2 days in Portland, what are some must-sees?

Not only typical museums..but some restaurants/events/foods/places that one can only see in Portland. (Like Independence Hall or cheesesteaks in Philly).

Portland is fantastic for food. Higgins - classic NW local, seasonal cooking. Always a veggie option or two. One of Portland's best. Paley's Place is great - has won James Beard award for NW restaurant. Toro Bravo doesn't take reservations, and it can be a wait, but it's some of the best tapas food you will ever eat. It's newer and the price is right and the food is absolutely delicious.

Brew pubs are a must. A Mcmenamins pub and/or Bridgeport or Full Sail would be great. There is also plenty of really good local wine to sample. Portland has some great funky, safe neighborhoods. SE Hawthorne between 30th or so and up to 39th and beyond is a fun hippie/hipster type shopping area and is very Portland. A bit further south is SE Clinton/Division which has some fun little spots. Depending on the weather, Pittock Mansion can be nice....it's up on the hills and you can see the whole city from up there. Cityserach.com is a great resource. Check the link.

If you have a car, a day in the gorge seeing waterfalls, a trip up to Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge, or a drive to the ocean are all something to consider and would be well worth an it.

Portland Maine, or Portland Oregon?

I will assume Portland Oregon.

Go to the Bridgeport Brewery in the Alphabet District. It has some very popular beers. Portland's microbrew scene is huge and very well known. If you intend to go during the dry season, or it's dry when you get there, go to the Gardens. The Rose Garden, while only at it's full potential from May until July, has very beautiful views. The kinds you see on postcards. Right across the stret is the Japanese Garden which is at its best from October until April at it's peak with the cherry blossoms.

Other than that I can't tell. Being from Portland, it's extremely hard to tell what is truly unique about the city. It all seems normal to me.

Portland, OR:
Restaurants - Jin Wah(Beaverton),Pho Hung(Beaverton),Burgerville(all around), Rhineland(Portland)

You can see Mt.Hood and go skiing($40 for lessons/rent/ticket the whole January), Multnomah Falls, Oregon Coast(Seaside, Newport, Astoria, Tillamook - delicious ice cream).

Light show at the OMSI

Portland tunnels
multnomah falls <if you have car rental>
McMenamins Restaurants/Breweries (http://www.mcmenamins.com/)
Papa Haydens (famous desert restaurant)
Voodoo Donuts
Powell Bookstore