Summer in Portland
Summer is here, and so are the biggest events of the season.
Summer Free for All
Portland Parks & Recreation offers over 400 free events including free movie screenings, concerts and rock climbing.
Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Zoo Nights
Musicians and fans alike flock to concerts at the Oregon Zoo each summer to enjoy live music, sunshine and friends.
Illustration by Subin Yang
A City of Neighborhoods
Portland is known for the vibrancy and uniqueness of its many neighborhoods, each with a distinct sense of place, and — in quirky Portland fashion — spread across six so-called "quadrants."
Locals will tell you that you haven’t truly been to Portland until you’ve connected with our diverse communities.
Visit our neighborhoods page to get acquainted with more than 20 awesome Portland neighborhoods.
Upcoming Events
Pedalpalooza
Portland’s cycling culture peaks during summer’s multi-week Pedalpalooza, featuring 200+ local-led, …
Piano Push Play
Piano Push Play invites local artists to transform old, donated pianos into whimsical works of art w…
Portland Burger Week
The Portland Mercury’s Burger Week returns every August with dozens of restaurants, bars and brewh…
William Byrd Festival
Every August, some of Oregon’s finest choral singers convene to perform the stirring music of Engl…
Black in Oregon: 1840–1870
Oregon Black Pioneers’ traveling exhibition Black in Oregon: 1840–1870 highlights some of the Bl…
Portland Farmers Market at Shemanski Park
With its carts and vendors selling delicious meals under a lush green canopy of trees, this downtown…
Frequently Asked Questions About Portland, Oregon
Where is Portland, Oregon?
How far is Portland from Seattle?
How many days should I spend in Portland, Oregon?
No matter how long your scheduled visit is, there are always more live music venues, art galleries, food carts and natural areas to explore.
What is life in Portland, Oregon, like?
It’s typical to spend a day in Portland strolling through one of the city’s many unique neighborhoods, visiting locally owned businesses, restaurants, public green spaces and cultural attractions.
Perhaps because of our abundant rainfall, Portland’s culture of coziness encourages people to spend time indoors honing their crafts, making art, enjoying delicious food, seeing live music, browsing bookstores, and sipping tea, beer, wine, cocktails and coffee.
Rain or shine, you can take advantage of the city’s proximity to nature by playing in the Willamette River, wandering through lush public parks and gardens, biking the city’s 162 miles (261 km) of bike lanes and hiking trails both within city limits and in the nearby Columbia River Gorge.
What is there to do in Portland, Oregon?
Portland also offers a seemingly infinite array of things to see, taste and do. For a first-time trip, we recommend checking out our list of top sights and things to do in Portland. To take a deeper dive, check out our culture collection where you can explore dozens of ways to enjoy Portland’s music, art, bike culture, food, beer, outdoors, makers, tax-free shopping, cultural communities, nightlife, sports, cannabis, weirdness and more.
What should I see in Portland, Oregon?
For a deeper dive into things to see and do in Portland, check out our culture collection where you can explore dozens of ways to enjoy the city’s music, art, bike culture, food, beer, outdoors, makers, cultural communities, nightlife, sports, cannabis, weirdness and more.
What makes Portland, Oregon, unique?
Portlanders also place a high value on sustainability, which can be seen in the way locals maintain and enjoy the city’s public gardens and green spaces, urban forests, miles of protected bike lanes, efficient public transportation and preserved natural areas.
What is Portland known for?
Portland’s layout is also unique. With 12 bridges entirely within city limits, and several more connecting Portland to Vancouver, Washington, the city’s “Bridgetown” moniker is certainly accurate. Portland is divided into north and south by Burnside Street and into east and west by the Willamette River. What’s the final result of this awesome confluence of bridges, rivers and bustling streets? A vibrant city with six quadrants (yes, there are six of them!) and more than 90 formally recognized neighborhoods — each with its own unique style, each calling out to be explored.
What food is Portland famous for?
While Portland doesn’t necessarily have a single iconic food, it does have a number of must-taste specialties. The Maple Bacon Bar at Voodoo Doughnut, the white curry (with brisket burnt ends) at Eem and khao man gai at Nong’s are a few you won’t want to miss. And don’t forget about the beverages for which Portland is most famous: coffee and craft beer. (We’re no slouches when it comes to wine and tea, either.)
Is Portland, Oregon, safe to visit?
What is the best time of year to visit Portland, Oregon?
No matter when you visit, Portland offers tax-free shopping, diverse cultural offerings, live music, award-winning culinary experiences and more. To find out what each season and month in Portland offers, check out our When to Visit page. You can also visit our events calendar to discover more things to do and see based on your interests and the dates of your trip.
Why do people say, “Keep Portland Weird”?
Portland’s quirks appear in many ways, including at annual events like the World Naked Bike Ride and the Adult Soapbox Derby, or in strange places like the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and the world’s smallest park. The city’s thriving and ever-expanding community of artists, designers and makers also help foster Portland’s culture of embracing individuality and creative expression.
You can find the city’s iconic black and yellow “KEEP PORTLAND WEIRD” mural at 22 SW Third Ave., behind Dante’s and across the street from Voodoo Doughnut.
What is the racial makeup of Portland, Oregon?
- White: 77.4%
- Black or African American: 5.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.8%
- Asian: 8.2%
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.6%
- Two or More Races: 5.3%
- Hispanic or Latino: 9.7%
Can I drink tap water in Portland?
Why do they call Portland “Stumptown”?
Why is Portland called “Rip City?”
Unfortunately, the Trail Blazers lost the game 136 to 114, but Schonely’s celebratory words, “Rip City,” live on today as both a nickname and rallying cry for Portlanders and Blazers fans around the world.
Plan Your Trip
Use these resources to guide your trip to the Rose City.
Illustration by Subin Yang
The Portland Region
Portland is the perfect launchpad for adventure, with the rugged Oregon Coast, snow-capped Mount Hood, lush wine country and waterfall-filled Columbia Gorge all within easy driving distance of the city.
Mount Hood
Located 90 minutes from Portland, Mount Hood — Oregon’s tallest peak — offers four seasons of fun. Scenic recreation offerings range from camping, hiking and fishing to nearly year-round skiing. Whether you’re hitting the slopes, exploring the mountain’s miles of trails or cozying up to a fireplace, Mount Hood provides a treasured escape from the city.
The Columbia Gorge
Just 30 miles (48 km) east of Portland, explore the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, a deep canyon that’s home to more than 90 gorgeous waterfalls, epic vistas and nearly endless options for outdoor recreation. Hiking and water sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding are major draws in the gorge.
Wine Country
A short drive from the city, Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country wows with lush scenery and, of course, delectable wines. In addition to scores of vineyards and tasting rooms featuring pinot noir and other varietals, this area boasts quaint towns, farms and scenic routes to explore by car, bike or boat.
The Oregon Coast
Just 79 miles (127 km) west of Portland, the rugged, unspoiled Oregon Coast offers rocky vistas, miles of public beaches, family attractions and surfing. Towns along the coast include busy fishing ports, historic settlements, artistic enclaves and vacation resorts. Here, you can explore tide pools, hike, whale-watch and savor fresh seafood and microbrews.