10 Things To Do In Portland: Oregon’s Best

With the myriad of things to do in Portland, everybody will keep moving and never get bored. As a matter of fact, to begin with, this fabulous city in Oregon has a lot of story to tell. 

It was in 1843 when the city of Portland was founded along the banks of the mighty Willamette River. The city was incorporated in 1851 and soon became a major port. Moreover, early growth here was stimulated by various gold rushes and the influx of immigrants along the Oregon Trail. Today, Portland is among the best tourist destinations not just in the United States but worldwide, welcomed 11.9 million overnight person-trips in 2022. 

Some of the best things to do in Portland for tourists are walking in nature and visiting exquisite gardens, which is not surprising for a city that values sustainability and cares so much for the environment. Add to these a thriving downtown with great-tasting coffee, independent stores, and such a diverse food scene, and you have the perfect mix of urban lifestyle and communing with nature in one compact city. We don’t want to keep you waiting. Here are the most amazing things to do in Portland.

10 Of The Best Things To Do In Portland

Brace yourself for a countdown of the best things to do in Portland.

1. Watch NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers In Hoops Action

If you think about Portland, perhaps this will immediately ring in your ears – the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA. Correct or incorrect? 

A beloved institution not just in the city, not just in the country, but across the globe, the Portland Trail Blazers were the NBA champions in 1977. Founded in 1970, this NBA team has always called Portland home, of course, they have the massive support of fans to prove this. 

So, while you’re here, catching a game featuring this team is probably one of the best things to do in Portland. The Blazers often play at the Moda Center, which is just across the Willamette River from downtown. If you are not bringing a private car, the venue is accessible via all MAX light rail lines and within walking distance of the Oregon Convention Center.

Say you missed the game in-person. Well, you can also catch a game featuring the Blazers at Spirit of 77, the homegrown sports bar named for the team’s championship year.

2. Soak In The Beauty Of The Gardens At Washington Park

Travelers would agree that of all the parks in Portland (yes, there’s a lot since the city loves itself being sustainable and eco-friendly), Washington Park is the best. This park is home to various sub-attractions. 

For one, you have the International Rose Test Garden where you’ll find a magnanimous array of roses spanning hundreds of varieties, not to mention breathtaking city views. Further uphill, you can find the Japanese Garden which is the perfect spot if you are looking for a peaceful retreat. 

Regarded as one of the most authentic you will find outside Japan, the park was among a wave of many established in the wake of the Second World War to promote diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan. 

Aside from the multiple gardens, you will also find here a tea house, wood pavilions and bridges, and winding stone pathways and cascading streams, all with the aim of providing you a soothing retreat. Visiting Washington Park is one of the best things to do in Portland, no doubt. 

Welcome to our “things to do in Portland” guide. This is more for travelers, but for foodies, be sure to take a look at our story about Portland’s best farm-to-table tours. 

3. Browse Some Good Reads At Powell’s City Of Books, The Country’s Largest Independent Bookstore

Powell’s City of Books is recognized as the largest independent bookstore all over the United States. It covers an entire block on the street, and has over a million titles spread across its 3,500 different sections. We tell you, it is huge. 

Visiting this place is a trip to paradise for many book lovers. You may get lost easily, so grab a map and explore its stacks of new, used, small-press, rare, special-edition, and out-of-print selections. 

The bookstore also makes sure its stocks are updated. Powerll’s City of Books purchases more than 3,000 used books daily, so there’s always something for your search. Especially if you are a bibliophile, this is one of the best things to do in Portland.

4. Sweat It Out And Join The Pedalpalooza Bike Festival

Are you a cycling enthusiast? Don’t miss this on your things to do in Portland itinerary. Portland is one of the bike-friendliest cities in the United States, if not all over the world, so it is just right that there are events held for this activity. Biking is also a nice way to walk with Portland’s nature. 

Whether you are a cycling fanatic, an occasional cruiser, or just love attending events, Portland’s Pedalpalooza Bike Festival will keep you moving. Held all over the city, this festival celebrates the arrival of summer with, get this, more than 100 rides all over the town. 

This festival has attracted and entertained bike enthusiasts since 2003. While there’s a local organization that runs the festival, anybody can create and lead a ride, for the best experience.

Offering a mix of family-friendly and adult-only rides, depending on what suits you best, Pedalpalooza embraces the fun of biking as a way of bringing the community closer together.

Exploring the city’s food scene is definitely one of the best things to do in Portland. Fan of food tours? Take a look at our list of the best food tours in Portland. 

5. Be Prepared To Get Bewitched With The Doughnuts At Voodoo Doughnut

It may not be as big time as popular doughnut chains like Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme, but this humble doughnut shop in Portland, Voodoo Doughnut, is also big time on its own. You may have tried the best doughnuts offered by Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme, but nothing comes close to the doughnuts they sell here at Voodoo Doughnut. Be prepared to get bewitched! 

Voodoo Doughnut began as a single-branch shop located in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland. Visiting the ship are people leaving bars after having drinks. Today, this doughnut store is a multi-state chain with branches in California, Florida, Colorado, Washington, and Texas, aside from the multiple locations within Oregon.

Being served here are doughnuts coated with candies and sugar cereals, slathered in colorful frostings, filled with flavored creams, and given with clever names, voodoo-style. Here, you can grab the Bacon Maple Bar; Oh Captain, My Captain; and Old Dirty Bastard, among others.

If you are a big lover of unique-looking, or weird-looking doughnuts perhaps, trying the offerings at Voodoo Doughnut is one of the remarkable things to do in Portland.

6. Hike And Bird-Watch At Forest Park

Are you looking for things to do in Portland wherein you can spend some time outdoors but not willing to trek the challenging trails in the city’s mountains? If you are, then Forest Park is your destination. Spanning 5,200 acres, it is one of the largest urban parks in America. 

Among Forest Park’s most notable features is the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, part of the region’s loop system spanning 40 miles, and connects pedestrian and trail routes running along the Columbia River to Gresham through this Oregon city’s southeast along the Willamette Greenway and back to the Marquam Trail and back to the Marquam Trail in the southwest. 

Aside from hiking, there are many other things to do in Portland while you are here, such as birdwatching. Barred owls, Cooper’s hawks, and pileated woodpeckers are easy to spot here amongst the tall trees.

7. Plug Off, Plunge, And Get Splashed At Multnomah Falls

Is your world, or social media perhaps, becoming too toxic for you? You need to plug off. Why don’t you plunge and get splashed at Multnomah Falls? If you are looking for relaxing things to do in Portland, heading here is one of the best you can do. 

Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon, and are also the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest. But not everyone is for Multnomah Falls. Otherwise, you need to step it all up.

At 620 feet tall, this waterfall is not for the faint of heart. There’s a ¼-mile trail to get to Benson Bridge, which will give you a closer look at the falls. There’s also another 1.25-mile hike that will take you to the top of Multnomah Falls for majestic views of the Columbia River Gorge.

If you are out to enjoy the things to do in Portland, don’t forget to bring your camera with you! Find out the best photography spots in Portland before taking shots – for that social media-worthy presentation.

8. Mingle With Animals At Oregon Zoo

Bringing kids in tow in your Portland adventure? They might want to mingle with the wildlife. They can do so at Oregon Zoo. Oregon Zoo is home to more than 2,600 animals from over 200 species. 

The zoo has park-like grounds, so it is easy to move around. There are a total of 23 exhibits grouped into geographical areas. There’s the Great Northwest exhibit featuring mountain goats, blackbears, bobcats, bald eagles, and beavers, among others; and the Pacific Shores exhibit featuring sea otters, penguins, harbor seals, and more.

You may also visit the Discovery Zone, which has insects and a wildlife garden; the Primate Forest; the Elephant Lands with Asian elephants; and the Africa exhibit featuring lions, cheetahs, pythons, giraffes, crocodiles, fruit bats, and more. Literally, it is a trip around the world to witness its wildlife. Truly one of the best things to do in Portland, especially if you have your whole family with you. 

9. Want Some Drama? How About A Dinner Cruise On Willamette River?

Just like the Nile is to Egypt and the Amazon is to South America, the Willamette River has become part of Portland’s life and history. Its main stem is 187 miles long, entirely lying in northwestern Oregon. So the best way to enjoy the things to do in Portland with this river is not in plain style. We recommend that you hop on a dinner cruise along the Willamette River.

Whether you want to relax after a long day of sightseeing tours, or simply need to unwind after an intense workweek, a sunset dinner cruise along this river will do the trick. Not only will you get spectacular views of Portland’s skyline as well as the city’s main landmarks, but you can also listen to live music and enjoy a sumptuous Pacific Northwest meal. You will love this tour.

10. Sample Portland’s Best Wines At Willamette Valley

Portland may not have the famous winemaking regions like the Sonoma and Napa valleys, but that does not mean they don’t have something for wine enthusiasts visiting the city. Here, they have Willamette Valley. One of the best things to do in Portland is heading over here for some great wines. 

In this Willamette Valley wine tour, you will immerse yourself in the beauty and bounty of the valley. Perfect for all kinds of wine lovers, from newbies to connoisseurs, this trip offers insights from expertly trained and knowledgeable guides, visits to various vineyards, and samplings of unique varietals that include renowned pinots, chardonnays, and rieslings.

Munching some doughnuts is one of the best things to do in Portland. Curious about the best doughnuts in this city, click this link for the list. 

Looking For Outdoorsy Things To Do In Portland? Here Are The Best Outdoor Activities To Do In The City

Portland’s landscape and climate make it perfect to enjoy some outdoorsy things to do in Portland. So, if you are in the mood for tackling the outdoors here, we got you covered. Here are the best outdoor activities you can do in Portland.

• Parks and gardens – Regarded as “The City of Roses,” Portland is home to more than 275 public parks and gardens.
• Biking – Portland is one of the bike-friendliest cities in the world.
• Hiking – For hikers, they can explore the city’s urban walks, verdant parks and lush gardens, and the nearby gorge and mountains.
• Urban walking spots – Explore Mt. Tabor Park, Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, Laurelhurst Park, and more.
• Wildlife – Portland has zoos and wildlife preserves where you can bond with the adorable animals, bird-watch, and more. 
• Camping – As part of the beautiful landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Portland offers several outdoor venues where you can spend a memorable night under the stars.

A City Of Neighborhoods

Portland may have often been branded as “weird,” but of course, this is not what the city is all about. 

The city of Portland is known for the uniqueness and vibrancy of its many neighborhoods, collectively quirky but each offering a distinct sense of place. Locals will tell you that you haven’t been to Portland until you have connected with its diverse communities.

It’s not difficult to fall in love over and over again with Oregon, a state where the glittering Crater Lake is, and offers hiking through deep forests and eating like royalty. If you are headed to this state, be sure not to skip one of its cities, Portland, from your itinerary.

A city of indie-spirited superlatives, as well as humble and off-beat charms. That’s Portland.

Portland. It’s Oregon’s best.