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		Portland Fun Family Destination Reprinted from July 2006 Issue -by ROSSELLA BRINA During a trip to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, we drove a bit farther west and visited Portland for one day. This charming city offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment that can be enjoyed by the entire family. A lot of interesting spots are downtown, and a convenient light-rail system, known as the MAX, connects many of them. When we visit Portland, we travel by foot most of the time, as many of the sites that attract us are close to each other. But we also enjoy hopping on the MAX, especially toward the end of the day. After all, riding the MAX is free in the downtown core area. Since it was Saturday, we headed first for the Market in the Historic Skidmore District. From March through December, this open market offers an eclectic variety of arts, crafts and food that is bound to entice both children and adults. Although this is known as the Saturday Market, it is also open on Sundays. From the market, it is a short walk to the Willamette River and the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Our visit was in the midst of summer, on a warm day. The weather was perfect for a quiet stroll along the waterfront. The park is home to many of the city’s outdoor cultural events and festivals, and one was under way as we walked by. This festival was a celebration of Oregon’s products, with a wide variety of local foods and beverages, and live music. We continued on toward the Salmon Street Fountain. This is one of my children’s favorites, since it has over 100 jets that are orchestrated to produce a wide range of splashy effects. It was a rather warm day and many residents and tourists—with a prevalence of children—took advantage of the fountain’s refreshing sprays and frolicked in the water. Including, of course, my own. A bit farther south, RiverPlace Promenade includes a small waterfront shopping center, mostly populated by eating establishments, where we took a refreshing break at a sidewalk café. If shopping is on your mind, Portland’s downtown offers a wide selection, starting with Pioneer Place—a few stops away on the MAX. This four-level pavilion has plenty of eateries and specialty shops, including such names as Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany’s. Nearby is Pioneer Courthouse, an 1869 Palladian structure with an octagonal wood cupola that is the oldest remaining public building in the Pacific Northwest. For us bibliophiles, another main attraction is Powell’s City of Books. This is America’s largest new and used bookstore, with over one million volumes. The only thing that could bring the four of us to leave this place is hunger. It was lunch time. This time we tried a restaurant in the Pearl District, which we reached using the Portland Streetcar. Once only a neighborhood of warehouses and industrial buildings, the Pearl District is now home to some of the city’s best galleries, interior design boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. Our choice was called Piazza Italia, where we were greeted by friendly Italian waiters. While we enjoyed our food, I had a chance to speak my native language, making my experience even more pleasant. Portland is an example of a successful downtown revitalization effort, and I felt right at home, as most of the social and business life in my native country is carried out in the center of town. Of course, in just one day we couldn’t stop at many of the other attractive destinations this city offers. From Chinatown to the Portland Art Museum, from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry to the Yamhill Historic District, and from the beautiful International Rose Test Garden to the Metro Washington Park Zoo, there’s a place to suit everyone’s taste. More reason to be back again. For more information about Portland, visit www.portlandonline.com.