“The dream of the 90s is alive in Portland.”
That musical number from the cult-hit TV show “Portlandia” makes fun of the unique, hipster/nerd persona of Portland, Oregon. And indeed, as this writer can attest as a native son, some segment of PDX really is possessed by the spirit of that era.
That said, the 1990s are not reflected in its cost-of-living. For a mid-sized city, Stumptown can actually be big-league expensive. According to recent estimates from sites like SmartAsset and Numbeo.com, the average cost of rent, utilities, gas, even the price of a pint of beer, are all higher than the national average. As a visitor, however, there are ways you can still have an awesome trip without splurging on a $15 cocktail.
First and foremost, you can save cash on the way you get to Portland by booking your travel on Wanderu. With the ability to compare buses, trains and flights all in the same search results, you can consistently snag the very best tickets for your budget and schedule.
But Rip City also has heaps of free attractions you can pass the time with once you arrive — from oodles of outdoor activities to a feminist famous bookstore. If a particular category appeals, skip ahead by clicking one of the links below. Otherwise, simply scroll down to see the unabridged list.
| Museums & Art | Culture & Landmarks | Outdoors | Tours |
MUSEUMS & ART
1. Well's Fargo History Museum
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1300 SW 5th Ave 2nd Floor
Portland, OR 97201 |
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10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Mon – Fri)
Closed Saturday & Sunday |
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| Website |
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: The Wells Fargo Center was the tallest building in Oregon when it was completed in 1972, and today holds some artifacts from the bank’s storied history. The gem is a real stagecoach from 1854, once used to transport valuables across the American frontier. Other highlights include an antique safe, a handgun once carried by express messengers, and an interactive display that teaches you how to drive a stagecoach like the Pony Express.
2. Stark’s Vacuum Museum
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107 NE Grand Ave
Portland, OR 97232 |
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8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Mon – Fri)
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Sat) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sun) |
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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Rarely can you say something sucks and mean it as a positive thing, but that’s exactly the case at Stark’s Vacuum Museum. An old-fashioned vacuum shop that’s been open since 1932, the museum is located inside Stark’s downtown showroom. More than 300 models are on display, from old cardboard devices to pneumatic tubes that hang from the ceiling. The display is fun and quirky — in short, quintessentially Portland.
3. Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts
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122 NW 8th Ave
Portland, OR 97209 |
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12 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Tues – Sun)
Closed Monday |
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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Also known as the Blue Sky Gallery, the OCPA features exhibitions from photogs both local to Portland and further afield. With a mission to showcase new artists on the scene, you’ll find some truly cutting-edge image collections in this 37,000 square foot display space.
4. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
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1855 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97201 |
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10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat)
10 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Thurs) Closed Sunday & Monday |
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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Located on the Portland State University campus in downtown Portland, the JPMA is brand-spanking new, freshly opened in 2019. The two-story, 7,500 square foot space is primarily focused on Northwest exhibits, but includes national and international works as well. The type of art on display is intended to be “experimental, collaborative, innovative and a catalyst for social change with students at its core.”
CULTURE & LANDMARKS
5. White Stag Sign
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70 NW Couch St
Portland, OR 97209 |
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| Best Viewed at Night | |
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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: A Portland historical landmark, you can’t miss this giant neon-illuminated sign on the PDX skyline if you’re headed downtown at night. The deer image is derived from the apparel company White Stag, which formerly occupied the building the sign sits upon. (For the best Instagram angle, head to the west end of the Burnside Bridge.) Bonus: The stag’s nose glows red during the holidays, Rudolph-style.
6. Portland Saturday Market
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2 SW Naito Pkwy
Portland, OR 97204 |
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10 a.m. – 5 a.m. (Saturday)
11 a.m. – 4:30 a.m. (Sunday) Only Open on Weekends, March through Christmas Eve |
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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: From tie-dye T-shirts and body paint to craft kombucha and sea-glass jewelry, this long-standing arts and crafts market in Portland’s Old Town sports 252 booths of handmade novelties. Set along the riverfront, it’s the perfect place to wander on a sunny summer day. And when hunger strikes, the food court offers an eclectic selection, including Northeast African cuisine, Chinese crepes and Nepalese food.
7. Pioneer Courthouse Square
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701 SW 6th Ave
Portland, OR 97205 |
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5 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Open Daily |
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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: So-called because of the almost 150-year-old federal courthouse on the Square’s south end, PCS is the city’s busiest gathering space. Pioneer Square hosts more than 340 events per year — everything from the Festival of Flowers in May to weekly outdoor movie screenings in summer. Post-Thanksgiving, it’s also the site of Portland’s massive Christmas tree, decked in colorful lights.
8. Powell’s City of Books
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1005 W Burnside St
Portland, OR 97209 |
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9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Open Daily |
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WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT: Yes, it’s a bookstore, but neither we nor the fine booksellers at Powell’s will begrudge you for just browsing. After all, the maze-like City of Books is the largest new and used bookstore in the world, occupying a full city block. It literally requires a map to navigate, as the shelves span multiple floors, with different genres organized by colored room.
9. Multnomah County Central Library
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