- Portland Oregon - In and Around

"The largest independent new and used bookstore in the world"

If there is a book your looking for this is the place to go. Also handy that you can usually pick up a used copy of most books.

The organization of the books is unusual. Still, it is handy when your checking out the works of Kafka to see a biography and other related texts, near by.

The Technical book store is located a few blocks away. Pretty much every computer manual you could ever dream of finding.

Yes, and if they don't have it... ask they do have a warehouse and they do print-on-demand.

This is "The Independent Art House Theater". Also, screens some classics. This is where I saw Hitchcock's "Rebecca" also "Frankenhooker". So, there is a wide range to choose from.

Personally, I don't run out to see many new release films. Can usually wait for 'the last run' at this place. Also, features some great films from the 80's.

OK, if your visiting Portland for the first time your bound to find a McMenamins at some point.

The Bagdad Theater is one of my favorites, if your going to watch "Raiders of the Lost Ark" you might as well do so while drinking beer and eating a burger.

The "Bagdad Theater" is under renovations so... try the Mission Theater instead.

Ah, and a note about most of the other McMenamins... yes.. the services sucks and no the food isn't that great. Going to a McMenamins is just something you 'do' it isn't necessarily 'the best'.

Coffeehouse and a lot of computers to play whatever multi player game strikes your fancy. Also, usually has an interesting art collection hanging on the walls.

From the expensive to the not so expensive. You have never had mac-and-cheese so good! Personally I love the pesto-mac.

Alligator Pâté with jalapeno jelly? Mmm... yummmy..

Oh, and the best wine choices you can find, again with a wide range of prices. Personally I love a good Gewerstemeiner with my pesto-mac :)

This is a dive bar in all senses of the word. However, I have always found the service great and the prices reasonable. If your going to get some greasy bar food this is the place.

What I'm assuming is about as close to an English pub as your going to find in Portland. The fish-and-chips are not to be missed or the Shepard's pie.

There are several locations in Portland. If your going to have a doughnut might as well get the bacon maple bars... just keep the number of a doctor handy ;)

In the mood for something strange and perhaps a little bohemian. Well, Rimsky's is the place to go for coffee and dessert.

There isn't a sign on the door so you do just sort of need to build the courage to knock on what looks like someone's house. This is the cities oldest coffee house.

This is a wonderful spot to wander around and affords the best view of the downtown area.

"Old Town" can feel rather gritty, yet this gem is a wonderful oasis.

OK, so perhaps your not Catholic. Still, it is an amazing place to just wander around. Especially festive around Christmas... beats me trying to go caroling (almost got arrested the last time I did that)

Even after living in the city for years it took some time to figure out what the statue in the Laurelhurst area was representing. Oregon doesn't have a military and has never been know for conflict. So, yes, that is a statue of Joan of Arch, which makes more sense then a statue of some general.

Lightrail introduced a vast change in how people got around in the city. There have been plenty of controversy as some suburbs didn't like the idea of 'city folk' invading their zombie malls.

Lightrail is the best way to get from central locations to the suburbs.

If you want to take the Max just for tourist reasons. Take the downtown Max to Washington Park and the Zoo. The station is well designed and has the whole history of the project on the walls.

Ah, yes, drilling through a hill in the downtown area caused all sorts of public ire. Still, once it was opened people's opinions quickly changed.

The Streetcar is not Lightrail. Confusing as they both sort of look the same. However, the streetcar utilizes smaller tracks and keeps only to the downtown area. This is great if you want to go from the university district to Cinema 21. The stops are all automated and you know exactly how long you have to wait.

The skytram really was sort of a WTF addition to the various forms of transportation. It only servers to connect the two OHSU care centers. You might have cancer but at least you get a lovely little ride over the city to go from treatment to treatment center.

OK, I confess it is sort of cool. And you can say what you want about expanding cities centers it is nice to see something done with what was once the dying industrial area.