|
Thanks to your enthusiastic responses to the 2017 International Master Gardener Conference, we have filled more than 1,230 conference registrations and over 700 tour slots.
Of course, if you have not registered, please ACT NOW! Don't miss a constellation of amazing speakers, film series, trade show and the experience of delighting in all Portland and Oregon has to offer!
If you have registered but wish to make a change - be it selection of a session or meal, or buying a ticket to the opening reception or a film show -- please contact conference registration as soon as possible. We can neither make any changes nor sell any tickets after May 26.
Have you downloaded the free
conference app
? It is designed to help you navigate the conference with ease -- with
conference schedule, maps, session and speaker info, exhibitor profiles and Search for Excellence winners.
Last month, we provided an
orientation
to Portland and toured several eastside districts. This issue ventures west of the Willamette River to Downtown, the Pearl and Old Town Chinatown. Hop on the MAX from the Convention Center or Doubletree hotel and you'll cross the river in minutes.
 |
|
|
Lan Su Chinese Garden
|
Directly across the river from the Oregon Convention Center is
Old Town Chinatown
, Portland's oldest neighborhood. Its crown jewel -- Lan Su Chinese Garden - was realized by artisans from Suzhoiu, China to faithfully represent a classical Chinese garden from the Ming Dynasty. Visitors meander this urban oasis via covered walkways and bridges around Zither Lake. A tea house in the garden offers snacks.
Also in this district is VooDoo Doughnut, open around the clock. For a look into the past, consider the Portland Walking Tour which includes 'Shanghai Tunnels', a relic from the 1850's.
Downtown offers a mix of tax-free shopping, Cultural Block (Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, Portland Center for the Performing Arts), and green spaces for easy strolling. A favorite area for scenic views and people-watching is the Tom McCall Waterfront Park; seven blocks uptown are the tree-lined Park Blocks. Both are dotted with pocket gardens. Three
Farmers Markets, food carts, casual eateries and restaurants will fuel and sustain your exploration.
|
|
|
Downtown Portland Farmers Market
|
Straddling between downtown and the Pearl District is Powell's City of Books. With holdings of 1 million new and used books, color-coded reading rooms occupy an entire city block on three floors. This iconic Portland institution receives 7,000 visitors every day! Check out the "25 to read before you die" shelf while there.
The Pearl District transformed from an old warehouse district into today's chic boutiques, upscale lofts, bakeries and restaurants. Sample local beers at Bridgeport Brewing Co. (Portland's oldest craft brewery) or Deschutes Brewery & Public House (craft brewer based in Central Oregon). Noteworthy restaurants are sure to please, from the Mediterranean Exploration Company where James Beard Award-winning chef John Gorham presides to Andina (reimagined Peruvian food), Park Kitchen (locally-sourced ingredients), to Oven and Shaker (Italian street food).
Take a closer look at our map and you will notice how close these districts are to the Convention Center and conference hotels. Since they are located on the BLUE, GREEN, RED MAX lines, you can reach the heart of these districts in mere minutes.
Key dates for the 2017 IMGC:
Change session/meal selection through May 26
Sign up for day tours through May 19
|
