395: PDX Tips for CiderCon 2024

Bookmark this episode for loads of Portland Oregon a.k.a. PDX Tips

Oregon Cider Week and CiderCon 2024 are all converging in PDX and this episodes has all the tips you need arrive and hit the ground running. Portland resident Sean Connolly, who is also known as Cider Experience on Instragram and Facebook has delivered big time with tons of tips and insider knowlege to help everyone feel like a local.

Sean Connolly In this Cider Chat on PDX Tips

• Temperature
  • Highs 47 degrees
  • 50/50 chance of rain or sunny
  • Bring layers

• What to wear
  • Jeans and plaids work
  • Casual dress code and functional

PDX Tips to look like a local: Loose the umbrella and let your hair get wet! When using an umbrella, it is obvious you are from out of town!

• Transportation
• Airport (PDX) to CiderCon – The Met Red line is not in service beginning January 14th. Service will be still provided via shuttle buses which will take a bit longer than the 30 minute ride. It is still a great deal at $2.80
  • go to Trimet.org for more info

• Driving: Download Car Parking App: Parking Kitty 

• Bicycles for Rent in PDX
  • Nike Launch a travel by bike – https://biketownpdx.com/
  • There are lots of bike lanes
  • Spring Water Corridor runs the length of the Willamette River approximately 7-8 miles

• Need Tech help or supplies?
  • The Lloyd Center is close by and in old town Portland there is a full service Apple Stor

PDX Tips for purchases: There is no Sales Taxes in Oregon

• Restaurants near CiderCon
  • Red Robin
  • Spanish Tapas
  • Noble Rot – beautiful views of the city
  • Big Pink – City Grill on 33rd floor with great views
  •  Sizzle Side Pizza
  • Spirit of 77 Seas recommends for good pub faire

• Grocery stores by Hyatt
  • Safeway approximately 3/4 mile
  • Trader Joes about 4 miles away in the Hollywood district

• Karaoke
  • Ambassador PDX Bar and Lounge 
  • Alibi PDX
  • The Baby Ketten Club

PDX Tips: The city is Food Trucks heaven – Look for “Food Cart Pods” via Travel Portland ‘s online food cart finder

Cider

Cider Locations closest to Hyatt and Oregon Convention Center

• Schilling Cider House – a wide range of taps approx 1 Mile from the Hyatt
• Spirit of 777 Tap take over
• Pizza Thief – the tap
• Lil Spirits – a block and half from Convention Center – tap takeovers – 437 NE Lloyd Blvd Portland, OR 97232
• The Place PDX – A cider bar will be hosting multiple cider events

In Pearl District on west side of river

• Cider Bite – splits taps between sweet and dry
• Portland Cider Company  – 35 taps 
  • Locations in Oregon City and Beavertown
•  Swift Cider is located in the north side of town

• Bring Cider or Beer Home
• The Place PDX – buy bottles to go
• John’s Marketplace big collection of both cider and beer – 3560 SE Powell Blvd -Portland, OR 
• McMenamins has a large selections
• New Seasons Market
• Pick up cider and beer at the Portland International Airport
  • Look for Made in Oregon Store in airport

 Sean’s PDX Tips for Fun in Portland

• Walk by the River
• Forest Park: The largest urban park in the country
• Mount Tabor Park
• Hopscotch – light and music theme area, high sensory experience (take an hour to enjoy)
• Dance: McMenamims at Lola’s Room
• Relax and Soak at McMenamims Soaking Pool or Common Ground Wellness Center

PDX Tips for Cannabis: Oregon Legalized Cannabis in 2015. There are 5 dispensaries around the hotel conference center. Look up: WhatsLegalOregon.com

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• CiderCon 2024 January 15-19th, 2024 Portland Oregon
• Artisans by Cider Summit| Portland, Oregon January 20, 2024
• Oregon Cider Week January 13-20th, 2024
• Totally Cider Tours – France – listen to past episodes and get on the wait list for the 2024 tour!