Allow Me, also known as Umbrella Man, is a 1983 bronze sculpture by John Seward Johnson II that can be found in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Indoor Activities in Portland

Don't let a rainy day (or a hot one!) stop you from having fun in Portland.

Allow Me, also known as Umbrella Man, is a 1983 bronze sculpture by John Seward Johnson II that can be found in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

It’s a well-known fact that Portland is a top-notch city for getting outdoors — but it’s a great place to head indoors, too, whether you’re trying to get out of the rain or escape into air conditioning on a hot summer day. Read on for a slew of fun indoor activities in Portland, no matter what you’re into or where you are in the city.

Museums and Art Galleries

Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Portland, discover the traveling exhibitions and permanent collection at the Portland Art Museum, the largest museum in Oregon and the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about Oregon’s past and present at the Oregon Historical Society, or take in art by living artists at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMOA) on the campus of Portland State University. All three of these great options are located on the South Park Blocks, so you can explore without too much exposure to the elements.

Meanwhile, the plentiful art galleries in the central city offer great escapes from sudden cloudbursts. The Pearl District, which was traditionally the city’s arts district, has a multitude of galleries to explore, making it a perfect place to start — try the Elizabeth Leach Gallery, PDX Contemporary Art or Blue Sky Gallery.

Portland Art Museum

Spend a day strolling among sculptures, sketching modern art and soaking in the artistic ambiance at one of the nation’s best art museums.

person walking through a museum exhibition of different trees

Fun and Weird Museums

From the weird to the wonderful, Portland’s specialty museums offer a wide range of exhibits, from educational displays to curious collections and even exhibitions devoted to alternate universes.

people peruse the large displays of trees and rocks inside the World Forestry Center

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Tree- and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about the importance of sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, with exhibits on local and global forests.

white walled interior of an art gallery with 6 paintings hanging on three sides of an open room

Portland Art Gallery Scene

Art enthusiasts will find a dose of inspiration in Portland’s tight-knit independent gallery scene.

an exterior view of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) beside the Willamette River with a huge black submarine docked by a pier

OMSI: Portland’s Interactive Science Museum

With its huge exhibit halls, interactive science labs, multiple auditoriums, “After Dark” events and more, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) lures visitors of all ages.

street view of museum entrance with city reflections on the windows

The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education

In times of social upheaval and political uncertainty, museums like OJMCHE are more relevant than ever. Explore the rich history and ongoing resiliency of Oregon’s diverse Jewish community with interactive exhibits and experiences for all ages.

a person sits on a stool in front of an audience with colorful clothing strewn about the stage

Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA)

Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) brings internationally and locally renowned performances, installations and artists to their warehouse space in Northeast Portland.

two people looking at artwork in a gallery

Oregon Contemporary

In North Portland find visual art installations and performance art to collaborations with bands, chefs and mixologists, with international curators and partnerships with Oregon art makers, Oregon Contemporary is the cutting edge of visual arts.

Shopping

Whether it’s the dead of winter or a summer heatwave, shopping is a fun way to spend some time in Portland. It’s just a short walk from store to store in the compact shopping districts of the central city, including downtown, the Pearl District and Northwest/Nob Hill. Another great option is Union Way, a European-style gallery of shops. And if you prefer to stay entirely out of the elements, Portland has you covered with two major indoor shopping centers: downtown’s Pioneer Place and Lloyd Center, just across the river. Both malls are served by MAX Light Rail.

view from outside of clothing and shoes in window

Downtown and Central City Shopping

Downtown Portland boasts a wide array of shopping options, from major national and international retailers to locally owned boutiques and specialty shops.

a woman looks at a sweater at Artifact PDX

Vintage Shops in Portland

Vintage shopping in Portland is a delight, with an abundance of top-notch vintage shops and thrift stores offering clothes, accessories, antiques and other treasures.

clothing on racks and folded on tables and large display with handwritten words

Portland Streetwear: A Complete Guide

From the local to the global, streetwear fashion flourishes among the tree-lined, tax-free lanes of Portland, Oregon, where you can find household names like Nike or adidas, new brands, and a vortex of vintage to fuel your nostalgia.

Columbia Sportswear

The Flagship Store is located two blocks away from landmark Pioneer Courthouse Square in the historic United Carriage Building in downtown Portland.
Danner Store at Union Way

Since 1932, Danner has been making rugged boots meant to withstand long treks in the great outdoors.
Filson

Comfort, protection and durability never go out of style. Come find Filson’s quality outdoor apparel in its Portland flagship store, one of only two in the U.S.
Patagonia

Patagonia is a store making clothes for climbing – as well as for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling and trail running.
Portland Gear

This shop specializes in Portland-centric apparel that’s designed in Portland like shirts, socks and baseball caps.

Bookstores and Libraries

Rain or shine, spending countless hours inside Powell’s City of Books is easy. Covering an entire city block, the world’s largest independent bookstore contains more than 1 million books in 3,500 different sections, plus an in-store coffee shop to help fuel your browsing session. And Powell’s is just the start — Portland boasts a wealth of exceptional bookstores, so there’s probably one near you now (try Annie Bloom’s Books in Multnomah Village, Third Eye Books in Division/Clinton and Broadway Books in Northeast Portland, to name just a few).

Explore more than 17 miles of bookshelves in downtown Portland’s Central Library, which houses a remarkable 875 tons of books. The Multnomah County Library system’s main branch, which opened in 1913, is housed in a three-story, Georgian-style building with stunning architectural details. You’ll also find the volunteer-run Friends Library Store, where they sell used books, stationery and gifts, all of which help sustain the library’s community programming.

a person in a hat and leather jacket stands in-between towering stacks of books with a book in hand, reading

A Booklover’s Guide to Portland

From coffee houses with community libraries to writing workshops and a book festival, bookworms rejoice; this is for you.

people at books shelves in a books store

Powell’s City of Books

Covering an entire city block, Powell’s City of Books is more than a great bookstore: It’s a microcosm of Portland, packed with smart and eclectic books, gifting options, and passionate people. And, like Portland, it’s open 365 days a year.

$Three people sit and read a book at Mother Foucault\'s bookstore in front of a wall of books.$

Portland Bookstores, Beyond Powell’s

Don’t stop with the largest independent bookstore in the world; these seven other shops offer an abundance of literary riches.

Arcades and Games

It’s always important to take time to play, for kids and adults alike — and a day when you want to get out of the weather can be a perfect excuse to do just that. Wunderland, a family-owned chain of local arcades, is a great place to start: Check out their locations in Belmont, Milwaukie, Gresham and Beaverton.

For a grown-up take on arcade fun, try one of Portland’s popular bar arcades, like Ground Kontrol, QuarterWorld, Standard Tavern or Retro Game Bar. Portland is also known as one of the world’s top destinations for pinball, with a wealth of options for flippers and bumpers: WedgeHead, Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum, and C-Bar should get you started.

nighttime street view of neon signs adorning a historic neighborhood theater and arcade

The Best Arcades in Portland

Portland offers a wide range of arcades, from family-friendly game rooms to dive bars and adults-only bar arcades.

Two friends clinking glasses over a large tabletop board game.

Portland Board Game Bars and Stores

Pair your board game night with a crafty cocktail or find a new favorite tabletop game at these Portland board game bars and stores.

gamers and onlookers gather around a vintage television set in a living room setup at a retro gaming conference

A Guide to Portland Retro Gaming Expo

This annual celebration of classic video and arcade games features expert panels, cosplay competitions, dozens of local and international exhibitors with rare finds, and a 30,000-square-foot “retrocade” with hundreds of games to play.

interior of a casino showing the gaming room with multiple rows of slot machines

Gaming and Casinos Near Portland

If you've got a passion for poker or want to give the roulette wheel a spin, test your luck at these gaming centers and casinos near Portland.

A person explores brightly lit, highly textured cave-like structure.

Explore Portland’s Immersive Art Experiences

From a “quantum trampoline” at Hopscotch Portland to a larger-than-life troll, get a taste of the region’s immersive art exhibits.

Sports and Recreation

Portland has plenty of opportunities to get active, even if the weather outside is frightful. Pickleball has taken the nation by storm, and Portland is no exception — The People’s Courts in the Parkrose neighborhood provides a place to play indoors (they also have bocce, ping pong, cornhole and more). Bowling is a classic pastime, and Portland has lanes all across town — options include Grand Central Bowl & Arcade, Punch Bowl Social and KingPins, among others.

Roller skating is another timeless indoor activity that’s fun for the whole family, whether you’re a seasoned pro or strapping on skates for the very first time. The skating rink at historic Oaks Amusement Park, which has operated continuously since 1905, offers year-round nostalgic fun. Lace up your skates and roll around the large, meticulously maintained wooden floor beneath the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.

If you prefer putters and balls to skates and pads, Portland has you covered with plenty of miniature golf courses — indoor options include Glowing Greens, Birdie Time Pub and Wonderwood Mini Golf.

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.

Perfect Itinerary for Portland Indoor Activities

Whether you’re escaping the weather or just feeling “indoorsy,” here’s a guide to enjoying Portland’s dynamic cultural scene while barely setting foot outside.

A biscuit sandwich with egg, sausage and melted cheese on a plate

Comfort Food Favorites in Portland

Get your comfort food fix — whether you’re hankering for mac and cheese, fries topped with gravy or a steaming bowl of pho, these local dishes don't disappoint.

A person sitting at a table holds a ramen spoon in a bowl

Portland Ramen Restaurants

The Portland ramen scene has exploded in recent years, spurred by the arrival of two authentic eateries straight from Tokyo.

cups of chai on a cafe table with donuts

Chai in Portland

This guide to Portland chai includes an abundance of house-brewed local brick-and-mortar options and those carrying Portland-made chai blends and concentrates.

person using tongs to select a doughnut from a tray

Doughnut Shops in Portland

Find must-try Portland doughnuts all across the city, from zany creations to tried-and-true classics (think crullers and bear claws) to gluten-free options.

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.

two people eating food and drinking wine at a picnic table during a busy food festival

Portland Snacks and Where to Find Them

From small cheese plates to conveyer-belt sushi to spring rolls, find your next favorite craving at these Portland, Oregon snack spots.

two women in sunglasses enjoy glasses of cider at a patio table

Portland’s Cider Scene

Hard cider is one of the latest beverages to gain popularity in Portland — known for its many beers, craft spirits and Willamette Valley wines.

Soaking Pools and Spas

Need to warm up and recharge? A visit to a soaking pool or a spa may be just the ticket. Popular spas include Blooming Moon Wellness Spa, Common Ground Wellness Cooperative and Zama Massage Therapeutic Spa. Go for a communal soak at spots like McMenamins Kennedy School and Everett House Healing Community. For an elevated take on the soaking experience, try CASCADA, Knot Springs or Root Whole Body.

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Movies and Events

Whether it’s raining cats and dogs or it’s just too hot to bear, not-so-wonderful weather provides the perfect excuse to visit one of Portland’s historic and independent movie theaters (many of which serve locally brewed beer). Northwest/Nob Hill’s Cinema 21 shows a mixture of independent, international, classic and mainstream films. In downtown’s West End, find Living Room Theaters, showing independent films in small theaters with recliners, gourmet food and wine delivered right to your seat. The grand facade of the historic Hollywood Theatre makes you feel like you’re stepping back into the height of arthouse theater, though they fill their screens with new releases of mainstream and independent films, as well as many specialty screenings from local filmmakers and festivals.

Academy Theater

This restored 1948 theater in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood features three screens with stadium seating, plus microbrews, wine and pizza.
Clinton Street Theater

A landmark of Portland cinema history, the Clinton Street Theater is one of the oldest operating movie houses in the United States.
Laurelhurst Theater

Built in 1923, this Portland landmark features local beers on tap, wine by the glass, fresh pizza slices and salads, and a steady stream of second-run and revival screenings in four auditoriums.
McMenamins Bagdad Theater

This 1927 movie palace, renovated by the McMenamin brothers, screens first-run films and serves handcrafted McMenamins ales, wines and spirits.
St. Johns Twin Cinemas

Opened in 1913, this charming neighborhood theater shows blockbusters and art films alike in a classic keystone-shaped auditorium with Dolby surround sound.

Of course indoor options for entertainment and events extend way beyond going to the movies: Catch bands at venues ranging from neighborhood dive bars to elegant concert halls. Take in a show at one of Portland’s historic theaters. Or head to the Rose Quarter and root on the home team.

Fall, Winter

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