Dave Knows Portland

MAX Orange Line Picnic and Fireworks Spectacular (22 August 2015)

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Tilikum CrossingCelebrate the impending opening of the new MAX line and Tilikum Crossing at the MAX Orange Line Picnic and Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday, 22 August 2015 at Zidell Yards (3030 SW Moody Ave.).

TriMet will host a public viewing and picnic area complete with a BridgePort beer garden, food carts live music, and stunning views of the show. It’s the only place in town where you can taste BridgePort’s new Tilikum Orange Line IPA and Salt & Straw’s Catch the Orange ice cream in one place!

The picnic starts at 5 PM. The fireworks begin at 9 PM. Though there will be picnic tables and benches, bring a lawn chair for the show.

Show and picnic is free. Parking for cars is not provided. Bike (bike parking will be provided) or take the 35-Macadam/Greeley or the Streetcar to SE Moody and Meade.

Things to do in Portland on Christmas Day 2014

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Christmas Day doesn’t have to be about family™

SHOPS

Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside). The downtown Powell’s is open 10 AM to 6 PM on Christmas Day (all other locations, save the one at the airport, are closed).

ACTIVITIES

Seedy, Seamy & Sinful Portland Tour: Join Kick Ass Oregon History‘s Resident Historian Doug Kenck-Crispin for the Naughtiest Walking Tour of the Year on Christmas Day, 2014.

Movies. Catch a movie – many movie theaters are also open on the Holiday.

Notably, The Hollywood Theatre is showing The Interview on Christmas Day!

Bowling. Many (most?) bowling alleys, are open on Xmas day.

BARS, CAFES, and RESTAURANTS

Radio Room (1101 Northeast Alberta) will also be open again this year, serving a special brunch menu from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and a special dinner menu 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM And they accept reservations.

Mary’s Club (129 SW Broadway), of course, is always open.

Rialto (529 SW 4th). This downtown institution is open 365 days a year. Play some pinball or pool, while enjoying your beer. Watch basketball on the ginormous TVs.

The Beer Mongers are open all day on Christmas, and they will tap a few special kegs.

For a comprehensive list visit PortlandBarFly.com‘s Bars open in Portland 365 days a year

And Portland Food and Drink maintains a handy list of restaurants open Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

TRANSIT

TriMet’s Christmas Day schedule: TriMet buses, MAX trains, and the Streetcar will run on Sunday schedules. No WES service!

The information in this post is compiled through a combination of hearsay, website perusals, assumptions, and direct contact – please do not take it as gospel; if you don’t want to make a fruitless trip out, give the place a call first!

Things to do in Portland on Christmas Day (2012)

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2014 post here!

Some shops and activities and bars and restaurants do stay open on the holiday – you just need to know which ones.

I’ve done the ground work, now get out of the house on Christmas Day 2012!

SHOPS

Powell’s Books (1005 W Burnside). The downtown Powell’s is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Christmas Eve).

ACTIVITIES

The new Portland Aquarium (16323 S.E. McLoughlin in Milwaukie) is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. (Thanks SMx for the tip, and Molly for the correct hours!)

Bowling. Many (most?) bowling alleys, are open on Xmas day.

Movies. Catch a movie – many movie theaters are also open on the Holiday.

BARS, CAFES, and RESTAURANTS

The Beer Mongers (SE 12th and Division) is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Xmas day.

Anna Bannanas (8716 N Lombard & 1214 NW 21st) is open on Christmas day and generally stays open until things slow down.

Rialto (529 SW 4th). This downtown institution is open 365 days a year. Play some pinball or pool, while enjoying your beer. Watch basketball on the ginormous TVs.

Red and Black Cafe, Portland’s only vegan, worker-owned, collectively managed, IWW closed shop cafe is open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Cheerful Tortoise is open from 11 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. on Xmas Day.

Mary’s Club (129 SW Broadway), of course, is always open.

Portland City Grill (111 SW 5th) is open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (noon-9pm).

Prost! on North Mississippi at Skidmore is celebrating the fourth annual Prostmas on Xmas day. Open 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Radio Room (1101 Northeast Alberta) will also be open again this year for Christmas brunch and dinner, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., serving a special brunch menu from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Special dinner menu 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. And they accept reservations.

And finally, for a comprehensive list visit PortlandBarFly.com‘s Bars open in Portland 365 days a year

Also try truck stops (seriously! Jubitz, for example), Chinese places, hotel restaurants.

Portland Food and Drink‘s annual list of restaurants open Christmas Eve and Christmas day is now live too!

TRANSIT

TriMet’s Christmas Day schedule: TriMet buses, MAX trains, and the Streetcar will run on Sunday schedules. No WES service!

The information in this post is compiled through a combination of hearsay, website perusals, assumptions, and direct contact – please do not take it as gospel; if you don’t want to make a fruitless trip out, give the place a call first!

Things to do in Portland on Thanksgiving Day 2012

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Happy Turkey Day Portland!

Coffee

Anna Bannanas (8716 N Lombard & 1214 NW 21st) is opening at 7:30 a.m. and closing when it slows down, probably 5 or 6 p.m.

The worker-owned Red & Black Cafe is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Beer and Booze

Barfly Magazine maintains a respectable list of bars open 365 days a year.

rialto200And here are some more picks:

Rialto (529 SW 4th) stays open 365 days a year, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. While drinking beer play some pinball and pool, watch football on the ginormous TVs, or place some off-track bets.

The Radio Room (1101 NE Alberta) will be opening for Thanksgiving at 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and will be featuring a turkey dinner special,and many drink specials – no reservations needed!

The Hop & Vine (1914 N Killingsworth) will be open (probably) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day for last minute needs!

Bottles NW (5115 NE Fremont) opens at 6pm on Thanksgiving Day!

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

Quite a few McMenamins will be open on Thanksgiving day. Check the calendar for holiday buffets and movie showings.

You can also place bets at the track: Portland Meadows is open on Thanksgiving Day, and is offering a special breakfast buffet at the North End Bar & Grill. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and will will be open for simulcasting through about 3:00 p.m.

ProstAnd Prost (4237 N Mississippi) opens the doors on Thanksgiving Day at 6pm for their 4th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner, featuring, in addition to bier, booze, and hot cocktails for sale, a complimentary turkey dinner!

Henry’s Tavern (10 NW 12th) is open noon until 8pm, offering a special holiday menu.

Restaurants

And PortlandFoodAndDrink.com‘s annual Thanksgiving Roundup is live!

Sizzle Pie (624 W Burnside) is open normal hours on Thanksgiving Day, 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shopping

Powell's BooksAvoid 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 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Groceries

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

Activities

OregonZooThe Oregon Zoo is open on Thanksgiving day (and every other day of the year, except December 25).

Many bowling alleys and movie theaters are open Thanksgiving Day!

Transit

TriMet buses and MAX, as well as the Portland Streetcar, will run on Sunday schedules.

Got any more suggestions? Add them in the comments below – and have an excellent Turkey Day!

Humanity on Wheels 2: another Evening of Mass Transit Tales! (20-November-2012)

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Humanity on Wheels 2!Humanity on Wheels 2: another Evening of Mass Transit Tales!, takes place Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at the Jack London Bar (in the basement of the Rialto Poolroom at 529 SW 4th Ave.).

Inspired by Muni Diaries Live and Back Fence PDX, Humanity on Wheels was created with the gracious and indefatigable help of Doug Kenck-Crispin, of Kick Ass Oregon History fame.

Read more at TriMetDiaries.com, and see you there!