11 Other Ideas: Portland in a couple hours (customize your tour; prior approval recommended)
Get a house brew at Tugboat Brewing Co. (SW Broadway and Ankeny),
Hike, picnic and/or people-watch at Forecourt or Ira Keller Fountains (turned off in the winter: A series of small fountains that you can actually sit in (like a hot tub) come together to make a waterfall-ish effect over a sort of wading pool that is partially covered in concrete so you can walk around without getting wet. Really good when it is hot out because you can roll your pants up and walk around in the water. When it is this hot, it turns into something of a municipal pool, with kids splashing all over the place. This would sound annoying, but I think the Ira Keller Fountain is most beautiful when it's really in use. There is also a lot of steps to sit on, so don't think that this is only for those who want to get wet. Really incredible use of public space. Strongly recommended.), waterfront park, Eastside Esplanade, south park blocks and at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Picnic & hike to the top of Mt Tabor (Mt. Tabor is an extinct volcanic (in fact the only one within a city limits in the USA) vent for Mt Hood (or the Columbia Gorge, I can't remember...). It offers some badass views of se pdx, downtown and the West Hills. Especially at night. But it has some good hiking trails too. And a paved road that winds to the top has been closed to cars so it's popular w/ cyclists and there's a soapbox derby every August. The top of the park is flat (top of a volcano, right?) with grass and picnic benches and even better views).
Walk or drive over the Hawthorne Bridge and...
...get beer from one of Portland many microbreweries or enjoy the legitimate industrial chic at Produce Row Cafe.
Walk through the Pearl District and marvel at the illegitimate industrial chic and maybe browse at Powell's {Powell's is the biggest independent book store in North America. Or the biggest book store in the United States. Or something like that. It's different every time I hear it. Anyways, it's huge. The beauty of Powell's is that you can grab a book, take it to their coffee room on the first floor, and read the book for free (regardless of whether or not you buy the damn coffee). I have read entire books over the course of weeks by hanging out at Powell's. I often go to the "Pearl Room" (on the 3rd floor), which is also the art room, and look at free eye candy for hours. The architecture section is heavy. I highly recommend stopping by Powell's- this is one of the few places that an article about Portland in an airplane magazine will tell you about that which is actually worthwhile}.
Order Navratan Korma at the India Chaat House food cart (at SW 12th and Yamhill. They are open till 7PM Mon-Sat (most close at 6 or even 3PM and only weekdays). They have covered seats (rare) and the price is right. The massive vegetarian lunch special is $5 (w/ naan), but I highly recommend the Navratan Korma.) and eat it at the Ira Keller Fountain or up at Pittock Mansion.
Get a sandwich/pastry at Kens Artisan Bakery (Excellent sandwiches, soups and desserts in the $3-7 range. Better than Pearl Bakery's get up for sure. NW 21st and Flanders).
Get coffee at Albina Press (4637 N ALBINA AVE.) and walk to...
...the big rose garden at Peninsula Park (only if they're in bloom
- It's a square-block-concave-radial-rose-garden. And there's a
fountain in the middle. N Albina St and Ainsworth St.
(image:
Peninsula Park 1,
Peninsula Park 2)
Dig the St Johns Bridge from Cathedral Park (Probably the most stunningly beautiful park in Portland. It's located way out in North Portland in the St. Johns neighborhood. Under the east side of the super-gothic St. Johns Bridge (image: St. Johns Bridge), an unexpected park is full of the usual trees and grass, but the really cool thing is the bridge and it's supports (Forest Park in the background). Way out there, but well worth it. (images: Cathedral Park, Cathedral Park 2, Cathedral Park 3)
"Other Ideas: 11 Things' courtesy of http://web.pdx.edu/~nac/pdxdirtcheap/