Seattle vs Portland

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

I may have the opportunity to lay over for 8-10 hours in either city in route to Medford, OR with the intention of staying in Ashland, OR.

We have almost an equal desire to see both cities. It would be February. Which would you chose and why? Let's talk weather, food, and sights we could see in that amount of time.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

Both cities are fun. It would depend on what you want to do.

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

I don't know Portland at all but have really enjoyed visits to Seattle. I really enjoy the food and flowers of Pike Place.

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

The Portland airport is closer to the downtown area than the Seattle airport. Both cities are great for tourists.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I've spent more time in Seattle so know that city a little better. That's the one I'd pick.

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

Seattle just seems more like an interesting big city. We found much more to see and do.
Bart

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I have lived in both Portland and Seattle. Weatherwise they are both essentially the same, wet and dreary in February. I would choose Seattle because there is a lot more to see in the downtown area.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I assume you're flying? If so, from the Seattle airport you can hop on a train that will take you into downtown Seattle. Cost is $2.50 and you catch it right at the terminal in the airport. There are several stops you could get off on to see parts of the city. And once you're in the downtown area it's easy to walk around, or catch the monorail out to the Space Needle.

[easyrider Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close easyrider]

In Portland there are 7 or 8 McMenimens Brewery Pubs that are an easy way to kill some time. These are some of my favorite places for a burger and a beer. There are outdoor fire pits at many of the McMenamins.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/382-mcmena...eweries-oregon

Portland is a bit spread out, imo. The Willamette River separates east and west sides of the city. There is the Portland Zoo and a Science Center called OSMI that are next door to each other. That could take an easy 6 - 7 hours of time to do both. I could spend the whole day at OMSI. From the airport there is public rail transportation to Washington Park and the Zoo. Type in Portland Airport to Washington Park Station to get to the science center, zoo and Washington Park. http://trimet.org/index.htm
http://www.omsi.edu/ http://www.oregonzoo.org/

Seattle is pretty cool to walk around in. There is Pike Street Market with a brew pub. Kells Irish bar is next to Pike Place Market and has a great burger. Pioneer Square is close enough to walk to and this is where the Underground city tour is. http://www.undergroundtour.com/ http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/ http://www.kellsirish.com/seattle/index.php

Transportation to Seattle from the airport on light rail you could get off at Pioneer Square. http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedule...ink-light-rail

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

I have lived in both Portland and Seattle. Weatherwise they are both essentially the same, wet and dreary in February. I would choose Seattle because there is a lot more to see in the downtown area.

Thanks John. The weather is a big concern. It's February after all. I haven't decided who we are...a see it despite the rain the kind of people or just take the flights that help us reach our destination quicker.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

I've spent more time in Seattle so know that city a little better. That's the one I'd pick.

I assume you're flying? If so, from the Seattle airport you can hop on a train that will take you into downtown Seattle. Cost is $2.50 and you catch it right at the terminal in the airport. There are several stops you could get off on to see parts of the city. And once you're in the downtown area it's easy to walk around, or catch the monorail out to the Space Needle.

The Portland airport is closer to the downtown area than the Seattle airport. Both cities are great for tourists.

That's something I wanted to know....the proximity to the downtown locations. I'm starting to think this needs to remain it's own trip-like it was supposed to be...where I can visit both cities and the coast and just meander around through WM timeshares. We're only thinking of going because DD wants to attend college in Oregon.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

[QUOTE=happymum;546150]I don't know Portland at all but have really enjoyed visits to Seattle. I really enjoy the food and flowers of Pike Place.[/QUOT

The funny things is...I think Portland might be a little more "foodie"...did I just say that? Me. Who can eat anything, anywhere,as long as there is isn't a dress code? Yes, I did. Dropping that second money drain sure helps with the food budget

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

Yes, I think they both have well-deserved reputations regarding food.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Where in Oregon? Younger dd looked at several schools in Oregon, both in the Portland area, Reed and Lewis & Clark.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Where in Oregon? Younger dd looked at several schools in Oregon, both in the Portland area, Reed and Lewis & Clark.

SOU in Ashland. She has already visited but this would be a preview weekend where she could spend the night on campus, tours, workshops for parents. ETC.