I'm coming out to Portland for this on Thursday until Sunday, staying downtown I guess at SW Naito and SW Clay. I won't have much free time, but I wonder if you have recommendations for nearby food, records, clothes, or somewhere pretty to go. I won't have a car, but would rent a bike.

rparis and d will certainly have more recs, but whenever I hit Portland (a couple times a year), I go here:

http://www.everydaymusic.com/

Henry's Tavern is just down the block: http://henrystavern.com/

Oh, and definitely plan some time for Powell's bookstore (http://www.powells.com/), which is also right in this same area--the best bookstore.

visiting about a week to late as our gorgeous fall weather looks to be ending. sun comes back in April. here are a few NYT stories, I am sure there are other threads on this topic, too.


http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/tr ... hours.html

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/tr ... tland.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/dining/26port.html

As Mike mentioned, please make time for Powell's. It's not something to be missed. Everyday Music is a great cd shop (I prefer the store on Sandy, but if you're staying on the west side, the one on Burnside is ok).

Go to Fong Chong in Old Town for dim sum (love going there on a lazy Sunday). Haven't been there yet, but some friends of mine rave about Ping's happy hour (http://www.pingpdx.com/). Again, haven't had a chance to check it out, but have heard good things about the Departure Lounge, the rooftop bar at the Nines hotel (http://www.departureportland.com/index.php). Happy hour at the Portland City Grill is always a good bet, and if the weather's clear, it's an awesome view as well. (http://portlandcitygrill.com/) NOTE: no happy hour at PCG on Fridays. There's also Clyde Common at the Ace Hotel too (http://www.acehotel.com/portland/dining); you simply must try Stumptown Coffee while you are here, and Clyde Common (and many other venues) serve it up.

If you're looking for things to do/see that are downtown:

Portland Saturday Market: http://www.saturdaymarket.org/
Classical Chinese Garden: http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/
Japanese Garden: http://www.japanesegarden.com/

And remember, all shopping is sales-tax-free.

PM me if there are more specific types of venues you're looking for.

I was just commenting on this. I don't know how you deal with it. It's been like that here for maybe two weeks, including a random snow storm this weekend. It's like the sun is permanently setting during the day and it always seems like rain is imminent.

Sounds like the summer we just had in Montreal. Looks wet there but mild, and it's already cold here, so I'll be okay.

Thanks for all the tips, d especially. My time will surely be occupied. Any vinyl shops you recommend as opposed to CD?

Also, if anyone is passing by the Scion Garage Fest at all, make sure to get in touch.

http://www.scion.com/garagefest/schedule.html

that fest looks awesome

thinkin i should drive my scion out there

For vinyl, check out Music Millennium (it's on the eastside, on Burnside). Everyday does have some vinyl too. Haven't been to 360 Vinyl, but it's downtown closer to where you are. Since I don't have a turntable, I don't look at vinyl much, so my recs might be off.

Keep in mind, MAX trains are free in fareless square, and it can get you as far east as Lloyd Center.
http://trimet.org/fares/fareless.htm

You're downtown, so you'll be close to a lot of shopping-- Pioneer Place Mall, Macy's, Nordstrom. If you're looking for hipper stuff, head north to the Pearl District. Portland is VERY walkable, so I don't even think you'll need to rent a bike.

Loved it the one time I was there. I was on the other side of the Burnside Bridge and it was still extremely walkable, as d said.

I think I also made a stop at 360 Vinyl, though I'm not positive, but if that was the place it's recommended.

Radcliffe will see you at the Garage Fest. He told me the other day how much he likes the young hipster kids style of O3CGR.

What's this?

And how ever will I know it's Radcliffe?

I'll be the skeletor in the rocking chair just off to stage left of the Nice Boys set.

O3CGR = Obscure 3-Chord Garage Rock and is Rads' favorite music genre.

Do the Nice Boys have a new album coming?

There are two Nashville bands playing the fest:

Those Darlins, who I think are fucking atrocious but have TONS of hype behind them

Cheap Time, who I posted about on the board

I get to interview these bands:

Jacuzzi Boys
Strange Boys
Jack of Heart
Gris Gris
Goodnight Loving
The Beets
Lover!
Harlem
Intelligence

If you have any pressing questions, please enlighten me. As soon as I get my ears out of this Dick's Picks, I'm going to learn myself something about all these except Gris Gris.

Who are you writing for?

The last time I was at the Everday Music on Burnside they had pretty large selection for vinyl.

Who are you writing for?[/quote]

Video interviews for the people throwing the fest.

tell the beets they are almost good but not quite there yet

tell harlem to come to boston.

tell strange boys to come back to boston proper.

get me a d/l link for jacuzzi boys album.

AND GO SEE THE DEADLY SNAKES AT THE FEST.

anyone know anyone in portland that can give me a reason to bring my tennis racquets?

you like playing in downpours and 40mph wind? might be some indoor courts somewhere...