As well as the big aviation museum in McMinnville, worth the trip on its own, there is also a much smaller one at Tillimook in an old airship hanger. No airship unfortunately.

kimilseung

If you are hiring a car and like road trips, a drive all the way down to Newport will make a good weekend trip; stopping off at places on route like the Devils Punchbowl and Depoe Bay. The Oregon Coast is beautiful

AmerLisa

God, isn't that the truth! Was just down this past Thursday to Sunday.... the highway is a parking lot... Oh wait, you don't want to know how much I love going down there....

It is beautiful, though. If you like driving along the coast, its a very pretty drive.

kimilseung

I visit Portland every now and then as I have family there, but it just another city and I look forward to getting out of it more than I do being in it. The coast to the west, Mt Hood to the east. When visiting a book store (Powells) is a highlight of a city, maybe its not a tourist town, its pleasant enough, just not somewhere that for me has great unique things to do as a visitor. (For me thats most places in America, the landscape is the best bit)

I will be going down to Portland this weekend for a soccer game.

Apart from seeing Portland get hammered, I am looking forward to fish and chips the most. These for me are almost worth the trip, nothing like it near me so if you are in need of a British fish and chips hit, its at 1218 N. Killingsworth St

http://www.thefishandchipshop.com/

For dessert try Rimsky-Korsakoffee House at 707 SE 12th Ave

Food trucks are famous in Portland, but they change so maybe ask a local or meauxna may be able to chip in with where is good now.

meauxna

What was bad, the 101? Can't help that, come June 1. I was thinking of the 22 across from McMinnville going north. That road is soooo winding and awful.

I'm pleased I didn't have to go over for work this month, that's fer sure.

meauxna

Oh dear, didn't we tell you we've found a better joint?
No sit down, but you can walk a block to Director Square for outdoor public tables (with attendant!) and restrooms on site.
Superior product (sorry, Mick, but it's true) and price, by half.

The Frying Scotsman

kimilseung

Yes you did, I was being a bit me-centric, as I will not get there in time on Saturday (close at 3), and they are closed on Sunday.

meauxna

rats, that happened to you before, now I remember.
You might message Jimmy & ask him if he does anything different for game night.. IIRC he has before.

AmerLisa

Yes, the 22 isn't very nice. But yes the 101....

AmerLisa

Where are the outdoor tables?

meauxna

Try zooming in here: http://www.yelp.com/map/violetta-portland-3
9th & Yamhill, so just 2 blocks from the cart pod.
It may have been a parking lot last time you saw it, but it's a nice new park. Oh I know how to tell you.. "behind Nordstom". Actually kitty corner from the back of Nordy's.

AmerLisa

Hahahaha.....