Portland (Part 2 of vacation)

After Seaside, we took an extra few days to explore Portland.  It's only a two hour drive from the coast and well worth the visit.  Everyone who we've met who's been there has had a really good impression of Portland, and I must agree.  Just something about it gave us a good vibe to be there, to enjoy their d/town and their little districts and just about everything we did.

On the way into Portland, we stopped at the Oregon Zoo.  It was getting late into the afternoon, so the girls were a tad tired and I think so were the animals on such a hot day, so lots of lazing around.  But by far, our most favourite was seeing the cheetahs and the giraffes!

We stayed d/town at the Benson Hotel (thank you to Priceline for a pretty great deal on a 4 star hotel, big win!).  It's the first time that we've stayed in a hotel room with the girls... usually we go for the condo's with a kitchen and usually we're travelling with other family.  So, it was quite a different take for us.. being in a city as a tourist, living in one room essentially and having to fend for ourselves for all meals being takeout.  But for a 2 night stay, it was awesome and neat to try a whole bunch on culinary places around town.

Before heading to Portland, we were recommended, "The Original" for brunch (apparently they have creme brulee french toast!).  However, when we checked in, we were starving and asked the front desk where's a good casual family friendly place to eat, they recommended The Original for dinner, instead of brunch... so we opted to go there for dinner instead.  I had the slow braised beef short ribs and it was yummy.  We were soooooo full from the dinner (and ice cream afterward), that we really didn't feel for a big breakfast the next day, so I can't comment on how the creme brulee french toast was :)

Girls loved the chocolate milkshake!

And loved the "Mint Chocolate Chip Flake" ice cream at Ruby Jewel even more!!

Then we visited the Children's Museum, and if anyone is ever going to go to Portland and have younger kids, this is a MUST SEE AND DO!  We spent almost our whole day there and just had a blast.  It's set up with all different themed rooms for kids to do active role play (with themselves and yourselves), such as grocery store, pet hospital, water play, making your own clay piece, shadow forest), and most favourite, dress up and theatre with a stage to entertain the parents.

All our pieces, you pay $1 for each piece you want to take home

Nora, the dentist!

Outdoor maze, fun trying to find one another

Just walking around, we went to a coffee shop called, "Stumptown Coffee" and it was attached to a very cool looking hotel, called the Ace Hotel, and what a neat looking lobby!  Just cool decor, huge floor to ceiling bookcase, old school photo booth (that takes credit cards only, heh heh), and just great to hang out and finish up your coffee and croissants! :)

Neat lobby area at Ace Hotel (with photo booth)

Portland is known for the start of the food cart industry, so it was only natural we HAD to check them out.  The food carts are permanently stationed around the perimeter of big city parking lots, and there are quite a few locations for these pods.  Just a matter of finding and then choosing what to eat!  Such a HUGE variety to choose from.  We were there on a sunday and a holiday monday so not all of them were open, but still plenty to decide on.  For dinner, we chose "Sideshow" and they had an amazing burger and even better, their fries!  Both of us chose the "Fancy Burger" which was their grass fed beef patty cooked in duck fat, topped with arugula, white cheddar, Gruyere and white truffle mayo, on a fresh brioche bun... OH MY deliciousness.

Anyways, what a trip, full of adventure and just fun to experience it with the girls.  And that's that... time to now hunker down and get ready for the Fall and SCHOOL!! :)