Portland Highlights

A gathering of highlights:
  • Food
    • Tasty and Sons - Outstanding brunch. Eclectic menu. Simply wonderful! Local, neighborhood feel. Smaller portions, served family style. Try ordering a sampling of 3-4 different menu items per party of two. Expect a wait on Saturdays/Sundays. Reservations are limited to parties of 6 or more. Sister tapas style restaurant is Toro Bravo which I have heard is equally as stellar. http://tastynsons.com/
    • Andina -Peruvian restaurant specializing in novo-andian cuisine. Extensive wine list. Notable happy hour from 4-6. Great prices on popular menu items. Large first-come, first-served bar area. Recommended for walk-ins without reservations. http://www.andinarestaurant.com/
    • PokPok - Restaurant in East Portland specializing in street thai food. This stuff is meant to be eaten with your hands! Innovative bar drinks. Expect a wait most nights. Indoor and outdoor seating available. http://www.pokpokpdx.com/home/
  • Sightseeing 
    • Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway 
      • Portland Women's Forum State Park - One of the first stops you'll come to along the highway. Great view of the gorge. Wonderful photo opportunity. 
      • Vista House - Super helpful staff inside the visitors' center. Scenic overlook of the gorge. Panoramic views. Great photo opportunity. 
      • View Point Inn - For all Twilight lovers, this is where they filmed the prom scene for the first movie. Pieces of the set are still up. Great sweeping views as well. 
      • Bridal Veil Falls - About a 2/3 of a mile hike to the falls. Worth the trip out of the car. Beautiful falls.
      • Multnomah Falls - Probably the most famous of the falls. Stop is complete with snack bar/gift shop. The hike is 1 1/4 miles to the top but be careful, the sign says a mile! Steep climb, not really worth the view at the top.
    • Willamette Valley Wineries
      • August Cellars - Good starting point, one of the first locations you'll come to in the Valley off of Hwy 99. Friendly staff. Great opportunity to sample several different wineries. Most locations on site purchase their grapes. August Cellars acts as a co-op to aid in the start up of a lot of the smaller wineries. They will also ship to you for cost which is super helpful when traveling. 
      • Arbor Brook - Small, family-owner winery. Small, cozy tasting room. Friendly proprietor. Outstanding Pinot Noirs. 
      • Aramenta - Beautiful location. Mostly known for their Pinot Noir. 
    • Japanese Gardens
      • Pricey entrance fee but worth it. 5 separate garden styles are represented. Definitely recommend getting there for a free guided tour. Highlight of the garden is a pavilion overlooking the downtown Portland skyline. On a clear day you can see Mt Hood in the background. http://japanesegarden.com/
    • Portland Walking Tours
      • Knowledgeable guides. Many of the guides are actors/stand up comics so there is rarely ever a dull moment. Tours cover only local shops. Great way to get around the city. Typically lasts around 3 hours. http://www.portlandwalkingtours.com/
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