See & Do in Portland

Wireless "Hot Spots" | Special Events | Attractions | River Rides

Portland's Wireless "Hot Spots"

Be certain to bring your laptop and wireless card with you to OSCON because Portland is quickly becoming the most unwired city in America. Portland has more public locations than any other U.S. city where you can power up your wireless device and connect to the Internet via a WiFi network. In fact, more than 140 public networks can be accessed throughout Portland, provided by local businesses and contributing individuals.

Powell's Bookstore

Powell's Books is one of the world's largest bookstores with over one million new and used books in their City of Books store. The City of Books store is located at 1005 West Burnside, and is open 9:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Visit Powell's Technical Books store, Thursday evening from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, with your fellow OSCON friends. Meet authors, enjoy refreshments and peruse the vast selection of technical books. OSCON attendees will receive 20% off purchases during the week of the conference. . Powell's Technical Bookstore is located at 33 NW Park has 82,000 new and used technical books. Take the Tri-Met for free and convenient transportation to Powell's.

Special Portland Events

2006 Oregon Brewers Festival
Located at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the 2006 Oregon Brewers Festival will be held July 27 - 30, 2006. The Oregon Brewers Festival serves up trays of beer from 72 of the nation's esteemed craft breweries, including wonderful local Oregon brews. In order to sample beer at the OBF, you must have current year's mug - the OBF servers will not pour beer into a previous year's mug. Mugs cost $4.00 (good throughout the OBF weekend. Tokens cost $1.00 (Mug refills cost 4 tokens each, or two tokens for a 7-oz. taste.

Portland Attractions

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
"One huge playground for the mind!" Experience a 5.5 earthquake, tour a real submarine docked in the Willamette River, send signals into outer space, catch a movie in the five story domed theatre with 70mm surround sight and sound, and more. Visit OMSI for a sprawling hands-on science center where your mind can run wild. Located downtown on the east bank of the Willamette River (beside the Marquam Bridge).

The Grotto
No visit to Portland is complete without a trip to The Grotto - the internationally renowned Catholic sanctuary that welcomes more than 150,000 guests of all faiths each year. This peaceful 62-acre sanctuary is close to the city center area and would be a delight to visit any time of year. The Grotto is maintained solely through generous public support of its gardens, art works and facilities.

Oregon Zoo
How many O'Reilly animals can you spot at the Oregon Zoo? The Oregon Zoo highlights animals and their habitat and features nine major exhibits, representing various geographic areas of the world. The Zoo is located along the MAX light rail line, five minutes from downtown Portland. The MAX stops at the zoo approximately every ten minutes.

CM2 - Children's Museum 2nd Generation
Known for its hands-on exhibits, Children's Museum 2nd Generation - (CM2) is perfect for kids aged 12 and younger. The museum features a magical forest for babies and toddlers; a huge "Water Works," where kids can send gallons of water splashing through a series of contraptions; drop-in studios for art explorations; and the "Vroom Room," where things really move. Located in Washington Park, CM2 is a rich family-oriented element in one of Portland's richest groupings of attractions. Washington Park is already home to the Oregon Zoo, the Forest Discovery Center (formerly known as the World Forestry Center Museum), the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum. Open year-round.

International Rose Test Garden
The largest of three Portland public rose gardens, the International Rose Test Garden was established in 1917, making it the oldest test garden in the United States. The 4.5-acre site features 9,000 rose plantings representing some 590 varieties, including Savoy Hotel, Livin' Easy, New Zealand, Climbing Ophelia, and Sweet Juliet. From its vantage point in Washington Park, this terraced garden offers a spectacular view of downtown Portland, majestic Mount Hood and volatile Mount St. Helens. Best viewing months are May through September. Open year-round. Free.

Pittock Mansion
Experience the charm of a romantic time which will never come again, and marvel at the beauty and history of one of the region's great mansions - Pittock Mansion. Learn about Henry and Georgiana Pittock and the estate which symbolizes their contributions to the growth of Portland.

Map of Area Attractions
The Portland Oregon Visitors Association highlights an Attraction Map. This map provides an aerial view of Portland with links and information on major attractions.

Willamette River Rides

The Sternwheeler Rose
For relaxation and stunning views of the Portland area, enjoy a scenic cruise aboard the Sternwheeler Rose, a working paddle-wheeler that runs exclusively on the Willamette River. Cruises depart from the submarine dock at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Sternwheeler Rose offers dinner cruises, brunch cruises and popular one-hour harbor tours. Phone: (503)286-7673.

The Portland Spirit
The Portland Spirit offers luxurious lunch, brunch and dinner cruises while featuring a talented wait staff to entertain guests. Saturday moonlight dance cruises are also available. Phone: (503)224-3900, or (800)224-3901.

Willamette Jetboat Excursions
Promising the "ultimate river adventure," Willamette Jetboats depart from the submarine dock at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and travel upriver past beautiful waterfront homes, a wildlife sanctuary and magnificent Willamette Falls. The return trip includes a close-up look at Portland's skyline and a shipbuilding/repair facility. Scenic tours (morning, afternoon and early evening departures) run either one or two hours; private charters, including meals, are also available. All tours are narrated by Coast Guard-certified pilots. Operates May through mid-October. Phone: (503)231-1532, or (888)538-2628

Oregon Fishing Trips
If fishing is the recreational sport that you enjoy most, you may be interested in taking a guided fishing trip on some of northwest Oregon's finest waters. Fishing for either Sturgeon, Steelhead or Salmon fish, David Johnson's Guided Sport Fishing provides the highest quality boats, bait and tackle which insures you the best chance of catching fish at some of the best fishing locations in Oregon.

Childcare Services

Northwest Nannies
Providing professional nanny services since 1984, Northwest Nannies offers in-room childcare services to OSCON attendees and their families. Northwest Nannies will come to your hotel room to provide a convenient and more comfortable environment for your children.

Phone: 503-245-5288
$11 / hour (for 1-3 siblings), 4 hour minimum per day
Parking fees (if required by child care provider) should be reimbursed by family.

Northwest Nannies also provide special group rates for several families who want to combine together for child care. Please contact Northwest Nannies for hourly group rates and details.

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