Portland - Hotels and Things to Do

P-Town-P-Jam-Fan

Because the weather is looking so fabulous for the Portland show and the whole weekend, I thought I would post this decent list of locations with good patios around town.

https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-bar-patios-portland

Paymaster is excellent as are the N. Mississippi mentions

Go Beavers

87 degrees on May 10th - crazy! 

Eddieredder

mr bungle said:

P-Town-P-Jam-Fan said:

Original_Shifty said:

I'm staying at the Doubletree Hyatt and will be on foot/transit. I'm thinking of going to Culmination and Level Beer on the day before the show which are in walking distance.

Anyone know if they are worth it, or should I get on the bus and go to the Great Notion and Breakside which are north of my hotel? I've been to GN in Ballard WA and have had some of Breakside's beer. Both produces amazing brews. Just wondering how Culmination and Level Beer stack up.

I don't know your financial situation but the public transit scene in Portland is rough.  If you don't want to see the worst that this city has to offer, I would Uber/Lyft around vs taking Max or Trimet.  Transit is mostly fine but just know what you are getting into if you decide to go that route.  I don't like Culmination or Level as much as I like Breakside as far as breweries go.  10 Barrel is also a nice setting and Wayfinder is decent.

I dont know what happened to you?  But my wife and i travel to Portland from seattle at least once a year for a concert, mostly at Moda.  We always stay downtown and take the quick light rail to the arena and back.  It is super convenient and have never had a problem or have seen a problem.  If commuting with people less fortunate than you is an issue, avoid all public transit in metro areas.

From Seattle. I've had the same experience with their light rail. Its been super easy and convenient in my experience. However, to the posters point both Seattle and Portland have a big homeless and drug problem. Its become a lot like San Francisco. Just be aware of your surrounding, its not as clean/safe as it used to be. 

northerndragon

A co-worker of mine who used to live in Portland sent me this list of recommendations. With extra emphasis on Big's Chicken.

Best Fried Chicken in Portland & Beaverton | Big's Chicken (bigschicken.com)

Laurelwood Brewing Co.

Search | The Official Guide to Portland (travelportland.com)

Edgefield Hotel - McMenamins

Go Beavers

I always have fun at any McMenamins, but their beer is consistently average to slightly below average. There’s a Vitalogy Foundation shindig at the Hyatt Friday afternoon, and the weather will make it nice to hit the rooftop bar (metropolitan tavern) on top of the Hotel Eastlund just east of the Rose Garden. It closes at 11:00 apparently, so post show dranks will have to be quick. 

Original_Shifty

After experiencing my two home Vancouver shows I am absolutely stoked for Portland and being in GA. I'll be wearing my Tragically Hip t with pride and rocking out in the back. Probably hanging out on Mike's side.

withflyingcolors

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions in this thread. I'm flying in from Denver for just about 24 hours. With how amazing the weather is going to be I wish I had more time! I haven't been to Portland since 2007. I'm going to try to get to the Japanese Garden because I land around 9:45am and will have a lot of time to kill. Then I need to find a place to watch the Bruins game before the show. Cramming in a lot and can't wait. 

100 Pacer

Is on street parking a viable option within safe walking distance for the entire day and evening?

djjazzy276

withflyingcolors said:

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions in this thread. I'm flying in from Denver for just about 24 hours. With how amazing the weather is going to be I wish I had more time! I haven't been to Portland since 2007. I'm going to try to get to the Japanese Garden because I land around 9:45am and will have a lot of time to kill. Then I need to find a place to watch the Bruins game before the show. Cramming in a lot and can't wait. 

Spirit of 77 is a sports bar about a 10 minute walk to Moda. Could be a good spot to catch the Bruins game.

djjazzy276

100 Pacer said:

Is on street parking a viable option within safe walking distance for the entire day and evening?

That area is such a weird web of streets with the freeways also wrapping around it. I've found street parking to be tough over there, but haven't tried in a long time. I've found the closest street parking that I felt comfortable with was a bit of a walk to the arena.

withflyingcolors

djjazzy276 said:

withflyingcolors said:

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions in this thread. I'm flying in from Denver for just about 24 hours. With how amazing the weather is going to be I wish I had more time! I haven't been to Portland since 2007. I'm going to try to get to the Japanese Garden because I land around 9:45am and will have a lot of time to kill. Then I need to find a place to watch the Bruins game before the show. Cramming in a lot and can't wait. 

Spirit of 77 is a sports bar about a 10 minute walk to Moda. Could be a good spot to catch the Bruins game.

Awesome thank you.

P-Town-P-Jam-Fan

djjazzy276 said:

100 Pacer said:

Is on street parking a viable option within safe walking distance for the entire day and evening?

That area is such a weird web of streets with the freeways also wrapping around it. I've found street parking to be tough over there, but haven't tried in a long time. I've found the closest street parking that I felt comfortable with was a bit of a walk to the arena.

There is some parking within walking distance but they do make it difficult.  During events, they have paid street/meter parking until 10pm.  The problem is, its tough to find a meter that is longer than 4 hours which means parking after 6pm to ensure you can pay for 4 hours of parking and not get ticketed.  There are also various private surface street lots where guys will be selling parking spaces for $20-$25.

The other thought I have about parking in that area all day is its not a great area to be in all day.  There is just not a ton going on in that area where you would want to be there all day long except maybe hitting the Wishlist Party in the area.  I'm unsure what parking availability is like at that Hyatt Hotel as its fairly new.  Street parking considerations:

https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/lloyd-event

I also just found out that the Portland Winterhawks are in the Western Hockey League championship and hosting game 1 on Friday.  This is an at an arena right next to the Moda Center so its going to have a negative affect on traffic and parking availability in the area as the Winterhawks have a pretty strong fanbase and will show up for sure.

Original_Shifty

There shouldn't be any problems walking down NE Multnomah St or NE Holladay St to the Hilton after the show, right? 

chaspj

Original_Shifty said:

There shouldn't be any problems walking down NE Multnomah St or NE Holladay St to the Hilton after the show, right? 

I think you'll be all right, should be a lot of people about after the show.  You could also take the MAX east a couple of stops to NE 7th station on Holladay.

chaspj

Forecast now 89 for Friday afternoon.  GA line will probably face West so prepare for baking if you're queueing.  

curmudgeoness

Original_Shifty said:

There shouldn't be any problems walking down NE Multnomah St or NE Holladay St to the Hilton after the show, right? 

I think in response to your question and @100 Pacer I'd say that there's a difference between property crime and violent crime. I'm comfortable (alert, of course, but comfortable), as a woman, running alone along the river early in the morning. I am not comfortable with the idea of leaving my car parked on the street all day.

Original_Shifty

chaspj said:

Original_Shifty said:

There shouldn't be any problems walking down NE Multnomah St or NE Holladay St to the Hilton after the show, right? 

I think you'll be all right, should be a lot of people about after the show.  You could also take the MAX east a couple of stops to NE 7th station on Holladay.

Thanks for the reply Chaspj. I'll need the walk. If the first two shows were any indication, I'll need to wind down from what I'm sure will be another incredible show.

100 Pacer

curmudgeoness said:

Original_Shifty said:

There shouldn't be any problems walking down NE Multnomah St or NE Holladay St to the Hilton after the show, right? 

I think in response to your question and @100 Pacer I'd say that there's a difference between property crime and violent crime. I'm comfortable (alert, of course, but comfortable), as a woman, running alone along the river early in the morning. I am not comfortable with the idea of leaving my car parked on the street all day.

I’ll be driving a rental car most likely with out of state plates so it’s already a magnet. It looked to me like there’s a some sort of parking structure attached to the venue? I wonder if that’s the case whether they open at the start of the day and will allow a vehicle parked until end of event? 

chaspj

100 Pacer said:

curmudgeoness said:

Original_Shifty said:

There shouldn't be any problems walking down NE Multnomah St or NE Holladay St to the Hilton after the show, right? 

I think in response to your question and @100 Pacer I'd say that there's a difference between property crime and violent crime. I'm comfortable (alert, of course, but comfortable), as a woman, running alone along the river early in the morning. I am not comfortable with the idea of leaving my car parked on the street all day.

I’ll be driving a rental car most likely with out of state plates so it’s already a magnet. It looked to me like there’s a some sort of parking structure attached to the venue? I wonder if that’s the case whether they open at the start of the day and will allow a vehicle parked until end of event? 

Yes the Rose Garden has 3 garages and you can reserve a spot.  Rose Quarter - Event Parking  East and West garages are just across the street and the Garden garage is next to the arena with elevators that take you directly to arena entrances (I think at least one is only available thru the garage, so maybe shorter lines).  I just booked a Garden spot, $28.60 with fees, opens at 12:30pm and closes 11:30pm.  Free cancellation up to start time.

McGanahan

If anyone wants to avoid the traffic crush of getting out of an arena garage after the show...

The Doubletree by Hilton Portland is about a 15 minute walk up Multnomah street from the arena. Parking in their garage costs a maximum of $29, but oftentimes the arm at the exit of the parking garage is just...left open....or you can just pop into the front desk and say you were visiting a friend in the hotel and would they mind giving you a parking validation coupon? (If you don't feel bad about that ethically dubious sort of fibbing, of course).

Anyway...I often park in the Doubletree garage and just hoof it to the arena. I enjoy the brisk pre and post show walks, and I hate sitting in post-show traffic. YMMV.