Many factors go into deciding where to hold our annual Conference. One of them is the availability of fun and interesting things for you to do when you take a break from the Conference sessions. On that count, our newest Conference location in Portland—the Hilton—is a real winner!
If you're the type who likes to do some exploring, you'll find a wealth of interesting activities within a short walk or ride from the Conference hotel. The Hilton Concierge can provide you with detailed information about just about everything there is to do in the Portland area. They can also help with ticket purchases and dinner reservations. The Concierge is located in the main lobby of the hotel.
• The Portland Visitor Guide •
The Conference hotel offers a wonderful location for visitors. Located in the city center, the Hilton offers easy access to restaurants, tourist activities, and shopping. The neighborhoods surrounding the city center provide a vibrant arts and cultural scene. A large expanse of parkland is in close proximity to the city center.
The MAX Light Rail and the Portland Streetcars offer an inexpensive and convenient way to travel around the city. A consolidated transit schedule, including the bus, is on the TriMet web site.
The Pearl District and Nob Hill offer many interesting shops, restaurants, and pubs in compact, easy-to-reach areas.
The Pearl District is roughly framed between NW 10th, 13th, Hoyt, and Burnside. It is about a 15-20 minute walk from the Hilton. Or take the MAX to the Streetcar and the Streetcar to Couch St. Powell's Books provides an amazing variety of books, used and new. They provide a color-coded map to help you find your way through the 68,000-square foot store. Cargo offers a weird but interesting and eclectic collection of Asian-influenced "stuff." Henry's Tavern offers an extremely large selection of beers.
Nob Hill is a short ride from the Pearl District on the Streetcar. You'll pass the BridgePort Brew Pub as you head down Northrup. Hop off the Streetcar at 23rd and cross Lovejoy. You'll find a five-block stretch of nice shops and restaurants along 23rd down to Flanders. Nice spots include the Laurelwood Public House at Kearney, JO Rotisserie and Bar, the Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe, McMenamin's Ram's Head Pub, and Kornblatt's Delicatessan and Bagel Bakery.
Portland is host to dozens of breweries and home brew pubs. Crafted beer is available in restuarants and bars throughout the city. Some of the better known brands include Widmer, Full Sail, and BridgePort. But you can't go wrong by finding your way to Lucky Labrador or Laurelwood. Check out the Oregon Brewers Guild directory.
Washington Park is situated on a high point overlooking the city. You can visit the Japanese Garden, Rose Test Garden, Portland Zoo, Hoyt Aboretum, the Holocaust Memorial, and outside artworks. The park is just 20 minutes from the Hilton via either the MAX or bus 61. The bus takes a winding route through some interesting neigborhoods.
If the weather is clear you can get a great view of Mt. Hood and the surrounding area from the Portland Aerial Tram. The streetcar will take you right to the tram. While there you might want to check out the other activities at the South Waterfront and Riverplace District.
For an easy, good meal, take advantage of the Bisto 321 in the lobby of the Hilton. Another convenient option is Porto Terra in the Hilton Executive Tower just across Sixth. You can bill meals at both places to your room.
Excellent food with a nice atmosphere is just a short walk from the Hilton at the Red Star Tavern and Roast House.
A hidden gem is the beautiful and historic bar at Huber's Cafe. They serve roast turkey in the cafe. You need to wind your way out the back of the cafe to the bar.
The most dense collection of bars, nightclubs, and live bands is in the Old Town/Chinatown area. Pubs include the Thirsty Lion, Kell's Irish Bar, and the Ash St. Saloon. Take the MAX to the Skidmore Fountain stop. Most of the activity is on 2nd and 3rd. Get a late-nite snack at Voodoo Doughnut.
The Oregon Symphony presents Women in Blues, March 15-17. The national tour of Twelve Angry Men visits Portland, March 11-16. Both events take place at the Portland Center for Performing Arts, located one block from the Hilton.
Check out unique local bands and good food in a hip setting at the Doug Fir Lounge. Located just east of downtown and the river off Burnside.
Oregon has no sales tax; so enjoy the savings when you shop. For unique clothes and gifts you'll want to wander through the neighborhood shops in the Pearl District, Nob Hill, and Hawthorne (all listed on this page.) The Hilton is surrounded by national brand stores like Nordstrom's, Macy's, Saks, and Banana Republic. You can find souvenir shops on the streets around Pioneer Square.
Just a short walk from the Hilton is the Portland Art Museum. The collections include an emphasis on Northwest and Native American art.
Also nearby is the Portland Fiber Arts District. You can find a descriptive article in Sunset Magazine.
Sports fans might be interested in checking out the Portland Trailblazers hosting Minnesota on the 15th and Phoenix on the 18th. The Rose Garden Arena is easy to get to on the MAX.
The Classical Chinese Garden is a beautiful and serene environment right in the city. Take the MAX to the Chinatown stop.
There is a nice stretch of shops and pubs along SE Hawthorne Blvd. The area is anchored by the unique Bagdad Theater and Pub. The #14 bus shoots out there in about fifteen minutes.
You'll find an assortment of arts and crafts outdoors at the Portland Saturday (and Sunday) Market. The market sprouts up in tents in the Old Town. Take the MAX to the Skidmore Fountain stop. For eats check out Lorn and Dottie's Luncheonette (322 SW 2nd) or Mother's Bistro and Bar.
You can find a nice collection of vintage vinyl at Second Avenue Records, 400 SW 2nd Ave at Stark.
If you need to stay connected as you tour Portland, you'll find it easy with the free wi-fi hotspots located around the city.
For those of you staying an extra day or two, numerous possibilities await you outside of the Portland area. If there is a pleasant stretch of weather, you'll find a lot of fun outdoor activities to check out. You'll need a car or tour group for the following.
Multnomah Falls is one of the most popular scenic areas near Portland. The 620 foot waterfall is along the historic Columbia River Highway.
Continuing east takes you to the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway and the famous Timberline Lodge, where ski season usually often extends into April.
Heading north you can visit Mount St. Helens, or what remains of it. The view from the interpretive center in this national monument is an eye-opening and beautiful look at the force of nature. You can see how the entire side of a mountain disappeared and flattened thousands of acres of forest. It takes about ninety minutes to drive to the park.
Driving west takes you through farmland and forest to the Pacific Ocean and the seaside town of Cannon Beach. You can also loop north to the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria, and Fort Clatsop. A southwest route takes you past the home of the Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum and onward to the ocean at Lincoln City.
