The gorgeous, plentiful blooms at Peninsula Park Rose Garden present excellent photo opportunities.

Credit: Ashley Anderson

Things to Do in Portland

Like the city itself, Portland's attractions are a little unexpected and always inspiring.

The gorgeous, plentiful blooms at Peninsula Park Rose Garden present excellent photo opportunities.

Credit: Ashley Anderson

It’s safe to say a visitor will never experience the same Portland twice. The city’s top attractions are constantly evolving, creating exciting pop-ups, debuting new works and hosting events that attract both locals and visitors alike. Read on for our favorite things to do, see and experience in Portland, then check out our events calendar to help you plan your trip.

$This Portland landmark is the world\'s largest new and used bookstore.$

Powell’s City of Books

Covering an entire city block, Powell's is a landmark, a great bookstore and a microcosm of the city itself.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

An authentic Ming Dynasty style garden built by Suzhou artisans, Lan Su Chinese Garden offers a peaceful escape in Portland's historic Chinatown district.

Combining an arts show, a live street concert and an open-air bazaar, this riverside market has been a beloved Portland tradition since 1974.

Portland Saturday Market

Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.

Oregon Zoo

The West's oldest zoo, located just minutes from downtown Portland in visitor-friendly Washington Park, is home to 2,200 animals.

Aerial view of Portland looking east from above the West Hills.

Pittock Mansion

High in the West Hills, the Pittock Mansion offers picture-perfect views of the city as well as a revealing insights into Portland's history.

Portland International Rose Test Garden

With great views of the roses and the skyline, the Portland Rose Garden in Washington Park is a must-see.

$Voodoo\'s Old Town location draws a crowd at all hours of the day — and night.$

Voodoo Doughnut

Since 2003, Portland's Voodoo Doughnut has sold millions of wacky, sugary snacks — and the 24-hour Old Town landmark still attracts lines all hours of the day.

$The Portland Art Museum\'s two buildings are separated by a public sculpture garden.$

Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum is central to the city's cultural district, housing a large and wide-ranging collection of artworks.

Portland Japanese Garden

An authentic example of Japanese landscaping, the Portland Japanese Garden is a haven of tranquil beauty with an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.

Forest Park

With 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike.

Head outdoors

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 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.
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).
Third Avenue Food Cart Pod

With plentiful riverfront seating at nearby Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, these longtime downtown food carts are a lunchtime favorite, offering cuisine from Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam and more.
Fifth Avenue Food Cart Pod

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

Bridges of Portland

Learn the history and key features of the city’s 12 Willamette River crossings.

Kids get some hands-on learning at OMSI.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

With a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, a retired navy submarine, traveling exhibits and “After Dark” events, OMSI has lures for all ages.

Learn about all types of flora and fauna at the World Forestry Center.

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Tree- and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.

$Kids\' imaginations take flight at the Wings & Waves waterpark.$

Kid-Friendly Regional Attractions

Trips outside the city promise all-ages entertainment. Here are four must-see attractions within two hours of downtown Portland.

Mt. Tabor Park

This popular park features expansive views, picnic areas, natural-surface and paved paths, a dog off-leash area, a playground and a performance stage, plus tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.
Cathedral Park

Once a fishing and seasonal living site for Native American tribes (and a landing site of Lewis and Clark), this park offers fishing, a boat ramp and canoe launch, an off-leash dog area, paved paths and picnic tables.
Washington Park

Washington Park is one of the oldest, most popular parks in Portland. It features 15 miles of trails and more than 400 acres of trees, gardens, playgrounds and attractions.
Laurelhurst Park

Surrounding a scenic lake, Laurelhurst Park was the first city park named to the National Register of Historic Places. It offers picnic and play areas, a dog off-leash area and a horseshoe pit, plus basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.
Peninsula Park Rose Garden

Opened in 1909, this formal French garden was the city’s first public rose garden. The verdant park is home to an iconic fountain, a bandstand and a public pool.

Pioneer Place houses over 75 stores, an expansive food court and cinema.

Shopping Districts and Destinations

From shop-lined streets to expansive malls, you'll find great spots for tax-free shopping all around town — and beyond.

$The Jade Night Market returns every summer with food, entertainment and shopping to celebrate the diversity and culture of communities who live and create in Southeast Portland\'s Jade District.$

Shopping Events in Portland

Portland's shopping scene offers colorful bazaars where you can score locally made goods at unbeatable prices. Better bring an extra suitcase!

$Wyld Stallyns Vintage is one of Portland\'s many neighborhood boutiques specializing in used clothing.$

Vintage Shopping in Portland

Browse costume jewelry, tailored suits and racks upon racks of dresses at Portland's nearly 50 vintage shopping destinations.

Browse feminist streetwear fashions and tomboy threads at Wildfang.

Portland Streetwear Shops

Portland's laidback, chic aesthetic makes it the ideal home for streetwear. Shop ‘til you drop (tax-free, of course!) at these Portland streetwear shops.

Peruse handcrafted leather products at Tanner Goods, including wallets, bags, belts, guitar straps and even chairs.

Shop for Made-In-Portland Goods

These companies churn out consistently cool made-in-Portland products, from fashionable swimwear and accessories to leather goods and lighting.

At Nike Portland, shop for trendy shoes designed only a few miles away.

Portland Shoe and Sportswear Brands

Portland is the athletic gear capital of America. Here's where to shop for the best designed-in-Portland shoes and sportswear.

Portland on a Budget

There’s plenty to eat, drink, see and do in the Rose City — all without overspending.

Explore more

Portland Mercado

With a neighborhood grocery, meat market, coffee shop, food cart pod and more, the Mercado is one of the city’s most delicious destinations.

Pine Street Market

A modern food hall in Portland's Old Town features both local favorites and new ventures from international chefs, creating a kind of permanent food festival.

Portland Saturday Market

Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.

OX Restaurant

Ox finds inspiration in the wood-fired grilling tradition of Argentina, and with it, the culinary heritage of Spain, France and Italy. They feature local meats and fish, as well as seasonal produce.
Beast

Helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Naomi Pomeroy, this French-influenced eatery serves prix fixe, multi-course meals at communal tables.
Canard

From the team that created Le Pigeon and Little Bird comes Canard — a café by day and a wine bar (that also offers great cocktails and bar snacks) by night.
Paley’s Place Bistro & Bar

Paley's Place offers Pacific Northwest regional cuisine, served in the warm and inviting setting of a Victorian home.
Pok Pok

A Portland classic that began as a food cart and went on to international renown, Pok Pok celebrates the food and culture of Thailand and Southeast Asia.