Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
Cheap Things to Do in Portland for Weekend Adventurers
Experience Portland’s food and culture without breaking your budget on this Saturday or Sunday itinerary.
Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
Bring your walking shoes, water bottle and day-pack for an urban adventure that highlights several things locals love about Portland. This itinerary of cheap things to do in Portland is designed to help you make the most of a weekend day in the city.
Getting Around on a Budget
For each of our budget itineraries, we recommend getting an all-day TriMet pass ($5) good for the city’s public light rail, streetcar and bus.
Transit on the Cheap
Public transit, biking and e-scooters make navigating Portland a breeze.
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.
Biketown Bike-Share in Portland
Introduced in 2016, Portland’s bike-share program brings 1,000 smart bicycles to the central city.
Electric Scooters (E-Scooters) in Portland
In April 2019, Portland launched a year-long citywide trial in of shareable electric scooters ("e-scooters"). Before boarding, check out our dos and don’ts for riding e-scooters in Portland.
Cheap Weekend Activities in Portland
A Morning at the Market (and Lunch for Later)
Estimated cost: $8–20
Portland offers lively farmers’ markets throughout the city, but the granddaddy of them all is the Saturday-morning edition at Portland State University in downtown Portland.
The PSU Farmers Market runs year-round on Saturdays (8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. April–October; 9 a.m.–2 p.m. November–March). In operation since 1996, this vibrant market boasts fresh produce, food carts and flowers galore. There’s also live music every week and chef demonstrations from June–October. Visit more than 100 vendor stalls, and keep an eye out for free samples of fruit, cheese, baked goods and more. Grab breakfast at one of the food carts ($4–10) and stock up for a healthy lunch for later ($4–10).
Travel Time to Next Destination
A Walk in the Park
Estimated cost: $3
Next, hop on the speedy MAX Light Rail Red or Blue line toward attraction-filled Washington Park. Use the free Washington Park shuttle to reach the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center (located within the park) by noon for a stunning 90-minute tour ($3 donation requested). Portland’s 190-acre (77 ha) museum of living trees is home to more than 6,000 specimens, including vulnerable and endangered types. Aromatic magnolias and dogwoods abound in spring, wildflowers thrive in summer and warm autumnal colors paint the sky in fall. (Free.)
After the tour, keep exploring the arboretum’s 12 miles [19 km] of trails, or make the 30-minute trek to Forest Park for an equally awe-inspiring change of setting within city bounds. Take plenty of breaks and enjoy a scenic lunch in nature.
Travel Time to Next Destination
Dinner & Down-Home Tunes
Estimated cost: $8–12
Return downtown using bus 63 or MAX, then make your way to Portland’s east side via bus 19.
Enjoy a leisurely dinner at Northeast Portland institution Laurelthirst Public House after a day exploring the town. Choose from standard pub fare like BLTs and mac ‘n’ cheese (for vegans and vegetarians, they also make a mean kale salad and vegan burger [$8–12]). Every meal comes with a free side of live music — typically of the down-home bluegrass, Americana and folk varieties.
