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  • Things to Do in Portland
    • Close Menu
      • three women walk through rows of rosesView All Things to Do in Portland
      • Parks & Gardens
      • Kid-Friendly Activities
      • Shopping
      • Food Carts & Pods Finder
      • On a Budget
      • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • Close Menu
      • a person in bright clothes and high-heeled boots vogues in front of a park fountain, surrounded by manicured rose bushesView All Culture
      • Arts
      • Beer
      • Biking
      • Cannabis
      • Cultural Communities
      • Craft Spirits
      • Food
      • Makers
      • Music
      • Nightlife
      • Outdoors
      • Sports
      • Weird
      • Wine
      • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
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      • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
      • Alberta Arts District
      • Belmont
      • Central Eastside
      • Division/Clinton
      • Downtown
      • Hawthorne
      • Lloyd
      • Mississippi
      • Northwest / Nob Hill
      • Old Town Chinatown
      • Pearl District
      • St. Johns
      • Sellwood-Moreland
      • Williams
      • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • Close Menu
      • aerial view of the countryside and coastal range with an old rail bridge turned bike and walking pathView All Region
      • Near the City
      • Columbia River Gorge
      • Mount Hood
      • Oregon Coast
      • Willamette Valley
      • ALL REGIONS
  • Plan Your Trip
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      • Portland Maps
      • Portland Visitor Center
      • Where to Stay in Portland
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Fourth-timer\'s guide to Portland
Plan / Portland Tours

Fourth Timer’s Guide to Portland

There are endless ways to find fun in Portland, even after you’ve hit up the city’s major landmarks.

Updated Mar. 24, 2025 2 min read

You won’t find a Fisherman’s Wharf or a Space Needle in Portland — our tourist attractions are quintessential local spots beloved by residents and visitors alike. (See our first-time, 48 Hours, and Attractions pages for some favorites.) By your fourth trip, you’ve probably checked biggies like Powell’s and the Portland Japanese Garden off your list, so it’s time to dig deeper. Visiting these lesser-known treasures will help you become a Portland pro.

Freakybuttrue Pecularium

Keeping Portland weird since 1967, this Northwest Portland destination isn’t your typical curiosity shop — it’s one of Portland’s many fun and weird museums. The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is packed with creepy but fun features, including a bigfoot display, Al Capone’s safe, an alien autopsy table and an exhibit on spontaneous combustion.

A man posing in a photo display appearing to discected from an alien at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium
A truly odd photo opportunity at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium.

Credit: Todd Mecklem

Glowing Greens

Keep your eyes peeled for a pirate skeleton on Southwest Taylor Street because otherwise, Glowing Greens could be easy to miss. Hidden behind a discreet door and down two flights of stairs, you’ll discover a glow-in-the-dark, pirate-themed indoor miniature golf course, perfect for a rainy day (or night).

Oregon Center for Contemporary Art

Already seen the epic exhibitions at Portland Art Museum? It’s time to head to Oregon Contemporary, a can’t-miss contemporary art center in North Portland, right on the MAX Yellow Line. The 12,000-square foot space is home to performing arts programs, community events, four artist studios and an artistic open space that showcases some of the best contemporary artists.

Visual Arts in Portland

View paintings, sculptures and other visual art in a wide range of galleries, public spaces and unexpected venues.

More Art To Check Out

Ken’s Artisan Pizza

Recently crowned the second-best pizza in the world, go experience what the locals have known for 16 years; Ken’s Artisan Pizza is world-class. The woodfired pizzeria, known for its long-fermented dough and hand-stretched mozzarella, is located in Southeast Portland, walking distance to the Laurelhurst Theater (a perfect date night). Try the Arrabbiata topped with arugula if you don’t mind a little heat.

a pizza topped with red sauce, cheese and meat atop a wooden table
Ken’s Artisan Pizza chars its wood-fired crust to perfection.

Freeland Spirits

Freeland Spirits is one of the few women-owned and run distilleries in history. But that’s not all that sets them apart; their hand-crafted, small batched spirits made in traditional copper stills consistently top industry publications’ lists. Visit their Northwest Portland tasting room for small bites, tasting flights, and excellent cocktails.

a bartender behind the bar pouring drinks from a blue bottle
A bartender prepares gin samples in Freeland Spirits’ tasting room.

Credit: Ashley Anderson

Mount Tabor Park

Experience one of the best views of the city from the top of a dormant volcanic cinder cone. Yes, Portland has a volcano. Mount Tabor Park has reservoirs, hiking trails, a dog park, in addition to breathtaking views. Depending on when you go, you might catch a free piano recital or an adult soapbox derby. No matter the season, if the skies are clear, you’re guaranteed a spectacular sunset.

Attractions
a biker and two picnicking people in front of a tree lined reservoir
Pack a picnic and watch the sunset by one of the Mount Tabor reservoirs.

Credit: Stuart Mullenberg

Explore More

More hidden gems for those who've been here before.

exterior of a colorful market

Portland Mercado

The Mercado is a food cart pod and also a hub of Latine culture and local entrepreneurship and may be one of the city’s most delicious destinations.

sunset catches a large snow-capped peak that towers behind an expansive city landscape

Portland Tours

Portland’s tour options include some intriguing and lesser known landmarks to discover.

a black and white image of a crumbling doorway in a brick wall

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels

In the late 19th century, a lonely logger might get more than he bargained for at his local tavern. See Portland’s historic underbelly on a Shanghai tunnel tour.

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