What's photo worthy in Portland?

February 23, 2006 11:16 AM

help me find photo-worthy spots in Portland.

I have a friend who is embarking on what could be the final voyage of his long-lasting (185,000 miles) 1991 Plymouth Acclaim this weekend.

He's driving down the West Coast to San Diego, and at every stop he makes, he wants to take a photo that includes the mighty Acclaim with some local landmark (for instance, in Hollywood he's going to get a pic with the Acclaim and the Hollywood sign in the same shot).

Trouble is, I'm not sure what qualifies in Portland, as it's a fairly landmark-free city. here are my basic criteria:

1. Not Powell's Books.
2. Must be within PDX city limits.
3. Not "a nice view of the skyline from Mt. Tabor/Washington Park"
4. Should be something unique to Portland, manmade OK, cheesy definitely OK
5. Photo must fit both the landmark and the entire Acclaim (Mill End Park won't work, because all you'd see is a tire or a door panel with the park...).

Any ideas would be most helpful. Thanks!

posted by pdb to travel & transportation (32 comments total)

Sandy Jug Tavern?
Pioneer Square?
Thompson Elk?
posted by zonkout at 11:26 AM on February 23, 2006

HUNG FAR LOW! HUNG FAR LOW!

http://static.flickr.com/22/28860702_a96c28e668_m.jpg
posted by Skot at 11:26 AM on February 23, 2006

It may be possible to park the car near the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge and then to take a photo that gets both the car and the bridge in the shot. Or, nearby is OMSI and the Fremont Bridge; I'm sure something could be done from the OMSI parking lot. He might also take a photo on MLK, in front of the convention center. Or drive up the hills in SW, and try to get the car in a shot with a sweeping view of the city (and possibly, if he's lucky, Mt. Hood) in the background. (Except you don't want that.)

You're right, though, that there aren't any real landmarks around here. There used to be lots of business landmarks, but they're mostly going under nowadays. If he was willing to do outside the city limits, there's always The Bomber on McLoughlin, just south of Milwaukie.

Maybe somebody else will have better suggestions.

On preview: Pioneer Square is good...
posted by jdroth at 11:31 AM on February 23, 2006

Burnside Skate park?
posted by zonkout at 11:32 AM on February 23, 2006

Aha!

How about the blue squid (octopus?) on the front of that Greek restaurant in downtown. Frykitty will know the name of the place. That's pretty kitschy...

That reminds me that something in the park blocks might work, or the Schnitz.
posted by jdroth at 11:32 AM on February 23, 2006

if only Hung Far Low was still in Old Town - I haven't been to their new place yet, or even to the old one to see if the sign's still there.

These are all great ideas - the octopus is on the Greek Cusina, btw. Keep 'em coming, I like these so far...
posted by pdb at 11:38 AM on February 23, 2006

The new max stops on interstate have some interesting art. Also the Joan of Arc at the 39th ave. circle. It is especially tacky now that it has been restored and is shiny gold. Hung Far Low's sign was still there as of last week and is even better since the city workers painted the light poles and decided to paint the bottom of the sign turning "cocktails to cocks".

The smallest park is down on front. Maybe a picture of Portlandia. Pictures from the center of Ladds Addition might also be interesting.
posted by chrisroberts at 11:46 AM on February 23, 2006

St. John's Bridge? It's a teensy bit out of town, but gorgeous and a landmark.
posted by misterbrandt at 11:48 AM on February 23, 2006

The elephant in the North Park Blocks?
The Chinatown gateway @ 4th and Burnside?
The White Stag / Made in Oregon sign @ burnside + Front?
Parked in front of Mary's?
posted by misterbrandt at 11:50 AM on February 23, 2006

Oh, also the statue of the guy with an umbrella that is in the square. Many times he can be caught smoking. And one cannot forget the flasher on 5th Ave.

and sorry about the smallest park. didn't see your mention of mill end the first time I read through it
posted by chrisroberts at 11:55 AM on February 23, 2006

Sandy Jug Tavern?

I live pretty close to this and it is no longer the Sandy Jug rather it is now Pirate's Cove (strip club). And while it is a seedy place, they do have some great sayings out on their sign. (Like: "You'll treasure our chests" and other such gems)
posted by chrisroberts at 11:58 AM on February 23, 2006

I'd vote for Hawthorne bridge, but can't think of a good place to get a shot with one's own car in the shot.

One suggestion that would require a little waiting on photog's part would be a shot with the light rail as it passes by the street market downtown.
posted by nomisxid at 12:15 PM on February 23, 2006

The Clown House on NE Alberta Street would have been one of my top choices but I think the city made them clean it up a bit. There are, however, lots of other good spots on NE Alberta that are a bit weird/interesting.

The Kennedy School is cool but not so photogenic. It is an old middle school converted into bars, theater, restaurant, lodging, etc., but still retains the atmosphere of a middle school. Never seen anything like it elsewhere.

I know where the writer/director Todd Haynes lives if you want to take a photo in front of his house.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 12:15 PM on February 23, 2006

I strongly 2nd the White Stag/Made in Oregon sign.
posted by togdon at 12:20 PM on February 23, 2006

Plenty of good advice in the Dirt Cheap Guide to Portland (most all the places I go to you have to walk or bike)
posted by psychobum at 12:38 PM on February 23, 2006

Unfortunately, the current roadwork on the North side of the Burnside Bridge is going to make it tough to get a good shot involving the white stag sign...
posted by misterbrandt at 12:47 PM on February 23, 2006

Looking toward downtown from the top of the Marcam bridge, especially at night, would be a great photo. Stopping on a freeway bridge to actually take it is your problem. I took a couple good ones looking up the river from the freemont bridge during last year's bridge pedal, too.

Laurelhurst Park is also full of photogenic locales.
posted by Yelling At Nothing at 1:17 PM on February 23, 2006

There's Satan's testicle by Powell's. And while the Sandy Jug is not there anymore, there's a strip club called Dancing Bare on Interstate Avenue. It has a lady and a dancing bear on it.

And the name of the restaurant with the octopus is the Greek Cuisina. If it was during Rose Festival season you could have gotten a picture of the giant crab that Jake's Seafood puts on the side of their building too.
posted by calistasm at 1:55 PM on February 23, 2006

There must be a way to get a shot of the "Go By Train" sign on the train station in the same shot as the car...
posted by dersins at 2:31 PM on February 23, 2006

The huge Paul Bunyan across the street from the Dancing Bare.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tacohose/90123742/in/set-72057594052644710/

Or this...in SE near Division
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tacohose/98983641/

The former Grand Central Bowl
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tacohose/98971462/in/set-72057594053049195/

In fornt of Mary's is good as well
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tacohose/90854655/in/set-72057594053076919/
posted by Asbestos McPinto at 2:43 PM on February 23, 2006

Does the Simpson's mural still exist? The first time I was in Portland there was a three story brick building covered with a mural of the Simpsons. It was near the train station.
posted by luneray at 2:49 PM on February 23, 2006

The first volvo station wagon you find with all kinds of left wing/enviornmental/NPR/OHSU bumperstickers.
posted by Packy_1962 at 3:13 PM on February 23, 2006

No, not the Kennedy School, but how about the Bagdad? Bonus for also being photogenic at night, in case he gets there after dark. And I've seen it in half a dozen movies used as a "this movie takes place in Portland" shot. That and the Pittock Mansion.

Whatever picture he takes of it, it won't be as cool as this one, though.

How about a Benson Bubbler?

How about a bunch of runaway/street/junkie kids with their digeridoos?

He could hop some curbs in the park and do donuts in the Rose Garden; get someone to take pictures of that before being taken to jail?

Get a picture of Chuck Palahniuk pinned under the wheels of the Plymouth?
posted by penciltopper at 4:08 PM on February 23, 2006

The squid's in front of the restaurant Greek Cuisina, at the corner of 4th and Washington.
posted by hopeless romantique at 4:10 PM on February 23, 2006

oh, whoops, you answered that yourself...
posted by hopeless romantique at 4:11 PM on February 23, 2006

To add to Witch’s Castle in Forest Park (follow the trail under the bridge off of Thurman St—I think it is lower Maclay park?), the fountains in front of the Keller are dry and interesting looking right now, and there is a nifty little stone maze off of the waterfront, near where they always have Saturday Market.
posted by haplesschild at 4:11 PM on February 23, 2006

what about the banana mural thing on SE 12th?
posted by yodelingisfun at 5:13 PM on February 23, 2006

Japanese American Historical Plaza.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 5:19 PM on February 23, 2006

The Albi tiki bar sign on NE Interstate looks AWESOME at night.
Much better than this, as it has been repainted and the burnt out lights have been replaced :
http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/pictures.cgi?loc_id=141
posted by Asbestos McPinto at 5:58 PM on February 23, 2006

A shot with OMSI's submarine in the background. Gets bonus points for the under the highway urban goodness, plus the sub was one of the stars of The Hunt for Red October.

OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, 97214
posted by nenequesadilla at 9:08 PM on February 23, 2006

You could take the shot from the parking lot on the north side of the building.
posted by nenequesadilla at 11:51 PM on February 23, 2006

Can't believe no one has mentioned 'Portlandia' the giant bronze sculpture on the court building.

That said, I think Portland's most defining landmark is its amazing view of Mt Hood. The best place to get that is... yes. The Rose Gardens... or you used to be able to drive into the Lewis and Clark College campus and get a similar view, don't know if that road still exists as they were doing some construction in the area last time I visited.
posted by IndigoSkye at 6:38 AM on February 24, 2006