Credit: Jon Kraft

Things to Do in Portland

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

Credit: Jon Kraft

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.

Questions About Things to Do in Portland

What are the must-see attractions in Portland?

The answer truly depends on your interests; Portland caters to most. If you still can’t decide after perusing this page, check out this article about where to go if it’s your first visit to Portland. Been here a few times? Try our fourth-timers guide.

How can I spend three days in Portland?

This guide to spending 48 hours in Portland includes many of the top attractions in the central city. Use your extra day to visit one of Portland’s many beautiful parks or gardens and explore a Portland neighborhood.

You can also let fate be your guide. Check out our events page to find out what’s going on in Portland when you’re in town or if you’re still planning your trip you can browse events by month. If you want someone else to show you around, make sure your travel plans include a walking tour or biking tour and learn about Portland history, coffee or beer.

What are the best things to eat and drink in Portland?

What are you in the mood for? Portland’s local food scene includes hundreds of food carts representing cuisines from around the world, James Beard award-winning restaurants and plenty of options for diners with dietary restrictions.

As for beverages, Portland is well known for its coffee, but there are also teahouses scattered throughout the city. Most people know Portland’s reputation for craft beer but may not know Oregon is one of the top wine-producing states. There’s also a growing craft distillery scene.

I’m planning my first trip to Portland, what should I do?

If you’re a first-time visitor to the City of Roses, check out our guide for a perfect first trip.

$Dozens of jack-o\'-lanterns illuminate the lawn of a park$

The Spirit of Halloweentown

The historic town of St. Helens, located 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all month long with haunted tours, costume contests and more.

thousands of small birds swarm around a tall brick chimney at sunset

Chapman Swift Watch

Every September, spectators gather to see the world’s largest roost of Vaux’s swifts swarm and spiral into the chimney of a Northwest Portland school.

A woman and three children find their way through the tall corn at the Corn Maize at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island.

The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island

The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical and mental challenges in a cornfield.

Portland on a Budget

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

Explore more

$Powell\'s City of Books$

Powell’s City of Books

Covering an entire city block, Powell’s has grown into a Portland landmark and the world's largest new and used bookstore — and its location is at the heart of the city, bridging the Pearl District, downtown and the West End.

A large stone mansion with red roof surrounded by trees

Pittock Mansion

High in the West Hills, the Pittock Mansion offers picture-perfect views of the city and interesting insights into Portland's history.

Portland Saturday Market

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

Forest Park

Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species.

$Two people kissing in front of the \"Love Rules\" sign at Portland Art Museum.$

Portland Art Museum

The largest art museum in Oregon and one of the oldest in the country, the Portland Art Museum is central to the city's cultural district, housing a large and wide-ranging collection of artworks.

a red panda walks on a tree limb, surrounded by leaves

Oregon Zoo

Located near downtown Portland in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is home to more than 2,600 animals.

people stand in a lobby decorated with art, colors, and menus on the wall

Voodoo Doughnut

Since 2003, Portland's Voodoo Doughnut has sold millions of wacky, sugary snacks — and the downtown landmark still attracts lines at all hours of the day.

A woman holds a camera to her eyes in a traditional Chinese garden with a pond, pavilion and trees.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

This year-round wonder houses an authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden built by Suzhou artisans, offering a peaceful escape in Portland's historic Chinatown.

Portland Japanese Garden

A haven of meticulously maintained, tranquil beauty, proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden offers meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.

people visiting a blooming Rose Garden in Washington Park

Portland International Rose Test Garden

The oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States, the Portland International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park features more than 10,000 roses, great views of the skyline and the Cascades.

Accessible Portland

Discover wheelchair-accessible and sensory-friendly attractions and activities in Portland, Oregon.

Editor's Pick

Ongoing

Piano Push Play

Citywide

Piano Push Play invites local artists to transform old, donated pianos into whimsical works of art w…

Editor's Pick

Music

Editor's Pick

Sept. 16–Oct. 31, 2023

Spirit of Halloweentown

Courthouse Plaza Cost Varies

The historic town of St. Helens, located 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all month lo…

Editor's Pick

Halloween

Editor's Pick

Sept. 2–Oct. 31, 2023

The Corn Maize at the Pumpkin Patch

Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch $8 – $10

The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical …

Editor's Pick

For Kids, Halloween, Outdoors

Editor's Pick

Aug. 2–Sept. 30, 2023

Dahlia Festival

Swan Island Dahlias Free

Celebrate the season of DAHLIAS. A Rainbow of Color. Stroll through almost 40 acres and a beautiful …

Editor's Pick

Outdoors, Shopping

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.

a woman looks at a sweater at Artifact PDX

Vintage Shopping in Portland

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

A man browses bins of records in a vintage record store

Vinyl Shopping in Portland

From vintage wax to new European imports, those rare releases you’ve been searching for are surely waiting at one of these rockin’ local vinyl stores.

Hammer and Jacks is located in Southeast Foster in Portland, OR. You can find a wide range of toys and books for every age. Hammer and Jack also have Story Time every Friday in their store.

Portland Toy Stores

Whether you’re a parent looking for an educational game or a collector on the hunt for a vintage action figure, Portland’s toy stores deliver.

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.

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.

people shopping for arts and crafts in a bright space with colorful paper lights hanging from the ceiling

Shopping Events in Portland

The shopping scene in Portland, Oregon offers colorful bazaars where visitors can score locally made goods at unbeatable prices, especially during these shopping events.

stairs up a hillside covered in bright blooms of flowers and fresh spring growth on trees

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.

tall bridge with circular bracing above a pond with ducks amid a forested park

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.

The Grotto

This serene woodland sanctuary in Northeast Portland features 62 acres (25 hectares) of lush botanical gardens. No matter what time of year you visit, the Grotto offers calm, peace and introspection, transcending boundaries.

Museums & Historical Sights

Portland is full of landmarks and attractions where you can learn about the city's history and culture.

A couple enjoys a meal and beer at a restaurant.

Date Night Ideas in Portland

Planning a romantic evening in Portland? We have date night ideas, activities and adventures for couples with all sorts of interests.

Restaurants With a View

Whether atop the city's tallest buildings or nestled next to a river, these Portland restaurants with a view offer a feast for the eyes (as well as the appetite).

a bartender carefully pours a green blended drink from a steel cocktail shaker

Portland’s Signature Cocktails

Portland is home to expert mixologists and one of America’s most vibrant craft cocktail scenes — sip your way through the city’s signature drinks.

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.
Rose City Food Park

Rose City Food Park is a food cart pod that features covered, heated seating; a family-friendly, dog-friendly, bike-friendly atmosphere; a beer garden and more.
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.
Prost Marketplace

Long standing food cart pod with covered seating, adjacent to Prost! and beloved by everyone from locals to Conde Naste writers.

Aerial view of the docked submarine on the Willamette River at OMSI

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

With interactive science labs, a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, a retired navy submarine, traveling exhibits and "After Dark" events, OMSI lures all ages.

Oregon Zoo

Located near downtown Portland in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is home to more than 2,600 animals.

an airplane with tubes coming out of the sides

Kid-Friendly Regional Attractions

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

Arts

Art gallery wanderers, theater lovers and those with a curious eye will find something to marvel at in this creative city.

man sits facing Fremont Bridge next to pink roses in front of a big grassy field

Biking

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

Beer

Portland is the craft beer capital and home to 70+ breweries. (No wonder we call it “Beervana!”)

Craft Spirits

Black students dancing together in a room with wooden floors and walls

Cultural Communities

Learn more about Portland, Oregon's many cultural communities, and discover places and ways to find community while on a trip to The Rose City.

exterior of Cinema 21 with marquee showing what is playing in the theater

Film

Portland, the home of acclaimed directors Gus Van Sant and Todd Haynes, boasts many movie houses and year round film festivals and events.

Food

“Food” in Portland can mean so many things, and there’s always more delicious exploring to be done — from food carts to farmers’ markets (and award-winning restaurants, of course), the Portland food scene is an eclectic culinary haven.

a wall display of ceramic arts and other crafts inside a ceramics studio.

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.

Outdoors

The perfect launchpad for outdoor activities and adventure with snow-capped mountains, the Pacific Ocean, countless rivers, forested hikes and beautiful urban gardens, Portland has something for every type of outdoor enthusiast.

A person returning a sweater standing at a register.

Shopping

From vintage and consignment shops to streetwear and iconic local brands, visitors can find anything they want when shopping in Portland. Because the state of Oregon operates without sales tax, Portland shopping is a popular tourist activity.

crowd watches soccer game at providence park stadium

Sports

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

Wine

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

Keepin' It Weird

A round-up of Portland's eccentric events and attractions.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Pioneer Place

This shopping center occupies four city blocks in the heart of downtown Portland, offering tax-free shopping at over 100 stores, an expansive food court, bars and a movie theater.
Powell’s City of Books

From humble storefront beginnings in 1971, Powell’s has grown into an iconic Portland destination. Occupying an entire city block, the world’s largest new and used bookstore offers frequent author talks, a rare book room and a coffee shop.
OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)

OMSI's five enormous halls bring science to life with hundreds of interactive exhibits and displays. You can experience live lab demonstrations, see a movie on a four-story-tall screen, explore the stars in a planetarium and even tour a submarine.
Portland Art Museum

The renowned Portland Art Museum is the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of downtown’s Cultural District, the museum’s campus includes an outdoor sculpture court, permanent galleries and special exhibitions.
Cinema 21

Originally a single-screen theater and now a three-screen multiplex, Cinema 21 specializes in art-house, foreign and classic films and serves beer, wine and pizza along with concessions classics.