Moving to the “City of Roses”? Since being named this in 1888, the people of Portland continue to practice rose gardening now. This began with Leo Samuel – the first to plant and provide a pair of shears outside his garden for people to snip roses and take some for themselves.
Portland is the largest city in Oregon and the 26th most populated city in the USA. The name ‘Portland’ was decided with a flip of a coin by the city founders Asa Lovejoy and Francis Pettygrove, when they couldn’t agree on a name for their hometown. Pettygrove was born and raised in Portland, Maine and that’s how the capital of Oregon was named! Whether you are planning to move here or looking for a vacation, we’ll help you build an itinerary with the best things to do in Portland.
Related: Find Rooms For Rent In Portland
Explore the Outdoors in Portland
1.Washington Park
New to the city? Washington Park should be number one on your places to visit list. This flagship asset of Portland is a 410-acre park that is home to the Oregon Zoo, Portland’s Child Museum, International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, World Forestry Center, and Hoyt Arboretum. Washington Park enhance tourism in Portland, by attracting over 3.5 million visitors in a year!
Entry Costs:
- No entry fee
- $2 fee for parking which goes straight towards the maintenance of the Washington Park.
Timings:
- 5 am – 10 pm
2.Willamette River Path
Accomplish your daily step goal with Willamette River Walkway. This is a great spot to run, jog, bike or just sit down to watch the sunrise or sunset! The walkway sits in the heart of the city, so can fit in nicely around your schedule, as you find other places to visit in Portland!
Costs:
Free Timings:
Open all year round
3.Portland Kayak Company Downtown
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this beautiful experience is on a hold for group tours, however private tours are still available for smaller groups. Contact the Portland Kayak Company to find out more! They also provide classes for those who wish to grasp the skill and rent out kayaks for themselves. Water babies: now you know where to visit in Portland.
Costs:
Ross Island Tour: 2.5-3hrs. $49/-
Ross Island Sunset Tour: 2.5-3hrs. $49/-
Moonlight Paddle: 2.5-3hrs. $49/-
Timings:
Ross Island Tour: Daily 10am-2pm
Ross Island Sunset Tour: Daily at 6pm
Moonlight Paddle: Schedule a slot for yourself online
Sports in Portland
4. Racing
For more than 50 years Motocross racing has taken place at Portland International Raceway. This one-of-a-kind racing track is spread over 268 acres. Welcoming over 3,50,000 visitors a year, PIR’s biggest attraction is the collection of show cars on Wednesday night “Beaches Cruise-in”. This is your chance to put your car on the track with popular Late Night Drags, making this spot one of the best places to visit in Portland for adrenaline junkies.
Costs:
Prices vary from event to event. You can use the link below to book. Timings:
Monday to Friday: 7:30 am- 4:30 pm
Closed on Saturday and Sunday
5. Golf
Trying to figure the best things to do in Portland? Golf! Spend your day at the 100-year-old Eastmoreland Golf Course. Plan a day out with your friends, golf across the scenic views, and grab something to eat later at the bar and grill! The course is a hub for many tournaments and events, so, when you’re exploring tourism in Portland, don’t miss out on this golfing experience!.
Costs:
Standard Rental Clubs rates for 9 holes: $12
Premium Rental Clubs rates for 9 holes: $20
Standard Rental Clubs rates for 18 holes: $20
Premium Rental Clubs rates for 18 holes: $35
You could find the entire rate card for each season with the link below.
Timings:
6:30 am – 9:00 pm
6.Skiing
Wondering where to visit in Portland for skiing? Swap rain for snow and escape to the skiing clubs around Portland! Just a few miles away from the city, skiing at Mt. Hood is one of the best things to do in Portland.
Costs:
Plan your stay at Mt. Hood Meadows, check the link below for bookings.
Timings:
10 am – 5 pm
Museums in Portland
7. Portland Art Museum
When you build your itinerary for tourism in Portland, don’t forget to add Portland Art Museum. The modestly-sized museum makes it a great option if you’re looking for a bite-sized chunk of history! Here you will find everything from modern art to priceless Greek and Roman articles.
Costs:
Adults: $20
Seniors & college students: $17
Age 17 and under: Free
Timings:
Monday- Tuesday : Closed
Wednesday- Sunday: 10:00 am- 5:00 am
8.Oregon Historical Museum
When visiting the Oregon Historical Museum, look out for the permanent exhibit, “Experience Oregon”. Time travel with the stories of Oregon exhibited here in different mediums! The Doors fan? Don’t miss the “Portland Psychedelic”, a vast collection of autographs and local posters from the thriving music scene of Portland back in the 1960s.
Costs:
Adult: $10
Students & Teachers: $8
Seniors (+60): $8
Youth (6-18): $5
Timings:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 12pm- 5pm
Saturday: 10am- 5pm
Sunday: 12pm-5pm
9. Pittock Mansion
The famous Pittock Mansion is where the elite partied back in the 1900s. This Mansion-turned-museum is a French Renaissance sensation, which was built by Henry Pittock. He worked toward bringing in all the modern amenities like controlled central heating and elevators – amongst many others. Navigate the museum and expect premium and ahead-of-its-time interiors. One of the best things to do in Portland is to imagine yourself living the life of Sir Henry! The laid out cutlery from the ancient times is on show, where you can appreciate the attention to detail at which Henry Pittock commissioned this 16,000 sq. foot bungalow!
Costs:
Adults: $11
Kids (6 to 18): $8
Kids (5 and under): Free
Discounts available for Senior Citizens and Students
Timings:
10:00am – 5pm
Culture in Portland
10. International Rose Test Garden
Portlanders take the nickname “City of Roses” very seriously. An initiative taken over 133 years ago by Leo Samuels, it’s still going strong! The International Rose Test Garden since 1917 is home to over 600 rose varieties. The garden has about 10,000 individual rose bushes that bloom the pride of the city! Listing down some highlights of tourism in Portland? Jot this one down!
Costs: Free
Timings: 10am- 4pm
11. Willamette Valley Wine Tour
One of the best things to do in Portland for those with a taste for fine wine, try our personal favorite, ‘Willamette Wine Tour’. Portland has a plethora of tours on offer, for visitors that want to get a little boozy!
Costs: Starting from $150
Timings: As per the tour you choose
12. Portland’s Underground Donut Tour
One of the city slogans is “keeping it weird” and the underground donut tour claims to be doing just that! A donut trip across the city filled with good times and a sugar rush. Where else can you get an experience this sweet?
Costs:
Adult: $30
Kids (10 and under): $15
Timings: 2 hours duration
Restaurants in Portland
13.Q Restaurant & Bar
This family business was established back in 2016. They have curated a beautiful setup to provide an experiential food affair. Their finely handcrafted menu will leave you drooling!
Timings:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 11:30am-8:45pm
Saturday: 5:00pm-8:45pm
Sunday: Closed
14. Botanist
When you finally take a trip down to this city, you will realize that the places to visit in Portland are even better when accompanied by a cocktail! Botanist is a home away from home; it’s warm blanket which promises a good night!
Timings
Wednesday & Thursday: 4pm – 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 4pm – 11:00pm
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10am – 2pm
15. Higgins
This restaurant works on the idealogy of ‘farm-to-table’. Expect nothing less than fresh food that screams quality! The restaurant owners take pride in a chic alcoholic line-up: wine, beers, and other spirits! Piggins is an open-air bistro which is an integral part of the restaurant! After all, you are in ‘Beervana’ – another nickname for the city of Portland!
Timings:
Wednesday-Sunday: 11:30am-7:30pm
D’you know what else Roomi does outside of helping its readers find things to do in Portland? With our ever-increasing lists of rooms and roommates across the world, we help you find your perfect match!
