#9 -The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) – Abernethy neighborhood fun
Post #9 of 101 Cool Portland Places: OMSI
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), in SE Portland in the Abernathy neighborhood, has always been an exciting afternoon adventure. I walk in knowing there’s something new and interesting I will be walking out with. It boasts something for everyone making it a great spot for a family activity in Portland. I remember seeing a planetarium show with vibrant looking planets and galaxy’s to dream into. There’s Orion’s Belt with a nebula at the end of his sword. OMSI is home to one of the most technologically advanced planetariums in the Northwest and also happens to have a U.S. Navy submarine. Sweet.
The museum traces its roots back to the Oregon Museum of History, Science, and Industry which was started in 1944 in the Portland Hotel. OMSI moved to its current site which was donated by Portland General Electric in 1992. The museum features numerous halls that focus on specific areas of science. The Turbine Hall features exhibits on space travel, engineering, physics, and chemistry while the Life Sciences Hall focuses on biology. The Science Playground is designed for families with children under the age of six. It gives children the chance to explore a variety of areas while keeping them safe and contained in an area where parents can keep an eye on them.
In addition to exhibits, the Museum offers several educational programs including the largest science outreach program in the U.S. They teach innovative science education in Western states as well as offer all day and overnight science classes during Spring and Summer Break. OMSI is open Tuesday through Sunday and Mondays when schools are closed from 9:30 am to 5:30pm. Ticket prices are $11 for adults and $9 for seniors and those under 13, admission is free for members. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is located at 1945 SE Water Ave. right on the bank of the Willamette River in the Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood. For more information check out their website at omsi.edu
#10 -Dante’s – Portland’s hot spot, features live music as well as more extravagant acts
Post # 10 of 101 cool Portland places. Dante’s.
Dante’s, a downtown Portland hot spot, features live music as well as more extravagant acts. The atmosphere is a bit dark and moody, but the drinks are good as well as the pizza. I have performed at Dante’s with my old band My favorite Pill, and I enjoyed the sound system and stage set-up. I have also seen many live acts and events, most recently was Karaoke from Hell, which was awesome. I was a bit too nervous to get up and sing Oh Darling! by the Beatles, so I just watched everyone else. I’m looking back now…. why didn’t I just go for it! Who cares if people would of laughed at me. Many now famous acts can trace their roots back to Dante’s including Storm and the Balls and the SuicideGirls Burlesque Troupe.
Dante’s opened in 2000 in an early 20th century building with an illustrious past as a brothel, speak-easy, and a 80′s punk club. Over the past ten years the bar has expanded from 3,000 to 7,500 square feet and features award winning pizza as well as a full bar. It is home to wide variety of music styles from rock and roll to cabaret.
The bar is open daily from 11am to 2:30 with pizza by the slice served until 3. It is a free Wi-Fi hot and a VIP balcony is available for rent. Dante’s is located in downtown near Old Town at 1SW 3rd and Burnside. For more information check out Dante’s website www.myspace.com/dantesportland. Looking for more Portland music venues? Check out Lizard Lounge at 1323 NW Irving St or East End at 203 SE Grand Ave.
# 12 – The Portland Nursery: Plants and trees and seeds Oh My!
Post #12 of 101 cool Portland Places – The Portland Nursery
The Portland Nursery at first glance might not seem like a “cool Portland place”, but I personally have been there many times where next thing I know a couple of hours have passed, loving it, and I am still not ready to leave, especially during Spring when everything is out and in bloom.
I first walk up and down the Fruit tree isles and dream about what my backyard should look like, then off to the herbs, the cactus garden, the Japanese Bonsai varieties, the vegetable starters….. ahh there is soo much…. it’s Disneyland for the gardener.
The Nursery can trace its roots back to one man, Albert Brownell, who opened the Portland Wholesale Nursery in 1907. In the early 1920′s Avery Steinmetz purchased the Nursery and for the next 60 years set about creating new standards for commercial horticulture; his impact was so great that he was the one of the first people honored in the American Association of Nurserymen’s Hall Of Fame. While it has changed hands again since Steimmetz was in charge, The Portland Nursery has always stayed true to its roots. Both locations sell everything from perennials to vegetables and gardening tools and equipment including those necessary to grow organically.
While both stores offer similar product selection the Stark location, located at 5050 SE Stark Street in the Laurelhurst / Hawthorne Neighborhood offers classes throughout the year in its century old building. These classes contain tips and tricks designed to make gardening easier Another treat at the Stark location includes the yearly apple tasting held in the fall. The Division St. nursery is located at 9000 SE Division in the Montavilla Neighborhood. This location offers classes on a variety of subjects including organic gardening and furniture building. As a special bonus classes taken at the Division location generate credit stamps that can be used for discounts of up to 30 percent off. For more information check out the Portland Nursery website at www.portlandnursery.com. Looking for more outdoor activities in Porltand? Check out these Portland Oregon parks known for their unique plant life, Hoyt Arboretum and the Japanese Gardens both of which are located in Washington Park, just minutes west of downtown Portland.
#6 Laurelhurst Movie Theater – Portland’s pizza and beer theater
Post #6 of 101 cool Portland Places – The Laurelhurst Theater
The Laurelhurst Theater, located in the Kerns Neighborhood an area popular with small businesses and restaurant owners is an ideal place for people who want to drink beer and watch movies at the same time. This theater/pub offers mainstream movies after they have left the multiplexes, indie flicks, and classics such as Clerks or To Live and Die in L.A. The Laurelhurst first opened its doors in 1923, it made a splash as one of the first art-deco buildings of the era. After closing down in the 80′s the theater was reopened earlier this decade where it still features the same sectioned glass in the lobby that was there when it opened 80 years earlier.
Movie-goers can choose from a wide selection of beer and wine as well as pizza and traditional movie theater fair. The individual theaters feature tables and plenty of legroom to minimize spills and maximize the movie 
going experience. For those 12 and under admission is only 1 dollar though those under 21 aren’t permitted after 3 PM. Movies play all day and general admission is only 3 dollars. For those looking for a cheap night out, a ticket plus a slice and a beer at the Laurelhurst will still cost less than a ticket at most other theaters. The Laurelhurst Theater is located at 2735 E Burnside Portland in east Portland near the Laurelhurst neighborhood and Park. For show times and more information check out their website at laurelhursttheater.com.
#2- The Portland Japanese Garden
This is post #2 of my 101 cool Portland places.
One of the first places I visited when I moved to Portland was The Japanese gardens. It was a misty day and the ambiance moody yet peaceful. My friends and I walked around for a couple of hours and we were all impressed with the beauty it had to offer.
The Portland Japanese Garden, located in the hills of west Portland, is notable for its peaceful atmosphere and attention to detail that will have visitors thinking they are in Japan. In fact, in a study done by the Journal of Japanese Gardening, it was ranked first out of 300 Japanese gardens outside of Japan and is widely considered to be one of the most authentic.
Designed by Professor Takuma Tono in 1963, the garden is split into five smaller gardens all of which combine to represent the earth. The most formal of these is the large Flat Garden it is full of evergreens contrasted with a sea of sand that is arranged to evoke the four seasons The largest of the five is Strolling Gardens it houses an antique five-tiered pagoda lantern given to Portland in 1963 by Sapporo, its Sister City in Japan. The Tea Garden is notable in that everything about it is design to make the Tea Ceremony as harmonious as possible. The Natural Garden is full of lush plant life growing amidst flowing streams and bridges. By contrast the Sand and Stone Garden offers the simplicity of stones set in raked sand it is similar to those typically found in Zen Monasteries.
Located in the Arlington Heights neighborhood, the garden covers 5.5 acres and offers numerous hiking trails. Portland Japanese Garden offer numerous events throughout the year including numerous art exhibits and yearly Japanese festivals. Hiking is restricted to trails and unfortunately visitors will have to check their pets and cell phones at the door. Summer hours are 12-7 PM on Mondays and 10-7 the rest of the week. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $6.25 for:seniors and students children 5 and under are free. The Portland Japanese Garden is located at 611 SW Kingston.
For more information check out their website at www.japanesegarden.com
# 7 The Kennedy School – Portland Entertainment
Post #7 of 101 Cool Portland Places. The Kennedy School.
Welcome to the Kennedy School, located in the Northeast Portland Concordia neighborhood. McMenamins has renovated the once-abandoned scholastic gem and turned it into one Portland’s favorite hot spots among locals and out of state visitors.
The Kennedy School in NE Portland
Originally opened in 1915 as an elementary school, now Inside you will find everything from the old school auditorium turned into a movie theater with couches and tables to eat your home made pizza, to the detention hall turned into a whiskey and cigar room. The cafeteria now houses a fine eating establishment with a great menu and several home made beers on tap and a gift shop to pick up some great memories. A huge 20 person hot tub soaking pool and and an extra large conference room now hosts great live local and out of state performers of all types. The classrooms are turned into guest rooms with original chalkboards and cloakrooms, private baths, telephones and modems. Amazing artwork lines the walls, much of it dates back from the early years of The Kennedy Schools existence.
I love the scene and the good energy the school has. This is truly a must see experience to enjoy if you have yet to visit. The Kennedy is located at: 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. Portland, OR 97211
101 Cool Portland Places
Whether you are new Portland or a long-time resident, check out these Portland places of interest. I have 101 cool Portland places that I would like to introduce. View Northeast Portland restaurants and shops, inner SE Portland live music and museums, Northwest Portland parks and night life, Southwest Portland outdoor activities and entertainment. I’m more then a Portland Realtor, I’m a community builder and resource because… there is so much to do out there. It’s your community, get to know it.
Agent Profile
My introduction and education in Real Estate started back in college, 1989, in Los Angeles, California.
I chose to work with M Realty because of their top of the world technology and innovative home searching website unmatched anywhere in the US.
I enjoy meeting Portland locals and opening the door to so many different and unique homes to view. I also have been working with families relocating to Portland since day one as a licensed Portland Realtor. Having a vast knowledge of the Portland homes for sale, neighborhoods, schools, local places of interests and just an overall love for our city makes this job more of a passion.
My past working bio consisted of other interests within public relations:
An Astronomy educator for NASA and the Griffith Observatory.
President/CEO of AIRTIME BOARDS snowboard company.
Creator and author of KEVDIDDY children\'s music, books and videos.
In my spare time I enjoy watching my beautiful boy grow, camping where you can\'t see civilization, giving star talks under a clear night sky, The White Album, brewing my own organic blueberry wine and Organic gardening. I have been living off of my Organic fruit and vegetable garden for the last 25 years. I don\'t go produce shopping for 8 months of the year. I also have some of the most healthiest and happiest chickens from which I get fresh eggs daily.
It\'s a good day to live in Portland!
