It seems as though there is never a dull moment in the City of Roses. Not only do we harbor some of the nicest people you will ever meet, but we offer some of the most fun and unique activities that should absolutely make it on your bucket list. Here are 19 of some of the best things to do in Portland:
- BrewCycle
Flickr/Ian Sane Two things Portland is known for: being bike-friendly and darn-good beer. Now you can see some of Portland’s awesome breweries while riding a bike with a group of your friends!
- Coava Coffee
Flickr/Still Thinking Along with all of the exquisite coffee that Portland has to offer, Coava Coffee Roasters does an immense part to add to that. The aesthetic of its interior and the delicious complexity of the coffee will have you coming back for more.
- McMenamins - Edgefield
Website/McMenamins There’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite music under a beautiful blue sky, surrounded by an endless amount of trees. So pack dinner and a picnic blanket and see a show at Edgefield, which will give you just that.
- Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
Facebook/Ground Control Classic Arcade Seriously, what is better than playing some of your favorite childhood arcade games while enjoying a delicious cocktail or beer?
- OMSI & OMSI After Dark
Facebook/Oregon Museum of Science and Industry The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is the perfect place to go to when you want to learn while having the time of your life. If you want to add drinking to equation, look out for OMSI After Dark, where you can conduct experiments and drink at the same time.
- Timbers Game
Flickr/Ray Terrill If you’re looking to experience Portland pride in its truest form, get yourself a ticket to a Timbers game. Rain or shine, these games are one the most fun and spirited things to experience in the city.
- Portland Saturday Market
Flickr/Minh-Kiet Callies Every weekend from March through Christmas Eve, hundreds of artists and vendors fill Old Town/Chinatown to transform it into the largest open-air crafts market in the United States.
- Slappy Cakes
Facebook/Slappy Cakes Are you one of those people that think you make the best pancakes around? Well you can prove it at Slappy Cakes! Dress it up however you want and fry them up at your table which includes a built-in skillet.
- Pips & Bounce
Facebook/Pips & Bounce Since 2012, Pips & Bounce has been providing an awesome and upbeat ping pong paradise, equipped with music, food, and drinks.
- McMenamins - Crystal Ballroom
Facebook/Crystal Ballroom This 100 year old building is so much more than its gorgeous exterior. Originally intended for ballroom dancing in the early 1900s, this venue has flooring that actually moves the more you move. Imagine what it’s like to see a concert with hundreds of dancing people!
- Tilikum Crossing
Flickr/Alex Willamette River that is dedicated to pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation. It also happens to have one of the prettiest views of the city that you really don’t want to miss.
- Prost!
Facebook/Prost! Portland Not only does this place offer some tasty German-imported beers, but they provide great food that you can eat while enjoying the sun on their back patio. You can even order a liter of beer in an actual boot to share with your friends!
- le Bistro Montage
Facebook/Le Bistro Montage Known for its delicious mac ‘n’ cheese (primarily the “Spicy Mac”), this restaurant gives you a reason to NOT want to finish your food. At the end of your meal, they’ll wrap your leftovers in the shape of a nifty foil creation!
- Food Carts
Flickr/John Dalton Although you really can’t get a bad meal in Portland, food just always tastes better when you’re outside. Ranging from Thai food to just a traditional hamburger, there are food cart communities in most areas of the city that offer all sorts of delightful food.
- Blue Star Donuts
Flickr/Leslie Stemming from a French-style brioche recipe, Blue Star is mixing traditional donuts with a new take on flavor. You have to try the creme brûlée donut that’s served with a Cointreau syrup that you drizzle on top.
- Last Thursday on Alberta Street
Flickr/Melissa Delzio If you find yourself in Portland on the last Thursday of one of the warmer months, you have to check out Last Thursday, where numerous artists, musicians, and performers occupy 15 blocks of Alberta Street for the evening. Come here for the art and music, but you’ll stay for the lively atmosphere.
- Salt & Straw
Flickr/jpellgen Salt & Straw blew Portlanders away when they started serving scoops back in 2011, and continue to impress to this day. If you’re looking for some mind-blowing flavor combinations, like wasabi flower & green apple, you have to try this place!
- Powell’s Books
Flickr/Ethan Trewhitt For all of you book worms out there, Powell’s Books is must. Their selection varies from classic first edition favorites to the latest new releases. This is seriously a book lover’s heaven.
- Forest Park
Flickr/Robert Tuck Being that Portlanders take so much pride in their environmental beauty, it would be a shame to visit and not indulge in it. The Greater Forest Park Conservation Initiative is always holding volunteer work parties or discovery hikes; but if you’re not one for commitment, come here for a spontaneous and gorgeous hike.
How many of these things have you done? Let us know what you think are the best things to do in Portland in the comments!
Flickr/Ian Sane
Two things Portland is known for: being bike-friendly and darn-good beer. Now you can see some of Portland’s awesome breweries while riding a bike with a group of your friends!
Flickr/Still Thinking
Along with all of the exquisite coffee that Portland has to offer, Coava Coffee Roasters does an immense part to add to that. The aesthetic of its interior and the delicious complexity of the coffee will have you coming back for more.
Website/McMenamins
There’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite music under a beautiful blue sky, surrounded by an endless amount of trees. So pack dinner and a picnic blanket and see a show at Edgefield, which will give you just that.
Facebook/Ground Control Classic Arcade
Seriously, what is better than playing some of your favorite childhood arcade games while enjoying a delicious cocktail or beer?
Facebook/Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is the perfect place to go to when you want to learn while having the time of your life. If you want to add drinking to equation, look out for OMSI After Dark, where you can conduct experiments and drink at the same time.
Flickr/Ray Terrill
If you’re looking to experience Portland pride in its truest form, get yourself a ticket to a Timbers game. Rain or shine, these games are one the most fun and spirited things to experience in the city.
Flickr/Minh-Kiet Callies
Every weekend from March through Christmas Eve, hundreds of artists and vendors fill Old Town/Chinatown to transform it into the largest open-air crafts market in the United States.
Facebook/Slappy Cakes
Are you one of those people that think you make the best pancakes around? Well you can prove it at Slappy Cakes! Dress it up however you want and fry them up at your table which includes a built-in skillet.
Facebook/Pips & Bounce
Since 2012, Pips & Bounce has been providing an awesome and upbeat ping pong paradise, equipped with music, food, and drinks.
Facebook/Crystal Ballroom
This 100 year old building is so much more than its gorgeous exterior. Originally intended for ballroom dancing in the early 1900s, this venue has flooring that actually moves the more you move. Imagine what it’s like to see a concert with hundreds of dancing people!
Flickr/Alex
Willamette River that is dedicated to pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation. It also happens to have one of the prettiest views of the city that you really don’t want to miss.
Facebook/Prost! Portland
Not only does this place offer some tasty German-imported beers, but they provide great food that you can eat while enjoying the sun on their back patio. You can even order a liter of beer in an actual boot to share with your friends!
Facebook/Le Bistro Montage
Known for its delicious mac ‘n’ cheese (primarily the “Spicy Mac”), this restaurant gives you a reason to NOT want to finish your food. At the end of your meal, they’ll wrap your leftovers in the shape of a nifty foil creation!
Flickr/John Dalton
Although you really can’t get a bad meal in Portland, food just always tastes better when you’re outside. Ranging from Thai food to just a traditional hamburger, there are food cart communities in most areas of the city that offer all sorts of delightful food.
Flickr/Leslie
Stemming from a French-style brioche recipe, Blue Star is mixing traditional donuts with a new take on flavor. You have to try the creme brûlée donut that’s served with a Cointreau syrup that you drizzle on top.
Flickr/Melissa Delzio
If you find yourself in Portland on the last Thursday of one of the warmer months, you have to check out Last Thursday, where numerous artists, musicians, and performers occupy 15 blocks of Alberta Street for the evening. Come here for the art and music, but you’ll stay for the lively atmosphere.
Flickr/jpellgen
Salt & Straw blew Portlanders away when they started serving scoops back in 2011, and continue to impress to this day. If you’re looking for some mind-blowing flavor combinations, like wasabi flower & green apple, you have to try this place!
Flickr/Ethan Trewhitt
For all of you book worms out there, Powell’s Books is must. Their selection varies from classic first edition favorites to the latest new releases. This is seriously a book lover’s heaven.
Flickr/Robert Tuck
Being that Portlanders take so much pride in their environmental beauty, it would be a shame to visit and not indulge in it. The Greater Forest Park Conservation Initiative is always holding volunteer work parties or discovery hikes; but if you’re not one for commitment, come here for a spontaneous and gorgeous hike.
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