Update: Things to do in Portland on Thanksgiving Day (2012)

Audio

Again this year (it’s a veritable tradition now) Cascadia.FM‘s Robert Wagner and Sabrina Miller help you get your Thanksgiving Day started the right way with a special holiday broadcast. Unibash Radio‘s Jay Mackin joins the fun too:

Yeah, we know what Thanksgiving Day is all about. That’s why Cascadia.fm is cooking up a special 2 hour morning meal of pure gravy to help you cope with the rest of the day. That’s right, we’re taking two parts Suck It™ and mixing it with one part Unibash Radio – and serving it up live at 9AM Pacific.

They’re calling it Unisuck, and broadcast begins at 9am. Also check out their Thanksgiving Day Live Blog Event Type Thing.

Coffee

For coffee stop by the Cloud Seven Cafe (901 NW 10th) – they’re open 8am until noon on Thanksgiving Day.

Groceries

Many grocery and convenience stores, though not likely to be open all day, will be open for limited Holiday hours. Usually from late morning until early afternoon!

Shopping

Avoid the holiday crowds that will ensue on Black Friday by visiting Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside location) on Black Friday Eve (aka Thanksgiving Day). The store will be open from 10am to 6pm.

Booze!

The Rialto (529 SW 4th) stays open 365 days a year. While drinking beer play some pinball and pool, watch football on the ginormous TVs, or place some off-track bets.

Many downtown hotel restaurants and bars will be open on Turkey Day.

Thanks to the bar flies at PortlandBarFly.com, here’s the definitive list of Bars Open in Portland 365 Days a Year

Quite a few, but not all, McMenamins will be open on Thanksgiving day. Check the calendar for holiday buffets and movie showings.

Other neighborhood pubs and taverns that cater to real drinkers have a better than average chance of being open too. Take a walk through your neighborhood business district; you might be pleasantly surprised.

One neighborhood place we know will be open is Prost (4237 N Mississippi). Doors will open at 6pm for the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner, featuring, in addition to bier, booze, and hot cocktails for sale, a complimentary dinner including turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, plenty of desserts and more!.

And if you’re still looking for booze, you can find the definitive list of Bars Open in Portland 365 Days a Year at PortlandBarFly.com.

The Jolly Roger east (1340 SE 12th) is once again this year hosting their Free Turkey Dinner! From 11am until 6pm stop in for some grub, say howdy to the staff, and watch football. Visit the event facebook page for more information.

Betting, Bowling, and Movies

You can also place bets at the track: Portland Meadows is open on Thanksgiving Day, and is offering a special traditional breakfast from 8am until 10am for visitors who purchase the day’s race program.

Many bowling alleys and movie theaters are open too.

Food (non-bar)

It’s probably too late to make reservations at most restaurants serving up Thanksgiving Day feasts, but if you’re still looking, try your luck with the list at Portland Food and Drink: Thanksgiving Roundup 2010.

Zoo!

The Oregon Zoo is open on Thanksgiving day, with special Beast Feasts for the animals.

Leftovers, schmeftovers! Throughout the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, Oregon Zoo animals will gobble their way through their very own Beast Feast, a cornucopia of enrichment activities and treats aimed at stimulating their minds and stomachs.

Transit

TriMet buses and Max will run on Sunday schedules, and the streetcar will be on a special holiday schedule: To Waterfront, To Northwest Portland.