While there are numerous wonderful ways for planners to fill a day in Portland, one local expert suggests a good meal to start the day, a visit to a must-see (and must-photograph) natural attraction and taking attendees out to the ballgame.
Cris Schulz, President
Portland Events & Logistics, Portland
For a group of six or larger, call ahead and make breakfast reservations at Mothers Bistro. It is one of the best breakfasts in Portland where, on a weekend, locals don’t mind waiting for a table. They have killer Bloody Marys, and for coffee connoisseurs they have personal French presses. Menu items include wild salmon hash, stuffed frittatas, breakfast nachos and Belgian waffles.
After a great breakfast, groups should visit Multnomah Falls, which is located about 45 minutes from downtown Portland along the Columbia River. It is a beautiful drive and completely worth seeing; I personally joke that it is the Eighth Wonder of the World. Once they arrive, visitors walk up a mile-long path to the falls, so it is a commitment. But at the end of the short hike groups will love the picture-ready setting, rain or shine. Delegates might like to first stop at a little museum at the base, which provides some history of the area. It’s worth noting there is also a great gift shop and a restaurant, but they should save their appetites for an evening of carb-loading at the ballpark!
End the day at a Portland Timbers baseball game. From whatever direction the group is coming from, grab the MAX train to Jeld-Wen Field. Make sure to plan ahead and get tickets online, and buy roundtrip tickets for the MAX. If they have nothing green to wear, delegates can pick up a scarf at the game for $20, a great memento of a Timbers game and their time in Portland. Grab a beer or a cocktail and don’t miss the beginning of the game. Around half-time, it’s time for tots! They have three different kinds of sauces, and there are also hot dogs, nachos and other usual game-day options. But I recommend the tator tots with truffle sauce and parmesan cheese.
