In Portland, Oregon you will find an exciting one of a kind city filled with an energetic and festive urban flavor combined with the breathtaking, wild Pacific Northwest. Nope there are no other cities like it. Most people who visit Portland get hooked on experiencing the amazing food scene characterized by restaurant-quality street vendors and oddball shops. Deciding where to go to spend your time could take you a long time, but don’t worry. Keep reading this blog till end and know the top things to do in Portland and find unique items, take time out for yourself, relax and enjoy nature, or something as simple as just hanging out.
What Makes Portland A Travel Destination?
Visiting Portland will be one of the best decisions of your life. Here you can explore bohemian culture, beautiful natural surroundings and delicious foods. Also this place offers a great shopping experience as there is no sales tax. So, the more shopping you do is more profitable for you. Rather than all this, Portland is also famous for its craft breweries and nightlife. Well, there is almost no chance that you might get bored in Portland. Rather than thinking more, keep reading further and plan your trip.
Top 10 Things To Do In Portland
Hike and Catch the Sunset at Mount Tabor Park
If you want to spend a perfect evening in Portland then surely visit Mount Tabor Park. This is a beautiful park built upon extinct volcanoes located at the center of the city. Here you can have fun hiking on the trails. Also hiking here is not that hard and feels refreshing. Once you reach the top after completing the hike you get to see an amazing sunset with a beautiful view of the Portland skyline and Mount Hood.
Lose Yourself at Powell’s City of Books
If you are a book lover then this place is a must-visit for you. This is the world’s largest independent bookstore which spans a block of the city. Here you get to see multi-story buildings, color coded rooms and various books of different genres. Also this place has a very calm and relaxing vibe. If you are visiting Portland then get a cup of coffee and get here spend some beautiful hours of your life.
Explore Pittock Mansion
In modern times people still search for historic places and old vibe. If you are one of them then visit and explore the Pittock Mansion. This is very old but a 46 room French style mansion built for Henry and Georgiana Pittock in the year 1914. Well this is a hill mansion so from here you can see the entire city and have a beautiful view of the Willamette River and Mount Hood. Visiting here will be a memorable experience for you. Also don’t forget to have a walk in its garden which gives an old and relaxing vibe.
Explore Washington Park’s Gardens
Visiting Portland then don’t forget to visit and explore Washington Park’s gardens. This place is heaven for nature lovers, especially for rose lovers. Well the biggest attraction for which people come to visit here is the International Rose Test Garden. Here you can see thousands of roses of different varieties. But if you are here to relax and have a peaceful vibe then you can head towards the Japanese garden. Walking on its serene pathways and exploring traditional designs will give a very peaceful and refreshing vibe.
Wander Up Mississippi Avenue
If you want to explore Portland locally then come to this place. Here you can see the streets filled with cool boutique shops, local artisan shops and amazing record stores where you can do window shopping. Also here you can explore various food carts and have delicious local food. Rather than this here you can enjoy craft beer from local craft breweries and live music events.
Graze at a Food Cart Pod
Grazing at Food Cart Pods is one of the best Portland things to do. Basically this is a spot where you can see various food trucks serving different cuisines. Here you can find every cuisine whether it’s Thai, Mexican, Italian, French, Indian etc. This is a great spot to hang out with friends. Also, the food available here is not that expensive. So surely visit here and try delicious foods and explore Portland closely.
Walk & Explore Portland Saturday Market
Don’t forget to visit and explore the Portland Saturday market. Visiting here will be a next level experience for you. Well this is the largest continuously operating open air craft market in the US. Here you can see beautifully handmade items, unique jewellery, cool clothing and outstanding art pieces. Also while exploring here you can enjoy live music and have delicious food from food trucks. This is the perfect place you can find to closely explore the culture and creativity of Portland.
Marvel at Multnomah Falls
This is one of the most visited places in Portland. For nature lovers this place is nothing but heaven. Here you can see the iconic two-tier waterfall which is approx 620 feet tall. The main attraction here is Benson Bridge because from there you get a mesmerizing view of waterfall and best place to click photos. Visiting here will give a very calm and relaxing vibe.
Visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
If you are fond of science and technology then surely visit this place. This is a great place to explore and is perfect for every age group. Here you can see interactive exhibits, a big planetarium, and a real life Navy submarine. Also this place offers hands on science experiments for kids and adults. It’s not like a boring museum. Here you can have fun and gain knowledge at the same time.
Relax in Forest Park
If you want to escape city life and want some peaceful and relaxing time in nature then come here. This is a beautiful park in Portland spread across 5000 acres. Here you can get fresh air, dense trees and beautiful trails on which you can hike. Visiting here will give you a very calm and relaxing vibe. Also this is one of the best places to explore Portland’s nature and greenery.
Things To Do In Portland For Food Lovers
Fine Dining & Iconic Restaurants
- Langbaan: This is a award winning and one of the best restaurants in Portland. Here you get a multi course menu with traditional Thai flavours mixed with local Pacific Northwest ingredients.
- Kann: This is an award winning and live fire Haitian restaurant where you can have traditional Caribbean flavours. The restaurant is run by the famous chef Gregory Gourdet.
- Le Pigeon: This is a iconic French bistro in Portland. Where Chef Gabriel Rucker serves some innovative seasonal menus and luxury dishes like foie gras. Also it’s one of the best places to go in Portland.
Explore Food Cart Pods
Matt’s BBQ Tacos
This is a famous food truck where you can try texas styled smoked meats and tex mex tacos. Also the freshly made flour tortillas and all day breakfast tacos are popular here.
Hawthorne Asylum (SE Portland)
This is a famous food cart pod in Portland. Here you get more than 20 food trucks offering global cuisines, outdoor seating, fire pits and heated benches.
Cartopia (SE Portland)
This is a late night food cart pod famous since 2008. Here you get a cozy vibe and amazing food options like wood fired pizza and local Thai street foods. A great place to hang out with friends.
Doughnut & Ice Cream Crawls
- Voodoo Doughnuts: This place is a super iconic spot in Portland for doughnuts. It’s famous because of its crazy shape and unique toppings. Also this place serves some out of the box flavour which are mostly loved by locals and tourists.
- Blue Star Donuts: This is a famous gourmet donut shop in Portland. It’s famous because of its unique flavour and brioche-style dough. Also, famous for its Blueberry Bourbon Basil Donut.
- Salt & Straw: This is a famous ice cream brand in Portland. It’s famous because of its unique flavour and outstanding taste. Here people use local and organic ingredients to create such great taste.
Hidden Gems in Portland
Collins Beach UFO Boat
This is a strange but interesting hidden gem in Portland. Here you can see a abandoned concrete boat which is made in a UFO shape. During the 1970s a local person built this boat but because of heavy flooding the boat got stuck on Sauvie Island. Today if you go to see, you will find the boat half buried in the ground and see some cool graffiti on it. If you are looking for something out of the box place to visit then this place is for you.
The Witch’s Castle
This is a spooky hidden gem in Portland. The real name of this place is Stone House and was built in the year 1930. But today people call it Witch’s Castle. Basically it’s an abandoned moss covered and stone structured castle located between forests. This place is perfect if you love nature and mystery vibe. Also, it is considered as one of the best places for photoshoots.
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
This is spooky but a cool hidden gem in Portland. Well, it’s a classic coffee shop located at southwest portland. It has been famous because of its old-school and haunted vibes. Here you can see live classical piano music, dim lighting and outstanding eccentric decor. Also, this place has a haunted restroom and make sure to explore that.
Best Time To Visit Portland
Summers ( June To August)
Average Temperature: 22 degrees to 29 degrees
This is the peak time for visiting Portland. If you love outdoor activities then this will be the best time for you to visit. The weather there will be perfect so you can explore Portland peacefully. But the only drawback is that during this time the prices are extremely high and Portland will be much more crowded. So plan accordingly.
Fall (September To November )
Average Temperature: 15 degrees to 22 degrees
If you want to explore Portland in less crowd then this will be a perfect time. During this time the city becomes beautiful as you see fall colors everywhere. The weather there can be slightly cold and will increase with time. Also the prices get much lower than summers.
Winters (December to February)
Average Temperature: 4 degrees to 9 degrees
If you are a low-budget traveller then winter will be the best time for you. The prices during this time are much lower than in the summer and fall. The weather will be rainy so be ready for that. During winter Portland offers a a very calm and cozy vibe. Also, you can see snowfall here.
Expert Advice: To peacefully explore Portland without any inconvenience then September to October is a perfect time. The weather will be good, prices and crowd will be much lesser and witness the best scenic views in Portland.
Travel Tips
- Plan each day of your trip accordingly.
- If visiting during the rainy season then carry a high-quality raincoat. Umbrellas are a waste.
- To avoid transportation tension, book a charter bus rental for Oregon.
- Get a map for Powell’s City of Books.
- Book accommodations early for the best prices.
- To explore the city closely follow the TravelPortland website for the city guide.
- Respect local culture.
- Taste the local craft beverage scene.
- Try to explore the neighbourhood places.
Conclusion
Visiting Portland will be one of your best experiences in life. This place is perfect for every type of traveller. Doesn’t matter if you are a food lover, a nature lover, adventure lover, or just a traveller. There is always something for every person who visits. So, rather than thinking more pack your bags and head towards Portland and make beautiful memories.