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  • Things to Do in Portland
    • Close Menu
      • three women walk through rows of rosesView All Things to Do in Portland
      • Parks & Gardens
      • Kid-Friendly Activities
      • Shopping
      • Food Carts & Pods Finder
      • On a Budget
      • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • Close Menu
      • a person in bright clothes and high-heeled boots vogues in front of a park fountain, surrounded by manicured rose bushesView All Culture
      • Arts
      • Beer
      • Biking
      • Cannabis
      • Cultural Communities
      • Craft Spirits
      • Food
      • Makers
      • Music
      • Nightlife
      • Outdoors
      • Sports
      • Weird
      • Wine
      • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
    • Close Menu
      • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
      • Alberta Arts District
      • Belmont
      • Central Eastside
      • Division/Clinton
      • Downtown
      • Hawthorne
      • Lloyd
      • Mississippi
      • Northwest / Nob Hill
      • Old Town Chinatown
      • Pearl District
      • St. Johns
      • Sellwood-Moreland
      • Williams
      • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • Close Menu
      • aerial view of the countryside and coastal range with an old rail bridge turned bike and walking pathView All Region
      • Near the City
      • Columbia River Gorge
      • Mount Hood
      • Oregon Coast
      • Willamette Valley
      • ALL REGIONS
  • Plan Your Trip
    • Close Menu
      • a light rail train on a cobblestone road passes the historic Saturday Market entry archesView All Plan Your Trip
      • Portland Maps
      • Portland Visitor Center
      • Where to Stay in Portland
      • Portland Tours
      • Transportation
      • Accessible Portland
      • Portland Weather
      • Safety in Portland
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Amy Lam

Amy Lam

Amy Lam is a writer and editor based in Portland. Read More

two people and a baby stand in front of a round oil classical painting of a religious scene at the Portland Art Museum
i
Visitors look at Madonna and Child with Two Angels (1495) by Francesco Granacci at the Portland Art Museum.
Things to Do in Portland / Indoor Activities in Portland

Perfect Itinerary for Portland Indoor Activities

Whether you’re seeking refuge from the weather or want to experience Portland’s dynamic cultural scene, here’s an indoor itinerary for a great day of indoor activities.

Updated May 2, 2025 4 min read
Amy Lam

Amy Lam

Amy Lam is a writer and editor based in Portland. Read More

Wondering how to spend a rainy day in Portland? While the Pacific Northwest is renowned for its breathtaking outdoor landscapes — which locals love to explore all year — Portland’s rainy weather cultivates a solid indoor culture. Visitors seeking refuge from a drizzly Portland day (or a balmy summer afternoon) will find endless indoor spaces to enjoy, including family-friendly options. From comfy cafés and art institutions to classic arcade games and comedy, here are some of the best things to do on a rainy day in Portland, a city filled with culture, creativity and charm.

barista pours a shot into a cup behind the bar at a coffee shop
Stumptown Coffee is a Portland-based coffee shop and roaster that offers a wide variety of coffees grown all over the world.

Credit: Justin Katigbak

Coffee and Culture in the Morning

Wherever you’re staying, start your day with a fresh cup of coffee at one of the local coffee chains like Fresh Pot, Albina Press, or Stumptown. If you’re in the mood for a heartier breakfast or brunch, drop into one of the locations of Screen Door, the dog-friendly Tin Shed Garden Cafe or Pine State Biscuits for Southern-fried goodness. Get a bowl of comforting congee from Kenny’s Noodle’s House or noodle soup from James Beard Award-nominated Ha VL — both of which sell out daily. Can’t choose where to go? Pull up Travel Portland’s Near Me Now app on your phone for a curated list of recommendations near you.

two people sit at a window in a coffee shop
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Discover one of Portland's original great coffee roasters at Stumptown's cafe on Southeast Division Street.
Credit: Catalina Gaitan
native American artworks in a brightly-lit museum gallery, including traditional and contemporary robes and art
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The Joe and Shelley Voboril Gallery highlights Plains regional works from the Portland Art Museum's collection of Native American art.
a person in a hat and leather jacket stands in-between towering stacks of books with a book in hand, reading
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Powell's City of Books occupies an entire city block in the Pearl District and houses more than a million new and used volumes.
Credit: Travel Portland
cityscape view with buildings and blue sky in the background and a passage way with small shops in view
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Since 2013, Union Way has connected West Burnside Street with Southwest Harvey Milk Street in downtown Portland's West End via an indoor shopping arcade housing retailers and eateries.
Credit: Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland

After fueling up, head downtown for some culture! Located in the Park Blocks, the Portland Art Museum features modern and contemporary art focusing on local, Native and Pacific Northwest works. Visitors can spend hours taking in their permanent collections and special exhibitions, often featuring world-class artists.

It’s a short ride from the museum on the Portland Streetcar to the must-visit Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. Book lovers will get happily lost amidst the aisles and aisles of this bookstore that takes up an entire city block. And just across the street, go on a mini shopping spree at Union Way Shopping Arcade, which has shops like Portland’s classic boot brand, Danner and Wailua Shave Ice. Tender Loving Empire and Crafty Wonderland are just a few blocks away and feature an abundance of delightful wares from local artisans — so stop by for a souvenir of your city visit.

Explore Portland With Near Me Now

Are you in Portland or visiting soon? Our Near Me Now web app will lead you to some of our favorite neighborhood spots.

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An Afternoon at Food Halls and Arcades

If you’re sticking to the downtown area, head to Pine Street Market, a bustling food hall with vendors doling out everything from dumplings and doughnuts to fried chicken and Costa Rican comfort food. Afterward, mosey on over to Ground Kontrol Arcade, where classic arcade games and pinball machines have been going strong since 1999. If you’re a serious gamer, check their calendar and see if there’s a tournament you might want to enter and impress all your friends with your 8-bit prowess.

people playing pinball machines
People gather around pinball machines and other arcade games at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade.

Credit: Nick Mendez Photography

In Southeast Portland, get your fill at The Zipper, a smaller food court featuring four distinct offerings, including vegan, gluten-free pizza and Korean food. Who says you can only play mini-golf outdoors? Putt off your meal at Birdie Time Pub, where you can also find a state-of-the-art golf and sports simulator. The unique sports bar is family-friendly — it’s all ages until 7 p.m., so bring your little ones and putt-putt away.

A Night Out (or In)

Absolutely nothing beats the energy of a live performance. Whether it’s live music, comedy, or theater, Portland has venues and artists performing their hearts out across town. First things first: drop in for cocktails at Teardrop Lounge or beer at Deschutes, then cozy up to dinner at Farmhouse Thai or Janken, a pan-Asian fine-dining restaurant (reservations recommended).

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A post shared by Portland Center Stage (@portlandcenterstage)

In the Pearl District, Portland Center Stage features plays and musicals from local playwrights and touring national shows with two stages and not a bad seat in the house. Opt for a casual dinner at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, then score a show at Darcelle XV Showplace for Vegas-style cabaret and drag. Music lovers should check out Star Theater nearby, an intimate, renovated historic building featuring acts like country rockers The Sadies, noise rock band Lightning Bolt and K-pop group PURPLE KISS. 

Pro tip: If you’re feeling like a cozy (or chill) night in at your hotel or Airbnb, order from CCC PDX, which delivers meals from many local restaurants by bike.

Attractions, Tours & Itineraries

Keep Cozy with These Indoor Options

Enjoy your Portland visit with a hot drink, a good book and a taste of culture.

Exterior of a coffeeshop with two benches, hanging plants and a striped awning

Quiet Places Made for Reading

Pick up a winning read at one of Portland’s many independent bookstores and curl up in a cozy corner of one of these eight local coffee shops.

man and woman behind counter preparing espresso at a coffee shop

Portland Coffee

Explore our comprehensive guide to coffee in Portland, including our rich coffee history, Portland’s impact on the third-wave coffee movement, and coffee shop suggestions by quadrants.

a couple observes artwork at Portland Art Museum

Portland Museums

From the largest museum in the state to mailbox-sized sidewalk galleries, these Portland art collections and exhibitions inspire and entertain.

Indoor Fun for All

Whether you're looking to stay dry, avoid the heat or just play, Portland has you covered.

a statue of a man in a suit holding an umbrella in an urban park on a rainy day

Indoor Activities in Portland

Don’t let a rainy day (or a hot one!) stop you from having fun in Portland — enjoy museums, movie theaters, arcades, shopping and other indoor activities.

two people smile while holding hands and skating across a classic wooden roller rink

Indoor Activities for Kids

Portland offers a broad array of indoor activities for kids and families, including story times, indoor playgrounds, arcades, skating and more.

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