MAX Light Rail : Portland’s award-winning light rail system is one of the best in the country. Nicknamed "MAX," this 38-mile network of rails links Portland. When you arrive at Portland International Airport you can walk from the baggage claim area to the light rail station (less than 500 feet) and for $2 you will arrive at the Pioneer Square Station which is two blocks from the Hilton Hotel, home of the 2007 ITE Western District Annual Meeting – only a 30 minute ride on the Red Line. Best of all, Portland's mass transit – buses, light rail and streetcars – is free in a 330-square-block area known as "Fareless Square." Happily for conference attendees, this ride-free zone includes the Portland Hilton.

Streetcar: The streetcar connects downtown Portland's Cultural District to Portland State University, the art gallery-filled Pearl District and the Northwest/Nob Hill neighborhood, known for its outstanding restaurants and upscale shopping.

Bus: The Western District Annual Meeting headquarters hotel (Hilton) is smack in the middle of Portland’s Fareless Square. That means for all conference attendees, bus transit in the downtown area is FREE. While that is the good news, during the conference there will be construction on-going for the new light rail transit line and the buses will be a few blocks from the meeting site.

Bicycle: Portland is considered Biketown USA to many residents. You can rent a bicycle and go on some wonderful tours right from downtown. Waterfront Bicycle Rentals is located in the Riverplace District (SW 3rd/Montgomery, 503/227-1719 you can call to reserve a bike). It is about a 16 block walk to their retail store. You can bicycle around the waterfront on the 1.5-mile pedestrian/cycling trail through Waterfront Park which offers a great view of the city skyline and features a 1,200 foot floating walkway as well as easy access to four of the bridges that cross the Willamette River. The Springwater Corridor is linked to the downtown waterfront loop near the OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) which provides you an off-street trail all the way to Gresham (about 15 miles) and crossing the 10 mile long I-205 corridor trail system, which connects you with the Portland International Airport (providing you a link from the airport to the conference hotel – off-street!). The City of Portland also lists some bicycle rental locations.

Walking - Portland's short blocks and street-level attractions make the city a pedestrian's delight. Voted one of "America's Best Walking Towns" by Walking Magazine, the downtown area is full of architectural landmarks both old and new. The Visitor Information and Services Center, located in the heart of downtown Portland at Pioneer Courthouse Square, offers brochures, maps, itinerary-planning assistance and advice on restaurants and lodging, and perusing the calendar of local events. For a perfectly lovely stroll - or ride - along Portland's downtown waterfront, follow the promenade in Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park to the historic Steel Bridge. On the lower deck of the bridge, visitors will discover a bicycle/pedestrian crossing that links the downtown side of the Willamette River to Portland's new Eastbank Esplanade..

Car: As long as all of your activities are in Portland, a car isn't necessary!

Flexcar: You really do not need a car in downtown Portland and if you need to make a trip by car, there are several “Flex cars” available within walking distance of the hotel. They go for $7.50 per hour and max out at $75 per day. If you do not have a Flexcar account go to www.flexcar.com for more information.

Parking: Within one block of the Hilton Hotel there are over 1,500 parking spaces – that’s the good new! The bad news is that construction for the LRT will be underway and accessing these close-in spaces will be a little tricky. Daily parking rates run around $10 to $15 per day depending upon the garage. The best short term parking structure is located at Fourth Avenue and Taylor Street (400 spaces, $1.25 per hour for the first four hours). Portland is one of few downtown’s with Smart parking meters – solar powered kiosk pay stations allow you to pay with credit cards (and coins too!) and then put a sticker in your window (pay and display). On-street parking near the hotel is typically limited to one hour to 90 minutes and costs $1.25 per hour – AND THEY DO ENFORCE!

If you need to budget for daily parking costs – here are some examples (all pricing as of February 2007):

• Hilton Hotel (on-site parking): On SW Taylor Street between SW 5th and 6th Avenues. $18 per day
• Central Parking Structure 1025 SW 6th Avenue (one block away): On SW 6th Avenue between Main and Salmon (next to McDonald’s). $15 per day
• Garage (one block away): On SW Salmon Street between 6th and 5th. $12 overnight, $8.75 daily if in by 9 AM.
• Surface parking (3 blocks away): On SW Main Street between 9th and 10th. $10 per day, $7.75 daily if in before 10:30 AM.
• Unitus Plaza Garage (5 blocks away): On SW 5th Avenue between Jefferson and Columbia. $9.50 daily/overnight.