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The Portland Art Museum in downtown Portland is central to the city’s cultural district, housing a large and wide-ranging collection of artworks.
Credit: Catalina Gaitan

Indoors

The city is overflowing with fun indoor activities to keep anyone both dry and entertained.

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The Portland Art Museum in downtown Portland is central to the city’s cultural district, housing a large and wide-ranging collection of artworks.
Credit: Catalina Gaitan

Rainy Day Activities

These local attractions offer a respite from the rain, along with hours of entertainment.

The Portland Art Museum\'s two buildings are separated by a public sculpture garden.

Portland Art Museum

The Portland Art Museum is central to the city's cultural district, housing a large and wide-ranging collection of artworks.

A scene from Portland Center Stage’s 2019 production of ”In the Heights.“

Portland Theater

Portland has a well-established network of venues and theater companies and an increasingly dynamic and diverse small theater scene.

Avalon Theatre & Wunderland is open for all ages from noon to midnight.

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.

\"Experience Oregon\" is a 7,000-square-foot permanent exhibit at Oregon Historical Society, reflecting the people, places and events that shaped the land that is now known as Oregon.

Oregon Historical Society

The Oregon Historical Society collection includes thousands of historic artifacts (including the “Portland Penny"), permanent and rotating exhibits and an extensive research library.

Film fans enjoy beer and pizza with a movie at the Hollywood Theatre.

Brew 'N' View Theaters

Portland’s beloved “brew ‘n’ view” movie theaters run the gamut from funky to swanky, serving up all manner of drinks, food and films.

This Portland landmark is the world\'s largest new and used bookstore.

Powell’s City of Books

Covering an entire city block, Powell's is a landmark, a great bookstore and a microcosm of the city itself.

Are bookstores your church? Go Somewhere Different.

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.

Lloyd Center is minutes from downtown and houses more than 200 stores.

Lloyd Shopping

With Lloyd Center’s 150+ stores, and more shops on Northeast Broadway, Lloyd offers a bounty of shopping options close to downtown.

Retro rides for the whole family await at Oaks Amusement Park.

Oaks Skating Rink

Lace up your skates and roll around this large, meticulously maintained wooden floor beneath the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.

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.

Take a look

Indoors with Kids

Keep little ones entertained (and dry) with these kid-friendly activities and attractions.

Table tennis devotees flock to ping pong social club, Pips & Bounce.

Indoor Activities for Children

When Portland's weather prevents kids from running around outside, families can choose from dozens of awesome indoor activities.

Roald Dahl\'s The BFG at Northwest Children\'s Theater

Children’s Theater

Portland's children's theater companies introduce kids to live theater and teaches them people in costumes are fun, not scary.

Parents can nosh on wings and other snacks as kids explore PlayDate PDX\'s three-story castle.

Indoor Children’s Play Areas

Banish your children’s boredom at Portland’s parent-approved play zones, including castles, bounce houses, obstacle courses and malls.

What to Do When It Rains

Yes, it’s true — it rains in Portland. Locals don’t let that stop them, and neither should you! Duck into these destinations for a fun reprieve.

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Get Cozy

When skies turn grey, locals indulge in these belly- and soul-warming activities.

Catch an indie band concert, then warm up by the roaring fire pit at Doug Fir Lounge.

Portland’s Coziest Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Portland winters are usually mild, but the city offers all sorts of welcoming places to warm up. Relax next to one of our favorite fireplaces in Portland.

Afuri Ramen & Izakaya in downtown Portland is a favorite spot for comforting soup.

Portland Soup Spots

Whether you’re craving ramen, Mexican pozole or classic chicken noodle, these local soup spots will warm you from the inside out.

Are bookstores your church? Go Somewhere Different.

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.

Relax in the warm soaking pool at McMenamins Kennedy School.

Where to Soak in Portland

Ready to relax? Practice aquatic self-care at these welcoming, all-weather float and soak spots.

Warm up in the waters of Deer Creek Hot Springs.

Soak It Up: Hot Springs Around Portland

Winter in Portland means plenty of rain, which is the perfect weather for fully appreciating a steamy dip in one of Portland's nearby hot springs.

Tokyo ramen restaurant Afuri opened its first international located in Portland, selecting the City of Roses because of its excellent water quality.

Portland Ramen Restaurants

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