Eccentric Portland--where?

I make it a point of visiting really offbeat places in any city I visit.

I%26#39;ve done some research and have a few portland spots that rate on the quirky meter. can you let me know if they%26#39;re worth the visit? and please feel free to add some others!

Space Room Lounge on Hawthorne Blvd

Portland Alien Museum 1716 NE 42nd Ave (i%26#39;m a little hesistant to visit this place solo lol)

UFO Museum, corner of NW 21st and Hoyt

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Alibi Restaurant and Lounge, tiki bar

Velveteria, Museum of Velvet Paintings, 518 NE 28th Ave

Mt. Tabor

Eccentric Portland--where?

All of the one%26#39;s you mentioned are quirky. For great indie music visit the Laurelthirst Public House on 30th %26amp; NE Glisan. Mt Tabor is beautiful as is Washington Park on the SW side of the river. Powell%26#39;s Books on NW Burnside is great place. The Montage restaurant in the lower east side industrial district also qualifies as unique. Have fun!

Eccentric Portland--where?

A few thoughts:

Have a meal at Esparza%26#39;s Tex-Mex, 2725 SE Ankeny St (1 block south of Burnside). Kitschy decor of marionettes, skulls, taxidermy, etc. and pretty darn good food and drinks.

If you%26#39;re in town the last Thursday of the month, visit NE Alberta Street. Most of the restaurants and studios are open late, there is live music, street performers, etc. too. Of special interest to you might be the ';Clown House'; at 25th/Alberta, hard to describe how crazy these people are.

(http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=6617)

Finally, check out some of the McMenamins pubs and theaters. Quirky and fascinating artwork and re-use of old neglected buildings. Among the better places to visit are: Kennedy School, Bagdad Theater, Crystal Ballroom/Ringlers, Barley Mill on SE Hawthorne. The Chapel Pub is set to open next month I believe - it%26#39;s housed in an old funeral parlor on N Killingsworth. Google ';mcmenamins'; for lots more detail.

Hope this helps you - have a dreat trip!

Brian

I like the Hawthorne area - but it seems to have morphed into more of a trendy area (there used to be quirky shops).

Is the 24 hour Church of Elvis still open?

I think mama and msu have given you some good ideas.

I think Powells is a must for those who like unusual places, when you go home sure you will find others who have been there. If you can%26#39;t find a book to buy there you don%26#39;t read much. something like 60% or more are used.

And as for McMenamins. the things they do with old buildings is just marvelous. Many of those would have been torn down except for those brothers. I try to go to their places hoping they will do more. though a pint of beer and plate of fish and chips doesn%26#39;t help that much.

I try to visit them all. still have a couple to go. Crystal Ballroom is n my list to see, it I ever get downtown again.

Don%26#39;t think msu mentioned Edgefield. That may be my favorite because of the many different things. they have city%26#39;s smallest pub there among other things. It was the county%26#39;s poor farm for many years. Then Kennedy School also pretty interesting to see what they did with old class rooms.

Don%26#39;t think I would go to OMSI unless you have kids with you.

As for neighborhoods, think I agree Hawthorn has moved upscale

I remember once reading about an Elvis Museum. Does this exist and is it worth it?

Thanks,

Vikki

according to roadsideamerica.com

the Elvis Museum has been closed for a few years now, which is too bad! Ah well, maybe the Velveteria will have some velvet elvises...

The ';ufo museum'; at NW 21st and hoyt is actually the MMM museum of modern materialism its open all hours . And the night market all nights but mondays and wensdays...all random and weird stuff.

What%26#39;s that doughnut place that%26#39;s only open at night? Voodoo Doughnuts? Or is it something else...

Nope, that%26#39;s it: http://www.voodoodoughnut.com

Duh, it%26#39;s not open only at night, but it is open almost all night...I%26#39;d call them eccentric...

Three words: Portland. Organic. Wrestling.

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