Portland, Oregon
http://www.technogypsie.com/usa/or/portland.html
Portland is Oregon's most famous city and is located in United State's scenic Pacific Northwest state of Oregon near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. It is the Pacific Northwest's third largest city (after Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle, WA). In July of 2008 Portland's estimated population is 575,930 and is known as the greenest city in the United States. Approximately two million people live in the Portland metropolitan area (MSA), the 23rd most populous in the United States as of July 2006. Portland resides in a Marine west coast climate region marked by warm, dry summers and rainy yet temperate winters. Most known for growing roses where it gets its nickname of "The City of Roses" with many rose gardens, the most notorious being the Internation Rose Test Garden. Portland was incorporated in 1851. The city and region is popular for strong land-use planning, investment in public transit, for its large number of microbreweries and microdistilleries, and as the home of the Trail Blazers NBA basketball team.
IYHA Downtown Portland Youth Hostel
425 NW 18th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 * Tel. 1-503-2412783 * Fax. 1-503-5255910 * info@nwportlandhostel.com
http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-HI---Portland,-Northwest-060112.en.htm
Portland's most centrally located hostel within walking distance to city centre, Amtrak/Greyhound, Washington Park (Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo), Powell's City of Books, museums, downtown, the Pearl, Chinatown and more. In addition to being centrally located to walk, its only 3 blocks from Portland's famous fareless zone: all buses, trams, and street cars are free in downtown. Deep in the heart of Portland's historic and vibrant Northwest/Nob Hill neighborhood the area is bustling with thriving shops, cafes, brew pubs, theaters, calleries, and nightlife. Its a block away from the Mission Brew Pub theater ($3 movies) and Forest Park the country's largest natural park. They expanded the hostel to two buildings in 2006 - The elliston building which is a 1889 historic landmark that hosts dorms and private rooms equipt with a outside courtyard with BBQ, kitchen, dining room, small coffee bar, common areas, laundry, internet kiosk, free wireless internet, free local phone calls, free lockers and storage, free parking lot and free on-street parking, free pastries, bread, n' bagels, and free pizza every night.Hostel offers 24 hour access. The staff is really friendly and helpful showing areas on the map where to go and what to see with information boards updated daily. They offer van tours to Mt. St. Helen's Volcano, Columbia River Gorge, Cascade Mountains, and the Oregon coast. I found my visit here on 12/19/08, albeit short, was a fantastic time. Thank you! Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Downtown Portland Trader Joes (971) 544-0788 · 2122 NW Glisan St, Portland, Oregon http://www.traderjoes.com/
Ah Trader Joe's ... my favorite neighbourhood grocery store. Though not a single one in my currently resident state of Colorado. I have to drive to Albuquerque or Santa Fe, New Mexico to get to it. Or fly here to Portland or Seattle. So anytime I'm in a town with Trader Joes' you gotta know I'll hit it. Its a grocery store and so much more - shelves stocked with delicious and wholesome foods that puts Whole Foods to shame. Ranging from milk n' bread to exotic fares like imported cheeses, organic produce, oddities, cultural foods, and hand-tossed pizza from Italy. In addition to the variety, notorious for its liquor selection, though this Oregon store only seemed to have beer and wine. The prices are fantastically cheap. Unbeatable. Puts Costco and Sams club to shame in my opinion with quality and price. This is why I'm a dedicated Trader Joes' patron and I'd drive several hours to go shopping at their locations. Someday perhaps Colorado will get one. Till then the wanderlust will be satiated. This store is in walking distance from the Youth hostel and has a wide selection. Great shop. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Powell's Bookstore 1005 W Burnside Portland, OR 97209 USA
http://www.powells.com/
One of the world's largest collections of new and used books in buildings that encompass a city block plus, this store holds over a million books. Nine color coded rooms house over 3,500 different sections, offering something for every interest, including an incredible selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find titles. Each month, the Basil Hallward Art Gallery (located upstairs in the Pearl Room) hosts a new exhibit, as well as dozens of author events featuring acclaimed writers, artists, and thinkers such as Roddy Doyle, Susan Sontag, Robert Olen Butler, Annie Leibovitz, and former President Jimmy Carter. The City's Rare Book Room gathers autographed first editions and other collectible volumes for readers in search of a one-of-a-kind treasure. This of course is my all time favorite bookstore. A must to visit anytime in Portland. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
