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Things To Do In Portland

The city of Portland is celebrated in both pop culture and among locals for its eccentric personality. From Downtown Portland to Nob Hill, there’s no shortage of things to do within city limits. Some of the city’s top attractions include landmarks like the iconic “Keep Portland Weird” sign and seasonal activities like snow tubing down Mt. Hood. Fortunately, this guide contains a ton of recommendations that can help you make the most of your time in the City of Roses.

Top Things to Do in PortlandView All

Shop Groupon Up to 40% Off Science Museum Membership at OMSI
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Up to 40% Off Science Museum Membership at OMSI
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry • 1.1 mi
$115 $69
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Oregon Museum of Science and Industry • 1.1 mi
(3,685)
$115 $69
40% OFF
Shop Groupon 41% Off Sightseeing Cruise from Portland Spirit Cruises
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41% Off Sightseeing Cruise from Portland Spirit Cruises
Salmon Street Springs Dock • 0.5 mi
$34 $20
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Salmon Street Springs Dock • 0.5 mi
(2,389)
$34 $20
41% OFF
Shop Groupon Flashback Dance Cruise
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Flashback Dance Cruise
$24 $17.75
Salmon Street Springs Dock • 0.5 mi
26% OFF
Salmon Street Springs Dock • 0.5 mi
$24 $17.75
26% OFF
Shop Groupon Portland City Tour
Portland City Tour
$38 $34.75
Downtown Portland • 0.6 mi
9% OFF
Downtown Portland • 0.6 mi
$38 $34.75
9% OFF
Shop Groupon Up to 50% Off Boat Tour from Scovare Expeditions
Up to 50% Off Boat Tour from Scovare Expeditions
Willamette Park Launch Ramp Dock • 3.3 mi
$118 $69
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Willamette Park Launch Ramp Dock • 3.3 mi
(336)
$118 $69
42% OFF
Shop Groupon 43% Off a Scavenger Hunt from MetroDemic
43% Off a Scavenger Hunt from MetroDemic
Downtown Portland • 0.4 mi
$35 $20
(243)
43% OFF
Downtown Portland • 0.4 mi
(243)
$35 $20
43% OFF

As a city known for rainy days and watersports, many of Portland’s best attractions are related to nature and the great outdoors. Grassy trails, blue river, well-manicured rose gardens, and more help keep the city colorful.

Some of the top things to do in the City of Roses include:

  • The Portland Japanese Garden, the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan
  • Wildwood Trail, a forested 30-mile trail in Portland’s biggest park
  • World Forestry Center, a local education facility that also offers river rafting
  • Sipping locally sourced coffee at the Coava Coffee Brew Bar
  • Walking among more than 400 species of roses at the International Rose Test Gardens

Tickets & Events

Trying to cut costs? Fortunately, Portland is home to plenty of affordable restaurants and activities.

A few cheap things to do near Portland include:

  • The Belmont Firehouse, a historic building near Sunnyside
  • Pioneer Courthouse Square, an urban park that’s often called “Portland’s living room”
  • Exploring Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a 36-acre park along the Willamette River
  • The art walk on the first (and last) Thursday of the month
  • Free brewery tours at Ecliptic Brewery or Hopworks Urban Brewery
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Science Museum Membership

OMSI Oregon Museum of Science and Industry $115 $69

General-Admission Tickets

Roseway Theater Central Northeast Portland $30 $17

Bowling Packages

KingPins Lents $74.64 $33

Lloyd Center Ice Rink

Lloyd Center Ice Rink Lloyd District $40 $20

Archery Lesson

Archers Afield Tigard $65 $33

Arcade and Game Room Play

Grand Central Bowling Lounge Buckman $20 $10

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Shop Groupon Up to 41% Off Drinks at Thomas & Sons Distillery
Up to 41% Off Drinks at Thomas & Sons Distillery
Portland • 2.4 mi
$44 $26
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Portland • 2.4 mi
(139)
$44 $26
41% OFF
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Tribute Thursday Early Escape Cruise Series
$34 $23.75
Salmon Street Springs Dock • 0.5 mi
30% OFF
Salmon Street Springs Dock • 0.5 mi
$34 $23.75
30% OFF
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62% Off Scavenger Hunt Adventure at ZeeTours
Portland • 0.6 mi
$50 $19
(41)
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Portland • 0.6 mi
(41)
$50 $19
62% OFF
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Up to 53% Off Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt from ScavengerHunt.com
BigCityHunt • 0.5 mi
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(2,442)
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BigCityHunt • 0.5 mi
(2,442)
$80 $41
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Shop Groupon Portland Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Portland Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Multiple Locations • 0.3 mi
(66)
$34
Multiple Locations • 0.3 mi
(66)
$34
Shop Groupon Portland Combo: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley and Columbia Riv...
Portland Combo: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley and Columbia Riv...
Multiple Locations • 0.3 mi
(32)
$94
Multiple Locations • 0.3 mi
(32)
$94

Portland has been making headlines over the past few years. Explore the city yourself with a few of these popular recommendations.

Some of the best tourist attractions in Portland include:

  • St. John’s Bridge, a steel suspension bridge spanning the Willamette River
  • Pittock Mansion, a historic house museum in the French Renaissance museum style
  • Hoyt Arboretum, a self-proclaimed museum of living trees
  • Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, a pair of stunning natural wonders
  • The Pearl District, a fashionable neighborhood with trendy restaurants and kitschy boutiques
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Science Museum Membership

OMSI Oregon Museum of Science and Industry $115 $69

General-Admission Tickets

Roseway Theater Central Northeast Portland $30 $17

Portland Sightseeing Cruise

Portland Spirit Cruises Salmon Street Springs Dock $34 $20

Bowling Packages

KingPins Lents $74.64 $33

Lloyd Center Ice Rink

Lloyd Center Ice Rink Lloyd District $40 $20

The Comedy Get Down

The Comedy Get Down Moda Center $69.10 $50

With a motto like “Keep Portland Weird,” it’s easy to find creative, new places to eat, drink, and shop. Be as spontaneous and weird as Portland’s best attractions and try something new today.

Some of the best daily activities in Portland include:

  • Sipping an espresso from Courier Coffee
  • Practicing iyengar yoga at the Portland Yoga Studio
  • Trying the all-you-can-eat buffet from Dar Salem, a Indian restaurant near downtown
  • Ordering a 16 oz. cocktail for $5 at Swift Lounge during “jolly hour”
  • Shopping for fresh produce at one of six Portland Farmers Markets
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Flight and Pints

Second Profession Brewing Central Northeast Portland $20.50 $13

Premium Tasting Package

Eastside Distilling Hosford-Abernethy $84 $39

Alcohol Tasting for Two or Four

Vinn Distillery Vinn Tasting Room $56 $34

Admission to Food and Wine Fest

Northwest Food and Wine Festival Oregon Convention Center $75 $49

Flights and Mixed Drinks

Thomas & Sons Distillery Portland $44 $26

Drinks for Two or Four

Cascade Street Distillery Tamarack Village $22 $13

Portland is home to several watering holes, comedy clubs, and live musical venues. But that’s not all — Portland’s walkable neighborhoods come alive when the sun goes down.

A few of the city’s top nighttime activities include:

  • Listening to a live musical performance at the Wonder Ballroom
  • Drinking fine wine while painting a picture at Bottle & Bottega Portland
  • Shopping (at night!) for local art, jewelry, and food at the Portland Night Market
  • Indulging in your inner child with classic arcade games at Ground Kontrol
  • Dancing the night away at Holocene, a popular night club with two dance floors

Working for the weekend is a lot easier when you have something fun to do. From Friday to Sunday, there’s never a dull moment in Portland.

Make the most of your time in Portland with some of these fun weekend activities:

  • Appreciate both modern and contemporary artwork in the Portland Art Museum
  • Enjoy one (or two) cider-based mimosas with brunch at the Portland Cider House
  • Taste from more than 150 brews during the Portland International Beer Festival
  • Listen to the Chamber Music Northwest concert series on the Reed College lawn
  • Explore the Lan Su Chinese Garden, modeled after ancient Ming Dynasty gardens

Looking for family-friendly activities in the City of Roses? Portland offers everything from outdoor hikes to air conditioned museums.

A few of the best family-friendly spots the city include:

  • Oak’s Amusement Park, which includes a year-round skating rink
  • Voodoo Doughnuts, a local doughnut shop with a delicious Cpt. Crunch doughnut
  • The Science Playground inside the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry
  • The Oregon Zoo, home to more than 2,000 animals,
  • The Portland Children’s Museum, one of the oldest museums of its kind in the country

Don’t let the rain get in the way of spending time with your loved one.

Some of the best date night ideas in Portland include:

  • Soaking in a communal bath at the Common Ground Wellness Center
  • Booking a couples’ massage at Blooming Moon Wellness Spa
  • Watching a Broadway Musical like Wicked or Hamilton at Keller Auditorium
  • Walking hand-in-hand through the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
  • Watching an independent film from the comfort of someone else’s couch at the Living Room Theater