Sunset in Seaside, standing at the promenade turnaround. Click the image to enlarge.
For more info on daytripping in Seaside by bus, read the article Beyond Portland: Spring Break Traditions in Seaside, Oregon.
Photo by Stephanie Paris
Kids
Portland Kids Bowl Free & Grownups Get a Deal Too!
There are some activities that you just don’t do if you’re not good at them or don’t have experience. For instance, bouldering without a harness is probably not a great idea if you’re not an experienced climber. Then there are activities that almost anyone can do, at any age, and it doesn’t matter if you’re experienced or a novice, coordinated or clumsy. Bowling is a prime example, and it appeals to almost everyone, whether you do it on a regular basis, or bowl so little that when you do, you wonder why you don’t go bowling all the time. Well now you can.
There is a program that exists to remind us what great fun bowling can be, and help keep us active and entertained all summer long. It’s called Kids Bowl Free, and it was created to promote the sport and make it accessible to children and families in an affordable way. By signing up for the program, up to 6 children per supervising adult can each bowl two FREE games EVERY DAY from late spring all through the summer. Shoe rental is not included, but is usually a nominal fee. To sweeten the deal, and get the grownups involved, you can pay a one-time fee of $28.95 to get the The Family Pass which allows up to 4 adults to bowl 2 games free each day during the summer too! Just choose and commit to one local bowling alley for the summer, and each week your bowling coupons will be emailed to you. All you need to do is print out the coupons and bring them with you. For an extra one-time fee of about $5, you can have your Kids Bowl Free coupons texted to your phone each Sunday if you prefer the convenience of paperless coupons.
The greater Portland metro area has many bowling locations that are participating in the Kids Bowl Free program, and they are all accessible by bus. Continue reading
Photo of the Week: Portland Streetcar Passes “Capax Infiniti” by Muralist Faith47
The Portland Streetcar passes by one of my favorite murals downtown: “Capax Infiniti” (Latin for “Holding the Infinite”) by South African muralist Faith47. Click the image to enlarge.
Click here for all nearby TriMet stops.
Photo © Stephanie Paris
One Pass to See Them All: Portland’s Best Cultural & Historical Sites, Museums, Gardens, and Attractions
Whether you’re visiting Portland from another city, or you live here and have a few days off to explore your own city, our friends over at Travel Portland can help you get the most bang for your buck while seeing some of the city’s most notable points of interest. They have created four different Attraction Passes that give you entry into all or a curated selection of Portland’s best museums, gardens, and cultural & historical sites. The passes are good for five days from the date of purchase, and can only be purchased online. The Attraction Passes cater to the needs of the traveler whether you want it all (the Big Pass) or just want a select few from the list (the Washington Park Pass, the Downtown Pass, or the Garden Pass). Continue reading
Beyond Portland: Spring Break Traditions in Seaside, Oregon
Falling in love with Seaside, Oregon was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. With its unique whimsical charm and old-timey character, it has become one of my family’s favorite weekend destinations. It’s the kind of place that has the ability to appeal to everyone due to the fact that there is just so much to do, see, eat, discover, and experience. It inspires us to explore, and we take great pleasure in devouring as much of Seaside as we can possibly fit into our multi-day stays. This includes expansive, open beaches, vintage and modern arcade games, boutique shopping, an indoor carousel, delightful restaurants, a 1.5 mile boardwalk affectionately nicknamed the “Prom,” and hotel accommodations ranging from large resorts to small beach bungalows. Incredibly, this treasured beach town in all its splendor is easily accessible by bus.
Our trip begins at Union Station in Portland, Oregon, where we choose the morning bus, departing at 9:30 AM (there’s also an evening departure at 6:20 PM). The scenic ride aboard the NorthWest POINT bus is a comfortable one, with reclining seats, foot rests, free wifi, and an on-board restroom. Once in Seaside, Continue reading
Winter Hiking on Mt. Talbert
Image courtesy of Google Maps
A funny thing happens when I mention the hike on Mt. Talbert: whomever I am speaking with tries to correct me by saying, “You mean Mt Tabor…” Nope. I mean Mt. Talbert, one of the many dormant or extinct volcanoes that dot the southeast region of the city. The fact that not many know about its existence inspired me to feature this little gem of a walk in the woods. Mt. Talbert is a forest-covered, 750-foot-tall, ancient, worn-down shield volcano located just a few miles southeast of Portland near Sunnyside, and resides within the Kellogg-Mt Scott watershed. With over 250 acres of conserved natural area, it is one of the most healthy wildlife habitats in the urban Portland metropolitan region.
Photo by Frank Paris
Mt. Talbert is seen by tens of thousands of commuters every day along Interstate 205, likely most of them not knowing that a beautiful park resides at the top. A network of 4 miles of trail covers the Mt. Talbert Nature Park. Even though the hiking trails are just feet away from neighborhoods and businesses, there is an abundance of wildlife that can be seen on this hike, including deer, western gray squirrels, pileated and hairy woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches and western tanagers. The forest is comprised of Douglas Firs and groves of Western Red Cedars and Oregon White Oaks. Continue reading
Holiday Tree Lightings & Festivals in Portland
Even though big retail stores have had Christmas decorations out since the end of October, for many of us, the real harbinger of the holidays is the annual holiday tree lighting. And no matter where you live in Portland, there’s a tree lighting or festival just an easy bus ride away. I’ve even included a couple lightings in the nearby cities of Gresham and Milwaukie. Each listing below includes the closest TriMet stops to the corresponding tree lighting. Take advantage of TriMet’s trip planner to enter your starting location and the event’s address as the ending location for a detailed trip itinerary. Happy Holidays!
1. Pioneer Courthouse Square 701 SW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97204
Friday, November 28th 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Photo by Travel Portland
“Thousands of Portlanders will gather at the Square to celebrate 30 years of lighting of the spectacular 75ft Tree provided by Stimson Lumber Company. This year’s event will feature a holiday sing-a-long featuring Thomas Lauderdale with members of Pink Martini, “Oregon’s Own” 234th Army Band and the Pacific Youth Choir. A pre-show with the NW Community Gospel Choir will begin at 5:00pm.” Click here for more information.
- Pioneer Square North MAX Station Westbound Stop ID 8383 – 0.04 miles away • Served by MAX Blue, MAX Red
- Pioneer Square South MAX Station Eastbound Stop ID 8334 – 0.05 miles away • Served by MAX Blue, MAX Red
- Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave MAX Stn Northbound Stop ID 7777 – 0.01 miles away • Served by MAX Green, MAX Yellow
- Pioneer Place/SW 5th Ave MAX Station Southbound Stop ID 7646 – 0.07 miles away • Served by MAX Green, MAX Yellow
- Click here for a more complete list of nearby downtown bus stops. (There are many!)
Fall Colors at the Portland Japanese Garden
Photo by Adam Sawyer
Autumn has descended upon the city of roses, and it’s time to celebrate one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest seasons. It’s time for brisk air, football, pumpkin lattes, fall markets, and of course, time to get out and enjoy those changing colors. Topping pretty much every list for best places to view fall color is the Portland Japanese Garden. October and November are perhaps the most breathtaking months of the year to see the Garden, when a multitude of native and Japanese trees put on a stunning fall color display.
Photo by Adam Sawyer
Whether you visit with your sweetie for a romantic walk, journey alone for some peaceful meditation, or bring the family for a day of adventuring, the Japanese Garden is one of the most unique places to spend an afternoon. Kiddos are even provided with a special map of the Garden’s five distinct areas. There are a number of small statues and landmarks listed throughout the area to find while they explore. The objects range from easy to difficult to spot, though all can be found from the main trail.
Visit the Garden’s Hours & Admission page to check current pricing and hours of operation.
Photo by Adam Sawyer
Accessibility by bus:
Monday through Friday only:
- SW Kingston & Japanese Garden Northbound: Stop ID 3276 – 0.07 miles away, Served by line 63
- SW Fairview & Kingston Eastbound: Stop ID 1633 – 0.09 miles away, Served by lines 63, 83
Daily service, if you don’t mind walking about a mile:
- W Burnside & NW 23rd Westbound: Stop ID 755 – 0.01 miles away • Served by lines 15, 18, 20
- W Burnside & SW St Clair Eastbound: Stop ID 718 – 0.06 miles away • Served by lines 15, 18, 20
For easy trip planning assistance, visit TriMet.org and enter your starting location and the Garden’s address (611 SW Kingston Ave.) for a detailed trip itinerary.
Photo by Adam Sawyer
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland, OR 97205 503-223-1321
Photo by Adam Sawyer
Article by Adam Sawyer and Stephanie Paris
Cover photo by Adam Sawyer
Fall & Winter Farmers Markets in Portland
Many of Portland’s abundant farmers markets have closed for the season. And although people often associate farmers markets with spring and summer’s bounty – berries, stone fruit, tomatoes, peppers, lettuces, peas … Oregon’s ability to provide farm-fresh harvest is far from over. There are many farmers markets in Portland that are open through fall and even into winter, and they boast pears, apples, brussels sprouts, collards, kale, winter squash, sweet potatoes, walnuts, and so much more! In addition to fresh produce, you can find artisan cheeses, cured meats, bread and pastries, pastured eggs, specialty meats like goose and rabbit, pickles and preserves, wine and liquors, as well as non-edible gifts. Many of the markets also have vendors selling hot food and beverages. Summer may be over, but the fall/winter market season has just begun.
For each farmers market in this article, I have listed the location, day of the week on which the market takes place, and the nearest TriMet bus/MAX/streetcar stops. Pay close attention to the dates of the markets. Some of them transition to every other week, or even just one day in the season. For easy trip planning assistance, visit TriMet.org and enter your starting location and the location of your desired market for a detailed trip itinerary.
Lloyd Farmers Market
Photo by All Good Bakers on flickr
Lloyd Farmers Market, NE Holladay St between 7th Ave and 9th Ave
Tuesdays Year-round (except December 30), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Accessibility:
- NE 7th & Holladay Southbound: Stop ID 13611 – 0.05 miles away Served by Streetcar CL line
- NE Grand & Holladay Northbound: Stop ID 2175 – 0.1 miles away Served by Streetcar CL line and line 6
- NE Multnomah & Grand Eastbound: Stop ID 4042 – 0.12 miles away Served by lines 8, 77
- NE Multnomah & 9th Westbound: Stop ID 10876 – 0.13 miles away Served by lines 8, 77
- NE M L King & Holladay Southbound: Stop ID 5917 – 0.15 miles away Served by line 6
Portland Farmers Market at Shemanski Park
Photo by Reid Beels on flickr
Portland Farmers Market at Shemanski Park, South Park Blocks between SW Salmon St and SW Main St
Wednesdays through November 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
portlandfarmersmarket.org/markets/shemanski/
Accessibility:
- SW Salmon & Park Eastbound: Stop ID 5007 – 0.01 miles away Served by lines 15, 51
- SW Salmon & 10th Eastbound: Stop ID 5009 – 0.09 miles away Served by lines 15, 51
- Library/SW 9th Ave MAX Station Eastbound: Stop ID 8333 – 0.11 miles away Served by MAX Blue line, MAX Red line
- Pioneer Square South MAX Station Eastbound: Stop ID 8334 – 0.14 miles away Served by MAX Blue line, MAX Red line
- Visit this link for even more close downtown stops
People’s Farmers’ Market
Photo by Stephanie Paris
People’s Farmers’ Market, 3029 SE 21st Ave
Wednesdays Year-round, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Accessibility:
- SE Powell & 21st Westbound: Stop ID 4623 – 0.12 miles away Served by lines 9, 66
- SE Powell & 21st Eastbound: Stop ID 4622 – 0.14 miles away Served by lines 9, 66
- SE Clinton & 21st Westbound: Stop ID 1092 – 0.16 miles away Served by line 10
- SE 21st & Clinton Southbound: Stop ID 7108 – 0.16 miles away Served by line 10
South Waterfront Farmers Market
Photo by Stephanie Paris
South Waterfront Farmers Market, 3508 SW Moody Ave
Thursday October 30, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
southwaterfrontfarmersmarket.com
Accessibility:
- OHSU Commons Northbound: Stop ID 12883 – 0.09 miles away Served by Streetcar NS line
- SW Macadam & Tram Tower Northbound: Stop ID 13185 – 0.1 miles away Served by lines 35, 36
- SW Moody & Gibbs Southbound: Stop ID 12760 – 0.11 miles away Served by Streetcar NS line and lines 35, 36
- South Waterfront Lower Tram Terminal Westbound: Stop ID 12845 – 0.11 miles away Served by Tram
Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University
Photo by Pasha X-Pose-U
Portland Farmers Market at PSU, South Park Blocks between SW Hall St and SW Montgomery St
Saturdays Year-round, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Accessibility:
- SW Park & Mill Westbound: Stop ID 10766 – 0.05 miles away Served by Streetcar line NS
- SW Park & Market Eastbound: Stop ID 11011 – 0.11 miles away Served by Streetcar line NS
- PSU/SW 6th & Montgomery MAX Station Northbound: Stop ID 7774 – 0.13 miles away Served by MAX Green line, MAX Yellow line
- PSU/SW 5th & Mill St MAX Station Southbound: Stop ID 7618 – 0.18 miles away Served by MAX Green line, MAX Yellow line
- SW 6th & Mill Northbound: Stop ID 7773 – 0.14 miles away Served by lines 8, 9, 66
- SW 5th & Harrison Southbound: Stop ID 7602 – 0.18 miles away Served by lines 9, 17, 19, 44
- SW Harrison & 6th Westbound: Stop ID 13305 – 0.15 miles away Served by lines 17, 35, 36, 54, 56
- SW 6th & Market Northbound: Stop ID 7772 – 0.16 miles away Served by lines 1, 12, 19, 44, 94
Hillsdale Farmers’ Market
Photo by Sarah Gilbert on flickr
Hillsdale Farmers’ Market, SW Capitol Hwy and SW Sunset Blvd
Sundays through November 23 and December 7 & 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Accessibility:
- SW Capitol & Sunset Westbound: Stop ID 955 – 0.02 miles away Served by lines 44, 45, 54, 55, 56, 61, 64
- SW Capitol & Sunset Eastbound: Stop ID 929 – 0.03 miles away Served by lines 39, 44, 45, 54, 55, 56, 61,64
King Portland Farmers Market
Photo by Matt Kowal on flickr
King Portland Farmers Market, NE 7th Ave and Wygant St
Sundays through November 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
portlandfarmersmarket.org/markets/king/
Accessibility:
- NE Alberta & 7th Eastbound: Stop ID 11478 – 0.12 miles away • Served by line 72
- NE Alberta & 7th Westbound: Stop ID 10184 – 0.13 miles away • Served by line 72
- NE M L King & Wygant Northbound: Stop ID 5962 – 0.14 miles away Served by line 6
- NE M L King & Wygant Southbound: Stop ID 5961 – 0.15 miles away Served by line 6
Hollywood Farmers Market
Photo by Stephanie Paris
Hollywood Farmers Market, NE Hancock St between 44th Ave and 45th Ave
Saturdays October – November, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
1st and 3rd Saturdays December – April, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Accessibility:
- NE Sandy & 44th Eastbound: Stop ID 5091 – 0.05 miles away Served by line 12
- NE Sandy & 44th Westbound: Stop ID 10834 – 0.07 miles away Served by line 12
- NE Broadway & 44th Westbound Stop ID 650 – 0.1 miles away Served by line 77
- NE Broadway & 44th Eastbound Stop ID 651 – 0.1 miles away Served by line 77
Montavilla Farmers Market
Photo by kori monster on flickr
Montavilla Farmers Market, 7600 block of SE Stark St
Sunday November 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sundays December 21, January 11, and February 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Accessibility:
- SE 76th & Washington Southbound: Stop ID 7898 – 0.05 miles away Served by line 15
- SE 76th & Washington Northbound: Stop ID 7897 – 0.07 miles away Served by line 15
Woodstock Farmers Market
Photo by Stephanie Paris
Woodstock Farmers Market, S.E. 46th and Woodstock Blvd
Sunday November 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Accessibility:
- SE Woodstock & 46th Westbound: Stop ID 6416 – 0.01 miles away Served by line 19
- SE 46th & Woodstock Northbound: Stop ID 7565 – 0.01 miles away Served by line 75
- SE Woodstock & 46th Eastbound: Stop ID 6415 – 0.01 miles away Served by lines 19, 75
Article by Stephanie Paris
Cover photo by Pasha X-Pose-U
Shopping for Comics in Portland
One of the best jobs I ever had was during my brief stint of Southern California living when I worked at a locally-owned comic book shop in San Diego called Comics-N-Stuff. My co-workers were great, the clientele was fun and interesting, and the excitement of receiving each week’s shipment of new comics for the shop brought out the kid in me that my young adult self was so desperately trying to leave behind.
Now that I’m firmly in adulthood, I see the value of never letting go of those things that make you feel young, alive, and inspired. For some, that may be comic books. And although comics were never a big part of my life after I left that job, there were a few that really resonated with me. My own children definitely love their age-appropriate comics, but I’ve learned that most comics today actually have a target audience of teens through grown adults. If you’re not familiar with comic books other than the superhero blockbusters of your youth, I encourage you to check out the seemingly endless variety of modern comics. Many have interesting, complex concepts and themes, a myriad of styles of artwork, and there are many genres to choose from (not just humor as their name suggests). If you don’t know where to start, just ask one of the knowledgeable employees at any of these amazing Portland comic book shops and they’ll be more than happy to help. For the rest of you that already know what you want and love, what are you waiting for?! Hop on a bus and get yourself to one of Portland’s many comic book shops.
Websites for each location are listed below and should be referenced for store hours and further details on each shop’s specialty. Also listed are the nearest TriMet stops to each shop. For further trip planning assistance, visit TriMet.org and enter your starting location and the location of your desired shop for a detailed trip itinerary.
Bridge City Comics
3725 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227, (503) 282-5484
Photo by Marie Richie on flickr
“Bridge City Comics is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of comic book enthusiasts in Portland, Oregon! We are firmly committed to expanding the market and educating people about the fun and excitement that goes along with enjoying comic books and graphic novels.”
Visit bridgecitycomics.com
Accessibility:
- N Mississippi & Beech Northbound: Stop ID 3955 – 0.02 miles away Served by line 4
- N Mississippi & Failing Southbound: Stop ID 3957 – 0.06 miles away Served by line 4
Cosmic Monkey Comics Inc
5335 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213, (503) 517-9050
Photo by Janet Lackey on flickr
“We carry a full selection of new comics, back issues, graphic novels and supplies. Whether it’s that elusive hot new title or obscure back issue from the vaults, we can find it for you. We delight in filling special orders and searching for the issues you need to fill those empty holes in your collection and your soul.”
Visit cosmicmonkeycomics.com
Accessibility:
- NE Sandy & 54th Eastbound: Stop ID 5102 – 0.03 miles away Served by line 12
- NE Sandy & 54th Westbound: Stop ID 5103 – 0.04 miles away Served by line 12
- NE 57th & Sandy Southbound: Stop ID 7738 – 0.2 miles away Served by line 71
- NE 57th & Sandy Northbound: Stop ID 7737 – 0.21 miles away Served by line 71
Excalibur Books & Comics
2444 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214, (503) 231-7351
Photo by Christopher Sohler on flickr
“Excalibur comics is the oldest comic book shop in Portland, OR. Excalibur boasts the largest back-stock inventory in the Pacific Northwest, including an impressive collection of Golden and Silver Age comics as well as literally millions of current issues that we diligently keep organized and accessible to our patrons. We also have a wide selection of trade paperbacks, graphic novels, manga, and more!”
Visit excaliburcomics.net
Accessibility:
- SE Hawthorne & 25th Westbound Stop ID 2611 – 0.02 miles away Served by line 14
- SE Hawthorne & 25th Eastbound: Stop ID 2612 – 0.04 miles away Served by line 14
Floating World Comics
400 NW Couch St, Portland, OR 97209, (503) 241-0227
Photo by Joshin Yamada on flickr
“Floating World Comics is a store for people who still like going to stores. We’re a bookstore that just happens to carry the coolest books of all – comics. But also art books, international art magazines, graphic design, illustration, animation, music and movie related items, anything that might serve as inspiration for creative people looking for something new.”
Visit floatingworldcomics.com
Accessibility:
- NW 5th & Couch St MAX Station Southbound Stop ID 9303 – 0.05 miles away • Served by: MAX Green, MAX Yellow
- W Burnside & SW 4th Eastbound Stop ID 772 – 0.06 miles away Served by lines 12, 19, 20
- W Burnside & SW 5th Eastbound Stop ID 13171 – 0.08 miles away Served by lines 17, 54, 56
- NW 6th & Davis St MAX Station Northbound Stop ID 9299 – 0.11 miles away Served by MAX Green, MAX Yellow
- Visit this link for even more close downtown stops
Future Dreams
1847 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214, (503) 231-8311
Photo by Christopher Sohler on flickr
“We have been a full service Science Fiction and Comic Book Specialty Bookstore for over 35 years. We carry a full line of new items in the field. We also have an extensive supply of back issue comics and magazines, pre-owned paperback and hardcover novels, collectible paperbacks, prints, posters and portfolios, graphic novels, statues and much more.”
Visit futuredreamsbooks.com
Accessibility:
- E Burnside & NE 18th Westbound: Stop ID 730 – 0.02 miles away Served by line 20
- E Burnside & SE 20th Eastbound: Stop ID 740 – 0.07 miles away Served by line 20
- NE Sandy & 18th Eastbound: Stop ID 5061 – 0.15 miles away Served by lines 12, 19
- NE Sandy & 18th Westbound: Stop ID 5062 – 0.16 miles away Served by lines 12, 19
Things From Another World
Portland Store: 2916 NE Broadway St., Portland, OR 97232(503) 284-4693
Milwaukie store: 10977 SE Main St., Milwaukie, OR 97222, (503) 652-2752
Photo by Joshin Yamada on flickr
“If you’ve been looking for comic book stores, look no further. Things From Another World is the premier comic book store in the world. Visit one of our four local comic book shops in Oregon and California, or order online and we’ll carefully pack and ship your comics and graphic novels right to your door! No matter what you’re into, TFAW.com is the online comic book store that has just the thing for your collection!”
Visit tfaw.com
Accessiblity to Portland store:
- NE Broadway & 28th Eastbound: Stop ID 638 – 0.03 miles away Served by lines 70, 77
- NE Broadway & 30th Westbound: Stop ID 641 – 0.04 miles away Served by lines 70, 77
Accessibility to Milwaukie store:
- SE Jackson & 21st Eastbound: Stop ID 8225 – 0.1 miles away Served by lines 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 70, 99, 152
- SE Jackson & Main St Westbound: Stop ID 8223 – 0.1 miles away Served by lines 28, 31, 32, 33, 75, 99
Article by Stephanie Paris
Cover photo by Sam Howzit on flickr
Portland By Bus 