There’s no limit to the things you can do during your visit. We’ve come up with a few ideas though to get you off to a flying start.
The Portland metro area is full of great farmer’s markets which thrive all summer long, but the Portland Farmer’s Market is easily one of the biggest and best.
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In a city overflowing with creativity and community, it should come as no surprise that there is yet another reason for Portlanders to get together and celebrate our quirky resourcefulness.
Every second Sunday inside Hip Drip Café, a new coffee shop on SE 16th and Sandy, you’ll find the Sustainability Fair — a monthly gathering of ecoconscious artists and entrepreneurs. At today’s premier fair, acoustic music from gypsy jazz trio Swing Papillon keeps the mood lively and distinguished.
Booths feature arts and crafts handmade with recycled, reused, and renewable resources. Sound like a chore? Ha! This is Portland. We’re going to recycle, and we’re going to look good doing it.
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You may have heard that the Davis Cup Tennis Tournament is going to be held right here in Portland over the weekend of November 30-December 2, and that the tickets for the event sold out in a matter of hours. Well, the tennis festivities aren’t just restricted that that weekend - in fact, there’s a carnival coming up this weekend to help start the ball rolling.
This Sunday, November 25, the Davis Cup Tennis Carnival will be held at the Oregon Convention Center. The US Tennis Association is calling it “an interactive tennis extravaganza for all ability levels,” offering anyone five years of age and over the chance to play games and join in activities that will help both introduce the game of tennis to newcomers and show more experienced players how to get more enjoyment out of it. And if that doesn’t pique your interest, there’s also this: “Free tennis equipment will be provided and special celebrity tennis guests are scheduled to appear.” When you see the words “free tennis equipment” and “celebrity tennis guests” in the same sentence, you know it’s going to be good.
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If you never visit Portland without an empty suitcase in which to carry books home, know that you’re not alone. Powell’s Books is such a popular stop on many trips to Portland that some people will save their book-buying lists for months anticipating the shopping adventure. The main store, Powell’s City of Books, is the largest independent new and used bookshop on earth. It’s so big, in fact, that the store map is not just handy, it’s a necessity.
Powell’s can be intimidating to the newcomer, and confusing as well. Unlike most new/used booksellers, Powell’s actually shelves both new and used books together. This means that if you find that the book you want is in stock, you won’t necessarily be guaranteed that it’s a new copy. If you find a used copy, however, you’re likely to score a great deal on a book that’s been at least given a once-over to make sure it’s not damaged. Powell’s buys used books every day, so the stock is always changing. True book lovers can - and often do - spend entire days wandering the store’s shelves.
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Portland Hood to Coast is coming up this month. Even if you’re not going to be running on a team, it’s a great event to head out and watch of volunteer for. And while it’s too late to register for this year’s event, it’s never too early to learn more about it and plan ahead for next year! Here’s what you need to know:
What is it?
Only the “largest running relay race in the world” according to the official website! It’s a 197 mile relay race from the top of Mt. Hood …
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One of the highlights of any shopping tour of Portland is the Portland Saturday Market in Old Town. It’s been running since 1974, connecting artists and artisans directly with the people who buy their products. The market is also a great place to get a quick bite to eat in the international food court. And though it doesn’t run year-round, it’s only during a few months of the year that you won’t find it open and bustling on weekends - rain or shine!
The market sits under the western end of the Burnside Bridge, between SW Naito Parkway and SW 1st Avenue. So although it’s outdoors, much of it is under the cover of the bridge so you’ll be able to do most of your shopping in a rain-free environment (even in the winter). Some of the market booths aren’t covered by the bridge, however, and the food court is entirely exposed, so dress appropriately and bring an umbrella just in case!
In addition to the Portland Saturday Market being open every weekend from March until Christmas Eve, the entire week prior to Christmas the market is traditionally open every day for those last minute Christmas shopping needs.
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While most of the people who travel to Portland for Christmas are probably visiting family (let’s face it, Portland is a great city but it’s not exactly a huge holiday tourist draw), there are several Christmas events in Portland which can be fun to get involved in whether you live here or are just visiting. Here are a few of the highlights. And remember to bring rain gear with you to pretty much all of them, as there’s just no telling what the weather will be like. It rains here a bit in the winter, y’know.
Christmas Tree Lighting - On the day after Thanksgiving, Portland’s official Christmas tree is lit in Pioneer Courthouse Square. In addition to the flicking of the switch, there’s usually music and a little merriment. Find out more on the Pioneer Square calendar.
Christmas Ships - Each year since 1954 there’s been a Christmas Ships Parade on both of Portland’s rivers where boat owners decorate their vessels with lights - sometimes rather intricately designed light shows - and cruise the waters for spectators’ enjoyment. The schedule varies each year (and is different for the Columbia and Willamette Rivers), so check the official Christmas Ships website for more details about this year’s event, including the best places to catch the show.
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We here at the BootsnAll offices love getting together with and meeting BootsnAll members and other travel enthusiasts. That’s why we love our annual holiday party, and why we’re telling everyone they should come!
WHAT: BootsnAll Holiday Party
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 7pm until 11pm
WHERE: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, 1945 NW Quimby St., Portland OR 97209
This is a great opportunity to meet other travel freaks here in Portland, and help welcome out-of-towners and show them what’s so great about this city. Plus, we’re giving away some great prizes this year, including a $500 voucher for an airline ticket! A place …
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If you’ve been in Portland for the last few months - and not living under a rock - you’ll have seen the ads for the Bodyworlds Portland exhibit at OMSI. The skinless bodies are everywhere - on buses, billboards, TV ads, newspapers - but after this weekend, they’ll be gone.
What? You still haven’t seen the show? Well, you’re apparently not alone. In order to satisfy last-minute demands, OMSI will be open round the clock from Friday, October 5 through Sunday, October 7. Yes, that’s right - OMSI will be open 24 hours a day for three days so the …
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Portland is known as the City of Bridges, and it could just as easily be known as the City of Bicyclists. The Portland Bridge Pedal is what happens when you put those two things together. Or, as it’s officially known due to sponsorship, the Providence Bridge Pedal!
Once every year, all 10 of Portland’s bridges is covered with cyclists. It’s sort of like Critical Mass, only the Portland Bridge Pedal is sanctioned (and even charges an entry fee!). This year the event is on Sunday, August 12. Participants can choose to ride all 10 bridges (36-mile route), eight bridges (24-mile route) or six bridges (14-mile route). Included in the itinerary are routes across the top decks of the the Marquam and Fremont bridges. The registration fees are $25 for adults ($35 if you sign up on the day of the event), $10 for kids age 12 or under ($15 on the day of the event), or if you want to form a team, you can gather five or more adults together to save $5 each off the registration fee. This is a perfect excuse to make friends with your cycling neighbors.
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