Good place to start the research:
http://www.ratebeer.com/places/city/seattle/47/213/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ratebeer.com/places/city/portland/37/213/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Based on my experience:
Seattle
- Elysian brewpubs. Other than Halifax's Rockbottom, it's the only brewpub I've ever been to where every single beer in their flights (we had 3 different ones) were awesome. They were recently bought by AB-Inbev, so visiting them now may be kind of like kicking yourself in the nether region, but still enjoying it just a touch. I went to the Capitol Hill location, and it was small'ish pub in a low-key cool neighbourhood. Similar to North End Halifax.
- Taphouse Grill downtown. 160 taps. This can only work out.
http://www.taphousegrill.com/beer.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Free public transit downtown
- Pike place market - See the fish guys throw fish around. Touristy.
- Mount Hood - Amazing views
Portland
- Anywhere/everywhere for beer. I've never experienced any city like it. You can walk through just about any doorway and get great beer. Pubs, bars, movie theaters, comedy clubs, sushi restaurants, tourist stores...etc.
- Bailey's Taproom is a great spot. Much like Stillwell, but no food. Lots of board games instead. Wife and I played a ton of quite drunk chess, checkers, connect 4, battleship. There's a full beer menu on an LCD screen above the taps, which shows how much of each beer is left (see blurry photo below). Great prices on double walled steel growlers too.
http://www.baileystaproom.com/draft-list/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Deschutes brewpub. It's an old car service station converted to a brewpub. Absolutely beautiful.
- Check out Mother's Bistro for brunch. Go early. Lineup gets huge. I've only gone in August (2x), so March may not be as busy.
- Voodoo Donuts is a touristy must:
http://voodoodoughnut.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Food trucks, food trucks, food trucks. Everywhere.
- The only place I'd 100% avoid is the Rogue brewpubs, which are unbelievably disappointing.
- "Free" public transit on the light rail system. It used to be free, but they added ticket kiosks on the trains a couple years ago, but NO ONE pays for tickets, as no one ever checks tickets.
- A cool road trip we did was to the Rogue farm, where they grow their ingredients (hops/pigs/hazelnuts...etc). Hops were just about to be harvested when we were there.
https://www.facebook.com/RogueFarmsHopyard" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Rainforest in Oregon, made for a great hike:
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.c ... parkId=151" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If I think of any more, I'll post.
WP_000510.jpg