Things to Do in Portland, Oregon: The Ultimate Bucket List
Discover Portland
Portland, Oregon, is a charming, creative, adventuresome city. Portland has plenty to give you as it is covered by lush green trees and is full of colorful neighbourhoods and food and arts. You can have fun in Portland, Oregon. Whether you want to spend a weekend or spend more time there, as there are more than enough useful things to do. Most of them are free of change or quite cheap. These are your list of 10 unforgettable things to do in Portland, Oregon.
Walk through Washington Park
Washington Park is one of the best sightseeing destinations that Portland offers, and it is full of entertainments and nature. Attractions to be visited in the park are such things as the Portland Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden, and the Oregon Zoo. With more than 400 acres of the green space and traces, it is ideal to hike, picnic, or just enjoy views. It is a beautiful place that helps to relax, even being in the city, with your family, your friends, or solo.
Go to powell City of books
There is no one like Powell The City of Books. It is the biggest independent bookstore in the world and claiming an entire block of city area. It includes over a million of new and used books that are divided into several color-coded rooms. You may not be a mammoth reader but it is an interesting venue to visit to read or even have a cup of coffee or beaches to read your next big book. It is situated in Pearl District and near stores and restaurants where you can entertain the entire afternoon.
Visit Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut is famous with funky decorations and even funkier tastes, so people must visit it. The shop is known to come up with treats such as the Voodoo Doll doughnut and the Bacon Maple Bar and its pink boxes become almost equally iconic as the doughnuts. It is an entertaining experience that describes the motto of Portland, in terms of slogans, as “Keep Portland weird.”
Visit forest park
Forest Park is a place to be and be it outdoor. It has over 80 miles of hiking and biking trails making it among the largest urban forests in the United States. Referred to locally as the Wildwood Trail, the quiet greenway leads far out into a calm landscape within a few minutes of the bursting downtown. It is an excellent place to regain the connection with nature, do some exercise, and encounter local fauna such as owls and deer. Even better, there is absolutely no entry fee.
Find local flavor in Portland Farmers Market
On Saturdays, Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University turns into the center of local food enthusiasts. You can expect fresh produce, home made pastries, artisan cheese, food suppliers and live music. It will be a treat to the senses and the ideal exposure to the food imagination of Portland. The environment alone is worth your trip whether you are there to make a purchase or even to pass by. Bring a tote bag, you will probably come out with more than you bargained.
Snap Photos at the International Rose Test Garden
The International Rose Test Garden is in Washington Park, where more than 10,000 rose bushes of hundreds of varieties grow. In spring, and through to early fall, it is bursting with color, some of the best photo opportunities in Portland. You are able to enjoy panoramic city views and even see Mount Hood on a clear day. It is peaceful, well taken care of and completely free of charge.
Take Portland Aerial Tram Visit the Portland Aerial Tram
The Panoramic scenic views on Portland, the Willamette River and mountains offer the view of the city well; it has the Portland Aerial Tram which links South Waterfront neighborhood with Oregon Health & Science University. It is a short, but unforgettable ride, and it is a rare experience getting to view the skyline in a different angle. It is nice, cheap, and entertaining to everybody- as a first-time visitor or as a native Portland resident.
Visit the Alberta Arts District
This is a colorful place with lots of creativity and culture. Go down the Alberta Street, and you will find yourself among colorful murals, strange shops, local coffee-houses, and stuff exhibiting the artistic spirit of Portland. Street performers, local artists, and night market vendors take over the space on the last Thursday of each month. The turn it into a lively celebration. It is the type of location where there is never a dull moment.
Visit the Pioneer Courthouse Square
Located in downtown Portland is an important meeting place called Pioneer Courthouse Square or the Portland Living Room. It organizes more than 300 events yearly including outdoor concerts and cultural festivals. On any given day, people relax on the steps, enjoy lunch from food trucks, and explore local art on display. It is an excellent place to experience what the heart and the soul of the city are made of and something will always be happening.
Create a Day Trip to Multnomah Falls
The highest waterfall in Oregon, Multnomah Falls, is only a 30-minute drive away in Portland. The marker makes one of the most photographed pieces in the entire state. The falls can be observed in the base or climb to the Benson Bridge to get a closer view. The nearby Columbia River Gorge region also has trails, lookout points, and other waterfalls. It offers the variety of pleasures in one day of adventure.
Final Thoughts
Oregon is a goldmine of enjoyment just waiting to happen in Portland. The possibilities to make memories are endless. Whether you are roaming the store that can easily be a city of its own, taking photographs at a rose garden of a blooming season, or taking a hike through forest-like paths just a few minutes outside the downtown. Portland, Oregon is also filled with entirely free attractions to see and experience. So there are many great things to enjoy without spending too much.