I have recently moved to Portland and I am looking for things to do
for 30 min - few hours a day. My goal is to relax after a stressful
day / week at work. The ideal places would be in / close to my
neighborhood (Capitol & Bertha Blvd). The things that I like are very
low key activities, such as go for a walk, sit on a bench in a park,
have a coffe, browse through a library, listen to classical music,
etc. I'd like to find some exotic places, art, maybe pick up a hobby
like pottery. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. The places
should be open on evenings and / or weekends (need address, hours,
price). Interesting events in Portland (date, time, place) during the
next few months would also be helpful, as would ways of meeting people
with similar interests.

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Request for Question Clarification by serenata-ga on 03 May 2003 17:39 PDT

Hi Freesia ...

Which Portland? There are more than a few, but there is one on either coast.

Thanks,
Serenata

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Clarification of Question by freesia-ga on 03 May 2003 17:53 PDT

Oregon (Interesting, I didn't know there were several - I've only been
in the US for few years).

Hi freesia~

The commentators are right: You won't want to miss Powell's Bookstore.
With its varied collection of both used and new books (including an
antiquarian room), you could spend literal days in this wonderful
place! Powell's can be found at 1005 W. Burnside St.; 228-4651. They
are open every day from 9am to 11pm. You can find out more by visiting
their website:
http://www.powells.com/info/places/burnsideinfo.html 


You might also be interested in The Oregon Maritime Center & Museum.
Here, you can tour a historic stern-wheeler and learn about Oregon's
shipping history. They are open during the summer, Wed-Sun, 11am-4pm;
during the winter, Fri-Sun, 11am-4pm; cost is $4. The museum is
located in the riverfront at the foot of Pine St.; (503) 224-7724. To
learn more about the museum, visit their website:
http://www.ohwy.com/or/o/oremarcm.htm


Near the museum, you'll find interesting things to walk to. Check out
this map of the area, which shows the proximity of many bridges, a
park, and more:

http://www.sunset.com/sunset/Premium/Travel/2002/08-Aug/Portland0802/Portland08025.html

There's also OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). This is
considered a family attraction, but if you're interested in learning,
it's a great visit. They are open 9:30–7 daily; admission is $8.
You'll find them at 1945 S.E. Water Ave.; (503) 797-4000; www.omsi.edu
 The Museum will also be hosting some planetarium shows 05/06 - 06/05.
	
If you like flea markets, try the Portland Saturday Market. It's open
10–5 Sat., and 11–4:30 Sun at S.W. Naito Pkwy., under the Burnside
Bridge; for more information, call 222-6072 or visit
www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com

If you're interested in wine, you could take a workshop on (or buy a
take-home kit for) mixing it. For more information, including times
and location, check out this Sunset Magazine article:
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/Premium/Travel/2003/03-Mar/Winemaking0303/Winemaking0303.html

If you like parks and are interested in perhaps seeing some wildlife,
there are several good choices. Check out this article for specifics:
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/Premium/Travel/2001/10-Oct/Portlandwildlife1001/Portlandwildlife1001.html

But if you're really a sucker for the critters, you'll have to visit
the Portland Zoo: 4001 S.W. Canyon Rd.; 226-1561. Zoo hours are 9 am
to 6 pm (April 1 - September 30); admission is $8 for adults. Find out
more at their website: http://www.zooregon.org

The Portland Classical Chinese Garden is certainly worth a visit. It
takes up a city block and all of it can be seen in about 20 minutes.
Hours are 9–6 daily, 10–6 Nov 1–Mar 31; cost is $6. You'll find it at
N.W. Third Ave. and N.W. Everett St., close to downtown Portland;
(503) 228-8131.
	
For art, there's the Pearl District of Portland. For details about
galleries and more in this area, check out this Sunset article:
http://www.sunset.com/sunset/Premium/Travel/2001/03-Mar/PearlDistrict0301/PearlDistrict0301.html

Alberta Street is another well-known art area. See this article for
details: http://www.sunset.com/sunset/Premium/Travel/2000/04-Apr/TG0400/NWTG0400/NWTG1Portland0400.html

The Portland Art Museum is also worth a visit. It's located at 1219
S.W. Park Ave. Regular hours are 10–5 Tue-Sun. Admission is $7.50;
special exhibits may have different hours and additional fees. For
information call (503) 226-2811 or visit www.pam.org.

Don't forget Oregon History Center; you'll find it at 1200 S.W. Park;
222-1741. Admission is $6; for more info, see their website:
http://www.ohs.org/about/about-visitor-info.cfm

In addition, you might be interested in the Portland Rose Festival,
which has events from 05/29 - 06/05; for details, visit
http://www.rosefestival.org/

If you like musical theatre, you'll probably want to see Tony Curtis
in "Some Like It Hot." It will be showing 05/06 - 05/11 at the Keller
Auditorium
SW 3rd & Clay; you could also see the legendary "Les Miserables" there
from 05/27 - 06/01; call for details 241-1802.
	
For more events, check out the Portland event calendar at:
http://www.travelportland.com/event_calendar

Have fun!

kriswrite

Search Strategy: No search stategy is given here because I'm familiar
with the area and was able to simply look up their websites. The
Sunset Magazine website was also a helpful resource.

Since you mention books....I hope you are planning on going to the
main Powells bookstore downtown (on Burnside).   You will find it easy
to spend many minutes or hours there:
http://www.powells.com/info/places/burnsideinfo.html

That might be all you need!

I'll be in Portland this month and will certainly be visiting Powell's
City of Books, for it does indeed appear to be a bibliophile's
paradise.

Thanks, leep!

I'll second the recommendation for Powells. Wonderful bookstore (the
main one has a cafe in it as well).

There is no shortage of coffee houses in Portland. 

Some great movie theatres too. It's been a couple of years since I was
there, but I had fond memories of the Baghdad.

Regards,
luciaphile-ga

Hello Freesia,

Another few options if you don't mind to drive...

 - Columbia River Gorge. A national scenic area, many great water
falls, parks, and hiking trails. You can spend a whole day (or more)
to make just the major stops from the Vista House to Bonneville Dam. A
few sites for reference include:
 http://www.nwlewisclark.com/
 http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/
 http://www.gorge.net/crgmap1.htm
and so on. Many hits with the search string of columbia river gorge

 - Mount Hood. Only about 20 miles from Portland, a lot of outdoor
activities in both the winter (primarily skiing) and summer (hiking,
wild flowers, parks, camping, ...). Timberline Lodge is a national
historic monument (as well as a nice lodge, ski area, ....
  http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/
  http://www.timberlinelodge.com/

 - Mount St Helens. The eruption was over 20 years ago but the
devastation is still an incredible sight. I prefer going up the east
side because of the good views from Windy Ridge (the name *is*
appropriate), but there are more tourist accomodations on the west
side. YMMV.
  http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/

 - Maryhill Museum of Art.  It takes a day to get there and back from
Portland; I generally stop on the way to Yakima, but a weekend here
and in Hood River (or The Dalles) may be a good expedition. The museum
is on a high ridge with good views of the Columbia River. A replica of
Stonehedge is down the road as well (actually a war memorial). The
permanent collections include sculptures by Rodin, royal regalia from
the Queen Marie of Romania, and a variety of art. This summer has a
special exhibition of native american art related to the Lewis and
Clark expedition.
  http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/

If you are interested in Lewis and Clark, there are a number of events
in Oregon,
  http://www.lcbo.net/events.html
has a summary of the events / exhibitions.

Another good site w/ a number of references, reviews, etc. is at
  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g52024-Activities-Portland_Oregon.html
which lists a broad variety of sites and attractions.

  --Maniac