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  • Attractions
    • AttractionsView All Attractions
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    • Parks & Gardens
    • Family Friendly
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    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
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    • Cultural Communities
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    • Wine
    • MORE CULTURE
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    • Alberta Arts District
    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
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    • Downtown
    • Hawthorne
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    • Mississippi
    • Northwest / Nob Hill
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    • Pearl District
    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
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    • Columbia River Gorge
    • Mount Hood
    • Oregon Coast
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    • ALL REGIONS
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Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More

Families can enjoy a fun-filled spring day at the Portland Children\'s Museum. Families can enjoy a fun-filled spring day at the Portland Children\'s Museum.
i
Families can enjoy a fun-filled spring day at the Portland Children’s Museum.
Credit: Portland Children’s Museum
Attractions

Spend Spring Break in Portland

Plan your vacation with these fun ideas for families, friends, couples and solo travelers.

Updated Apr. 30, 2020 4 min read
Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More

Take the stress out of planning spring break in Portland with our list of awesome activities — for all kinds of vacationers. Have a great trip!

View the Full Calendar

You’re currently viewing a page featuring a selection of events. To find even more things to do in Portland, visit our full calendar, which you can search by date and event type.

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Spring Break in Portland for Families

Museums & More

If a few rain clouds threaten to darken your visit, never fear! There are plenty of indoor activities to keep your youngsters entertained. Families can spend the entire day exploring the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) or the Portland Children’s Museum, and ample children’s theaters, indoor play areas and indoor activities ensure that you’ll never run out of warm, dry and family-friendly fun.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Head to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, located south of Portland, for their annual springtime Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. This kid-centered fest features 40 acres (16 ha) of gorgeous blooms, plus plenty of children’s activities. Kiddos love the hay wagon rides, duck races, tire swings and cow train rides, along with plenty of food and drink offerings.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Colorful fields reminiscent of Holland burst with acres of tulips in full bloom at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn.

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

Whale Watching at the Oregon Coast

Oregon beaches may not fit certain spring break stereotypes (for example, you’re unlikely to stumble into a wild college party or game of beach volleyball). They are, however, perfect for peaceful whale watching. Every spring, as many as 20,000 gray whales pass through Oregon waters while migrating between Mexico and Alaska. Locals celebrate the springtime migration with Whale Watching Week, when trained volunteers are stationed at more than 20 locations along the Oregon Coast to help you spot and learn more about these majestic creatures.

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

Up to 20,000 gray whales migrate along Oregon's coast every winter and spring. Spot them from these four locations.

Hit The Coast

Family Friendly Fun

Explore Portland as a family at these kid-friendly attractions.

Go To Family Friendly
Hikers of all ages enjoy exploring Forest Park.

Kid-Friendly Hikes

Portland has numerous kid-friendly hiking spots with trails under 4 miles (6 km) close to the city and bursting with natural beauty.

Kids can explore a real Naval submarine at OMSI.

When I Grow Up: Portland Attractions for Career-Oriented Kids

At these family-friendly Portland attractions, kids can walk in the shoes of the heroes they idolize: police officers, firefighters, astronauts, airplane pilots and sailors.

Even Portland\'s beer scene is family-friendly.

Kid-Friendly Breweries in Portland

In a city with more breweries than anywhere else in the world, parents don't have to choose between their children and enjoying a good pint of beer.

Spring Break in Portland for Couples

Portland Dining Month

There’s never a bad time to dine in Portland, but March is undoubtedly the best month to try new restaurants. Every year, more than 100 local restaurants celebrate Portland Dining Month by offering delicious three-course menus for a mere $33. (If your spring break is in April, you’ll still find great eats and deals — maybe you’re in the mood for tacos, ramen, sushi or comfort food?)

Gardens Galore

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Portland Japanese Garden, one of the most authentic such gardens outside of Japan. The popular attraction expanded in 2017, adding classrooms, a library, a tea café and several additional gardens. Spring is also a beautiful time to visit Lan Su Chinese Garden, a tranquil, walled Suzhou-style garden in the heart of Old Town. And don’t miss the lush Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, where the flowers reach peak bloom in late April (coinciding with the garden’s annual Rhododendron & Daffodil Show & Sale).

Hit the Slopes

It may surprise you to learn that March and April offer excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions near Portland. (In fact, Mt. Hood Skibowl keeps lifts running through May and Timberline is open year-round.) A quick 90-minute drive will deliver you to Mount Hood for an exciting day of snow sports. Make it a full weekend with a stay at cozy Timberline Lodge.

Spring Break in Portland for Friends

Get Rolling

For old-school fun, head to Oaks Amusement Park’s Roller Rink in Southeast Portland. The rink hosts frequent DJ and themed nights, and is the only roller skating rink in the country to still house a traditional Wurlitzer pipe organ.

Oaks Amusement Park

In Southeast Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood, Oaks Amusement Park has been providing families with carnival thrills and family fun since 1905.

Head To Oaks Park

Itching to explore the city? Portland’s Biketown program makes it easier than ever to rent a bicycle. With 1,000 eight-speed, bright orange bikes spread across 100 locations, you’re never far from Biketown station. Once you’ve saddled up, map your route on the city’s 350 miles (563 km) of designated bikeways and start pedaling!

Biketown Bike-Share in Portland

Introduced in 2016, Portland’s bike-share program brings 1,000 smart bicycles to the central city.

Read more

Eye on the Ball

Cheer on your March Madness picks at one of Portland’s many welcoming sports bars. Favorites include Century, which boasts stadium seating and vegan-friendly eats, the Portland Trail Blazers-inspired Spirit of 77.

Beervana

Speaking of bars, many of Portland’s 75+ breweries offer limited-edition spring beer releases. Elevate your tasting experience by grabbing some friends and pedaling together from pub to pub on a BrewCycle.

Portland Breweries

Portland, home to more breweries than any other city on earth, has pioneered the craft beer movement since the early 1980s.

Read more

Spring Break in Portland for Solo Travelers

Join the Timbers Army

You’re sure to make fast friends while cheering on the celebrated Portland Thorns and Timbers, the city’s championship-winning major league soccer clubs. At Providence Park, join the famous (and friendly) Timbers Army section to learn all the chants from the dedicated fans.

Portland Soccer: Timbers and Thorns

With a fervent following, every Portland Timbers and Thorns match has a festive atmosphere that's enjoyable whether you're a soccer fan or not.

Gooooool!

Shop Like a Local

March marks the return of the Portland Saturday Market, America’s largest weekly outdoor arts and crafts market. After perusing the 250 booths of handcrafted goods, take MAX light rail to the Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University. This massive open-air market overflows with fresh flowers, seasonal veggies and artisan-made snacks.

Treat Yourself

There are plenty of ways to practice self-care in Portland, including treating yourself to a luxurious spa day. Indulge in a tranquil soak at Knot Springs, a body scrub at The Blooming Moon or a massage at KIVA.

For Kids, Spring

Spring in Portland

Springtime in Portland bring plenty of showers and new growth, along with only-in-Portland activities and celebrations of beer, food, fiestas and flowers.

Explore Spring

Spring Events

Enjoy the best of the season with these upcoming springtime events in Portland.

Full Calendar
Canceled
Portland Dining Month
Mar. 1–31, 2021

Portland Dining Month

Restaurants Citywide $33

Every March, more than 100 Portland restaurants serve up three courses for just $33 nightly. There’s no better time to visit this top culinary destination.

Canceled
Events
Food
Spring
Editor's Pick
Portland International Film Festival
Mar. 5–14, 2021

Portland International Film Festival

Virtual; Cinema Unbound Drive-In at Zidell Yards

Established in 1977, The Portland International Film Festival is a creative, multi-media feast spotlighting artists both around the corner and across the globe—embracing bold, original, future-forward storytellers making cinema in all its forms. March 5 – 14, 2021. The Portland International Film Festival (PIFF) is a community celebration of the stories that bind us—whether told…

Editor's Pick
Festival
Film
Editor's Pick
Womxn's March & Rally For Action
Sunday, Mar. 7, 2021

Womxn's March & Rally For Action

Virtual Free

The Womxn’s March & Rally For Action returns in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Take to the streets on a day that honors womxn and their long history of marching, organizing and speaking out for social justice. Educate. Engage. Empower.

Editor's Pick
Cultural Communities
LGBTQ+
Women’s History Month
Editor's Pick
Shamrock Run
Sunday, Mar. 14, 2021

Shamrock Run

Virtual $0-$89

Founded in 1979, the Shamrock Run Portland is the largest running and walking event in Oregon and is the third largest running event in the western United States. Due to COVID restrictions on large gatherings, Portland’s longest-running tradition will be taking place virtually in 2021.

Editor's Pick
Outdoors
Sports
Editor's Pick
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Mar. 19–May 2, 2021

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm $5-$60

Colorful fields reminiscent of Holland burst with acres of tulips in full bloom at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn.

Editor's Pick
Attractions
Festivals
For Kids
Parks & Gardens
Spring
Editor's Pick
POW Film Fest
Mar. 25–28, 2021

POW Film Fest

Virtual

POW Film Fest is Portland’s premiere film festival showcasing films made by women and non-binary filmmakers. The festival features the work of some of today’s top women and non-binary directors, while honoring the true pioneers and recognizing the next generation of leading filmmakers. Over the years POW has striven to encourage thoughtful and engaged discourse…

Editor's Pick
Festival
Film
Editor's Pick
St. Johns Bizarre & Parade
Saturday, May 8, 2021

St. Johns Bizarre & Parade

St Johns Portland, OR 97203 Free

The St. Johns Bizarre is a uniquely crafted celebration that kicks off the summer street fair season in Portland with music, kids’ activities and more. Held annually on the second Saturday in May, the Bizarre brings music, crafts and food to the crowds attending the St. Johns Parade. After the parade, the entire six block…

Editor's Pick
Shopping
Editor's Pick
UFO Festival
May 13–15, 2021

UFO Festival

Hotel Oregon $20 and up

Every May, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s famous UFO Festival, featuring four days of parades, costume contests, expert speakers

Editor's Pick
Festivals
For Kids
Spring
Weird
Editor's Pick
TEDxPortland
Saturday, May 29, 2021

TEDxPortland

Moda Center $79-$250

NOTE: The 2020 event has been postponed until May 29, 2021. TEDxPortland, the largest TEDx event in the world, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2020. For its first time, the event heads to the Moda Center in North Portland (home of the city’s iconic NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers). Enjoy a day of notable…

Editor's Pick
Readings & Talks
Editor's Pick
Oregon Midsummer Festival
Saturday, June 12, 2021

Oregon Midsummer Festival

Oaks Amusement Park & Roller Skating Rink Varies – children 11 and under enter free

Midsummer continues to be a fun, family friendly and important day with centuries-old traditions and everyone is invited!​ Enjoy delicious Nordic cuisine, try traditional beverages and scrumptious sweets. Spend the day making your own colorful flower crown and other crafts. Play Kubb and other fun games, take a break in the beer garden before dancing…

Editor's Pick
Cultural Communities
Festival
Food & Drink
For Kids

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