Search Free and Cheap Things to Do in Portland
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy Portland.
A trip to Portland doesn’t require emptying your wallet. Along with free-to-visit attractions and things to do and see throughout the city and plenty of cheap eats, Portland also hosts dozens of no-cost events and festivals throughout the year. They say the best things in life are free: connect with nature, discover local artists, or learn something new – all without spending a dime.
Free and Affordable Museums & Attractions
Explore our roundup of local attractions and museums with free admission or discounts for cheap things to do in Portland.
Art Museums
Looking for some free activities? At the Portland Art Museum, admission is always free for ages 17 and under. On the First Thursday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., admission to the museum is free for everyone, and you can find free programs at the museum’s Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University is a free, public art museum. The multi-floor museum features works by Northwest artists and art by PSU faculty and students. The museum also hosts frequent events and exhibitions of national and international artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and David Hockney.
Oregon Zoo
There are plenty of cheap activities in Portland, too. The Oregon Zoo offers occasional discount days throughout the year, such as their Paws and Relax Discount Days or Veterans’ Day complimentary admissions for active military personnel and veterans. Check their upcoming events calendar for specific days and deals.
History Museums
To truly get to know Portland, it’s good to start with its historical roots. Explore the rich history of the state at the Oregon Historical Society, with affordable ticket prices for the whole family; $14 for adults, $12 for students and teachers (with ID) and seniors, and free for youth 17 and under.
At the Japanese American Museum of Oregon, located in the heart of where Nihonmachi (Japantown) once stood in Old Town Chinatown, the center features a permanent exhibit that retraces the history of Japanese immigration and internment, while rotating exhibits have explored topics such as multi-generational storytelling, printmaking and photography. Ticket prices are affordable, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students, and children under 11 get in for free. Explore the history of the neighborhood with the aid of this story map created by the Architectural Heritage Center and the Japanese American Museum of Oregon.
The volunteer-run Oregon Rail Heritage Museum offers guided interpretation, presentations, exhibits and events that tell the story of Pacific Northwest railroads. The museum is located near OMSI. The Oregon Rail Heritage Museum can be reached via the Portland Streetcar. Admission rates are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children aged 3-13, and free for infants under age 3.
Free Events
For more free activities, enjoy live music and samples of wonderful locally grown and prepared foods at Portland’s farmers’ markets throughout town. At the Portland Saturday Market, browse booths selling handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, and artwork. Street musicians, local performers, tarot card readers and international food kiosks round out the scene.
Beyond the markets, there’s plenty of live entertainment in Portland. For free and nearly free comedy, explore open mic nights across town, including at Helium Comedy Club, Al’s Den, Funhouse Lounge, Kelly’s Olympian and Paddy’s. For music, check out the Laurelthirst Public House, where most shows are free, or Mississippi Pizza & Atlantis Lounge, where many shows are free, and most others are very affordable (usually less than $10 a ticket). Stunning downtown venue The Old Church offers free lunchtime concerts on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Explore Portland’s art scene in one fell swoop at the monthly First Thursday event in Old Town and Pearl District. Galleries stay open late, inviting the public to mingle with the artists and explore new exhibits. The streets buzz with performers, sidewalk artists and enthusiastic crowds, and many galleries offer free appetizers and wine. See a map of participating galleries. Complementing First Thursday is Northeast Alberta Street’s Last Thursday event, which falls on the last Thursday evening of each month. Held on Northeast Alberta Street between 15th and 30th Avenues, this event offers gallery shows, sidewalk vendors, and live music. Participating venues include Antler, GO Gallery and more. Portland’s newest monthly art event is First Friday in the Central Eastside district. Several First Friday shows and events are held in artists’ studios, cafés and other nontraditional exhibit spaces.
Fun, Free Events in PDX
Check out this teaser of some upcoming free events in Portland.
Parks & Gardens
In the spring and summer months, Portland’s lush green spaces offer much to see. At The Grotto in Northeast Portland, the entire lower level is free, including views of its iconic grotto shrine. Ride the elevator (about $11 for adults and $6 for children) to the top of the bluff for an impressive, panoramic view of the area’s highlights, including the Columbia River Valley, the Cascade Mountain Range and Mount St. Helens. The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is always free, with rose-scented blooms filling the air from May through September.
Credit: Justin Katigbak
In Southeast Portland, Leach Botanical Garden tickets are only $8 to explore 17 acres (6.9 ha) of native blooms. Visitors can access free entry through Leach’s Garden for All program, designed to support folks and families for whom admission is a barrier. With water features and trails meandering through seasonal blooms, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden offers affordable tickets: $9 for adults and $6 for students ages 6-18, while children 5 and under get in for free.
In the forested West Hills, you’ll find a living museum of trees at the Hoyt Arboretum with over 6,000 varieties of trees as you walk through the 12 miles (19.3 km) of trails. For more free fun outside, explore more hikes in and near Portland.
Portland is a kid-friendly city, and that includes its free and cheap events and attractions for kids. With 200-plus public parks and playgrounds, children can take in the city’s abundant green spaces, or cool off in the summer at splash pads like Salmon Street Springs or Colonel Summers Park.
Gorgeous Gardens
Scenic views and lush blooms await in Portland's gardens.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Round out your floral explorations of the Rose City with a visit to Southeast Portland’s lush Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The park boasts more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, with blooms from late February – June.
Leach Botanical Garden
Walk through verdant treetops and breathe in the scent of a four-season pollinator garden in this urban oasis in SE Portland.
Visiting the Portland International Rose Test Garden
Since 1924, the International Rose Test Garden has grown beautiful roses from around the world. Today, over 10,000 bushes, representing over 610 varieties, dazzle with colorful blooms in Washington Park, just west of downtown Portland.
Public Art & Murals in Portland
Credit: Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland
Home to nearly 1,000 pieces of public art, Portland has cultivated a vibrant mural and street art scene. Start in the Central Eastside, at the Viaduct Arts Columns under the Hawthorne Bridge and find We Are Portland and What Keeps Us Together, then explore more than 100 centrally located works of art in the central city by viewing this map or the official Portland Near Me Now app to explore more murals and public art.
Free Historic Sights
Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square is affectionately known as the city’s “living room,” attracting more than 11 million visitors annually. A few blocks away, you’ll find Portland’s Central Library, the oldest public library on the West Coast.
Credit: Jon Kraft
Nearby, take a stroll through the South Park Blocks, a Dutch elm-lined corridor developed in the late 19th century. In Ankeny Plaza, discover the oldest piece of public art in town: the Skidmore Fountain, installed in 1888.
Head to Northeast Alberta Street for an educational, self-guided walking tour of the area’s rich Black history. Debuted in 2019, the Alberta Street Black Heritage Markers are a series of five markers commemorating the accomplishments and experiences of Black residents from the Alberta neighborhood, stretching along Northeast Alberta Street from 11th to 24th avenues.
Don’t forget to stop and see Paul Bunyan in the Kenton neighborhood. Built in 1959 to commemorate Oregon’s centennial, this 31-foot statue of the mythical logger is a must-see.
Access For Locals
Regional Arts & Culture Council
City Cast Portland
Affordable Attractions
Traveling on a budget? There's a lot to see and do without overspending.
Transit on the Cheap
Explore Portland on a budget with these wallet-friendly transportation options.
Biking
One of the best ways to explore the Rose City is on two wheels.
Electric Scooters (E-Scooters) in Portland
E-scooter sharing lets users rent vehicles via an app for one-way trips. Before boarding, check out our dos and don’ts for riding e-scooters in Portland.
MAX Light Rail
Portland’s efficient light rail system connects the metro area and downtown core. Learn how to ride and where to go on MAX.
Free Portland Events
Portland has plenty of fun, free upcoming activities for all ages to enjoy.
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