Portland is a city in the Oregon state of the United States of America. The city sits at the confluence of rivers Columbia and Willamette. The city is surrounded by abundant landscapes including river valleys, mountains, coastal areas, forests, and more. Some of the most fun things to do in Portland, Oregon revolve around exploring nature around the city.
You can bask in the views of Mount Tabor dominating the landscape and explore nature trails in the Forest Park. These places are also popular for a variety of outdoor activities to do in Portland such as hiking, camping, skiing, mountain climbing, and more. If you venture towards Portland beaches you can also enjoy water sports, boat trips, and surfing.
Even within the city limits you can experience different aspects of nature. It is called the “City of Roses” and you will see rose gardens and various species of flowers at several Portland tourist attractions. One of the best places to visit in Portland, Oregon to check out numerous species in one place is the International Rose Test Garden. Aside from this, Portland attractions also include several parks and gardens including the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Waterfront Park, Trees Museum, Urban forests, and more.
There are also numerous historical and cultural things to see in Portland, Oregon. You can visit house museums, art museums, history museums, churches, and historical buildings. Exploring 19th-century buildings and Victorian architecture is among the top things to do in downtown Portland. The old town area is listed among National Historic Landmarks People can also see one of the largest bookstores in the world during Portland sightseeing.
In terms of the city’s culture, you should experience craft beers and street food at the food trucks when you visit Portland. Many places also host a variety of music and entertainment events that you can enjoy alongside food and beverages.
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Top 18 Places to Visit in Portland, Oregon in 4 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Here below we already covered all the Top Attractions to visit in Portland, Oregon. But also here I am covering some Top-Rated Tours and Activities to do in Portland. If you are in Portland then you must try to experience below mentioned activities as per your interest.
- 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise Through Downtown Portland
- Half-Day Columbia River Gorge and Waterfall Hiking Tour
- Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River
- Willamette Valley Wine Tour from Portland with Lunch
- 2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through Downtown Portland
- Portland Food Carts, Pods & Patios Tour
- Portland’s Only Underground Donut Tour
Day 1
1. Portland Japanese Garden
In the 1950s, Portland became a sister city to Sapporo in Japan. This garden was built in 1967 to celebrate this association. It is one of the best places to visit in Portland, Oregano for leisure. The complex comprises has 5 gardens called Strolling Pond, Tea Garden, Sand Stone Garden, Natural Garden, and Flat Garden. You will see a five-tiered pagoda, moon bridge, waterfalls, ponds, streams, lawns, and several other attractive features. One of the most fun things to do in Portland, Oregon is to attend a cultural festival at these gardens. You will need about an hour to explore this place.
2. International Rose Test Garden
This garden has the oldest rose testing program in the country. You can see more than seven thousand rose plants from 550 varieties. The view of the Cascade Mountains is one of the most beautiful things to see in Portland, Oregon. The complex has a Shakespeare garden, Gold Medal Garden, Amphitheatre, fountains, picnic places, and so on. You need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this garden.
3. Hoyt Arboretum
This garden is considered a museum for trees. You can see more than ten thousand trees from 60 species. One of the biggest Portland tourist attractions is the Dawn Redwood, which became extinct in the west and was brought here from China. You will need about an hour to explore this garden.
4. Pittock Mansion
This house once belonged to newspaper editor and publisher Henry Pittock. It now serves as a house museum dedicated to his life and work. The house also has furniture, artwork, a literature collection, and decor items from different eras. The house is well known among Portland attractions for French Renaissance-style architecture. You will need about an hour to tour this mansion.
5. The Grotto
This outdoor catholic shrine is one of the top things to do in Portland. The shrine sits atop a 33 meters cliff in a cave. In the cave, you will a replica of Michelangelo’s Pieta. This place also has several other Portland tourist spots including the Chapel of Mary, Meditation Chapel, Peace Garden, Servite Friars Monastery, and St. Anne’s Chapel. You will need about 2 hours to explore the Grotto.
Day 2
1. Portland Art Museum
This art museum is the 7th oldest in the country and the oldest in Pacific West. It has a collection of more than 420,000 art pieces featuring creations from Europe, America, and Asia. You will a variety of modern and contemporary art pieces including paintings, graphic art, photographs, film clips, installation art, and more. It is also among the must-do things in Portland for Native American history. The museum has 5,000 artifacts and artworks that represent 200 cultural groups. You will need about 2 hours from Portland sightseeing to tour this museum.
2. Oregon Historical Society Museum
This museum focuses on the history of Oregon state. You will learn about the evolution of natural and human history in the region. It is one of the most fun places to go in Portland for its interactive exhibits and historical experiences. You will need an hour to tour this museum.
3. Portlandia
This iconic statue was inspired by the city’s seal. It was built in 1985 by American sculptor Raymond Kaskey. The statue depicts a woman holding a trident and reaching down toward the onlooker extending her hand. It is one of the most important Portland sites to see in the city. You should take at least a few minutes to take a picture with this lady.
4. Pioneer Courthouse Square
This public square is one of the best things to do in downtown Portland and is considered the heart of the city. This square was voted the world’s 4th best public place. It has outdoor chess boards, an amphitheater, a milepost sign, an Umbrella Man statue, cascading waterfall, and a 10-meter-tall Weather Manwhich. You can easily spend a few minutes watching people and places when you visit Portland.
5. Powell’s City of Books
This store is the headquarters of the bookstore chain and is spread over 1.6 acres, almost an entire city block. This is among the largest new and used bookstores in the world. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Portland even if you are not a bibliophile. The store has nine rooms and 3,500 sections dedicated to different categories of books. You will need about an hour from Portland travel to explore this store.
6. Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Spread over 37 acres, this is one of the top 10 parks in the country. It is known for a variety of outdoor activities to do in Portland as well as for hosting popular events. People come here for Segway trails, skateboarding, jogging, nature trails, picnics, sports, and so on. The park hosts the Portland Rose Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival, Bite of Oregon Festival, and Gay/Lesbian Pride Festival. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring this park.
7. Lan Su Chinese Garden
This garden is part of the Old Town Chinatown and comprises almost entirely indigenous Chinese plants. Many of the flora were imported from China, and some of them are over a century old. The garden also has several structures and curated landscapes that reflect Chinese culture including the Ming Dynasty Garden, Tower of Cosmic Reflection, Lan Sun Summer Garden, Moon Locking Pavilion, and more. It is also one of the best places to go in Portland to see Chinese Year celebrations and other traditional events. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this place.
Day 3
1. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
This museum is dedicated to science, technology, natural sciences, and industrialization. The museum has a planetarium, submarine exhibit, and 5 exhibition halls, each focused on a different branch of science. The museum also has a few cool things to do in Portland such as learning to track hurricanes, see the world from a satellite’s POV, take a VR trip around the city, explore a real submarine, and more. You need 2 to 3 hours to tour this museum.
2. Forest Park
This is one of the largest urban forest reserves in the USA. The park stretches for 13 km overlooking the Willamette River. It is a must-do in Portland for nature lovers. You get beautiful views of creeks and peaks along the hiking trails in the park. It is also blessed with abundant plant, bird, and animal life to keep you delighted. You need at least 3 hours to thoroughly explore this natural escape when you visit Portland.
I suggest you should try a Hiking Tour in Forest Park.
Day 4
1. Oregon Zoo
Established in 1888, this is one of the oldest zoos in the country. It houses 1,800 animals from over 250 species. You can see birds and animals from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Pacific Islands, the Arctic, and more. It is one of the best things to do in Portland, Oregon for family tourists. You can see bald eagles, otters, cougars, polar bears, penguins, chimpanzees, gibbons, elephants, lions, cheetahs, pythons, tigers, red pandas, and more. You will need 2 to 3 hours from Portland sightseeing to explore this zoo.
2. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
This botanical garden is spread over 9.5 acres and is dedicated to the preservation of the rhododendron genus. The garden has more than 2,500 plants and trees including species other than rhododendron as well. It is also one of the best places to visit in Portland, Oregon for birdwatching. During the fall the park is greeted by several birds including herons, geese, grebes, gulls, hummingbirds, and more. You will need about 2 hours to explore this garden.
3. Oaks Park Amusement Center
The history of this amusement park goes back to 1905 making it one of the oldest in the country. The park has over 20 rides, games, and themed attractions. Many of these are reminiscent of the early days of American culture. The park is home to a hand-carved carousel built by Hershall-Spillman in 1911. Other rides at this park include bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, mini golf, a roller coaster, go-carting, carnival games, video games, arcade games, and more. You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours from Portland to explore this park.
4. Portland Beaches
There are two types of beaches in Portland, Oregon. You can enjoy sandy coasts of freshwater rivers in the city at places like Broughton Beach, Poet’s Beach, Kelly Point Park Beach, Sundial Beach, and so on. But if you want to see the ocean, you need to head west until you reach the coast. There you can find Seaside Beach, Indian Beach, Cannon Beach, Manhattan Beach, Oceanside Beach, and others. These are not technically Portland beaches but are close enough to make a day trip. You can easily spend a few hours at any of these beaches.
I suggest you should go for a Full Day Oregon Coat Tour from Portland.
If you are looking for more things to see in Portland check out the sections below. We have put together an exhaustive list of attractions and activities that you can enjoy in and around the city.
Things to do in Portland, Oregon
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Portland, Oregon
- Portland Art Museum
- Pittock Mansion
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Hoyt Arboretum
- The Grotto
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Shanghai Tunnels
- Oregon Historical Society
- Witch’s Castle
- Oregon Rail Heritage Center
- The Freaky But True Peculiarium and Museum
- Oregon Center for Photographic Arts
- Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
- Elizabeth Leach Gallery
- Pearson Air Museum
- Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
- Clark Country Historical Museum
- Oregon Maritime Museum
- Architectural Heritage Center
- Oregon Center for Contemporary Art
- Lone Fir Cemetery
- Marquam Nature Park
- Japanese American Museum of Oregon
- Vancouver Barracks
- Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
- Portlandia Sculpture
- The Zymoglyphic Museum
- Portland Puppet Museum
- Movie Madness Video Museum
- Museum of Tektronix
- Next Level Pinbal Shop and Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Portland, Oregon
- Forest Park
- Tryon Creek State Natural Area
- Powell Butte Nature Park
- Portland Audubon
- Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
- Sellwood Riverfront Park
- Tualatin Hills Nature Park
- Springwater Coridor
- Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
- Rocky Butte Natural Area
- Lacamas Lake
- Vancouver Lake
- Gabriel Park
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Portland, Oregon
- Portland Japanese Garden
- Oregon Zoo
- International Rose Test Garden
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
- Washington Park
- Oaks Amusement Park
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
- World Forestry Center
- Mt. Tabor Park
- Laurelhurst Park
- Mill Ends Park
- Leach Botanical Garden
- Peninsula Park
- Portland International Raceway
- Keller Auditorium
- Ground Control Classic Arcade and Bar
- Keller Fountain Park
- North Clackamas Aquatic Park
- Council Crest Park
- George Rogers Park
- Kelley Point Park
- Willamette Valley Wineries
- Poloff Farms
- Tanner Springs Park
- Blue Lake Regional Park
Shopping in Portland, Oregon
- Portland Sunday Market
- Lloyd Center
- Washington Square Mall
- Columbia Gorge Outlets
- Alberta Arts District
- Hollywood Farmers Market
- Central City
- Woodburn Premion Outlets
- Nob Hill
- Portland Saturday Market
- Pioneer Place
- Jantzen Beach Center
- Portland Night Market
- Union Way
- Downtown Portland
- Cascade Station
- Portland Farmers Market
- Pearl District
Beaches & Islands in Portland, Oregon
- Hayden Island
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Portland, Oregon
- Skiing
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Mountain Climbing
- Water Sports
- Kayaking
- Tram Ride
Sightseeing in Portland, Oregon
- Powell’s City of Books
- Pioneer Courthouse Square
- St. John’s Bridge
- Tilikum Crossing Bridge
- Portland Oregon Stag Sign
- Steel Bridge
- Eastbank Esplanade
- Fremont Bridge
- Southwest Hawthorne Boulevard
- Vancouver Waterfront
- Jamison Square
- North Mississippi Avenue
- Waterfront Renaissance Trail
- Burnside Bridge
- South Park Blocks
- Northeast Alberta Street
- Broadway Bridge
- Oregon Washington Bridge
- Ross Island Bridge
- Marquam Bridge
- Pearl District
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Portland, Oregon
- Fuller’s Coffee
- Bing Mi Food Cart
- Jam on Hawthorne
- Langbaan
- Tercet
- The Rambler
- St. Jack
- Off the Griddle
- Murata
- Mucca Osteria
- Casa Zoraya
- Mississipi Pizza
- Bar Bar
- Prince Coffee
- Arden
- Victoria Bar
- Kate’s Ice Cream
- Hey Love
- Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
- Mirisata
- Snow Bunny Coffee
- Blossoming Lotus
- Albina Press
- Storm breaking Brewing
- Black Water
- Kabba’s Kitchen
Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Portland, Oregon. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Portland, Oregon.
Luxurious Hotels
- The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland
- Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
- The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown
- Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel
- Inn at Northrup Station
- Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown/Pearl District
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland
- Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center
- Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront
Mid-Range Hotels
- Moxy Portland Downtown
- Dossier
- Hotel Lucia
- Hyatt House Portland/Downtown
- Paramount Hotel
- The Porter Portland, Curio Collection By Hilton
- The Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown
- Mark Spencer Hotel
- The Heathman Hotel
- The Hoxton Portland
Budget Hotels
- The Hotel Zags Portland
- McMenamins White Eagle Saloon and Rock & Roll Hotel
- Nordic Inn and Suites
- Hostelling International – Northwest Portland Hostel
- Park Lane Suites & Inn
- Best Western Inn At The Meadows
- Portland International Guesthouse
- The Society Hotel
- Econo Lodge City Center
- University Place Hotel and Conference Center
Custom Tours Package in Portland, Oregon
How to Reach Portland, Oregon?
By Air
The city is served by Portland International Airport located about 15 km northwest from downtown. You can get direct flights to visit Portland from Vancouver, Toronto, Chicago, Denver, Orlando, Dallas, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Ontario, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Charlotte, London, Frankfurt, Detroit, Amsterdam, Seattle, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Reykjavik, New York, Calgary, and many more.
You can get buses and cabs to get to the city from the airport.
By Road
You can reach Portland through Amtrak routes Coast Starlight, Downeaster, Empire Builder, and Amtrak Cascades. These routes connect Portland with Seattle, Tacoma, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Brunswick, Freeport, Saco, Exeter, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Minot, Spokane, Salem, Vancouver, and Eugene.
You can get buses for Portland travel from several cities in Oregon state and major cities in the USA. However, it is better to get a bus to the nearest connecting train station and reach by rail.
If you are planning to reach Portland by road, you have head for routes Interstate 84, 5, I-405, and U.S. 26.
By Water
There are no water routes to visit Portland.
Image Reference
- Portland Japanese Garden – John Fowler / Flickr
- International Rose Test Garden – Sandra Richard / Flickr
- Hoyt Arboretum – jlh_lunasea / Flickr
- Pittock Mansion – Joe Fruechtel / Flickr
- The Grotto – Scarlet Sappho / Flickr
- Portland Art Museum – CTG/SF / Flickr
- Oregon Historical Society Museum – Steve Morgan / Wikimedia Commons
- Portlandia – David Berkowitz / Flickr
- Pioneer Courthouse Square – Cacophony / Wikimedia Commons
- Powell’s City of Books – Chris Booth / Flickr
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park – brx0 / Flickr
- Lan Su Chinese Garden – Ted / Flickr
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) – Sasha / Flickr
- Forest Park – Katarina / Flickr
- Oregon Zoo – brx0 / Flickr
- Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden – Brandon Olafsson / Flickr
- Oaks Park Amusement Center – Jeff Muceus / Flickr
- Portland Beaches – Tjflex2 / Flickr
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