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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.

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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, 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 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.

Where to Stay

With Portland's highest concentration of hotels, not to mention ample restaurants, cultural attractions and shops, downtown makes a great home base for your visit.

Downtown hotels

Short-Term Rentals in Downtown

Use the links below to search for short-term vacation rental listings in Downtown.

Airbnb

Vacasa

Vrbo

Explore Downtown Portland

Eat, shop and play in one of the city's liveliest neighborhoods.

Gorgeous Portland-designed trinkets abound at downtown\'s North of West.

Downtown Shopping

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

Jackrabbit restaurant in downtown Portland.

Downtown Dining

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

The South Park Blocks are at the heart of downtown\'s Cultural District.

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.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Downtown

Follow our guide to find the best coffee, restaurants, tax-free shopping, food carts, bars and things to do in downtown Portland.

Let's go

Downtown Attractions

These attractions in downtown Portland are enough to keep any traveler busy for days.

The Oregon Maritime Museum, housed in an historic steam-powered, sternwheel ship-assist tugboat, is permanently moored in the Willamette River by Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Once a bustling highway, this riverside gem offers more than 36 acres of strollable, bikeable and dog-walkable public park with historical and cultural monuments aplenty.

The iconic sign and namesake courthouse at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, the city’s “living room” hosts hundreds of events each year.

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.

\"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.

Pioneer Place shopping center houses the major luxury brands that fashionistas crave.

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.

Located within downtown Portland\'s Union Way shopping arcade, iconic Danner Boots has been a Pacific Northwest outdoor gear-staple for more than 80 years.

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.

The Portland Visitor Center opened in downtown\'s Director Park in summer 2019.

Director Park

Downtown Portland’s Director Park is a European-style, granite-paved plaza that replaced a parking lot in 2009. Located just two blocks from Pioneer Courthouse Square, the park features ample outdoor seating and a fountain, and plays host to occasional events in the summer. Director Park is also home to the Portland Visitor Center, an important stop for anyone…

5 to Try

Favorite Theaters

This neighborhood offers a thriving theater community with major venues within a few city blocks.

  • 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

    This grand Italian rococo theater is a historic building and performing arts center whose Broadway marquee is crowned by a 65-foot-high “Portland” sign illuminated with 6,000 lights.

  • 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.

Portland Saturday Market

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

Let's go
5 to Try

Things To Do Outdoors

Visit verdant parks and outdoor attractions nestled amid downtown's hustle and bustle.

  • 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 the Travel Portland Visitor Center, and plays host to occasional events in the summer.

Downtown Event Picks

More events
Downtown Coffee & Donut Tour
Ongoing

Downtown Coffee & Donut Tour

Various Locations $49

There’s more to coffee and donuts than you think. Visit several local craft coffee shops for an interactive look at what makes Portland crazy about coffee, plus a bunch of donuts along the way. Advanced booking required.

Food & Drink
Guided Tour
Canceled
India Festival
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020

India Festival

Pioneer Courthouse Square Free

LIVE EVENT CANCELED. This event will now be held virtually, please visit the event website for current information. India Festival brings India to downtown Portland! This festival is a celebration of India’s Independence Day with live music, dance, food and other entertainment. India Festival is hosted by the India Cultural Association, a non-profit dedicated to…

Canceled
Cultural Communities
Festival