Rebecca & Christopher
Things To Do
Powell's City of Books
As the worlds largest independent bookstore, it's easy to get lost in this place. Fortunately, it's right in the middle of everything so it's easy to plan a visit into your Portland sightseeing schedule. Do not miss!
Food Carts
Yes, we know, lots of cities have food trucks now. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy some tasty street food in one of the most quintessential Portland things to do. We admit this one isn't quite as fun when it's raining , but if you're brave the pod at 10th & Alder is a full square block of choices. There's a nice place to sit in a courtyard just Northeast of there, but no cover from the elements.
Voodoo Doughnut
This one's a bit controversial. It's a big Portland landmark but Becky thinks they taste kinda gross (too much sugar!) It's open 24 hours and depending on the time of day and weather you could wait in line (outside) up to 45 minutes. However, it is in the heart of "Old Town" Portland so there's lots to do nearby, including snapping a selfie with the infamous "Keep Portland Weird" mural which is directly across the street.
Salt & Straw
Artisanal ice cream at its best. Depending on the time of day and weather, the line could be around the block, but this one might actually be worth it (unless you live in SoCal where it's been exported). There are a number of locations, but the ones on NE Alberta, SE Division, or NW 23rd are surrounded by blocks and blocks of bars, restaurants, and boutique stores which can be fun to explore to get that "Portlandia" vibe.
Hi-Wheel Fizzy Wine Co.
'Fizzy Wine' is basically cider made from fruits that aren't apples and it's amazing. This is our favorite "local drink" in all of Portland. There's a great Mexican restaurant next door that lets you bring your food over (or vice versa).
Game Knight Lounge
For just the price of a small cover charge (we're talking mere dollars) you and your friends can play whatever board games you like from their vast collection all while drinking local brews and enjoying tasty local eats.
Oregon Historical Society Museum
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the Oregon Trail, and more! This easy-going museum delves in to the depths of Oregon's storied history with regular and seasonal exhibits. There are many kid-friendly areas as well.
Portland Art Museum
The oldest art museum on the west coast, the Portland Art museum has lots to offer for a day out of the rain. We recommend checking their website for information on the current exhibits.
OMSI
OMSI is a fun and interactive museum that's great for families. They have a number of permanent exhibits where you can get your hands dirty (sometimes literally), as well as modern and unique special showcases.
Glowing Greens
Oh no, that rain is REALLY coming down. Head inside for a game of indoor, underground, glow in the dark mini golf! You'll have 18 holes (plus potentially a bit of a wait) to decide what to do next.
Punch Bowl Social
This ones a chain, but it's still a fun place to hang out when the rain comes. It's a restaurant/bar on the top floor of Pioneer Square (our downtown shopping mall) complete with bowling, karaoke, ping pong, corn hole, and lots of good food and drinks.
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is probably the biggest tourist destination in Portland. In 2017 it was threatened by the Eagle Creek fire which severely impacted some of the surrounding Forrest and resulted in the hiking trails getting closed for recovery. However, the falls still run and are very easy to reach via large parking lots immediately off HWY 84. From Portland, OR: Travel east on Interstate 84 to exit #31, Multnomah Falls. Park and walk south, underneath the interstate and railroad tracks to the Lodge and Visitor Center.
Wine Country
Dundee is a small town at the heart of the Willamette Valley Wine Country. There's a vineyard everywhere you look. Some wineries have tasting rooms on their estates and some just have small rooms you can pop into along the main road. Some of our (affordable) favorites include Argyle, Hawkins Cellars & Vista Hills. Newberg & Carlton are other nearby towns with lots of wine. It's worth a half-day trip with a designated driver, or there are trolly and bus tours available if you're really going to do it right.
Full Sail Brewing Company
If you're looking for a scenic day trip, head out through the Columbia River Gorge with your final destination being Hood River. This cozy town at the base of Mount Hood is a food & drink hot spot. We recommend the FREE brewery tour at Full Sail which is incredibly informative and will send you home with a souvenir pint glass. The tasting trays here are giant as well.
Mt St Helens Visitor Center
If you're looking for a bit of history + nature, the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center overlooks the volcanic blast zone and has a nice museum. It's only an hour from the Portland airport, with the option to add on additional drives around areas of the National Monument. The visitor center is only open Thursday-Monday during the winter.
Mt. Hood Skibowl
The quickest & easiest ski resort to reach, it's also the only one with snow tubing. However, it's also the lowest on the mountain which can be good or bad. The good: unless there's a big storm, you probably can reach this one without snow chains or traction tires. The bad: sometimes they don't have any snow until January. You'll have to play this one by ear.
Timberline Lodge and Ski Area
Timberline is the oldest and highest ski resort on the mountain, but can be a bit tricky to reach due to steep snowy roads. We recommend looking into the shuttle services that run from Sandy or Government Camp, which you can more easily reach in your own vehicle. If you make it, there's an amazing historic lodge to enjoy while you defrost.
Mt Hood Meadows
Meadows is where Becky and Chris usually snowboard as it has the largest and most diverse terrain. That being said, it's about 30 minutes further away than the other resorts and the roads can get tricky if there's an active storm. For peace of mind we recommend taking the charter bus from Gresham or the free bus from Hood River. Check the conditions though, because the snow level can still be fairly low in December.