Things to Do in Portland When it's Hot
June 5, 2015 8:19 PM Subscribe
It's supposed to be ONE BILLION degrees (OK, 90-something in Portland for the next few days, during my first visit to the area. I need help. What's fun for two people to do while avoiding the heat?
I'm the wimpiest of heat wimps. In addition, last summer we moved to the hottest place I've ever lived, and I was totally miserable for four months. So now we're on the first vacation we've been on in ages, and it's supposed to be hot. I know a lot of people love 92 degrees* and sunny, but I'm one of those "reverse SAD" weirdos, so for purposes of this question, pretend I'm literally made of ice cream.
I've read this (he stole my title!) and it's exactly the kind of thing I don't want to do. These items, in particular, sound like hell to me: Drink beer on a patio. Jump in a fountain. Jump in a pool. Lounge in a hammock. No, no, no, no, no. These things all involve being IN the heat! Other things that won't do: u-pick farms, outdoor festivals, gardens, un-airconditioned restaurants or shops, open-air concerts, Bikram yoga, outdoor farmer's markets, parks (unless you know where nice cool shady green ones are! They don't have those where I live now, and I miss them :( ).
We have a car. We enjoy bookstores, geeky stuff, most kinds of food (also coffeeshops, teahouses, and bakeries), handmade stuff, games, museums, history, art, quirky stores, and uh...lots of other things. If you have suggestions of (thermally) cool things to do or places to go, I would really appreciate them!
*Fahrenheit. Nobody loves 92C. Or K.
I'm the wimpiest of heat wimps. In addition, last summer we moved to the hottest place I've ever lived, and I was totally miserable for four months. So now we're on the first vacation we've been on in ages, and it's supposed to be hot. I know a lot of people love 92 degrees* and sunny, but I'm one of those "reverse SAD" weirdos, so for purposes of this question, pretend I'm literally made of ice cream.
I've read this (he stole my title!) and it's exactly the kind of thing I don't want to do. These items, in particular, sound like hell to me: Drink beer on a patio. Jump in a fountain. Jump in a pool. Lounge in a hammock. No, no, no, no, no. These things all involve being IN the heat! Other things that won't do: u-pick farms, outdoor festivals, gardens, un-airconditioned restaurants or shops, open-air concerts, Bikram yoga, outdoor farmer's markets, parks (unless you know where nice cool shady green ones are! They don't have those where I live now, and I miss them :( ).
We have a car. We enjoy bookstores, geeky stuff, most kinds of food (also coffeeshops, teahouses, and bakeries), handmade stuff, games, museums, history, art, quirky stores, and uh...lots of other things. If you have suggestions of (thermally) cool things to do or places to go, I would really appreciate them!
*Fahrenheit. Nobody loves 92C. Or K.
It's supposed to be in the upper 50s or low 60s tonight and probably won't be hot til the afternoon tomorrow, so enjoy what will surely be a lovely morning.
Also did you move someplace with humidity? We don't have much here, so it might not be as bad as you expect.
Finally, head to the coast. Cannon Beach is about an hour and a half away, and the coast is often cold and dreary. Tomorrow is forecast to be windy with highs in the 60s. That's where you go to escape the heat.
posted by bluedaisy at 8:54 PM on June 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
Also did you move someplace with humidity? We don't have much here, so it might not be as bad as you expect.
Finally, head to the coast. Cannon Beach is about an hour and a half away, and the coast is often cold and dreary. Tomorrow is forecast to be windy with highs in the 60s. That's where you go to escape the heat.
posted by bluedaisy at 8:54 PM on June 5, 2015 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Volunteer at the Oregon Food Bank. Starting at 8:45 there is a shift packing food in the refrigerated area. Cool as a quite literal cucumber!
posted by bink at 9:26 PM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bink at 9:26 PM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
I just want to say thank you thank you thank you thank you for causing me to be exposed to those links and many others that those led to. I have been at a loss for years.
posted by Blitz at 9:31 PM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Blitz at 9:31 PM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: If you like bookstores, definitely check out Powell's Books while you're there. You definitely won't regret it. :)
posted by Aleyn at 9:38 PM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Aleyn at 9:38 PM on June 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: How about a trip up the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway? It's gorgeous (ha!) and likely to be quite pleasant in the shade. Also: waterfalls!
There's lots of emphasis on hiking and whatnot, but it's perfectly possible to just (1) drive the route, (2) stop at a waterfall or a scenic point, (3) get out, (4) admire, (5) get back in the car, and (6) go again.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 9:42 PM on June 5, 2015 [4 favorites]
There's lots of emphasis on hiking and whatnot, but it's perfectly possible to just (1) drive the route, (2) stop at a waterfall or a scenic point, (3) get out, (4) admire, (5) get back in the car, and (6) go again.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 9:42 PM on June 5, 2015 [4 favorites]
there are so many parks in the city and almost all of them have big trees and shade. My favorites are Laurelhurt, Columbia (DEEP SHADE), Cathedral, and (Edit: Oh man I forgot!) Peninsula. Grab a big blanket and lay in the grass all day (Cathedral is by the river so you get some breeze down by the water. Realtalk: that's probably what I'm doing tomorrow).
Or hell go to Sauvies island and swim.
posted by lilnublet at 10:22 PM on June 5, 2015
Or hell go to Sauvies island and swim.
posted by lilnublet at 10:22 PM on June 5, 2015
Best answer: Hang out in Powells. I could live there... it's easy to spend hours browsing.
If you like board and card games, go to Off The Charts Games in Gresham and hang out and play games. I think it's also possible to play sample games at Red Castle and Guardian. Might call to check.
Go to the Gorge, and walk the half mile in the water up Oneonta Gorge - and hang out IN it. (One of my favorite places to be when it's too hot to breathe...) It's accessible along the old highway, just east of Multnomah falls. Wear shoes you can get wet - preferably something sturdier than flip flops. Aqua sox, sandals, and old tennis shoes all work.
Go to the coast. It'll definitely be cooler.
Ditto for the mountain. Mt. Hood, that is.
posted by stormyteal at 10:43 PM on June 5, 2015 [5 favorites]
If you like board and card games, go to Off The Charts Games in Gresham and hang out and play games. I think it's also possible to play sample games at Red Castle and Guardian. Might call to check.
Go to the Gorge, and walk the half mile in the water up Oneonta Gorge - and hang out IN it. (One of my favorite places to be when it's too hot to breathe...) It's accessible along the old highway, just east of Multnomah falls. Wear shoes you can get wet - preferably something sturdier than flip flops. Aqua sox, sandals, and old tennis shoes all work.
Go to the coast. It'll definitely be cooler.
Ditto for the mountain. Mt. Hood, that is.
posted by stormyteal at 10:43 PM on June 5, 2015 [5 favorites]
Um, I suppose a cruise on the Portland Spirit would be probably mostly air-conditioned.
Or there is my standard recommendation of Happy Hour (in the bar, NOT dinner) at Portland City Grill. Order Spanish Coffee and enjoy the view.
But dude, you are in Portland, it is Rose Festival weekend and the sun is shining . . . . find a way to embrace and enjoy it!
posted by ainsley at 10:58 PM on June 5, 2015
Or there is my standard recommendation of Happy Hour (in the bar, NOT dinner) at Portland City Grill. Order Spanish Coffee and enjoy the view.
But dude, you are in Portland, it is Rose Festival weekend and the sun is shining . . . . find a way to embrace and enjoy it!
posted by ainsley at 10:58 PM on June 5, 2015
Best answer: If you like geeky things, there's nothing geekier than the barcade Ground Kontrol! So fun even if you're not a video game person, and all of the machines cost their original amounts (~$0.25-$1). PLUS: inside, drinks, also nice and dark!
posted by thebots at 12:05 AM on June 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by thebots at 12:05 AM on June 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Oh, hell, and it's Rose Festival? No. Get to the coast, drive south until it's not one continuous row of kite shops and gas stations, and stay there.
Or go to the movies at the nearest McMenamins pub and theater and eat pizza and hide.
posted by gingerest at 1:16 AM on June 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Or go to the movies at the nearest McMenamins pub and theater and eat pizza and hide.
posted by gingerest at 1:16 AM on June 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Eat so so much Salt and Straw ice cream and drink Stumptown cold brew!!
posted by bookworm4125 at 6:28 AM on June 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by bookworm4125 at 6:28 AM on June 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: So, first of all, the mornings will be cool enough to enjoy. If you're a morning person, getting to most brunch places before 10 will help you avoid the lines (this is not true of very popular places like Jam and the Screen Door).
As the afternoon begins to heat up, hop on the streetcar. It's $1 for 2.5 hours, or $5 for all day. The streetcar is air conditioned. There are two loops: one involves the east side, and one is just on the west side. The west side loop will take you past:
- Powells, at 10th & Burnside, which may or may not all be air conditioned, but which is 100% awesome
- Cool Moon Ice Cream, at NW 11th & NW Johnson. It's a lovely little ice cream shop that often has much shorter lines than Salt & Straw, AND ALSO has seasonal flavors. It's right next to Jamison Square, which is a park with a swimming/playing fountain. It will be packed with children. Also nearby are Lovejoy Bakers and Laughing Planet burritos, both of which are good. I particularly enjoy the lemonade at Laughing Planet.
- Crafty Wonderland, a little boutique of quirky handmade stuff, at SW 10th & Yamhill.
- this is conveniently right across the street from the Central Library, one of my favorite places to go when it's hot. It's a big, old building, with plenty of stacks for browsing. Go say hi to the tree statue in the children's library. Just walk through it, soaking in the presence of books and pretty marble.
The tram will take you close to the PSU farmer's market. I know! It's right by the art museum, on the park blocks, which, like many of our parks, are full of big, lovely trees. It'll definitely be shady. And -- this is awesome -- all our parks are at least a little bit shady, and there are tons of them.
If you want a bit of a thrill and to see the view of the city, take the streetcar to the aerial tram, up the hill to OHSU. You can step out and look at everything -- you may be able to see multiple mountains in the distance. Don't drive to the tram if you can help it; parking is awful, because it's hospital parking. It'll cost you $4.35, and it's only open 1-5 on Sundays.
posted by linettasky at 8:15 AM on June 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
As the afternoon begins to heat up, hop on the streetcar. It's $1 for 2.5 hours, or $5 for all day. The streetcar is air conditioned. There are two loops: one involves the east side, and one is just on the west side. The west side loop will take you past:
- Powells, at 10th & Burnside, which may or may not all be air conditioned, but which is 100% awesome
- Cool Moon Ice Cream, at NW 11th & NW Johnson. It's a lovely little ice cream shop that often has much shorter lines than Salt & Straw, AND ALSO has seasonal flavors. It's right next to Jamison Square, which is a park with a swimming/playing fountain. It will be packed with children. Also nearby are Lovejoy Bakers and Laughing Planet burritos, both of which are good. I particularly enjoy the lemonade at Laughing Planet.
- Crafty Wonderland, a little boutique of quirky handmade stuff, at SW 10th & Yamhill.
- this is conveniently right across the street from the Central Library, one of my favorite places to go when it's hot. It's a big, old building, with plenty of stacks for browsing. Go say hi to the tree statue in the children's library. Just walk through it, soaking in the presence of books and pretty marble.
The tram will take you close to the PSU farmer's market. I know! It's right by the art museum, on the park blocks, which, like many of our parks, are full of big, lovely trees. It'll definitely be shady. And -- this is awesome -- all our parks are at least a little bit shady, and there are tons of them.
If you want a bit of a thrill and to see the view of the city, take the streetcar to the aerial tram, up the hill to OHSU. You can step out and look at everything -- you may be able to see multiple mountains in the distance. Don't drive to the tram if you can help it; parking is awful, because it's hospital parking. It'll cost you $4.35, and it's only open 1-5 on Sundays.
posted by linettasky at 8:15 AM on June 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Dougan Falls on the Washougal River!!!
It's a drive, but it's one of the best river swimming holes that's not super secret. The road to it follows the Washougal River and you can stop along there and swim as well; there's lots of places.
posted by wcfields at 1:11 PM on June 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's a drive, but it's one of the best river swimming holes that's not super secret. The road to it follows the Washougal River and you can stop along there and swim as well; there's lots of places.
posted by wcfields at 1:11 PM on June 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Yes, Rose Festival, d'oh! I will endeavor to avoid it. But I'll be here a few more days, so hopefully I can do things outside the affected area (wherever that is) and other things later. Thank you all!
I was relieved that it had cooled off a lot by 7:30 tonight. Man, I forgot what a difference it makes when you have trees everywhere! <3 <3 <3 Still, midday will be an issue, so I'm taking notes on all of these.
Now I just have to figure out where 2 people can get breakfast on a Sunday morning near without standing in line for an hour.
posted by wintersweet at 8:12 PM on June 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
I was relieved that it had cooled off a lot by 7:30 tonight. Man, I forgot what a difference it makes when you have trees everywhere! <3 <3 <3 Still, midday will be an issue, so I'm taking notes on all of these.
Now I just have to figure out where 2 people can get breakfast on a Sunday morning near without standing in line for an hour.
posted by wintersweet at 8:12 PM on June 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
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My go-to hot weather escape is a movie theater. There are some good indie theaters around but for arctic air conditioning, my money's on the huge multiplexes. A few matinees in a row are cheap way to sit in a dark cold room drinking cold drinks.
If you are needing to get outside, Forest Park will probably be cool-ish. I haven't hiked there myself so maybe someone else can comment on the hiking trail situation.
Mt. Hood should be cooler, too.
Have fun on your vacation. Stay cool.
posted by Beti at 8:41 PM on June 5, 2015 [1 favorite]