The 16 Best Things to Do in Portland, Oregon - From a Local
Michael and Matt are two Portland Oregon natives. Here are their top recommendations of what to do and see in the city! Image by our friend, Brady Bates.
Why Visit Portland, Oregon? Advice From a Local.
Portland, Oregon, is a quirky, eclectic mix of crazy personalities and stunning natural beauty. Every time we fly back into Portland, we’re stunned by the view of Mount Hood overlooking the emerald green forests surrounding the city. There’s no place like it, and it continues to surprise us with some of the best things to do in Portland. The town is filled to the brim with evergreens, top-tier restaurants, green spaces, bike lanes, and unique neighborhoods. Just an hour from the coast or the mountains, the options for hiking and outdoor activities are limitless.
Besides the fact that Portland is basically a city within a giant forest, it has an interesting way of structuring its neighborhoods. Throughout the sprawl of the town, there are tons of neighborhood centers, each with its own unique personality and feel. What we love most about Portland is its irreducible attitude about not giving-a-shit about what anyone thinks about it. Portland is super weird, and it’s proud of that fact. From Voodoo Doughnuts, Powell’s City of Books (the world’s largest bookstore), to Darcelle’s (our personal favorite), anything here is accepted and loved as is! For many travelers, these quirky attractions top the list of Portland, Oregon tourist spots.
Above that, Portland is an incredibly gay friendly city. Many have asked where the gay district is in Portland, but really, we think the whole town is gay. It’s awesome, and we feel totally 100% free and comfortable no matter what part of the city we’re in. Skip down to the 16th list item below to see a bit more about the LGBTQ+ community in Portland. This is just another reason why Portland, Oregon, is one of the top places to visit in the USA for so many people.
It’s no surprise that Portland has become a popular destination for people from all over, and we’ve had many friends and family members ask, “What should we do in Portland? What should we see in Portland? Where should we eat in Portland!?" Well, we are here to answer all of that HERE! If you’re wondering what to see and do in Portland, Oregon, this guide is for you.
Here are The 16 Best Things to Do in Portland, Oregon
1. Get Lost in Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books is an iconic destination in Portland. The bookstore is 4 stories tall and takes up an entire city block. It holds more books for sale than any other bookstore on earth. It’s enormous, and you can actually get lost in there (I have)! On the top level, there’s an isolated room full of first edition and signed books, including original print copies from series like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. It’s amazing, and one of the must-see places in Portland, Oregon.
There’s nothing better than exploring Powell’s Books!
2. Eat as Many Donuts in Portland as Possible
We’ve all heard of Voodoo Doughnuts, and while this is a staple of Portland’s quirky eccentric attitude, these aren’t the best donuts in the city. Don’t get me wrong, we love Voodoo, but there are a couple of Portland donut shops that have risen above the rest over the last decade. For travelers searching for places to go in Portland, Oregon, local donut shops like Pip’s Original Doughnuts and Blue Star Donuts are absolute musts
Pip’s Doughnuts
For something a little more classic, head to Pip’s Original Doughnuts and Chai. Known for having some of the most delectable chai in the greater Portland area, Pip’s offers donut holes topped with classic and seasonal custards and cremes. Whether you come in the winter for a rich Banana Custard and Salted Nutella doughnut or a little closer to Spring to enjoy their Meyer Lemon Pear Butter doughnut, you will always be able to pair them with a perfect chai or matcha. Pip’s is often mentioned among the best places to go in Portland, Oregon, for a sweet treat.
Blue Star Donuts
Blue Star crafts its donut creations out of a brioche base from scratch and pairs that with fresh fruits, herbs and spices, and even liqueurs. Whether you’re in the mood for something fresh like their Meyer Lemon and Key Lime curd creation, something rich like the Chocolate Almond Ganache, or a classic Old Fashioned (of which there are three varieties), Blue Star has a myriad of flavors that stem from the surrounding area to tantalize your taste buds. It easily earns its place among the top things to do in Portland, Oregon, for foodies.
I spy a passion fruit curd and a blueberry bourbon donut!
3. Shop on Nob Hill’s 23rd Avenue
Perched on the North West side of downtown, 23rd Avenue holds some of the best cafes and restaurants in the city. Stroll down 23rd Ave. and grab a coffee at Barista, browse unique gifts at Paper Source, check out the view on Restoration Hardware’s rooftop, or find your favorite crystals at the small pop-in shops along the way. 23rd Ave is a beautiful neighborhood full of ornate Victorian homes. Walking around the area is a treat, and this is a prime area for good shopping. One of our favorite places to grab a pick-me-up is Tea Chai Te. We love sitting out on their outdoor balcony overlooking 23rd Ave, one of the nice places in Portland, Oregon, to relax and linger.
Shops in Portland’s Alphabet District down 23rd Ave.
The Alphabet District’s colorful row houses.
4. Have a Scoop at Salt & Straw
Their first storefront opened on 23rd Ave., and now Salt & Straw is pretty well known throughout the West Coast. With intense and crazy flavors, Salt & Straw typically boasts a line out the door and around the corner. Try their famous Sea Salt and Caramel Ribbon, Honey Lavender, Pear & Blue Cheese, or seasonal varieties like Bone Marrow & Smoked Cherries or vegan Coconut Milk with Cashew Brittle & Pandan! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to try as many flavor samples as they’d like while standing in line, which is something fun to do in Portland, Oregon, while you wait. Try them all!
I’ll take a scoop of each, please.
5. Enjoy the View at Pittock Mansion
Pittock Mansion is a famously beautiful mansion overlooking downtown Portland from Forest Park. You can catch one of the best views of Mt. Hood from there, and in the spring, the rhododendrons around the mansion are magical, making it one of the best places to see in Portland, Oregon, for sweeping views. It’s one of the must-see places for anyone visiting! Pittock Mansion is best to visit on sunny days in the Spring, but is perfect for photography all year round.
The view of downtown Portland and Mount Hood from Pittock Mansion at night.
6. Sip Lots and Lots of Coffee
This one is without saying. Portland has great coffee. Obviously, you have to try Stumptown. Their cold brew is unbelievable—like nectar-of-the-gods-good. It’s chock-full of caffeine, so sip slowly! Check out their iconic location in the Portland Ace Hotel downtown. The lobby of the Ace Hotel is an iconic photo spot and an even better place for people watching, an absolute staple visit for the best things about Portland, Oregon, and cafe lovers. Other favorite coffee shops include Ristretto Roasters, Never Coffee, Heart Coffee, Barista, and Good Coffee, just to name a few.
Our happy place is anywhere they serve good coffee, like at Stumptown’s Ace Hotel location in downtown Portland.
7. Find Some Peace at the Japanese Gardens
In the hills over downtown, the Japanese Gardens hold acres of rhododendron, blossoming trees, and small ponds surrounded by bamboo. It’s a peaceful place to spend the day, just far enough away from downtown. With views of Mount Hood, the famous Japanese Gardens attract tourists from all around the world and is amongst the top must-see and do attractions in Portland, Oregon, an absolute highlight for visitors.
The Japanese Gardens are a peaceful getaway from the city and worth scheduling in whether its winter or summer.
8. Stroll Down Mississippi Ave.
Mississippi Ave. is lined with some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. It’s really active any night during any part of the year, and is always bound to bring a good time. It also has a ton of cute, trendy shops and cafes. Hanging out there is one of our favorite things to do on any given weekend, and it’s among the great things to do in Portland, Oregon, for nightlife and bites. The food cart pod on Mississippi Ave. has cheap and tasty options, including Matt’s BBQ and Little Conejo Food Cart. Our favorite spot to grab a bite in Mississippi is ¿Por Qué No?. This hugely popular taquería serves some of the best tacos and guacamole we’ve ever had. Food isn’t the only thing that has us coming back to this neighborhood; the bars are the best. Our favorites include Prost! for beer, Interurban for cocktails, and Psychic Bar for one of the most interesting witchy atmospheres we’ve experienced!
9. Eat at the Food Trucks
Portland’s street food culture has also made a name for itself. In the summer, you’ll see everyone out biking down to the food carts to grab Koi Fusion, Chicken and Guns, or Nong's Khao Man Gai. There are so many food trucks in Portland, we could do a whole blog just on which ones to try… and there are a lot we can recommend. Our advice: try as many as possible during your visit, since food pods are, of course, now popular tourist attractions in Portland for first-timers. The food culture here is just as good in the streets as it is in the sheets... or restaurants, oops.
Some of the best eats in the city are found on the streets!
10. Explore the Alberta Arts District
Few spots are more classically Portland than Alberta Avenue. The arts district is filled to the brim with Portland grunge. Graffiti-stained walls, independent and bustling coffee shops, food carts, and enough weed to get the entire state high. You can find yourself wanting to stick around Alberta Ave. for a while. Head to this neighborhood to admire the graffiti art, go bar hopping, or try any one of the incredible restaurants. We recommend Pok Pok, Pine State Biscuits, Proud Mary’s, and Bamboo Sushi to start, a cluster of stops among the must-see places in Portland, Oregon, especially for hungry travelers. Portland can be a foodie paradise.
11. Hike in the Columbia River Gorge and See Multnomah Falls
The Columbia River Gorge is home to some of Oregon’s most iconic natural wonders. Located just a 30-minute drive from downtown, Multnomah Falls is the most popular natural tourist attraction in the state. The historic falls plummet from the foothills leading up to Mount Hood and are perfectly framed by the iconic stone bridge located just in front. It’s a very short walk from the parking lot to the falls, but for those looking for a hike, there is plenty of trail beyond the falls. The Columbia River Gorge is full of adventurous trails that will lead you up paths to find countless waterfalls and epic views of the gorge, making it one of the best places to see in Portland, Oregon, for nature lovers.
Multnomah Falls has a short hike up to the bridge that looks at the falls, but you can keep hiking beyond to get to the top of the falls.
Here are a few of our favorite hikes and views:
Hike in Oneonta Gorge —
Oneonta Gorge is itself a scenic canyon located in the Columbia River Gorge. The U.S. Forest Service has designated it as a botanical area because of the unique aquatic and woodland plants that grow there. There are four major waterfalls on the Oneonta Creek as it runs through the gorge. Middle Oneonta Falls can be seen clearly from a footpath and is very often mistaken for the upper or lower falls. The lower gorge has been preserved as a natural habitat, so there is no boardwalk or footpath through it as such. Thus, Lower Oneonta Falls can only be seen by walking upstream from the creek's outlet. Getting to the lower falls can require wading through water that, in some places, can be chest-deep, depending on the season and the relative amount of snow-melt. Bring your waders if you want to see the iconic lower falls, as one of the adventurous things to do in Portland, OR, for hikers.
Oneonta Gorge is a popular hike in the Colombia River Gorge during the summer. The fern and moss covered canyon makes it feel like you’re walking through a fairytale.
Hike to Latourell Falls —
Latourell Falls is one of the easiest waterfalls to access while still having breathtaking height and power. Access from Portland takes you first to the Bridal Veil exit off of I-84E and then a quick double-back toward the city along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Park your car at the small lot and walk about 0.5 miles down the trail until you reach the falls. There is a 2.4-mile hiking loop if you want to enjoy the scenery around the area even more, see the falls from above, and hit a second viewpoint at the Upper Latourell Falls. For many travelers, it’s among the top things to see in Portland, Oregon, on a short trip.
We visited Latourell Falls on our wedding day and took a few photos. This is one of our favorite hikes.
Hike to Angel’s Rest —
One of the closest hikes to the Portland metro area with rewarding views of the Columbia River Gorge. This is a moderately paced hike with clear paths, good elevation gain, and is an easy day trip from the city. Due to its proximity, this can be a slightly busy trail, but it is very peaceful in the early morning hours. If you want to secure your parking spot and have a climb with little disturbance, definitely arrive before 9 am. Angel’s Rest remains a local favorite and one of the must-do things in Portland, OR, for outdoor fun.
On our hike to the top of Angel’s Rest in the Colombia River Gorge. I’m grateful that I could act as Michael’s backpack… makes the hike easier for me!
Take Pictures at Vista House —
Vista House was built in 1917 on one of the most beautiful scenic points along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Before the construction of I-84, this building was intended as a place of respite and relaxation for those traveling along the highway. There is still an espresso bar with snacks during hours of operation, but the main reason to stop here is the breathtaking views in all directions. The Columbia River Gorge panorama makes this one of the top tourist attractions in Portland and is absolutely worth visiting for its views.
We stopped by Vista House on our wedding day to take in the view and snap a few photos!
12. Take a Day Trip to Cannon Beach — Haystack Rock
On one side of Portland, you have the mountains, but on the other side is the beach! An hour and a half West of downtown Portland is Cannon Beach. Perhaps just as popular as the falls, every traveler must plan a day to check out the Oregon Coast. You’ll find impressively wide beaches with powerful waves, along with striking cliffs and rock structures jutting from the water, like the famous Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Spend the day walking down the beach, sitting in the sun, and exploring the tide pools around the rocks. Pelican Brewing Co. at the edge of the beach is our favorite spot to hang out, grab a couple beers, and watch the sun set over the historic Haystack Rock. For visitors, it’s one of the best day trips from Portland, Oregon, as it makes an incredible coastal escape. We try to make it out to Cannon Beach at least a few times a year, and we love it!
Hanging out in front of one of our favorite Oregon landmarks, Haystack Rock!
13. Drink All the Beers
Arguably, one of the best parts about visiting Portland is the sheer number and variety of breweries throughout the city. Honestly, you can make an entire trip centered around trying the beers here. We are regulars at 10 Barrel Brewing Co.’s rooftop bar in the Pearl District. We also love enjoying a local tap at Departures Lounge on the rooftop of The Nines Luxury Hotel downtown. Departures also has amazing sushi if you’re looking for a bite to eat! You’ll find us enjoying a local IPA, but if hops aren’t your flavor, try the local blondes, ale, or stout! We have them all! Other great breweries to check out are Deschutes Portland Brewery, Migration Brewing, Breakside Brewery, Rogue Brewery, Occidental Brewing, Baerlic Brewing, Ecliptic Brewing, and many more, making beer hopping one of the top things to do in Portland, Oregon, for craft lovers.
10 Barrel Brewing Company has a rooftop patio perfect for summer nights.
14. Go Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley
For every brewery in Portland, there’s another winery outside the city waiting to help get your drink on. The Willamette Valley outside of Portland is known for its world-class Pinot Noir. And really, the wineries are not far from Portland’s City Center. If you’d prefer to stay in the city, there are plenty of tasting rooms like Boedecker Cellars and Cerulean Wine. Our favorite wineries to visit just outside the city are Hawks View Winery, Domaine Drouhin, Brooks Vineyards, and Stoller Family Estate. Wander down to Willamette Valley Vineyards, just an hour south of Portland, for some of the best Pinot Noir the West has to offer. All of the above wineries have shipping available for those who’d like to bring some bottles home without the hassle of getting them through the airport, making wine tasting one of the great things to do in Portland, Oregon… plus, it’s nearby and convenient to access!
Wine tasting, an activity that cannot be skipped when visiting Portland!
15. Bar Hop around Portland and Drink the Night Away!
As a warm-up, we’ve mentioned all the breweries and wineries to try around Portland. We’ve also mentioned some of our favorite bars along Mississippi Ave and the Alberta Arts District. Here are a few of our all-time favorite bars and shows around the city.
Scandal’s
This is our favorite gay bar to hang out at. It’s a pretty relaxed bar, no fluff. It’s comfortable, not intimidating, and an easy place to grab a drink and relax. I love this place because of how welcoming it is, and the drinks are honestly super cheap! For nightlife seekers, Scandal’s is one of the must-do things in Portland, OR, for casual evenings.
Blow Pony
This is a hugely popular queer event held once a month in Portland. It is a riot, and things get crazy. For those up for a party, it’s worth coming to Portland just for this! Wear as little as you’d like! Blow Pony is often highlighted as something fun to do in Portland, Oregon, for party lovers.
Via Blow Pony
Darcelle has a history with the city. As the oldest practicing drag queen, Darcelle and her girls throw a comedy show four nights a week that will leave you on the floor. We went here for our bachelor party and had one of the best nights of our lives. They are so sweet, take no shit, and will give you a show you’ll never forget, placing Darcelle’s among the most unique Portland, Oregon, tourist spots for nightlife and shows.
The country’s longest continuously running drag show
16. Celebrate Pride in Portland
We love walking down Harvey Milk Street downtown, popping into Scandal’s for a bit, and having a drink with friends. Portland is a big city, but it still feels kind of small. The community here is super personal and extremely friendly. I remember my first time at Portland Pride and how I essentially just felt an overwhelming sensation of belonging. It’s tight-knit, and people really look out for each other. The gay bars are scattered throughout the city, so it isn’t dominated by just one section of town. The free-spirited, anything-goes mentality is something I’ve also seen in places like The Castro or the West Village. There are two gay beaches, one at Sauvie Island and another at Rooster Rock, in the Columbia River Gorge. There are also a ton of community and sports groups like the Portland Frontrunners, with whom I run every Tuesday and Saturday. Attending Pride and exploring the inclusive culture is among the top must-see and do events in Portland, Oregon, for LGBTQ+ travelers.
There’s So Much More To Do!
We realize that this is only an introduction to Portland, and there is so much more to see. Have suggestions? Recommendations for what should be added to this list? Let us know in the comments section below. We will continue to add to and update this list and possibly compile a complete guide to Portland in the future, giving even more ideas of what to see and do in Portland, Oregon, from the perspective of a local.
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