Go outside and play!

No car? No gear? No problem.

Outside play, even of tamer varieties like riverside strolls, is BIG in Portland. Because our September weather is so fine, you’ll want to partake.

Here are some ideas of things to do in your conference off-hours without a car and without bringing any gear!

Run or Walk

Portland's Esplanade loop is among the best running/walking trails in any metropolitan area, and it's just a few blocks from the Convention Center, the Doubletree and the Portland Hilton. You'll make a three-mile loop on a combination of floating boardwalks and sidewalks, passing public art and interpretive panels and crossing the Willamette River via pedestrian-friendly bridges at the far ends of the loop.

From the Convention Center, access it from the overlook at the east end of the Steel Bridge, just across from the Rose Quarter Transit Station. From the Hilton Portland, walk six blocks down SW Salmon Street to reach Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Kayak

Or maybe you'd rather be IN the river. At 6 p.m. any night you can walk on the Esplanade (see above) to the RiverPlace Marina, rent a kayak, and head out to watch the sun set behind a heron rookery on nearby Ross Island. Reservations are required. MORE INFORMATION

Road/Street Biking

Portland has been named the most bicycle-friendly in the nation. Portlanders commute by bike, shop by bike and play by bike. If you want to go with the flow, there are several bike rental places just a few blocks from the Convention Center or the conference hotels. MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON

Mountain Bike in Forest Park

Take bus No. 15, 17 or 77 from downtown Portland to Montgomery Park, walk two blocks up 27th Avenue to Fat Tire Farm. Rent a tricked-out mountain bike and head for the hills. That's the lush, wooded mountains of gigantic Forest Park, where some serious mountain biking happens. You can opt for a peaceful, easy route or you can scream down through some very challenging terrain. INFORMATION AND MAPS

Take a Hike

In 10 minutes, you can get from downtown, via MAX Light Rail, to the Washington Park station, where you can head up the hill to do some serious hiking through a quintessential Northwest fir forest. This is no stroll in the park. The Wildwood Trail meanders up and down, through towering fir trees, for 26 miles. Looking for a shorter adventure? There are several lovely loops from the Washington Park trailhead as well. Download a map

Golf

The lovely Eastmoreland Golf Course is accessible by bus. From the convention center, walk or take MAX to NE Holladay & 11th. Board bus #70 12th Ave to Milwaukie, and get off at SE 17th & Bybee. Walk .4 mile east to 2425 SE Bybee Blvd OR Play for $1 a hole at the Edgefield resort golf course to play for $1 a hole! Take the Airport MAX (Red line) to the NE 82nd & MAX Overpass and board bus 77.  Get off at Edgefield.

Go Birding

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is a 140-acre floodplain wetland located along the east bank of the Willamette River and a birdwatcher's paradise. Get there via a nice riverside hike along the Eastbank Esplanade or a short bus ride from the convention center. Simply walk or take MAX to NE Holladay & 11th. Board bus #70 12th Ave to Milwaukie, and get off at SE 13th & Sellwood. Walk to SE 7th Ave & SE Sellwood Blvd and look out for herons, hawks, quail, coots, woodpeckers, kestrels and more! MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER NEARBY BIRDING AREAS