Where to start? Food what kind of food? Food cart pods, there are several. More fun in the evening when they have the fires going. Here on a Sunday? get in line early at Berlu Bakery for some total vietnamese yummyness. Toys? You know about Grass Hut already. There's DR. Tongues which last time I was there had some fight figures, and has loads of fun vintage. Billy Galaxy is a mecha for vintage toys. Waterfalls- you need a car. Movies where you can eat food and drink beer. That, like food carts is a thing in many places, but the Bagdad is such a gorgeous theater, that's a good one to just go for the experience. Sit in the balcony. Places to stay- Hipster downtown fun is the ACE, and then if you feel like staying in an old school room, try the Kennedy (owned by same people as Bagdad). Want to play pinball or old arcade games? We have a few good places for that action. Powells Books is a no brainer. It truly is an awesome place. there's a good start. There's more people here on the board who are here or have lived here at some time.
The bookstore across from Billy Galaxy is also rad. The Japanese Garden was peaceful and beautiful from what I remember. It was fun taking public transport as well compared to always having to drive here in Los Angeles.
- Hollywood Theatre - Portland's cult cinema. Watch the calendar for updates if you might be interested in a screening here. I recommend getting tickets early for popular screenings. For example, buy tickets now for Simonetti's Goblin performing a live score for Lamberto Bava's Demons on Oct. 24th-25th as it is likely to sell out before October. - Floating World Comics/Grass Hut (for those who don't know, come visit!) - As already mentioned, Powell's books is a treasure (across the street from Billy Galaxy as @IronPaw says). - If you are a dustyfingers, there are record stores dotted around the city for digging. - Movie Madness has one of the largest collections of physical video media on earth. Even if you don't rent a movie, it's wild to visit the store and see the collection in person. They have so many rare movies I have never seen elsewhere, and also cool memorabilia on display as well. - Mox Boarding House is a nice location to play board games or TCG's with friends. They also have private rooms available. - For gaming stores in general, Portland Game Store and Guardian Games are two of the flagship stores. - As mentioned, some quality video arcades, but I recommend Ground Kontrol. - Strippers and whiskey bars are everywhere; pick your poison. The arcades, game stores, and theaters sell booze as well, of course. It's Portland. - Lots of live music venues/clubs. If you get the itch, very likely there is something going on to check out. - Portland Japanese Garden is indeed beautiful, highly recommended. Lan Su Chinese Garden downtown is quite a bit smaller but also interesting. The Rose Test Garden at Washington Park is beautiful as well if you are into roses. The park itself is a nice location not far from the Japanese Garden. - OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry) - Family-friendly science museum with great exhibits & omnitheater. - You have better art museums in LA, so I recommend getting out of the city and exploring the nearby scenic beauty: Mt. Hood, Timberline Lodge (yes, The Shining) Columbia River Gorge/Crown Point, Multnomah Falls, etc.
Hey, if I wanted to get up early before GamJam and take a nice walk in the woods, should I head to Forest Park, or is there a better spot to aim for? Don't want to drive too far from the Lloyd Center. I'm staying near the east side of the airport.
Hmmmmmm.... Mt. Tabor is close by. It's just a park but it's nice, has good trees, and pretty darn central. And...it's an old volcano.
looks like the very best is listed- only thing I can think to add is the Nike Company Store if you're so inclined, you'll need an invite from a Nike employee to get in but if you get lucky and are willing to try, sometimes they'll let you in if you are nice to to reception person you speak to, 40% off current Nike merchandise and no sales tax. Columbia Employee Store is just north of the Nike HQ and will sometimes also do the same. both will be on the far west side.
The last time we were up there we really enjoyed the Sunderland Acres Lavender farm and checking out the Woodburn Outlets (sales tax in the Bay Area is insane so basically a 10% discount on everything). Super excited to be heading up to GamJam for the first time this year and my wife and one year old are tagging along. Gonna do some shopping and maybe walk mount Tabor. Going to try to find a place to camp for another day before heading back home. If we're blessed to have a GamJam 4 (wink wink) we'll probably try to hit Crater Lake at some point. My kid has a built in fall break around this time so it'd be gravy if it all lined up again.
Fully agreed, but recommend checking snow conditions at the area before heading up there. I have heard from friends surprised to find the drives and lodge closed late in the season due to remaining snows. It could also close early in October for the same reason depending on weather.
