Wife and I will be out in Portland for the 4th of July. For the locals (or people that know it well) do you have any ‘must see’ things in the area? What’s the best fireworks location?
We might bring a tent for backcountry stuff, but we’ll also be downtown for a few nights at a decent hotel (just not sure which one). I figure 5 nights in a hotel, 3 in a tent… well, maybe 6 and 2.
Portland chamber of commerce has given us tons of stuff to do downtown, but what about the surrounding area? What’s the best camping? Should we hit the coast and/or Mt. Hood? Does nike give tours? It seems like it’s closed to people. Anything else cool in the surrounding area?
Thanks in advance.
Two years ago I asked about San Fran and the throbbing brain that is Slowtwitch came through big. Thanks!
Forest Park is a great place for a run or hike, it’s in Portland, I believe the largest urban forest in the U.S. If the Nike Oregon project is still going on there’s a good chance you’ll spot some fast pro runners cruising around up there as well.
I don’t think Nike offers campus tours, although you might be able to wander around on the weekend. It is pretty neat and there are often public events there on the weekends.
Portland is a great place to explore, especially if the weather is decent. Check out NW 21st and 23rd for some good restaurants and pubs as well as the Pearl District. I recommend Henry’s pub in the Pearl District, great beer selection, it’s my favorite restaurant to go to when I’m home. Also, you can’t miss out on Powell’s books, which is in the Pearl as well, it is an enormous used book store that you can easily kill two or three hours in.
I avoid camping in the winter, I’d assume the coast would be a little more hospitable than Mt. Hood. Cannon Beach is nice, but I’m not sure about the camping situation.
I really enjoy the “round the horn” trip from Portland, up the Columbia River Gorge (stop to see Multnomah Falls…spectacular), around the east side of Mt. Hood (with a drive up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood), and then Hwy. 26 back to Portland. Can be easily done in a day. I also enjoy a day trip out to the coast…Astoria down to Lincoln City and back.
The drive up the columbia has some great scenery and around Hood.
Hood River is a nice little town, good pubs, places to stay. Tons of outdoor stuff to do, home to the Gorge Games. Kind of an outdoor X-games. I would spend a couple of days in Portland, a couple on the coast and a couple in Hood River. 4th of july is going to be hard to find camping unless you already booked it.
My brother likes going to Tillamook, mmm cheese
do a B&B in Hood River for a night or two
food, drink and atmosphere is awesome
and take a windsailing or kite boarding lesson during the day
supposedly the biggest fireworks display on the west coast is over Fort Vancouver just across the Columbia…you have to get a spot early and occupy it
if you don’t want to put in a day’s effort for the fireworks, just watch the downtown Portland display near the Hawthorne Br…you can show up as late as 9p and still get a good spot. On the East side, park on MLK and walk to the river near OMSI. On the West side, just find a spot in Tom McCall Waterfront Park (easy access via public transport or just walk from your downtown hotel)