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Top Things to Do in Portland Oregon
FOMO is real! Do you worry about overlooking something incredible when travel planning? If so, you’re in luck because this curated list of 100 things to do in Portland Oregon will ensure you create an unforgettable and personalized vacation. You will find landmarks, attractions, museums, outdoor activities, beaches, where to eat and shop, and where to get the perfect photos for lasting memories. Don’t skip the Plan Your Trip section for when to go, how long to stay, what to pack, how much to budget, where to stay, and how to get around. It’s all here, keep reading for 100 Things to Do in Portland Oregon. Then, plan the itinerary for your Portland Oregon trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Day Trip to Columbia River Gorge, Oregon’s Waterfall Highway
READ Two-Week Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary: Northern California and Oregon
Things to Do in and Around Portland Oregon
Attractions and Activities in Portland Oregon
- Step back in time with a tour of the Pittock Mansion and enjoy panoramic views of the city
- Ride the Portland Aerial Tram for panoramic views of the city and Mount Hood
- Take a guided tour of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site’s historic buildings and military exhibits
- Pay respects to early settlers and notable figures in Portland’s history at this Pioneer Cemetery
- Explore the hidden tunnels and secret passages beneath the streets on the Portland Underground Tour
- Catch a drag race at the Portland International Raceway
- Watch roller derby at the Rose City Rollers
- Watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Clinton Street Theater
Museums, Arts, and Culture in Portland Oregon
- Wander colorful murals in the Alberta Arts District
- Browse the Pearl District art galleries for First Thursday
- Catch the planetarium show and explore the hands-on exhibits at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Browse everything from Warhol to Monet at the Portland Art Museum
- Learn about the impact of genocide at the Oregon Holocaust Memorial
- Check out the 300+ vintage vacuums at the Starks Vacuum Museum
- Learn about Oregon’s history and cultural heritage at the Oregon Historical Society Museum
- Pack your own wagon and play period games at the End of Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
- Learn how logging works at the World Forestry Centers Discovery Museum
- Check out the Oregon Maritime Museum’s steam-powered sternwheel tugboat
- Wander through the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum (thinking what the heck is this)
- Watch a performance at the award-winning Imago Theater
- Enjoy world-class opera performance at Portland Opera
- Catch a theater performance at Portland Center Stage
- Attend cultural events, tea tastings, and traditional performances at Lan Su Chinese Garden
Outdoor Activities in Portland Oregon
- Walk across the Willamette River on the Tilikum Crossing Bridge
- Hike to the Witches Castle, Forest Park, or the summit of Mount Tabor Park
- Take a cruise under the bridges on the Willamette River
- Stop to smell the roses at the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park (June is best)
- Or, wander through the Peninsula Park Rose Garden
- Walk across the Fremont Bridge, an iconic double-decker bridge and city landmark
- Go for a walk along the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade
- Enjoy a river float down the Willamette River
- Check out Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Wander through Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
- Relax and do some people watching in Portland’s living room at Pioneer Courthouse Square
- Go for a bike ride along Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- Visit the Belmont Goats in University Park
- Grab a coffee and take a morning stroll in Tom McCall Waterfront Park enjoying the Willamette River views
- Check out the Zen rock garden at the Portland Japanese Garden
- Wander the water feature and have tea at the Lan Su Chinese Garden
- See the historic manor house at the Leach Botanical Garden
- Stroll streets lined with rose bushes and historic homes in the historic Ladd’s Addition Rose Gardens neighborhood
- Picnic under the gothic arches of St. John Bridge at Cathedral Park
- Relax on the Redwood Observation Deck or join a tree walk at the Hoyt Arboretum
- Catch a Portland Timbers Soccer Match at Providence Park
Where to Eat in Portland Oregon
- Drink a cup of Stumptown coffee
- Grab a doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut, and try the maple bacon bar
- Grab lunch from one of the Hawthorne Asylum Food Cart Pods or Pine Street Market
- Eat oysters and dirty fries at Jacqueline
- Enjoy a tea tasting at Smith Teamaker or the Portland Japanese Gardens
- Enjoy buttermilk fried chicken, sweet potato waffles, or shrimp and grits at Screen Door
- Try the Honey Lavender and Pear & Blue Cheese ice cream at Salt & Straw
- Have breakfast at Pine State Biscuits, and try the Reggie Deluxe
- Head to Lardo for a sandwich, try the Porchetta with gremolata or the Korean Pork Shoulder
- Grab a treat from Blue Star Donuts, try the Cointreau Crème Brûlée or Blueberry Bourbon Basil
- Reserve a table at Huber’s Cafe for a roast turkey dinner and Spanish coffee prepared tableside
Portland Oregon Nightlife: Pubs, Cocktails and Nightclubs
- Explore Portland’s craft beer scene on a brewery tour
- Visit the tasting rooms on Distillery Row and sample handcrafted spirits and artisanal cocktails
- Have a drink with a rooftop view at Departure Restaurant + Lounge or Noble Rot
- Listen to live music and dance the night away at Crystal Ballroom, Doug Fir Lounge, Mississippi Studios or Holocene
- Head to White Owl Social Club for craft cocktails on an outdoor patio
- Watch the drag show at Darcelle XV Showplace
Shopping in Portland Oregon
- Search the famous Saturday Markets for souvenirs
- Visit Powell’s City of Books, the country’s greatest independent bookstore
- Shop the boutiques in the Alphabet District, the Pearl District or Division Street
- Browse the vintage stores on Hawthorne Boulevard
- Discover quirky shops in the Mississippi Avenue neighborhood
- Explore antique shops in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood
- Spend a morning browsing the stalls of the Portland Farmers Market, sample local produce, artisanal cheeses, and freshly baked pastries
Instagrammable Places in Portland Oregon: Lookouts, View Points, and Selfies
Photograph the city skyline and Mount Hood from the Pittock Mansion viewpoint, Mt Hood from Trillium Lake, the houseboats off NE 1st and NE Bridgeton Rd, downtown from the aerial tram, Nob Hill Row Houses, the Grotto (outdoor altar), the St John Bridge from Cathedral Rock, Portland Sign at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portlandia Statue atop the Portland Building. Take a selfie with the Paul Bunyan Statue and the Keep Portland Weird sign.
Romantic Things to Do in Portland Oregon for Couples
- Enjoy an intimate French meal at Le Pigeon or a romantic Italian meal at Ava Gene’s
- Stroll through the Portland Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden, or Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Enjoy a sunset picnic from the grounds of Pittock Mansion overlooking the city
- Take a dinner cruise along the Willamette River aboard the Portland Spirit with views of the city lights
- Enjoy a moonlight hike in Forest Park
Things to Do in Portland Oregon with Young Children
- Ride the zoo train and visit the elephants at the Oregon Zoo
- Explore OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) interactive exhibits on natural sciences, industry, and technology
- Watch a performance at the Northwest Children’s Theater
- Ride the roller coaster and play arcade games at Oaks Amusement Park
- Cool off in the Jamison Square Park interactive fountain
Special Events in Portland Oregon
Portland hosts amazing events throughout the year such as the Portland Rose Festival, Portland International Film Festival, Portland Beer Week, Portland International Beerfest, Portland Pride Festival, Portland Night Market, Oregon Brewers Festival, and the Portland Film Festival. Check the Portland Oregon Board of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening this weekend.
Day Trips from Portland Oregon
- See Multnomah Falls and hike the Columbia River Gorge trails
- Spend a day exploring the charming coastal towns of Cannon Beach or Seaside
- Take a wine-tasting tour of Oregon’s premier wine region, Willamette Valley Wine Country
- Go for a hike or mountain bike the trails in Mount Hood National Forest
- Hike the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park to see a series of waterfalls cascading through forest landscapes
- Head to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to learn about the 1980 eruption, hike through the blast zone, and see the crater and lava dome
- Spend a day exploring Mount Rainier National Park’s alpine meadows, old-growth forests, and glaciated peaks
- Head to the coast and explore the Cape Kiwanda Marine Gardens tide pool
Plan your Trip to Portland Oregon
Why Visit Portland Oregon
Approximately 12 million people visit Portland Oregon each year. Portland is known as the city of roses. You will find the world’s largest independent bookstore, an urban forest, amazing craft breweries, and food carts. It is also full of history, museums, fun attractions and great shopping.
How Many Days in Portland Oregon is Enough
3 days in Portland Oregon is enough to experience the city. Add another day if you plan to attend a special event or wish to take a day trip.
READ 72 Hours in Portland Oregon
Is Portland Oregon Safe for Solo Travelers
Portland Oregon is known for its public demonstrations and protests for civil rights. According to Travel Safe Abroad, travel in Portland Oregon has medium risk with a rise in violent crime. Stay aware of your surroundings, do not walk alone at night, keep your purse and wallet closed, and do not leave items in your car. Check their website for more information.
How to Get to Portland Oregon
60+ U.S. cities offer nonstop flights to Portland International Airport (PDX), including Atlanta, Orlando, New York, Boston, and Chicago. A nonstop flight from LAX to PDX is 2.5 hours; nonstop JKF to PDX is 6 hours. Prepare for your flight!
Portland International Airport is 45 minutes from the city by The MAX Light Rail Red Line. Tickets cost $2.80 to ride for 2.5 hours; and $5.60 for a day pass at the time of this writing. The station is located on the lower level, next to the south baggage claim area. Shuttle service, bus, taxi, and Uber are also available.
How to Get Around Portland Oregon
Portland Oregon has a great public transport system made up of buses, light rail, and a streetcar. Tickets cost $2.80 to ride for 2.5 hours; and $5.60 for a day pass at the time of this writing.
Where to Stay in Portland Oregon
I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center. It was super convenient and on the MAX Red Line.
What Should I Budget for Portland Oregon
According to The Trip Costs, the average cost of a 3-day weekend in Portland Oregon is $881 for a solo traveler. As always, the cost is based on your travel style. Check their website for more information.
What Should I Pack for Portland Oregon
Portland experiences all four seasons and temperatures change throughout the day. Dress in layers, bring a jacket and be prepared for rain.
Have More Time?
Check out our Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary!
Bookmark and Pin Things to Do in Portland Oregon
Plan Your Trip to Portland Oregon
Oregon Travel Guide
Pick up an Oregon Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Portland Oregon Now
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Portland Oregon Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
Need a universal travel adaptor, power bank charger, or packing cubes? Save time at my Amazon shop and have travel essentials delivered to your home.
Have a great vacation!