What to do in Portland Thanksgiving weekend?

What kind of budget are you on? If you're staying in the Pearl, I'm assuming you're okay with spending a bit and wouldn't mind a fairly nice place to eat on your birthday. The first thing that comes to mind is the http://www.portlandcitygrill.com/, which I've only been to for Happy Hour (one of the best in Ptown), but their food is amazing and the view is spectacular. As for the boys, it depends on what they like to do. I'm a geek, so http://www.groundkontrol.com/ is pretty awesome. If you like jazz, there's always http://www.jimmymaks.com/. But the best place in Portland: http://www.powells.com/. I could spend years there.

If you've got a car, and if weather isn't awful, take a drive out to go see http://www.multnomahfallslodge.com/. It's easy to find because it has its own exit off I-84. (It's the only left-exit on I-84 between Portland and the Idaho border.)

portland city grill sounds great and is within our budget. we all love to try new restaurants and are willing to spend a little to try something amazing. they are major geeks, they will love Ground Kontrol, thanks (that sounds like the perfect distraction so I can get in an afternoon of shopping) Thanks for all the great recommendations!

Get married at http://voodoodoughnut.com/, or just have some world famous delicious doughnuts.

Ground Kontrol is also just down the street from http://www.backspace.bz/. Other geeky must-sees in Portland? Hrmm... http://freegeek.org/ is at it's best when there's an event, but the thrift store is good stuff if you're into nigh obsolete electronic gadgets (the Goodwill near there is awesome, too. Seattle's Goodwill kinda sucks.). I've just got to counter the PCG suggestion with a few less bourgeois suggestions. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, especially on vacation, but if ya come to "Portland" and just stay in the Pearl and shop and dine at $$$$ restaurants, please don't go home and pretend to yourself that you actually visited Portland. If I hadn't grown up here and thus be forever doomed to family Thanksgivings here, I'd hit the http://www.veganopolis.com/ Thanksgiving feast. That might be too close to traditional turkey day for you, though. If they're open one of those days, I'd also suggest the http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3221/7379#continue food cart (It's the one with the covered seating), http://www.russellstreetbbq.com/ (not-too-far NE), and http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=891760 (It's in Old Town. The Takahashi Restaurant is also great, but it's in deepish SE). If ya want a greasy diner, working class breakfast, you can't beat http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1500, also in Old Town. Same thing, but late night? Hit the underspoken http://www.steppingstonecafe.com/. The Mercury recently had a http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=375685&category=375674 guide and I'm dying to check a few of those places off my list. The Tram is the new touristy thing to do and the view will rival the PCG's any day of the week, although it's a short ride and all you've got is a hospital for a destination. If you're lucky, one of the neighbors will http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/2007/04/fuck_the_tram_sign_on_neighbor.php. The Hawthorne district is at that about mid-gentrification (debatable, I suppose) phase where there's still a good diversity of stores. Hm, looks like McMenamins has finally invaded Seattle, but http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=57&id=81 is the pinnacle of the genre (oh, if only one could be served in the soaking pool...). Portland is also home to the http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=127&action=ViewPark and the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mill_Ends_Park urban parks.

Thanks for the detailed restaurant info, I really appreciate that. I'll try not to pretend anything to myself when I get home, but I'll try to remember your friendly response when giving advice to those who are really excited to be spending a vacation in Seattle.