Hidden City: Portland…the Perfect Alternative Daycation

HotelsByDayNovember 11, 2016

Get in touch with your inner Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, and hit the city of Portland, Oregon for your next daycation. Portland is know for its beautiful parks, bountiful coffee shops, and welcoming locals, so don’t just spend your long layover or post-meeting day at the airport. Book with HotelsByDay and get out to explore the city. Don’t know what to do to make the most of your day? Don’t worry because we’ve got it planned for you.

1. Check-In to the Jupiter Hotel

Have some hours to kill, or need a refreshing shower before a meeting? There’s no better place to do that than the Jupiter Hotel in Portland. This hip venue will simplify any trip! The Jupiter is unlike any other in a converted mid-century motor lodge. It’s an 11-minute walk from the Oregon Convention Center and 1.8 miles from the Pearl District. The minimalist-chic rooms come with flat-screen TVs, pillow-top mattresses and free-WiFi. Suites add separate living areas and/or kitchenettes. Perks include a bar and restaurant with live music, as well as an art gallery, bike rentals and parking. The Jupiter is definitely a top notch spot for a daycation!

2. Grab a Bike!

If there was ever a city known for biking, it would be Portland. You can see all kinds of unique and crazy bicyclists here. Make like a local and rent a bike for the day. You can even go on a Portland bike tour or take part in the Portland Bike Share Program! We recommend Cycle Portland, your one stop shop for whatever bike tour you can imagine. All the tours range from $40 – $60/3-8 miles, and give you the pick of Essential Portland, a Brews Cruise, and a Foodie Field Trip.

Essential Portland is their signature bike tour! You’ll visit Old Town, pedal the waterfront, cruise the green park block corridors & explore the Pearl District. Portland is Beervana and no visit would be complete without checking out the craft beer scene. The Brews Cruise takes you to the East Side “Brewery Blocks” to enjoy beer from three local breweries. The tour ends with a complimentary micro-brew right off the taps in the bike shop, and free pint glass to take home! Finally, arrive hungry for the Foodie Fieldtrip tour. You’ll experience a variety of flavors from local hot-spots. Learn about the bustling culinary scene as well as the “local-vore” philosophy that drives it. Indulge your taste buds! Tour includes food and drink. So join Portland’s original Bike Tour and Rental company on a casual ride through the vibrant city or beautiful countryside. Tours run daily and reservations are strongly encouraged.

3. Nosh on Brunch at Tasty n Alder

Just a quick 12 minute bike ride from the Jupiter Hotel is Tasty n Alder. Its not too hard to have an easy an breezy afternoon when you start it off with brunch for this Portland staple. This raved about American diner with a twist is well worth any wait. We recommend the Lemon Ricotta Pancake and the Northwestern Migas. No brunch is complete without a little booze, and Tasty n Alder delivers a creative drink menu that anyone can choose from. With excellent service, a menu to die for, and killer Bloody Mary’s, this is sure to be the best brunch you’ve had.

4. Powell’s City of Books

After brunch at Tasty n Alder, head around the corner to the world’s largest independent book store. This multi-level book store features a vast assortment of books that will blow your expectations out of the water. With new and used books covering just about every genre, it’s no surprise that Powell’s City of Books is the place to go for casual readers and book-lovers alike. You should definitely make it a point to check out their rare finds and out-of-print editions as well!

5. Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Throw your books in your bike basket or bag and hit the streets! Make your way to one of Portland’s much loved parks, which sits on the Willamette River. You can relax, and even do some people watching with excellent views of Portland’s bridges, gardens. If you hit Tom McCall, definitely keeps your eye out for ongoing events as this parks hosts many. If your daystay in an hourly hotel happens to fall on a Saturday, then you are in luck. The Portland Saturday Market happens here on the waterfront, and it’s definitely a piece of Portland culture you’ll want to experience.

6. Voodoo Donuts

What better way to end your hourly hotel stay than with sweets. Stop by this quirky Portland staple to get an afternoon pick-me-up. Definitely grab a coffee while you wait because you definitely won’t be the only person trying to see what the buzz is all about. Your wait is definitely worth it! The atmosphere alone will surely set Voodoo donuts apart from any doughnut place you have ever been before. With names like Mickminnville Cream and Rapper’s Delight, it is truly a one-of-a-kind and very tasty experience!

We hope this has only further convinced you to take a daycation in Portland at one of the amazing hotels we offer on HotelsByDay.com. Thanks for reading, and we look forward to your booking!