A friend suggested that I post this! We recently traveled to Portland and these are the tips, must dos, lodging suggestions, etc.
Lodging
Here is our lodging! All was fantastic so you can not go wrong following in our footsteps. Convenient locations etc.
Courtyard Marriot-Downtown Portland http://www.
House in Newberg (wine country) http://www.vrbo.com/
Manzanita Inn (beach) http://innatmanzanita.
I think we all agreed that we would have loved to stay in Astoria for the beach portion. It was a bit more happening but Manzanita was great and you can drive up and see all the other beaches! In Astoria…you must try the fish and chips at Bowpicker and the beer was yummy at Fort George. The trolley was a good way to learn a few things:)
Suggestions
Below are the tips that we were given! I will comment and add if we were able to actually able to experience:)
Hotels in Portland
Dinner Recommendation in Portland
Little Bird Bistro – $$ – http://littlebirdbistro.com/
Clyde Commons – $ – http://www.clydecommon.com/
Park Kitchen – $$ – http://parkkitchen.com/
Raven and Rose – $$ – http://www.ravenandrosepdx.
We also ate at the Portland City Grill as well as Jamison. I would recommend Jamison. PCG was like a cruise ship if you want that type of heavy meal!
Dinner in PDX not downtown but worth the short drive
OX – $$$
Le Pigon – $$$
Brunch recommendations
Brunch in Portland – http://www.
Brunch at the Allison in Newberg – $$+
Newberg/Dundee Recommendations ** see comments below on Newberg Restaurants
paulee – $$$ – http://pauleerestaurant.com/
Joel Palmer house – $$ – http://www.joelpalmerhouse.
Juri – $$$ – http://www.theallison.com/
Tinas – $ – http://www.tinasdundee.com/
Mcminnville Recommendations
Nicks – $$ – http://nicksitaliancafe.com/
Boho Chic Rooftop – McMenamin’s Hotel Oregon – 310 N.E. Evans St, 503-472-8427
Lunch Recommendation
Newberg – Recipe – $$
Dundee – Red hills market – $ ** we had lunch here! Really yummy…long wait times.
McMinnville – community plate $
Horse Back Riding in Williamette ** this was a blast! If you decide to sign up tell them the Gardners sent you:)
Part two
Comments below are from a 30 yr Oregonian and wine maker. He is as picky about his food/sites as his wine so we followed a lot of this!
Since you’ll be staying in Portland on the 17th, 18th and 23rd, I’d consider the following things to do and restaurants to search out:
To do:
- Columbia Gorge, Hood River and possibly the Hood River loop to Mt Hood’s Timberline Lodge—plenty of drives or astounding hikes; ** was so disappointed that we didnt hike…next time for sure!
- Portland’s Washington Park/Rose Garden/Japanese Garden; ** Rose Gardens are worth seeing. I would skip the Japanese….
- Portland Farmer’s Market—Saturday on South Park Blocks—huge and rich; ** really awesome! Great culture
- In Portland, Powell’s Bookstore, Voodoo Donuts ** worth the long wait,
- downtown shopping, Clear Creek Distillery ** interesting if you like brandy and liqueurs,
- Smith Teas, Stumptown Coffee Roasters **delicious and right next to Clyde Commons and other roasters, NW 23rd Street shopping district ** 23rd area was awesome! It would be great to stay in that area as well.
Restaurants:
- Fine: Le Pigeon, Little Bird, Paley’s Place, Imperial, Café Mingo, Castagna, Beast, Toro Bravo, Lincoln, Gruner, Nostrana, St Jack
- Fun: Pok Pok, Screen Door, Ken’s Artisan Pizza, EAT Oyster Bar, Noble Rot.
When in Wine Country, consider:
To do: ** I am sure all of these things are really fun! We spent a day on a farm so we got to pick and eat blackberries and all the rest of the food was from the farm. I wish that we had gone on a balloon ride!
- Biking in Wine Country, Hiking in the Coast Range or at Coast (Three Arches, Ecola St Park); ** we ran quite a bit in Portland and Wine country…save the long run/walk for the wine country…you will probably run into a Llama
- Blackberry and blueberry picking;
- Balloon rides—early morning, Vista balloons highly recommended out of Newberg;
- Horseback riding;
- Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville—amazing in scope and size from the beginnings to space exploration;
- Luxurious Spa Treatments at The Allison Resort and Spa, one of the top 15 resorts in the country and the top spa according to Travel and Leisure;
Vineyards and Wineries
Highly recommended others:
Adelsheim
Argyle ** sparkling wines…really good!
Bergstrom
Trisaetum
Domaine Drouhin ** least favorite, most expensive, best view
Roco
Brick House
Beaux Freres
Soter
Penner Ash
JK Carriere
Stoller Family Estate ** beautiful and the wines were good
Lange
Winderlea
Domaine Serene ** good wine, get the cheese pairing
Scott Paul
Ken Wright,
Carlton Winemakers Studio
WillaKenzie
Elk Cove
Bethel Heights
Cristom
He left off his…but Chehalem. Tasting room is in Newberg.
·Those in bold above might be part of a good tour to show very high quality and different parts of the valley—let’s talk.
Restaurants:
- Fine: Painted Lady, Tina’s, Recipe ** was really good, we did not try the others but I would call in advanced for reservations for Tina’s and Painted Lady, Jory, Paulee, Nick’s, Thistle, Wildwood, Dundee Bistro;
- Fun: Red Hills Market, Panaderia Gonzalez, BurgerVille (seasonal fast food: fresh fruit shakes—blackberry; Walla Walla onion rings, Tillamook Cheddar Cheeseburger), Fuji’s Sushi.