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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Trying to get this right on November 05, 2013, 11:10:37 AM

Title: What to do in Seattle and Portland area?
Post by: Trying to get this right on November 05, 2013, 11:10:37 AM
Hello PNW mustachians!
I'll be heading to Seattle and driving down to Portland for some much needed R&R.  What are some low cost things that I can do while I'm enjoying another city?  Is there any stops that I should consider making on my drive down to Portland?  The journey is long for me so breaks in between driving are welcomed :)

I'm not from the area so I really appreciate any guidance!  Thank you so much!
Title: Re: What to do in Seattle and Portland area?
Post by: gimp on November 05, 2013, 11:49:35 AM
I currently live in portland. It's beautiful.

The only issue right now is the weather!

I would do the following:

- Drive down the pacific coastline
- See Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier, Mt Hood, and even Mts Washington/Jefferson if you want to drive that far out
- See the columbia river gorge
- Go downtown Portland. There's tons to do there for free/cheap. A bunch of little parks that take up a block or two. There's stuff like the saturday market. Check out Powell's Books. Heck, visit reddit's /r/portland for more suggestions.

When I say 'see' I mean drive, hike, etc.

There's also plenty of great and often very cheap food, beer, and wine. Portland loves its beer culture (though to be fair, there's just as much good beer in many other places).
Title: Re: What to do in Seattle and Portland area?
Post by: pdxvandal on November 05, 2013, 01:24:22 PM
Eat and drink. Portland has more bars/restaurants per capita than almost any major city. The food scene is amazing here as are the food carts if you want something Mustachian and tasty.

Downtown PDX is nice in most parts and very walkable. Powell's is certainly a must. However, the more interesting neighborhoods are on the East side of the Willamette -- Mississippi, Alberta, Belmont, Hawthorne. Tons of shops and restaurants on these neighborhood commercial streets.

You can find tranquility at the Japanese Garden in the west hills close to downtown.

If you like pro sports, the Blazers (NBA) and Timbers (MLS -- currently in playoffs) may have home events going on. Some of the most fervent pro fans in the U.S. for these particular sports.

Alternately, Multnomah Falls is Oregon’s No. 1  tourist destination if you like waterfalls (and there are better ones nearby) and feel like driving an hour roundtrip.

The gorgeous wine country is 45 miles away. Oregon, which specializes in Pinot Noirs, is the No. 3 producer of wines in the country behind California and Washington.

The rainy season has arrived ... bring your slicker and parasol. Have fun!
Title: Re: What to do in Seattle and Portland area?
Post by: StarryC on November 05, 2013, 02:22:25 PM
On the way between Seattle and Portland:

This weird thing: http://www.yelp.com/biz/gospodor-monument-park-toledo-winlock

Are you a TwiHard?  If so, there are many Twilight things to do.

Further south: http://www.elvis-history-blog.com/elvis-slept-here.html in Kalama Washington

Mt. St. Helens is well off your route, but you could do that on the way down if you wanted. (See observatory, walk around a little http://mountsthelens.com/visitorcenters.html)

If you want a more pastoral drive for part of the way, but don't want to go all the way to the coast you could cross from Washington to Oregon at Longview and take Highway 30 East into Portland.  You'd pass the former Trojan power plant now a nature area and more rocks/trees etc.