Downtown
Explore diverse shopping, dining and cultural offerings in downtown Portland.
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.
Where to Stay in Downtown
The city center offers easy access to shopping, entertainment, culture —and other districts, making downtown Portland a natural jumping-off point for visits to the city. Downtown is home to more than 35 hotels, from independent boutiques to big-name shopping brands. With a direct MAX light rail connection to Portland International Airport, Portland Streetcar service, and short, walkable blocks, downtown is great for a car-free stay.
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-winning single-origin coffee, visit the green wall at Coava Coffee for an urban escape after wandering 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. For a modern and romantic experience, head to Q Restaurant & Bar with electric menus featuring dishes inspired by Pacific Northwest cuisine.
As the evening winds down, relax into a leather armchair at Multnomah Whiskey Library, where expert staff offers recommendations from 1,500 available spirits. Count on a line to get in; downstairs, The Green Room serves as a sophisticated (and thirst-quenching) waiting area.
Explore Downtown Portland
Eat, shop and play in the lively central city.
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.
Downtown Restaurants
Downtown Portland restaurants run the gamut — you'll find everything from budget lunch options at a multitude of food carts to delicious fine dining at acclaimed dinner spots in central city.
Central City Activities
Walk to a wide range of entertainment in central city and downtown Portland 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 see people enjoying their lunch breaks or taking a beat from exploring the city. From food carts to art installations and performances, 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.
Take in some music -folk, jazz, a hundred flavors of indie rock, soul, singer-songwriter- at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, a historic Portland music hall that remains among the most vital and central venues in the city. It features high ceilings, a balcony, grand chandeliers, wide, arched windows, and “floors that bounce.” The ballroom complex includes Lola’s Room, a much smaller venue and bar on the second floor beneath the ballroom. Ringlers Pub is on the street level, featuring beer from the Crystal Brewery. And the Crystal Hotel is nearby, with its own restaurant and music venue.
Favorite Theaters
This neighborhood offers a thriving theater community with major venues within a few city blocks.
Downtown Shopping Highlights
Parisian-style shopping at Union Way provides only in-Portland shopping. This sleek arcade houses iconic local brands like Danner, the iconic Oregon boot brand, which has opened its first-ever stand-alone retail shop in the alley. Also, find trendy denim boutique Self Edge and if you need a sweet treat after shopping, try Wailua Shave Ice.
Nearby boutiques Frances May, Pinkham Millinery, and 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.
Central city’s premier shopping center, Pioneer Place boasts more than 75 stores, including H&M, Apple, and J. Crew. (Did we mention that all shopping in Oregon is tax-free?)
Things To Do Outdoors
Visit verdant parks and outdoor attractions nestled amid downtown's hustle and bustle.
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Downtown Events
Explore Downtown Portland and all that it has to offer at these upcoming events.
Bloom Tour
The Bloom Tour is part walking tour and part floral show focusing on supporting some of Portland’s unique shops, restaurants and hotels. Participating retailers are also hosting a wide range of Bloom Tour Specials, so follow the tour map and explore them all. Each of these businesses have been paired with a local floralist and…
Long Story Short: BFA/MFA Showcase
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University presents Long Story Short: 2024 BFA/MFA Showcase, an exhibition of work by the 2024 graduates of the Master of Fine Arts in Contemporary Art Practices programs (Studio Practice and Art + Social Practice) and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Practice in the Schnitzer…
In Concert on Downtown’s Transit Mall
Picture this: A serene mid-day in Portland, the sun gently casting its warmth over Pioneer Square. As you sit down for lunch, the air is filled with the melodic strains of live music. It's Concerts on Downtown’s Transit Mall, an oasis of sound amidst the bustling city. Let the music serenade you as you savor…
BeerQuest Haunted Pub Tour
Uncover Portland’s dark side on this spine-tingling walking pub tour. In the early 1900s, unsuspecting sailors were often ruthlessly abducted and whisked away through the notorious Shanghai Tunnels. Tour guides will tell you how notorious criminals kidnapped thousands of people and why their ghosts still haunt Portland today. This is Portland’s longest-running ghost tour with…
Brothers Osborne
Grammy-nominated duo Brothers Osborne is bringing their brand new 'We’re Not For Everyone Tour' to Portland on Oct 20, 2021. Brothers Osborne is an American country music duo consisting of brothers T.J. Osborne and John Osborne. Born in Deale, Maryland, the duo signed a recording contract with EMI Records Nashville in 2012 and began releasing music the following year.
Throughlines: Connections in the Collection
Throughlines embraces wonder and curiosity, bringing together artworks from across the Museum’s collections to explore the range of artistic innovation. From diverse geographies, cultures, and time periods, artists have consistently created images, objects, and experiences that ask us to consider ourselves and the world from different perspectives. Visitors will encounter playful groupings that reveal how artists…
West End Wednesdays
West End Wednesday exists to ignite new energy and define a common vision for downtown SW Portland. Building relationships with neighbors and business partners is not just organizing a once-a-month event… it is actively creating, together, a neighborhood everyone can love to live, work and play in. West End Wednesdays is the West End's signature celebration…
Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks
Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is a groundbreaking new exhibition that features nearly 60 futuristic footwear designs pushing the boundaries of what art can be. Featuring an incredible mix of fashion, design, gaming, new media, architecture, and material arts as well as sustainable and collaborative practices, the exhibition features work by designers as diverse…
Picnic in the Park
Come enjoy lunch in Director Park with music and fun games such as corn hole, giant chess, and jump rope. Special appearance from Shoehorn Conley on Thursdays.
Duniway Live Music
Enjoy live music by local musicians in the Mayrose Lounge Bar with Happy Hour specials from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Receive a 20% Local Discount on all food and drink. Must show ID.
Fatai
Come and see Fatai and her stupidly-vibing band for an evening of phenomenal music. Featuring songs from her new EP and her infamously flipped covers, this tour will be one not to miss.
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Tedeschi Trucks Band is a Grammy Award-winning 12-piece rock and soul powerhouse that holds a well-deserved reputation as one of the best live acts touring today. Led by husband and wife guitarist Derek Trucks and singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi — hailed as “two of the best roots rock musicians of their generation” (NPR), the 12-piece Tedeschi…
FATHOM
Roboto Octopodo is a creative group that strives for an ecosystem where artists are cultural drivers pushing society forward. They are the designers, thinkers, makers, and community builders operating outside of constraints. They aim to connect people and give them space to play, dream, and make beautiful things. Roboto Octopodo wants to see a world…
Downtown Ducky Drop
Celebrate the opening of the Teachers Fountain at Director Park and help announce the summer series of programs, Summer in the City. Approx. Eight hundred rubber ducks will be dumped into Teachers Fountain using a Backhoe in partnership with Hoffman Construction and Star Rentals. Everyone can play in the fountain with the rubber duckies, take…
Farmers Market at Portland State University
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. The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.
Journey to the Future
Join the Portland Art Museum for a cutting-edge workshop designed for families with kids ages 11+ who are curious about technology and eager to dive into the world of virtual reality. In this hands-on, collaborative program, discover what VR is all about and how to navigate its wonders. Using hands-on activities, participants will experiment with…
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Go Dog. Go!
P.D. Eastman’s classic children’s book skates, swerves, and leaps from page to stage in Go Dog, Go! Dogs rule in this fantastical world. Yellow Dog, Blue Dog, Red Dog and dogs of all colors, shapes, and sizes can do everything from singing and dancing to snorkeling and driving. They howl at the moon. They ride a…
She Persisted: The Musical
Fourth-grader Naomi's field trip to a Women's History Museum turns into a time travel adventure where she encounters inspirational women who have overcome barriers and made waves throughout U.S. history. From activists to athletes, artists and more, this musical features the stories of female trailblazers such as Harriet Tubman, Virginia Apgar, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride,…
Newsies, JR.
Daring kids take on newspaper giants in this toe-tapping underdog story inspired by the 1899 Newsboys’ Strike. Featuring “King of New York,” “The World Will Know,” and more empowering anthems from the original Disney film, this musical will have you singing, dancing, and seizing the day. This Catalyst production features teens in starring roles…
Play in the Park
Join every Saturday in the partnership with Whimsy Care and IDEALPDX to provide family friendly entertainment and activities in Director Park. Fairy house building? Seed planting? Bubbles? Magicians? All to be expected throughout the Play in the Park series.
Harry Potter And the Deathly Hallows Part I in Concert
The end begins… Witness the beginning of Harry’s most important battle yet, with the feature film accompanied by a live symphony orchestra. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out to track down the secret to Voldemort’s power Artists Deanna Tham, Conductor Oregon Symphony
Jacob Collier
Recognized by audiences, critics and fellow musicians alike as one of the most gifted young artists of modern times, 29-year-old Jacob Collier already boasts a seemingly endless list of achievements including five Grammy wins – which saw him become the first British act in history to win four Grammys for each of his first four…
Sesame Street Live: Say Hello
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood to say hello! In Sesame Street Live! Say Hello. You can sing and dance with your favorite furry friends while enjoying fun surprises along the way. So wear your dancing shoes and go to where the air is sweet…
Jazz Combo Nights
The Jazz Are Combos present a series of performances featuring several small groups. Students present a variety of jazz and contemporary music arranged or composed for their ensemble peers. Directed by Darrell Grant, Sherry Alves, Owen Broder, George Colligan, Todd Marston and Ben Medler.
PSU University Band Concert
Portland State University Band presents their spring concert. The PSU University Band is PSU's largest band and is open to players of all abilities. This ensemble is a great option for non-performance majors to earn their large ensemble credits while performing with a fun and diverse group of musicians.
PSU Percussion Ensemble
The PSU Percussion Ensemble presents its Spring concert, featuring contemporary percussion works, and command performances by members of the PSU Percussion Studio.
Wild Kratts LIVE!
The Wild Kratts LIVE! stage show that has kids across North America buzzing is coming to Portland with an ALL NEW show: “Wild Kratts LIVE 2.0 – Activate Creature Power!” Get ready to dive into another classic Wild Kratts adventure with the Kratt brothers as they combine live action and animation, with Martin and Chris…
Carrie Jennings
Live music by singer-songwriter Carrie Jennings from Seattle, WA. Her music is deliberate and sultry, combining melancholic singer-songwriter lyricism, soulful horn lines, and dreamy indie pop aesthetics. Her performances are both tender and bold, with lush instrumentals and endearing stage banter. She is a storyteller and groove-maker compelled to explore the depths of the human experience…
Sabertooth
McMenamins, Portland Mercury, X-Ray and doPDX proudly present Sabertooth 2024. With its roots in Portland’s Crystal Ballroom’s psychedelic history, Sabertooth comes to both the Crystal Ballroom for two nights of psychedelic stoner rock.
A Century of Unforgettable Music
PYP concludes its centennial season with a performance of Franz Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony – the first piece ever performed by this orchestra, formerly known as the Portland Junior Symphony. Don’t miss your last chance to be thrilled by Season 100’s Portland Youth Philharmonic on the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall stage. PYP welcomes special guests to…
NW Dance Project – Moving Stories
True to form, Portland’s award-winning contemporary dance company offers up another diverse and delightful double-bill evening featuring inspired and inspiring fresh dance works fresh dance works from NW Dance Project’s most acclaimed choreographers, Artistic Director Sarah Slipper, and Resident Choreographer Ihsan Rustem. A grand finale for NW Dance Project’s 20th anniversary Season. Celebrating 20 years and 350+ original contemporary dance works…
French Moderns: Monet to Matisse
From the Brooklyn Museum’s renowned European art collection, French Moderns: Monet to Matisse showcases approximately 60 works of art considered to be modernist masterpieces. Focusing on France as the artistic center of international modernism from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries, the paintings, drawings, and sculptures on display range widely in scale, subject matter, and style. Impressionism, symbolism, fauvism,…
Portland Indigenous Marketplace
Portland Indigenous Marketplace will host the Indigenous Marketplace Pride Month Celebration. There will be over 30 vendors, food, art exhibits, and so much more.
Schubert & Strauss
The lyricism of music inspired by dance takes center stage in Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony and Strauss’s Rosenkavalier Suite — their rhythms and melodies evoking the opulence of 19th-century Vienna. And Artist-in-Residence Xavier Foley paints musical portraits of Argentina in a new arrangement of Piazzolla’s tango-infused Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Program Giancarlo Castro: Commission and…
Brincos Dieras
Brincos Dieras is “the most irreverent clown in all of Latin America”. Dressed in his signature clown costume, complete with makeup and a flamboyant suit, he draws thousands of fans to his engaging live performances. An international sensation, the comic hails from El Paso, Texas, and performs on stages across the United States and Mexico….
Pride Ride
Join the ride at Director Park for National Bicycle Day. Poison Waters will be leading this family-friendly ride. All Wheels Welcome. Enjoy a stately (i.e., slow) parade of 1.5 fabulous miles that will ride past spots from Portland’s rich 2SLGBTQIA+ history. The parade will end at the Cart Blocks Food Cart Pod with a dance…
PSU Jazz with Johnaye Kendrick
The Jazz Area welcomes Grammy Award winning vocalist Johnaye Kendrick for a special performance with the PSU Vocal Collective and PSU Jazz Band. A vocalist, composer, orchestrator and multi-instrumentalist, Johnaye Kendrick received a Master of Music from Loyola University and an Artist Diploma from the presitgious Thelonious Monk Institute. Johnaye performs original compositions as well…
Taking Back Sunday
For over two decades, Taking Back Sunday have maintained a consistent chart presence, moving beyond their emo and post-hardcore roots into a more versatile brand of hard melodic rock. After paying their dues amid the East Coast punk scene, they became one of the more visible groups of the early 2000s emo boom and released…
Rewire Festival
Rewire Festival is a creative extravaganza featuring the diverse talents Sonic Arts and Music Production program students in collaboration with PSU Theater lighting and video design students. Events include a songwriting showcase, a large-scale sound installation, and performances by the SAMP Laptop Ensemble.
Sound Art Installation: Home:Lost
Through the power of sound and environment, Home:Lost confronts the stark realities of displacement in various forms. These might include environmental degradation, wartime destruction, the plight of immigrants and refugees, and the experiences of those who live on the streets. Amidst the themes of loss and longing, Home:Lost will also offer glimpses of shared hope,…
PSU Wind Symphony Presents: Renewal
The PSU Wind Symphony presents their concert "Renewal" featuring the Cleveland High School Wind Ensemble. The PSU Wind Symphony is the advanced band ensemble, and requires a greater degree of independence and dedication from its members. Focused on an ambitious, adventurous repertoire, the Wind Symphony frequently collaborates with choirs and other ensembles within the School of…
Made in Portland
OBT closes the season with the second installment of Made in Portland, lovingly crafted for the cultural explorers that make the city great. Like fine wine and food, ballet is ever-evolving, and it is a pleasure to lead the way with three locally made world premieres. Adding to the OBT repertory this season are Louisville…
Rewire Songwriting Showcase
Enjoy an evening of original songs written and performed by students in the Sonic Arts and Music Production (SAMP) songwriting class, featuring lighting designs by theater students. A ticket reservation link is coming soon. The show is free, but the audience exceeded the theater's capacity in the past, so check back to reserve your spot…
Leanne Morgan
After discovering her passion for stand-up comedy later in life and finding the time and confidence to pursue her dream, Leanne Morgan has cemented herself as a must-watch comedian. Leanne was feeling the lure of Hollywood after graduating high school, yet the idea of moving there was unheard of and too daunting for a country…
Shane Gillis
Shane Gillis is a stand-up comic, actor, and writer from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. After winning Philly’s Funniest at Helium Comedy Club in 2016 Shane was named an “Up-Next” Comic at Comedy Central’s 2019 Clusterfest in San Francisco and a “New Face” at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. In 2021, Gillis released his…
Madison Beer
Platinum-selling singer, songwriter, producer, and author Madison Beer is known for her effervescent and yearning pop. After earning a co-sign from Justin Bieber and a major-label deal while she was in her early teens, she honed a style that paired her breathy, soothing vocals with a mix of electronic pop, alt-rock, and R&B. She earned…
PSU Orchestra: Unfinished Business
Ken Selden conducts the PSU Orchestra with music of Franz Schubert and William Grant Still. Ken Selden was appointed conductor and music director of the Symphony Orchestra and New Music Ensemble at Portland State University in fall 2006. Under his direction, the PSU Symphony has received three awards in Adventurous Programming from ASCAP and the League…
Berthe Morisot, Angel of the Unfinished
Today, few people are familiar with the name and work of Berthe Morisot, one of the founding members of the artists collective known as the Impressionists. Yet Morisot not only exhibited in more Impressionist shows than such famous friends as Monet, Renoir, and Degas, but was lauded by many critics in her time as…
Brahms’ First Symphony
The season concludes in a blaze of orchestral glory with Brahms’ First Symphony, a work of intense passion and soaring lyricism. Plus, Principal Bassoon Carin Miller displays her instrument’s suave tone and puckish agility in Villa-Lobos’s Ciranda das Sete Notas. At the same time, Gabriella Smith’s One serves as an urgent appeal to protect our…
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