Plan a Budget Friendly Summer Trip to Portland

A beautiful view of Portland Oregon's city skylineDreaming of traveling to the Pacific Northwest? There’s no better time to make your thoughts a reality than this summer. While the cost of a round-trip airline ticket can easily crush your dreams, don’t be discouraged. You can save money by traveling on the Misioneros Bus Line. Misioneros makes regular routes from the sunny state of  California up to the green high deserts of Oregon. Along with saving you money, you can experience the captivating sights along the west coast.

If you’re ready to pack your bags for a budget-friendly getaway to Portland, then we have some suggestions as to what you’ll want to see and do while visiting the City of Roses.   

Traveling Tips for Portland

#1) Attire 

With the abundance of outdoor activities, the city has to offer, you’ll want to pack comfortable walking shoes. During the summer, the weather in Portland is sunny, with occasional rain, and often reaching the high 80s. As for clothes, you’ll want to wear breathable clothing material like cotton or linen so you can comfortably move around.     

#2) Accessories

To be well prepared for the rain, pack an umbrella or raincoat. Since you’ll likely be spending a good amount of time outdoors, a hat and sunscreen will keep your skin free of sunburns. We also suggest a lightweight bag to carry your necessities along with brochures and souvenirs picked up along the way.

Things to Do and See in Portland

#1) Outdoors

There’ll be plenty of free activities to enjoy as Portland’s landscape is an outdoor playground waiting to be explored. Portland is home to 14 distinct bridges that can be walked or biked across. Make a list and cross them out as you spot them along with your commute. Be sure to make your way to Washington Park where you can plan for a picnic under the Coast Redwood trees. The 159-acre park also hosts the Oregon Zoo, International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial, and the Oregon Holocaust Memorial. For a picturesque view, make your way to Silver Falls State Park where you can view breathtaking waterfalls.

#2) Museums

Enjoy time indoors by exploring Portland’s numerous inspiring museums. Discover the deep-rooted importance of trees and forests at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum. It’ll change the way you look at trees. If animation and the arts are more your things, visit the Art and Science of LAIKA at the Portland Art Museum where you can learn how motion pictures are made. For a trail unlike any other, spend time at Portland’s’ Shanghai Tunnels, home of the city’s infamous catacombs and where stories of murder and mystery will spike your imagination.

#3) Nightlife

The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down in Portland. Whether you’re looking to grab a drink at a horror-themed bar (The Lovecraft) or sip on a Mai Tai with the sounds of a volcano in the background (Hale Pele), the possibilities of a night out on the town are endless. Portland’s Entertainment District is a offers a wide selection of food, drinks, and music.     

Where to Eat in Portland

#1) Breakfast Spots

For a hearty meal, Zell’s Cafe has you covered. They have a selection of corned beef, eggs, and potatoes, along with French toast and waffles. The best part of their menu is the German pancake, which is large enough for an entire table to share. For a classic Portland spot, Besaw’s comfort food, established in 1903 will fill your stomach’s with their ‘dream cakes’ which are three cinnamon sticky bun pancakes with cream cheese frosting, topped with walnuts and toffee sauce. You also can’t go wrong with their chicken and waffles or pecan smoked pastrami sandwich.       

#2) Something New

When you’re in Portland, it’s a good time to open up your taste buds to something unfamiliar. Pok Pok (NW) is a pleasant fuse of regional foods from Thailand and Southeast Asia. Experience the blend of spices in the ‘kai krapao khai dao’, which is minced chicken and long beans, krapao (a Thai basil), white onion, black soy, fish sauce, garlic and dry chilies.    

#3) Cheap and Savory

The best of both worlds come together when a meal is inexpensive and high in flavor. Portland is famous for its numerous establishments offering cheap meals that don’t shy away from deliciousness. We suggest hamburgers from Killer Burger who serve a mountain-size beef patty with toppings that include bacon, pickles, and cheese sandwiched together with fresh buns. For a variety of local, inexpensive dishes, be sure to make your way to downtown Portland’s collection of food carts where you’ll find tacos, barbeque, Japanese-inspired dishes, mini burgers, waffles, and pizza.        

Start Planning Today

If Portland, Oregon has been on your list of places to visit, then this summer is the time to finally make it happen. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. If you travel on Misioneros Bus Line you’ll save money and discover new parts of the west coast.

 

Tips for Planning an Affordable Summer Vacation

bus ride close up inside a busWhen money is tight, a nice family vacation may feel out of reach. But vacations are a way to bring your family closer together and to get away from the humdrum of life for a bit. You come back a little more tanned, rejuvenated, and happy. With bus rides from Misioneros Bus Lines, you can plan a fun, affordable vacation that the whole family can enjoy.

Tip #1: Pack the Essentials

While you don’t want to overpack while traveling, it’s a good idea to try to bring all the essentials with you, including toiletries, bathing suits, and underwear. The last thing you want is to have to spend a bunch of money on things like these once you get to where you’re going for vacation.

Tip #2: Save Money on Breakfast

Whether your hotel offers free breakfast or you purchase a few boxes of cereal or frozen sausage biscuits, eating an affordable breakfast in your hotel room can help you save a lot of money in the long run. Plus, it gives you more time in the day to lounge around on the beach or get in line early at the amusement parks.

Tip #3: Find the Deals

Much like you would coupons in the Sunday paper, there are many deals you can bank on when going on vacation. From travel to entertainment, keeping an eye out for the best deals can help you save money, extend your vacation, and do more with your family.

Tip #4: Alternative Housing

Hotels can be incredibly expensive, especially when traveling for long periods of time. Staying in places like hostels and AirBNBs is a surefire way to save money. Just be sure these places accommodate families. It’s often different when traveling alone and some of these places are designed for lone travelers and small groups. Call ahead to make sure it is ideal for you and your family.

Tip #5: Alternative Travel: Bus Rides

If you’re not traveling too far or across the ocean, you can save money by not taking a plane. Plane tickets are often super expensive, but taking alternative forms of travel like driving or bus rides can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Misioneros Bus Lines offers bus rides to places all over the United States and Mexico. Check out our routes online and learn more about our charter bus services today! We look forward to taking you where you need to go.

Packing Tips for Long Bus Rides

woman trying to close an overstuffed suitcaseTaking the bus to your desired destination is becoming more and more common, especially with the rising cost of airfare. Packing for a bus trip can be quite different than packing for a trip by plane. These tips can help make packing for your vacation and upcoming bus rides a breeze.

Tip #1: Make the Most of Storage Under the Bus

Unlike airlines, you don’t have to pay to store your suitcase for bus rides. While this doesn’t mean you should pack everything you own, it does give you more freedom with what you can pack. If you choose to take only one suitcase, which is typically recommended on trips since it is better to pack light, there are many things you can do to get the most out of your space. For packing clothes, you have two options: roll your clothes or store them in storage cubes. Rolling your clothes is good because it saves a lot of space while storage cubes are good if you’re going for an extended period of time. The storage cubes essentially turn your suitcase into a dresser and you have a dedicated space for each item of clothing, like your shirts, undergarments, and slacks, if you’re traveling somewhere where you’ll need to dress professionally.

Tip #2: Be Smart With What You Put in Your Carry On

If it’s going to be a long bus ride, there are a few things you can do to better prepare for it. One, don’t forget the snacks. Storing some granola bars, chips, and extra waters in your bag is great because it alleviates the need to buy some while you’re already on the trip, meaning you can spend your money on more souvenirs and attractions.

It’s also a good idea to pack disposable toothbrushes and flossers, so you can clean your teeth without having to rely on a sink, along with wipes and deodorant. You might not get the chance to shower in between being on the bus for hours and heading out to your first stop at your destination. It may also be a good idea to bring dry shampoo for this reason, especially if you have oily hair and skin. This way, you can look your best and not have to worry about showering until you make it back to your hotel.

Tip #3: Bring Forms of Entertainment With You

Bus rides can be long, but they’re a good opportunity for you to rest, relax, and catch up on work you may be behind on. Our buses have free WiFi, so you can bring your laptop along to catch up on things for work or school or even just to play around and take Buzzfeed quizzes. Whatever the case may be, take advantage of your time during long bus rides, so you can make the most out of your trip.

Bus Rides with Misioneros Bus Lines

At Misioneros Bus Lines, we can take you where you want to go. Call us today to learn more!