Things to Do in Portland

Wandering through Portland’s most iconic neighbourhoods is easily one of the top things to do in Portland to soak up the funky vibe. The downtown Pearl District impresses with art galleries, upscale boutiques and fine dining nestled into converted warehouses. Hawthorne Boulevard boasts lively cafes, indie cinemas, eccentric shops, and brewpubs. Quirky Mississippi Avenue offers old-school blues joints, rocking music venues, and food cart pods, while bohemian Alberta Arts hosts a creative local scene with street art, record stores and jazz bars. Each district offers flavorful finds from third-wave coffee to craft brews and avant-street style as visitors uncover art, fashion, and food that define the “Keep Portland Weird” ethos. With so much to see, taste, and explore on foot, getting out into Portland’s distinctive neighborhoods is a must.

Every trip to Portland is complete with visiting the International Rose Test Garden in spring and summer. Known as one of the largest rose test gardens in the country, we see over 10,000 colorful blossoms from all over the world, as well as many unique possess a unique beauty not found anywhere else. With a stunning backdrop of Mount Hood and downtown Portland, see why the iconic landscaped gardens inspire photographers and wow visitors with close-up views of vibrant new hybrids, delicate heirlooms, and massive Grandiflora roses in every colour blooming during peak season from April to September. The Rose Festival in June spotlights the bloom-filled grounds with events as the garden looks its absolute best.

Portlanders adore Forest Park, one of the country's largest urban parks, sprawling over 5,100 forested acres within the city. The park's nearly 80 miles of trails appeal to hikers of all skill levels with gentle wandering paths like Lower MacLell Farm Trail with scenic lookouts to challenging treks, including the 30.2-mile Wildwood Trail. Lush greenery and dense forests promise seclusion and rejuvenation amid remaining old-growth trees like 200-foot-tall Douglas firs. You may spot native wildlife, from red fox to feathered songbirds. With gorgeous forest views minutes from the city, hiking in Forest Park is a must for nature lovers.

One of the best things to do in Portland is sampling locally brewed beers, ciders, and kombuchas on the craft beer scene tours and brewery taproom tastings. With over 60 breweries within Portland city limits, the craft beer scene offers outstanding brewmaster creations driving Beervana’s reputation. Take a tour to learn brewing secrets from Deschutes, Breakside and other marquee names. Or wander taprooms and tasting rooms sampling small batch experimental hazy IPAs, oak-aged sours or fruit-forward ciders directly from any of the sixty-plus indie producers clustered downtown and out in hip neighbourhoods as others innovative offerings like kombucha on draft.        

Wander for hours inside Powell's City of Books, one of the largest independent bookstores in the world. Bibliophiles will be enthralled exploring room after room over 68,000 square feet of new, used, rare and out-of-print titles across 3,500 sections at the iconic Powell’s downtown. There are cosy spots to read for hours and helpful staff always offering new recommendations across genres. Beyond the staggering collection, see author events almost daily or enjoy a locally roasted coffee and sweet at the in-house cafe. Grab a “City of Books” tote to haul new reads home after wandering for hours upon hours, getting happily lost in the immersive literary wonderland inside Powell’s.

Situated along the Willamette River, Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a popular spot among tourists and locals for scenic views of Portland. The park features walking and biking paths, large grassy areas perfect for picnicking, unique water features, and seasonal events like summer concerts and festivals. Visitors love wandering the paved waterfront trail to see boat traffic on the river, city vistas of bridges and skyscrapers in downtown Portland, and local wildlife like herons and salmon. An outing at Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a cherished Portland, USA thing to do, with plenty of space to relax or exercise outside with lovely riverfront views nearby downtown.

This oasis in the heart of Portland transports you straight to Suzhou, China, complete with ponds, pavilions, and winding walkways that make up the intricately designed Lan Su Chinese Garden. Regarded as one of Portland’s top attractions, visitors adore strolling to admire every ornate detail, from the hand-painted tiles to the blooming cherry trees and bonsai specimens that grace the landscape. Take time to reflect while gazing upon koi fish swimming below tranquil rock formations and arching bridges before enjoying a cup of steaming tea in the teahouse. It's pure serenity right downtown.

From April through October, Portland City hosts fabulous open-air farmers markets showcasing the best of Oregon agriculture and artisan goods. Downtown's Portland Farmers Market and Mega Saturday Market at the waterfront tempt with 150+ food and flower vendors. At the same time, smaller neighborhood markets feature live music and tasty treats from ice cream to Salvadoran pupusas when exploring what to do in Portland. Visitors love wandering the eclectic stalls buying farm-fresh berries and vegetables, snacking on international street foods, perusing handmade crafts, or thrifting the vintage clothing racks. 

See innovative exhibits and Northwest art collections inside the Portland Art Museum. Founded in 1892, this world-class museum houses an outstanding collection of Native American carvings, modern and contemporary masterworks, and Northwest regional art inside downtown Portland city. Visitors admire both the permanent galleries and special exhibits highlighting disciplines like fashion, architecture and graphic design alongside mixed media, paintings and installations. Cultural events and talks also occur frequently, making the Portland Art Museum a leading institution for Pacific Northwest artists.  

Chow down on Portland's fabulous food truck fare, like authentic Korean tacos or Balkan stuffed crepes. Portland boasts an exploding food truck scene gathering downtown during weekday lunch hours or at innovative “pods,” with clusters of trucks offering global cuisine from tacos to Southern comfort foods to banh mi sandwiches late into the evenings. Seasonal, farm-sourced, and ethnic specialities shine as visitors sample Portland's latest foodie trends from these mobile restaurants. Don't miss the famous Grilled Cheese Grill's epic sandwiches too!