Hello! I'll be travelling to Portland in a few weeks - any suggestions on where to go? (Or where to avoid?) Thanks for your help!

:help:

I'm actually thinking about visiting Portland during the last week of October. I am curious, as well, about what places to check out.

BEST thing about Portland, besides the community and vibe of the people, is that many are opposed to chains/big business, which leaves lots of room for local shops,restaraunts,etc.
Definitely go up and down Hawthorne Street & the "Alberta Arts District" ( they're big on renaming/revamping districts). See that one before they completely gentrify and destroy it (if they haven't already- I've been gone couple years now)
Go by the Alberta Street Clown House and lick a clown for me!... Okay, you could just say hi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX44jkKIsXs

interestly or oddly, i found this video of Alberta street shopping area:
http://s18.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/lorriely/Alberta/AlbertaArtsDistrict.flv

Or if you're a little more yuppie, you might like trendy-third... er... um, NW 23rd (shops, pubs, restaurants like any other district,... just ones for those with a bit deeper pockets).

Drive/bike around! The neighborhoods are beautiful and it is fun to see all the nifty old houses and creative paint jobs, decorations, yard art (or yart, as I like to call it... hehe no, i don't. .. not sure where that came from) and the murals and street paintings in various neighborhoods. (especially around Hawthorne & Alberta area.)
Portland is easy to navigate. The Willamette River splits it east/west and Burnside street splits it north/south.

If there is a protest/rally/gathering going on (and there most probably will be), join it!
They can be fun, like street/park parties.
Also keep an eye out for festivals and check out some local bands. Very vibrant music scene.

==Places To Go===
-get lost in Powell's City of Books (the one downtown) - ask to see the "magic book"
-any of the independent cinemas that serve food and beer and films you won't see elsewhere
-catch a show at the legendary Crystal Ballroom - the interior is awesome and the floor is built on ball bearings and it bounces beneath your feet!
-Saturday Market - ripe with cool handmade things from local artists (and, of course, street performers) . You never know what (or who) will be there. Saturdays and Sundays under the west side of the Burnside bridge.
- Hrm.. why not descend into the Woodstock Mystery Hole?
- enjoy nature = Multnomah Falls, Japanese garden, Forest Park or any of the 101 beautimous parks
- Veganopolis, Cup & Saucer Cafe, LaurelThirst Public House (breakfast!), Bay Leaf, Pepino's (sweet tequila buritto, sans cheese, oh how I miss thee), Food for Thought (cheap!), Bella Faccia, Laughing Planet Cafe, ... there are a lot of veg*n restaraunts in Portland, really. And most of those not decidedly veg*n have options. Downtown, you will even find food carts offering vegan yumminess.
-For desert goodness, go to sweet Pea Bakery or VooDoo Dougnuts (VDD offers up a healthy dose of atmosphere as well)

May add more, but I've typed enough for now, and my head may hurt if i take any more "off the top" (~_^)

Oh, what the hell,... it's November (@_@)
How did that happen?

Where all did you all end up?