Portland, Oregon - The Official City Guide

Celebrate the Season in Portland

From Thanksgiving through year’s end, Portland offers an abundance of celebrations, from the traditional to the unexpected.

'Tis The Season

$Warm your belly with Portland\'s best wintertime concoctions, from hot toddies to flaming cocktails.$

Seasonal Drinks

Warm your belly with Portland's best wintertime concoctions, from hot toddies to flaming cocktails.

Winter Hikes

It’s well worth bundling up and braving the elements for these jaunts in and near the city.

Editor's Pick

Dec. 13–15, 2019

Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market

Oregon Convention Center Free admission December 14 & 15. $20 admission for first pick pre-show party on December 13.

Portland’s biannual art and craft fair boasts unique handmade wares from 225+ local vendors.

Editor's Pick

Shopping

Editor's Pick

Nov. 28–Dec. 15, 2019

Black Nativity 2019

Bethel AME Church $7-$25

By Langston Hughes. The show was originally first performed off-Broadway on December 11, 1961 and th…

Editor's Pick

Cultural Communities, Music, Performing Arts

Editor's Pick

Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019

Tuba Christmas Concert

Pioneer Courthouse Square Free

Downtown will pulse with the melodic sounds of big brass as nearly 300 tubas play in unison for the …

Editor's Pick

Music

Editor's Pick

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019

Tender Table

Louiza

Portland’s Tender Table event series features performances and snacks by women and gender-nonbinar…

Editor's Pick

Cultural Communities

PDX Pop-Up Shops

PDX Pop-Up Shops return to downtown Portland ever winter, making it easy to find locally made gifts for your holiday shopping list.

A midnight fun run is among Portland’s New Year’s Eve offerings.

New Year’s Eve Events in Portland

When the clock strikes midnight, you could be dancing to bhangra beats, running through downtown or indulging in chocolate and Champagne.

The Portland Spirit floats by Tilikum Crossing during the Winter Light Festival.

Portland Winter Light Festival

Brighten your February with glowing sculptures and thousands of twinkling lights at the annual Winter Lights Festival.

Watch for whales from Neahkahnie Mountain on the Oregon Coast.

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

Up to 20,000 gray whales migrate along Oregon's coast every winter and spring. Spot them from these four locations.

Coho Productions presents artist-driven plays in their homey 99-seat theater.

Fertile Ground Festival

See Portland's newest theater and dance works every January at Portland's Fertile Ground Festival.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with colorful cultural activities at Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Portland

Portland hosts its own Japanese Mochitsuki Festival, Vietnamese Tet Festival and multiple Chinese New Year events.

One Moto Show

Every February, the One Moto Show draws thousands of bikers and enthusiasts to Portland to celebrate all things motorcycle.

$Catch live performances all week long during Portland\'s annual Jazz Festival, which draws musicians from around the city and the world together.$

Portland Jazz Festival

The Portland Jazz Festival returns every February with a stellar series of concerts and events celebrating Black History Month.

$Cascade Festival of African Films is the nation\'s longest-running nonprofit African film festival.$

Black History Month in Portland

Every February, Americans of all races and backgrounds celebrate Black History Month. Celebrate with these Portland events.

Family Fun in Portland

Kids of all ages (including kids at heart) enjoy Portland's attractions, activities and eats in and near the city.

Let's go!

Wander through work by local artists at Alberta Street Gallery, one of several art spaces in the historic Northeast Portland Alberta Arts District.

Alberta Arts District

Lined with street art, galleries, restaurants and bars, this Northeast Portland neighborhood is best known for its colorful monthly street fair.

$A visit to Belmont Collective in Southeast Portland is a good starting point for learning about the city\'s cannabis culture.$

Belmont

Located a few blocks from Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, Belmont boasts its own mix of vintage and indie shops, coffee houses, bars and food carts.

$Located in Portland\'s Central Eastside, locally owned Delicious Donuts is a favorite for sweet treats and classic pastries.$

Central Eastside

Across the Willamette River from downtown, this area blends industrial Portland with new restaurants, microbreweries and riverside recreation.

Downtown

Portland’s compact, walkable downtown offers easy access to great food, green spaces, cultural offerings and tax-free shopping. Browse the city’s most diverse mix of retail brands, see a show and grab a bite at a food cart or fine restaurant.

$For a sampling of some of the city\'s best food, head to Cartopia food cart pod on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.$

Hawthorne

Eclectic is the norm on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, a walkable street with block after block of vintage shops, boutiques and cafés.

Lloyd

Just across the river from downtown, this area caters to convention attendees, sports fans and shoppers.

Find eccentric curiosities like framed and mounted insects, taxidermy and vintage scientific instruments at Paxton Gate on North Mississippi Avenue.

Mississippi

Enjoy live music, local shops and popular restaurants and bars on this historic North Portland street.

Popular local jeweler Betsy & Iya sells their handcrafted accessories, apparel and home goods at their Northwest Portland store.

Northwest / Nob Hill

Northwest Portland offers sophisticated shopping, dining and people-watching.

$Start a day in Old Town Chinatown by crossing through the neighborhood\'s iconic gate.$

Old Town Chinatown

Today, Portland’s original downtown is a bustling entertainment district, home to Portland's famous Saturday Market, Chinatown Museum and Lan Su Chinese Garden.

Pearl District

The chic Pearl District features galleries and cultural institutions, as well as stylish shops and acclaimed eateries.

St. Johns

Discover a lesser-known side of Portland in St. Johns, home to one of Bridgetown’s most gorgeous spans and most beloved parks.

$Thai eatery Eem on North Williams Avenue was named 2019 Restaurant of the Year by \$

Williams

Steps away from bustling Mississippi Avenue, this vibrant North Portland street offers stellar shopping, dining and activities.

Explore the Outdoors

With parks and gardens, hiking, running, biking, nature and wildlife all easily accessible, Portland is ripe for outdoor adventure.

Hit the trail

Peruse local artwork at Alberta Street Gallery in Northeast Portland.

Arts

Galleries, public art, events and avant-garde institutions fill Portland’s vibrant arts scene.

Beer

Portland is home to more breweries than any other city on earth. (No wonder we call it “Beervana!”)

For an upscale dispensary experience, head to minimalist-chic Serra in downtown Portland.

Cannabis

Learn all about legal cannabis in Portland with our coverage of the dos, don’ts and more.

The slopes of Mount Tabor Park (an extinct cinder cone volcano in Southeast Portland) is a favorite with local bikers.

Biking

One of the best ways to explore the Rose City is on two wheels.

Craft Spirits

Food

From food carts to farmers markets and award-winning restaurants, Portland is a culinary haven for foodies of all stripes.

Take a class or peruse unique locally-made goods at ceramics studio Carter & Rose on Southeast Division Street.

Makers

Portland is a hub for artists, entrepreneurs and creators alike, with community studios, warehouses and makerspaces that let you DIY your way around town.

Music

Portland’s musical offerings are diverse as the city itself, with options including indie rock, jazz, classical, pop and more.

Karma Rivera performs in Portland in 2019.

Nightlife

Dance clubs, karaoke and comedy all come out at night in Portland — as do late happy hours, swanky bowling and other unexpected delights.

Take a peaceful outdoor yoga class at the crest of Mt. Tabor Park with local yoga instructor Mary Wagstaff (marywagstaffcoach.com).

Outdoors

Portland is the perfect launchpad for outdoor activities and adventure.

$Catch a soccer game at downtown Portland\'s Providence Park, which is the proud home of the Portland Thorns and Timbers football clubs.$

Sports

From seeing a soccer match with the Timbers Army to rooting for Rip City and the Trail Blazers, Portland loves its sports.

Outfits of all stripes are encouraged at the Division Street Fair.

Weird

Diverse dining options, gorgeous gardens and unexpected attractions make Portland one of a kind.

Wine

With wine country in its backyard, Portland overflows with wine bars and urban wineries, offering special varietals from around the world.

Top Sights in Portland

Portland’s fun and unexpected attractions range from gardens and museums to (tax-free) retailers of coffee, doughnuts and books.

Check it out

$Local artists and visitors collaborating on making art on the spot at My People\'s Market in 2018.$

African American Community

Connect with the African American community at these businesses, cultural centers, clubs, restaurants and more.

Portland Mercado, an innovative cultural hub in Southeast Portland, houses more than a dozen Latino-owned businesses.

Hispanic American Community

Visit a Catholic monument, Latino eateries and arts groups and institutions to connect with the local Hispanic American community.

Native American Community

Learn about Oregon's Native American culture and history through these collections and institutions.

Cartopia Food Cart Pod

The Cartopia pod is home to a wide variety of food carts and a covered, heated seating area. Most carts are lively late into the night, staying open until midnight Tuesday to Thursday and even later on the weekends.

Portland Mercado

This public market features more than a dozen businesses offering various Latin American foods and products.

Cartlandia Food Cart Pod

This Southeast Portland “super pod” is home to a full-service bar, a family- and dog-friendly outdoor beer garden and over 30 carts representing 15 different countries (including a Voodoo Doughnut mobile van and three carts serving lobster).

Portland State University Food Cart Pod

Located on the south end of the Portland State University campus, this food cart pod offers cuisine from around the world. For seating, head to the shady, tree-lined South Park Blocks nearby.

Fifth Avenue Food Cart Pod

This eclectic collection of eateries in downtown Portland is a local favorite for weekday lunch.

The historic Vista House at Crown Point serves as both a museum, resting point for travelers and panoramic viewpoint of the incredible scenery.

Columbia River Gorge

Starting just 30 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers amazing vistas, trails and more than 90 waterfalls.

Mount Hood

Mount Hood offers scenic recreation ranging from camping, hiking and fishing to nearly year-round skiing.

$Crescent Beach is located at Ecola Point on Oregon\'s north coast.$

Oregon Coast

From the fishing city of Astoria to the tide pools of Yachats, the Oregon Coast is a rugged, unspoiled treasure that begins 90 minutes from Portland.

A canopy protects the roadway at PDX from the elements.

Portland International Airport (PDX)

PDX boasts an easy light rail connection to downtown, free Wi-Fi, local food and drink and tax-free shopping with no markups — and 426 flights daily.

MAX Light Rail

Beyond big trees and picnic tables, Washington Park offers a zoo, two museums, gardens and more, all bordered by one of the country’s premier urban wildernesses.

$The lobby of downtown Portland\'s Ace Hotel is adjacent to both a Stumptown Coffee and renowned restaurant Clyde Common.$

Where to Stay

Use these guides to find the perfect place to lay your head during your trip to the Rose City.

The iconic sign and namesake courthouse at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Tours & Itineraries

Let local experts — and our targeted itineraries — offer inspiration for your time in and around Portland.

Portland Streetcar

In 2001, Portland built the nation’s first modern-day streetcar: the sleek and modern Portland Streetcar.

Portland offers several car-sharing options.

Car- and Ride-Sharing

Car- and ride-sharing services in Portland make it easier than ever to get around the city without bringing your own vehicle.

$Many bus lines serve downtown\'s Transit Mall.$

Bus Service

The TriMet bus system, which covers the city and its suburbs, offers low fares, friendly drivers and full wheelchair accessibility.