Things To Do
Portland Rose Festival
Annual city festival with most events happening downtown, including a parade, booths and rides on the waterfront, Fleet Week ship tours, and dragon boat races.
Washington Park
Basically the Golden Gate Park of Portland. World Forestry Center, Oregon Zoo, Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden (free!), and Hoyt Arboretum (also free!).
Mount Tabor
An extinct volcano in the middle of the city! It's a short trek to the top for cool views of downtown.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Insanely pretty garden, great place for a picnic. We also like walking around the Reed College campus across the street. Keep an eye out for bald eagles!
Columbia Farms U-Pick
Sauvie Island is predominantly farmland, and we love picking berries there in the spring and summer. There are also lots of trails and beaches to explore (fair warning, Collins beach is clothing-optional)!
Pittock Mansion
Pretty cool old mansion. You can pay an admission fee to see the inside, or take in the awesome view of downtown for free!
Bagdad Theater & Pub
Movies in Portland are the best. Order a pitcher to share in the theater, or sit in the balcony and have dinner served to you during the show. (For the frugal, head a few blocks west to Cinemagic!)
Powell's City of Books
Lots and lots and lots of books.
Memaloose Wildflower Hike
Wildflowers galore!! A bit of a drive but totally worth it for a beautiful, easy hike that survived the gorge fires.
Multnomah Falls
Even if you don't have time for a hike, you can still see the iconic Multnomah Falls! Get there early to get a parking spot, and if you're up to it, take the switchbacks up to the top — there's a cool lookout right at the dropoff.
OMSI
Interactive museum, like the Exploratorium in SF. If you're here early, they have after-dark 21+ events on Wednesdays!
DIY BAR
Make crafts and drink at the same time!
QuarterWorld Arcade
Pinball and skeeball and arcade games, plus alcohol and a Tesla coil! And less crowded than Ground Kontrol.
Pips & Bounce
Ping pong bar! Portland likes to drink creatively.
SE Hawthorne Blvd
Main strip is between 32nd and 39th — lots of hipster shopping, food, and theaters! This is also where our old apartment was. We love Cubo de Cuba for lunch or dinner, and Jam or Fried Egg I'm In Love for brunch.
SE Division St
Another fun street in SE — also our current neighborhood! Lots of good food, including the famous Pok Pok wings (which can also be had at Whiskey Soda Lounge, if the wait at Pok Pok is too long). If you have a sweet tooth, get a blueberry bourbon donut at Blue Star, an ice cream flight at Salt & Straw, or a French pastry at St. Honoré. The busy strip is between 28th and 38th.
NW 23rd Ave
Upscale shopping area between Everett and Thurman. Home to Hip Hound, the best pet store ever. If you're missing pre-2013 Raja's, head to Swagat for their lunch buffet. The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is a gem if you set NO expectations.
N Mississippi Avenue
Fun cluster of food and shopping between Fremont and Skidmore. In five blocks you'll find a store for succulents, another for lightbulbs, one for reclaimed housing materials, and another for taxidermied mice dressed as aristocrats. Grab a beer at Stormbreaker and ice cream at Ruby Jewel.
NE Alberta Street
More food and drinks and shopping! And fabric stores! Main strip is between 9th and 31st. Tin Shed has great brunch, and lots of dogs to pet.
Providence Park
Cheer on the Timbers at a soccer game!
Walker Stadium
If you're here on Thursday, check out a Portland Pickles game (lawn seats are $8). Drink a Rainier, eat some deep fried pickles, and meet Dillon, the best mascot ever.
Central Eastside Breweries
Head to Cascade for sour beers galore! Once you're done, Rogue is across the street, and Modern Times is another two blocks away.