Top Things to Do in Portland
Known for its hipster coffee shops, trendy food trucks, and eclectic art galleries, Portland is still one of the coolest cities in the U.S. If you’re planning a trip to Oregon’s capital or you’re new to the city and want to explore, these top things to do in Portland have you covered.
Day trip to Cannon Beach
Okay, this one isn’t in Portland, but if you’re there you may as well make a day trip out to the beautiful coastal town, Cannon Beach. Explore the long, sandy shores, take a picture of Haystack Roach and the Cannon Beach lighthouse, and watch the sunset. If you’re planning a road trip to Cannon Beach, make sure you have car insurance in Portland so you’re covered for your trip.
Brewery tour
Portland is home to great beer breweries, so why not take a tour of them. You can cycle or walk from brewery to brewery yourself, sampling as you go, or sign up for a full-blown tour and get shuttled between locations. There are loads of breweries to visit in Portland, but some of the best breweries include Hair of the Dog Brewing, Great Notion, Wayfinder Beer, and Breakside Brewery.
Donuts at Voodoo
You can’t visit Portland without picking up an iconic pink box of Voodoo donuts. From giant sugar donuts to trendy flavors like bacon and maple syrup, Voodoo is a must-visit in Portland. The original Voodoo location is in southwest Portland on SW Third Avenue, where you can get their original voodoo doll-shaped donuts.
Powell’s City of Books
Every bookworm should visit the largest independent bookstore in the world. Powell’s is a Portland essential and covers an entire city block. Exploring this maze-like bookstore could take hours. Have a coffee in the Guilder Cafe, plan to visit the rare book room, and treat yourself to a new read from the near-million books shelved here.
Portland Art Museum
Portland is full of art museums and galleries, but the 1892 Portland Art Museum tops them all. It’s one of the oldest national galleries and home to a range of pieces from ancient times to modern-day. From rooms full of fascinating Native American art to Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘Brushstrokes’, there’s something for everyone in this iconic museum.
International Rose Test Garden
If you’re in Portland between April and October, make your way to see the thousands of roses in the International Rose Test Garden. There are over 600 different types of roses here and it’s one of the six rose test gardens for the American Rose Society. Peak season is June, but that’s also when you can expect the rose garden to be at its busiest.
Japanese Gardens
If tranquil zen gardens are more your thing, you should head to one of the best Japanese Gardens outside of Japan. With waterfalls, tea houses, and a mountain view, the Portland Japanese Garden is a great activity for anyone looking to get away from the buzz of the city. This garden is open year-round and is the perfect place to end your trip to Portland or get away from work on a dry day.
