A stroll through downtown Portland will take you past several vibrant murals painted on the sides of historic buildings.

Downtown

Explore diverse shopping, dining and cultural offerings in downtown Portland.

A stroll through downtown Portland will take you past several vibrant murals painted on the sides of historic buildings.

Know Before You Go

Downtown Portland is well served by TriMet, the city’s public light rail, Portland Streetcar and bus system.

Portland’s compact, walkable downtown offers easy access to great food, green spaces, cultural offerings, tax-free shopping and seemingly endless things to do. Browse the Rose City’s most diverse mix of retail brands, see a show and grab a bite at a food cart or fine restaurant — all conveniently located in downtown Portland.

Airbnb

Vacasa

Vrbo

Where to Stay in Downtown

Nestled within the bustle of business and shopping districts, the Ace Hotel is a bohemian chic place to stay with a Stumptown Coffee inside the lobby and European-style tavern Clyde Common to feed the weary traveller. For historic charm, try McMenamins Crystal Hotel, around the corner from their iconic music venue (with a bouncing floor) the Crystal Ballroom with a saltwater soaking pool in the basement, bar and cafe, these quaint guest rooms offer the best place to rest in the middle of it all.

Where to Eat and Drink in Downtown

Coffee connoisseurs select from a hand-written menu of single-origin, house-roasted beans at Courier Coffee Bar. Once you’ve made your choice, baristas grind the beans right in front of you to prepare a perfect pour-over into a steaming mason jar. Never short on local-roasted coffee, for award-wining single origin coffee visit the green wall at Coava Coffee for an urban escape after wondering the city center.

Flying Elephants, a Portland-local chain across from Director Park, offers deli fare from a fresh salad or sandwich with classic pastries to sate the sweet tooth. Nearby, another perfect no-fuss lunch in central city is Pastini Pastaria, serving pasta dishes with a contemporary take on Italian bistro dining. For a modern and romantic experience head to Q Restaurant & Bar with electric menus featuring dishes inspired by Pacific Northwest cuisine. Skip lunch and head right to the sweets at Ruby Jewel Ice Cream offering decadent handcrafted flavors, ice cream sandwiches and a vintage soda fountain.

As the evening winds down, relax into a leather armchair at Multnomah Whiskey Library, where expert staff offers recommendations from amongst 1,500 available spirits. Count on a line to get in; downstairs, The Green Room serves as a sophisticated (and thirst-quenching) waiting area.

Downtown Shopping

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

A person with tattooed forearms holds two plates of food

Downtown Dining

From food carts to fine dining, you’re always just steps away from great food in downtown.

$statue depicting Theodore Roosevelt on his horse in Portland\'s South Park Blocks$

Downtown Portland Activities

Walk to a wide range of entertainment in downtown including theaters, museums and parks that play host to festivals and farmers' markets.

Things to Do in Downtown

Museums, parks, sports arenas, shopping and theaters; these attractions in downtown Portland are enough to keep any traveler busy for days. Known as Portland’s living room, Pioneer Courthouse Square is a gathering space where most days you can people enjoying their lunch breaks, or taking a beat. From food carts to art installations and performance the Square is a must see.

Walk along the South Park Blocks, a green strip spanning 12 city-blocks ending at the campus of Portland State University, to discover public art, the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Historical Society, and seasonally, the Portland Farmers Market at PSU, in the heart of Downtown’s cultural hub. For sports fans, look no further than Providence Park, the home fields of professional soccer teams Portland Timbers and Thorns.

South Park Blocks

Set aside for public use in 1852, the South Park Blocks were the city’s first parks, forming a green corridor through the heart of the city and playing home to the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society and Portland State University.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park

This downtown riverfront park offers a 1.5-mile stretch of green along the Willamette River. It is home to many signature Portland events, along with Salmon Street Springs and the Japanese American Historical Plaza.
Mill Ends Park (The World’s Smallest Park)

At 24 inches (61 centimeters) in diameter, this is the world’s smallest dedicated park. Over the years, events have been held at the park and contributions have been made to the park, such as the small swimming pool and diving board for butterflies.
Keller Fountain Park

An astounding 13,000 gallons of water per minute cascade through the terraces and platforms of this unique fountain landscape. Designed by Angela Danadjieva, this city landmark was inspired by the waterfalls of the nearby Columbia River Gorge.
Director Park

This European-style piazza features a fountain, ample outdoor seating and plays host to occasional events in the summer.

Downtown Shopping Highlights

Parisian-style shopping at Union Way provides only-in-Portland shopping. This sleek arcade houses iconic local brands like Danner and Bridge & Burn, the latter of which you can show Pacific Northwest pride by shopping for T-shirts emblazoned with slogans like “The Upper Left Coast,” “Pacific Wonderland” and “Rivers & Lakes”. Also find trendy denim boutique Self Edge and if you need sweet and savory dining options after all of that shopping try Boxer Ramen and Wailua Shave Ice. Nearby boutiques Frances May, Pinkham Millinery, Tender Loving Empire feature local designers and artisans, while Woonwinkel offers a curated selection of housewares and jewelry from local and international artists.

Step into WILDFANG, a bastion of tomboy fashion, beloved by celebrities like Janelle Monae and Kristen Stewart for its feminist T-shirts and gender-binary-breaking collection of blazers, bow ties and button-ups.

Take a moment to stroll through Pioneer Courthouse Square — affectionately known as Portland’s living room — on your way to the central city’s premier shopping center, Pioneer Place which boasts more than 75 stores, including H&M, Apple and J. Crew. (Did we mention that all shopping in Oregon is tax-free?)

Neighborhoods, Tours & Itineraries

display of boots next to a storefront window

Union Way Shopping Arcade

Evoking Paris’ intimate passageways and Scandinavian architecture, this shop-filled alley connects downtown Portland’s West End with the Pearl District.

Pioneer Place

Downtown Portland's home for big-brand shopping houses the major brands that fashionistas crave, along with an expansive food court and a movie theater.

Portland Saturday Market

Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.

The Old Church Concert Hall

Built in 1882, this former church hosts live music including folk, alternative, world, indie, classical, jazz and more.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

A 65-foot-high “Portland” sign illuminated with 6,000 lights crowns the historic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Seating 2,776 it is the home base for the Oregon Symphony Orchestra and several other large performing arts groups.
Keller Auditorium

The spacious Keller Auditorium was built in 1917 and is part of Portland’5 Centers for the Arts. The venue hosts performing arts events of all kinds, including Broadway productions, ballet and opera.
Whitsell Auditorium

Located inside the Portland Art Museum, the Film Center’s Whitsell Auditorium features year-round foreign, independent and classic films, and hosts visiting artists from the PacNW and across the globe as well as host International FIlm Festivals.
Winningstad Theatre

This courtyard-style theater is Portland’5 Centers for the Arts’ most flexible performing space. With 304 seats, the seating and stage can be reconfigured in a variety of ways to allow for innovative staging and set design.

Transportation

Portland transportation options include efficient public transit, miles of bike lanes, ride-share services and pedestrian-friendly city streets. Getting around the City of Roses is easier than you think.

Get Around Town

Ongoing

Shanghaied In Portland

KGW Studio in the Square $34.95

Shanghaied In Portland is one of the only re-enactor-led walking tours in Portland. This two-hour, small-group walking tour takes you through time to 1890’s Portland when it was named the most dangerous seaport in the world by the governments of Britain, France, and Germany – and Shanghaied sailors. From Portland’s oldest buildings, streets with original…

Guided Tour

Ongoing

Michelle Ramin, 2021 Artist Fellowship Recipient

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Free

Portland, OR. July 23 – October 14 — Stumptown Coffee Roasters is excited to present Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea by Michelle Ramin, our newest Portland Fellow. Starting July 23rd, visitors at our downtown cafe will be able to view this series. Her work will be on display until October 14th, 2021. Hailing from the mountains…

Art & Design

Ongoing

Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University

Portland Farmer's Market at PSU Free

The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Food & Drink

Shopping

Chinese Festival

Pioneer Courthouse Square Free

Chinese Festival is back. As Oregon reopens the Chinese Festival is returning to Pioneer Courthouse Square. This year celebrate, once again, Chinese culture and community. Coming back are the spectacular performances, delicious Chinese food, music and arts from local artists and more. Come celebrate with a full day of programming suitable for all ages.