Find the Best Things To Do in Portland, Oregon you’re in the right place! Portland is fun, quirky city full of interesting things to see and do. Compiled here are the best experiences to be had for an unforgettable trip to the City of Roses. Home to flourishing rose gardens that line the highway underpasses! Portland is where you can experience a truly unique vacation with world-class food and a funky, laid-back setting.
It has a vibrant counterculture and the slogan “Keep Portland Weird!” to guarantee an unmatchable journey around the city.
Portland is a must-visit on any Pacific Northwest road trip or West Coast excursion. There is no cost associated with the majority of the activities located here. The city is known as America’s top biking city, as it is packed with both locals and tourists riding their bikes all over town. Little in the way of how you get there – bike, car, or transit – matters once you reach our picks for the best Portland sights!
Top Things to Do in Portland Oregon
1. Explore Powell’s City of Books in Portland
Experience the largest independent bookstore in the world, Powell’s City of Books. Located mainly on Burnside Street, this bookstore covers 68,000 square feet and is the go-to destination, particularly when it rains in Portland.
Bookcases that go high, and then even higher into the shelves on sliders that people can pull and climb to reach the top choices. Wound your way through the labyrinth of little aisles, where you might stumble upon that cozy little coffee and pastry shop, just right for a rainy day hideaway. The top floor houses a museum-like trove of rare books.
With the selection ranging from new to used, at Powell’s, you can take home more than one read without breaking the bank. If you are coming to Portland make sure to check if any events are happening at Powell’s during your trip! Masquerading as the home of vibrant-ready classes, at which famous authors and their book tours can often be found – it is the cultural epicenter of the bookworm.
2. Explore the Portland Thrifting Trend
No tour of the Portland area is complete without a peek at its burgeoning thrift store culture. An abundance arrive tourists with an additional luggage, looking to purchase vintage clothes beyond measure.
If you are willing to dedicate a day to a thifting trip head over to the Sellwood area. The base of operations, SE 13th Avenue, fairly teems with some of the best antique shopping in the area, every single one just chock-full of looks that have the longevity you crave in your closet.
If you want to see a real snapshot of what Portland is all about, you must hit up Psychic Sister in the Alberta District. Providing a curated shopping experience, the site is full of amazing pieces that you probably would have never have known even existed. What’s more, it also doubles as a super intriguing crystals and tarot card shop.
3. Forest Park: Discover the Enigmatic Witches Castle
In Portland, visiting the Witches Castle may be eerie its a charm of the place. A stone ruin from around 1850 in the middle of Forest Park, this old white elephant has long been the subject of ghost stories and a reputed legend of bloodshed. Anyone even remotely interested in ghost stories should find out the story of the original occupants.
This disused building taken back by nature is perfect for dramatic travel photography. An enchanting half mile hike through Forest Park takes you to this beautifully overgrown ruin.
Located in the limits of the city, Forest Park sprawls over 5,200 acres and 80 miles of trails to provide an escape into the natural wonder of the Pacific Northwest for the day.
4. Discover the Diversity and Flavor of Portland’s Foodcarts
Portland, a city of more than 600 food trucks and carts, is not to be missed. Cooking only with the hyperlocal bounty of Portland farm tables, these kitchen-less, ahem, kitchens, can produce better dishes than all but the most accomplished sit-down restaurants.
Whatever your taste palette, sandwich preferences, there are even some great vegetarian and vegan options too, prepare to have an experience with enough variety of new exotic culinary fusions. You will encounter many of these food trucks together outside in more or less well planned pods, often with picnic tables to represent them, so you may taste many different dishes during one meal. Portland has one preferred pod in every neighborhood, the nod from city native partiers.
Portland provides an in-depth map of food truck pods to help guide visitors through the city’s edible oasis and figure where to begin the eating. One of the best things to do in Portland is exploration of these pods, and your experience could be enhanced a lot more if you take part in a local food tour.
5. Portland’s Must-Try Doughnuts
Don’t forget about dessert in your Portland itinerary! The place is rich in creative sweets but the donut typically reigns because the favored snack.
Voodoo Doughnuts is a favorite of the donut lovers. Voodoo rose to fame with its brightly colored signature pink boxes and whimsically topped, Captain Crunch and Grape Dust-laden donuts, which has made the tourist tradition the prevailing one despite other strong options throughout the city. The best part: Their flagship downtown store is located across the street from the iconic “Keep Portland Weird” mural, making for a great picture spot.
Nonetheless, many bread-and-baguette-focused Portlanders opt for the emboldened concoctions that make Blue Star Doughnuts a cult favorite, such as Passion Fruit Cocoa Nib, Raspberry Rosemary, and Blueberry Bourbon Basil. If you really want to get a taste of Portland’s doughnut scene, have a dunk-off between Voodoo and Blue Star.
6. Visit the Alberta Arts District in Portland
The Alberta Arts District: Portland’s art center A place that honors the arts, The Pearl District is home to some of Portland’s best art galleries, and the neighborhood is a street art and murals lover best friend.
At summer, the district awakens with a street fair “Last Thursdays.” This is when Alberta’s main drag turns into a bustling street fair with booths from neighborhood artists. That turns the area into an epicenter of the rainforest hip movement. influencing also the musical artists of the city, with options to appreciation the local culture.
Aside from the arts, Alberta is lined with great restaurants and one-of-a-kind thrift shops like Psychic Sister, making it a top spot for Portland newcomers to dive headlong into the city’s bustling cultural ecosystem.
7. International Rose Test Garden
This is worth a visit during your visit to Portland – oh, the International Rose Test Garden. A later addition to the blog but fitting for the oh so da darling City of Roses, the Portland Rose garden, one of the largest collections of roses in the country the garden is one large test garden due to Portland’s fabulous growing conditions.
Located at the top of a hill that affords sweeping views of the city down below, the show-stopping setting is a magnet for photographers. Founded in 1917, it is home to over 100 years of rose cultivation, its petals taut with colours and shapes that feel almost dreamlike. A leisurely walk through this green and aromatic vegetation is one of Portland’s best free things to do.
8. Explore Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Oregon
Hoyt Arboretum What: A visit to Hoyt Arboretum is a must during any visit to Portland, especially if you want some free things to do. Established in 1928, the arboretum focuses on conservation of tree species and also serves as a public education facility for the many diverse forests of Oregon. Within walking distance from the International Rose Test Garden, visiting both venues in one day is a very doable day trip.
A haven for a large number of scarce tree species, the Hoyt Arboretum is one of the limited locales in the United States besides California to admire the magnificent Redwood Trees. With over 12 miles of hiking trails through a collection of more than 2,300 varieties of trees from around the world across six continents, the arboretum provides a unique opportunity to experience the outdoors in a meaningful way.
9. Explore Portland’s Craft and Farmer’s Markets
The residents of Portland love being with nature and the market there also reflect the energetic culture. The city itself features whirling year-round outdoor markets and street fairs perfectly capturing the animated spirit.
And, this season, every Saturday from February through December, the arts and crafts market at Tom McCall Waterfront Park fills with shoppers. People can visit and appreciate one-of-a-kind artwork, interact with skilled artisans, listen to street music, and sample food from a variety of local trucks.
The cascade volcanoes in Oregon posses a type of volcanic soil that has helped make the fertile lands adjacent to Portland bear some of the most vivd, florid, and flavoursome fruits and vegetables on this coast. 0.5 Bounty — This defends the Farmers Markets year round rather than just during the summer months For example, portland has a market at Portland State University, every Saturday. Other notable markets are the Kenton neighborhood market on Wednesdays from June to September, the King neighborhood market on Sundays from May to November, and the Lents neighborhood market on Sundays from June to October.
With more and more neighborhoods starting to hold their own markets, it’s a good idea for visitors to check for a market near their lodgings, if possible. That way you can live like a true local and have regional products closer to you.
10. Freak Out At the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium in Portland
The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium in Portland, on the other hand, is a place to check out if you are interested in the odder attractions. This museum has been attracting a lot of people be it the locals, tourist or the guests on the tours since its establishment in 1967 because of the combination of knowledge and haunted activities.
Positioning itself as a “museum of kitsch and horror,” the Peculiarium offers a range of novelties and mementos, as well as unique oddities designed to entertain and terrify alike. Be sure to stop by the snack stand which is known for having a variety of insects you can munch on (if that’s your thing making your visit even more interesting!
11. Japanese Garden in Portland
Unveiled by former Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Nobuo Matsunaga, as the “most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside Japan,” the Portland Japanese Garden is clearly a must-visit site.
Being located on a hill, this garden offers a very broad view of Portland as well as the mountains surrounding the area, therefore it is a must-visit attraction to anyone in town. Created in 1963, it has a peaceful and awe-inspiring view.
We highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance online to prevent long waits and in case we sell out of capacity. Within the garden, you can walk through pristine cultivated nature, say hello to the big friendly koi fish, appreciate the neatly placed zen gardens, pass over the majestic Moon Bridge, and enjoy some tea at the historic Japanese tea house.
12. Mill Ends Park – The World’s Smallest Park
Do you have a unique tip for visiting Portland, like check out the smallest park in the world — Mill Ends Park. Much smaller yes, but still a fun diversion from the massive, famous parks that show up on lists of must-see Portland parks.
Just how small is this park? It is only 2 feet wide! There is only one small tree which, legend has it, is the home of a family of leprechauns.
Officially designated a city park in 1971, Mill Ends holds the Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest park in the world, a title they hold with mailed-in pride.
13. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is one of the best visitable places in Portland — among the both the tourists and the locals of Portland.
OMSI is an excellent for the types of people who enjoy a good children’s museum. It offers its exhibits in a way that promotes hands-on learning, with a broad range of labs from Earth and Paleontology to Physics and Chemistry. Last but not least, astronomy lovers will find a pilgrimage to OMSI rewarding not just for the rose display but also for a chance to visit one of the top planetariums in the Northwest.
Check the schedule when you’re at Portland to ensure and OMSI noticed frequently changing its offerings with exhibitions that you’re not going to want to miss in your visit to know more.
14. Getaway to a Sauvie Island Outside of Portland
Seeking peace from the hustle of the city and a good retreat? It is a 15-minute drive or 10 miles north of Portland, so a nice quick getaway that’s super accessible by public transit.
This is a rural island with many small farms where you can opt to go berry or pumpkin picking— depending on the season. Traditional wine tasting is also offered and there is always a range of possibilities for savoring some typical local products. Being at the heart of a crucial wildlife region, the place becomes home to a variety of bird species, which is a great point for bird watchers and nature lovers to be in.
In addition, Sauvie Island has many miles of sandy beaches on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. They are a great place to unwind, go for a swim, and sunbathe, giving you a welcome break in your busy Portland travels.
15. Experience McMenamins in Portland
Part of what makes Portland so… Portland are the everpresent McMenamins establishments everywhere. McMenamins is famous for converting old buildings into unique restaurants and hotel space.
Well, most McMenamins are standards on Portland best of lists. A pint can be sipped at a pub located in a former chapel, a hotel that used to be a schoolhouse, complete with original blackboards and desks, and you can dance under the stars at the legendary Crystal Ballroom. In another case, you can view a movie at the revamped luxury Bagdad Theatre
Each and every McMenamins in town, along with most other venues hidden in our history, has a story that is tied and sympathetically restored to the story of Portland past and present, museum quality included.
