What to do in Portland Thanksgiving weekend?

September 25, 2007 7:57 AM

Thanksgiving in Portland, Oregon?

So I'm going to be visiting Portland (from Seattle) from the wednesday before thanksgiving until the saturday after with some friends. what to do? there are two of us who would love to shop, but the guys will probably not be into that as much as us, so non-shopping ideas would be good. All recommendations are welcome.

Also, my b-day is thanksgiving day so they've asked me to figure out what I want to do so I'm looking for restaurant recommendations for that day specifically, and I am really not tied to traditional thanksgiving fare.

We're staying in the Pearl district but we'll be able to get around easily.

posted by jengineer to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

I haven't seen anything posted there yet, but you should keep an eye on Portland Food and Drink. I'm sure special dinners will show up on the blog within the next month. You might also post questions about restaurants to the forums there.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:11 AM on September 25, 2007

What kind of budget are you on? If you're staying in the Pearl, I'm assuming you're okay with spending a bit and wouldn't mind a fairly nice place to eat on your birthday. The first thing that comes to mind is the Portland City Grill, which I've only been to for Happy Hour (one of the best in Ptown), but their food is amazing and the view is spectacular.

As for the boys, it depends on what they like to do. I'm a geek, so Ground Kontrol is pretty awesome. If you like jazz, there's always Jimmy Mak's. But the best place in Portland: Powell's. I could spend years there.
posted by eralclare at 8:12 AM on September 25, 2007

If you've got a car, and if weather isn't awful, take a drive out to go see Multnomah Falls. It's easy to find because it has its own exit off I-84. (It's the only left-exit on I-84 between Portland and the Idaho border.)
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 8:28 AM on September 25, 2007

portland city grill sounds great and is within our budget. we all love to try new restaurants and are willing to spend a little to try something amazing.

they are major geeks, they will love Ground Kontrol, thanks (that sounds like the perfect distraction so I can get in an afternoon of shopping)

Thanks for all the great recommendations!
posted by jengineer at 8:39 AM on September 25, 2007

Get married at Voodoo Doughtnut, or just have some world famous delicious doughnuts.
posted by knowles at 2:38 PM on September 25, 2007

Ground Kontrol is also just down the street from Backspace. Other geeky must-sees in Portland? Hrmm... Free Geek is at it's best when there's an event, but the thrift store is good stuff if you're into nigh obsolete electronic gadgets (the Goodwill near there is awesome, too. Seattle's Goodwill kinda sucks.).

I've just got to counter the PCG suggestion with a few less bourgeois suggestions. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, especially on vacation, but if ya come to "Portland" and just stay in the Pearl and shop and dine at $$$$ restaurants, please don't go home and pretend to yourself that you actually visited Portland.

If I hadn't grown up here and thus be forever doomed to family Thanksgivings here, I'd hit the Veganopolis Thanksgiving feast. That might be too close to traditional turkey day for you, though. If they're open one of those days, I'd also suggest the Real Taste of India food cart (It's the one with the covered seating), Russell Street BBQ (not-too-far NE), and Sushi Takahashi (It's in Old Town. The Takahashi Restaurant is also great, but it's in deepish SE). If ya want a greasy diner, working class breakfast, you can't beat Fuller's, also in Old Town. Same thing, but late night? Hit the underspoken Stepping Stone Cafe.

The Mercury recently had a Best of Melting Pot Portland guide and I'm dying to check a few of those places off my list.

The Tram is the new touristy thing to do and the view will rival the PCG's any day of the week, although it's a short ride and all you've got is a hospital for a destination. If you're lucky, one of the neighbors will leave you a greeting.

The Hawthorne district is at that about mid-gentrification (debatable, I suppose) phase where there's still a good diversity of stores.

Hm, looks like McMenamins has finally invaded Seattle, but Kennedy School is the pinnacle of the genre (oh, if only one could be served in the soaking pool...).

Portland is also home to the one of the world's largest and the world's smallest urban parks.
posted by Skwirl at 10:23 PM on September 25, 2007

Thanks for the detailed restaurant info, I really appreciate that. I'll try not to pretend anything to myself when I get home, but I'll try to remember your friendly response when giving advice to those who are really excited to be spending a vacation in Seattle.
posted by jengineer at 7:01 PM on September 26, 2007