American Mensa Annual Gathering (AG)
June 30 - July 4, 2011
Portland Oregion
Hosted by Oregon Mensa & Mensa of Western Washington
Downtown Portland
There is a LOT to see and do within walking distance of the AG's Hilton hotels. We have serious nightlife here. Downtown city blocks are only 200 feet, plus sidewalk and street. The developers who shaped this city wanted plenty of corner lots to create higher land values. Today, it makes downtown Portland very human scale and easy to walk.
For a hint at the fun you'll have, check out the fun we've had at our recent RG's!  Tony Hallas has been called one of the world's best astronomical photographers. He's also been called the best. Tony gave us a presentation of his frankly stunning astrophotography with a slide show, including a discussion of the techniques he employs... some of which he pioneered. Take a look at the images on his website: AstroPhoto.com Yes, you can order prints. Tony's work has been featured in several major magazines.  Mountain Gourmet Experience Tour. |
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The two Hilton Hotels are across the street from each other on Portland's v2.0 Transit Mall.
$2 Airport transfers
- MAX,
No Sales Tax in Oregon.
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Increase your credit lines and bring extra luggage. We'll have boxes on hand, for shipping things home.
Powells City of Books - 6 blocks.
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"Media Mail" postage to ship your purchases home, may be less than the sales taxes you won't pay.
Shopping, Other Than Books:
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Nordsroms - 1 block.
Macy's - 2 blocks.
Sak's - 3 blocks
Nike Town 0.2 Blocks
Pioneer Fashion Mall and Food Court - 2 blocks
Lloyd Center Mall and Food Court 15 minutes away, and free on \ MAX
Safeway Foods - 6 blocks
Whole Foods - 8 blocks also on Trolley.
City Liquidators Fun bargains.
The Portland Streetcar
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2.5 Blocks, runs between the new South Wateront district with it's
Pill Hill Tram through
Portland State University, and downtown, stops at
Powells City of Books and continues through the trendy
Pearl District, then loops through the trendy
NW 23rd area.
Pioneer Square - 1 block. (Alt)
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Portland's civic "living room" park.
Public Transportation
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Portland's has a zone where all public transportation is free including light rail, trolly and busses. The AG's Hilton hotels are in the middle of this Fareless Square.
Here's a MAP
ADA:
- Downtown Portland, the AG's Hilton hotels, and public transportation are all highly ADA compliant. All street corners have ramps, trains and busses kneel or have ramps, taxicab companies have wheelchair cabs and Tri-Met, our public transport agency has special short busses.
River Cruises
- Six short blocks to the East is the Willamette River with multiple cruises every day including lunch and dinner cruises.
Wine Country
- The Oregon Wine Industry has over 2,000 vineyards, they start less than one hour to the West, and half an hour to the South. We'll have formal and informal tours, or you can rent a car and just explore.
Brew-Pubs
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Portland has more brew pubs per capita than any city in America. We'll have formal and informal tours.
Local Craft Beers will be featured in Hospitality.
Museums
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Portland Art Museum - 4 blocks.
Oregon History Center - 3 blocks.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) about $10 by cab, or $2 by bus.
Pittock Mansion One of America's Castle homes. about $15 by cab.
Evergreen Air Museum Spruce Goose, SR-71, Warbirds, Ford Tri-Motor.
Tillamook Air Museum 90 minute drive, on Oregon Coast.
Pearson Air Museum Vancouver Washington.
Maryhill Museum 2 hours East along Columbia Gorge
Stonehenge Replica Near Maryhill
Columbia River Maritime Museum Astoria, Oregon
Timberline Lodge 1936 Depression era ski lodge
Vista House Old Columbia River Highway
** More **
Up in the West Hills
All in the same area: about $10 by cab, $2 by bus and MAX:
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Oregon Zoo
Children's Museum
Western Forrestry Center
Oregon Vietnam Memorial
Hoyt Aboretum
Japanese Gardens
Rose Test Gardens
Waterfront Blues Festival
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Also July 4th weekend. About a half mile from AG's Hilton hotels.
Fireworks
- Probably won't be visible from the hotel. However walk 7 blocks East and see a substantial display from the
Waterfront Blues Festival.
Vancouver Washington USA's Fireworks 10 miles North, is billed as the biggest fireworks display west of the Mississippi River. 65,000 people attend this show each year and yes that makes traffic interesting. You can take MAX Yellow line to within two miles of the fireworks.
Sports Venues
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PGE Park 20,000+ seats for
Baseball, Football, Soccer. 1/2 mile West. Ride free on MAX Take a cab, or walk.
Rose Garden - 20,000+ seats for Basketball, Hockey, Arena Rock. Free on MAX
Summer Skiing
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Timberline Lodge Yes, you really can ski in July. Most years. Timberline Lodge is about 90 minutes drive East from the AG's Hiltons.
Pacific Ocean
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The Oregon Coast is as little as 70 minutes drive West from The AG's Hiltons.
The Pearl District
- 6 blocks Northwest. Also on Trolley. America's newest and most exciting urban re-development.
Moonstruck Chocolate Co.
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As seen on Oprah. Choclatier is a local firm. They'll probably present at the AG since they love presenting at our RGs.
608 SW Alder Street and 526 NW 23rd Ave. 503-542-3400,
Theater and Theatre
5 First-Run and Art-House Movie Theaters, starting at 1-3 blocks from the Hiltons.
- Broadway-4, 1 block.
Fox Tower-10, 1 block.
Pioneer Place-6, 3 blocks.
Lloyd Mall-8 and Lloyd Center-10 are a free 15-minute ride away on MAX.
For FANDANGO enter Zip Code 97204 to get locations and schedules
For a movie experience unique to Portland:
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Living Room Theater near Powells.
Cinetopia 15 miles North, in Vancouver Wa
McMenamins Theater Pubs including the Bagdad Theater & Pub.
The AG's Hiltons are in the middle of one of Portland's Theater Districts. Others are walking distance or short cab rides.
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Oregon Symphony and their 2,500 seat Concert Hall - 1 block.
Portland Opera and their 3,000 Seat Concert Hall - 6 blocks.
Portland Center for the Performing Arts - 1 block.