Portland is the largest city in Oregon, which is certainly not the most visited of the fifty American states but should not be underestimated. The middle state among the three on the Pacific coast, nestled between Washington State and California, it attracts mainly for its unspoiled natural beauty, but its small towns can also be an interesting experience.
Portland has recently emerged as a tourist destination and being in the middle of the most popular cities and also those still completely unknown, makes it a good destination for those who want to discover a lively and varied America, but one that is away from the beaten tourist routes.
A stop-off point to consider for a road trip along the Pacific coast, even though it is more than 60 miles from the ocean, Portland is also the ideal starting point for an itinerary to discover some of the natural beauties of the Pacific North West. So let’s try to offer some tips on what to do in Portland, where to eat, where to stay and other aspects to help you organize a visit.
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Portland’s location
The city lies in Multnomah County, crossed by the Columbia River, which descends from Canada, crosses the State of Washington and then flows into the Pacific Ocean. The name of the city, taken from the one with the very same name in the state of Maine, says a lot about its characteristics. Although not on the coast, Portland has had an important history as a port city, thanks to its geographical location, straddling the confluence of the Willamette River and the Columbia River.
The latter separates it from the state of Washington and the city of Vancouver (not to be confused with the one in Canada), with which Portland forms a single large urban agglomeration. The river waters have always been the strong point of the city, which grew by exploiting them for commercial traffic and that today makes it a tourist attraction thanks to the many bridges in its historic center. City of bridges is one of the nicknames attributed to Portland and visiting it you are certainly not surprised by this nickname. The city lies about 175 miles from Seattle, which can be covered in just under 3 hours by car along Interstate 5.
PS: if you plan to move around exploring the state, I recommend reading our guide to the best things to do in Oregon.
What to do in Portland + attractions map
Downtown Portland
The hub of the city is on the west bank of the Willamette River, which is also the best place to start a visit. Here we can find the Visitor Information Center (701 SW 6th Ave) where you can get yourself a map of the city and all the information you may need.
The tourist office is located in the Pioneer Courthouse Square. Here an entire block is devoid of buildings and dedicated to the meeting of people and the organization of events in the open-air theater that characterizes the square.
If you don’t know what kind of weather to expect during your visit to Portland, in this square you will find the Weather Machine: a “time machine” that at noon each day reveals the image of a sun with golden leaves, a silver heron or a dragon depending on whether sun, clouds or bad weather is expected.
Overlooking Pioneer Courthouse Square is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, and the square owes its name to the Pioneer Courthouse. In addition to being more beautiful to photograph than the other buildings surrounding it, this one has historical value: it is the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest.
A few minutes’ walk away are two other buildings of interest, both on SW 5th Ave and standing side by side: the Portland Building and City Hall. The first is a symbolic building of postmodernism, a 15-story building characterized by the statue of Portlandia, the goddess of commerce. Over 30 feet tall, it is the second largest wrought copper statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty. The second is the City Hall building, characterized by its double entrance colonnade: rectangular on the SW 5th Ave facade and circular on the SW 4th Ave facade.
City Hall, on the SW 5th Ave side, overlooks one of the beautiful downtown gardens. The nearby Keller Fountain Park (SW 3rd Ave. & Clay St.), however, is more distinctive, housing a large fountain made from large boulders that are supposed to represent the nearby Columbia River Gorge Falls.
Another distinctive building is the Oregon Historical Society, located in the South Park Blocks area. The walls of the building are covered with murals that tell of the highlights in Oregon history, such as the expedition of explorers Lewis and Clarke.
Portland Museums
From an art perspective, the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave. ) is the main museum to consider in the city, as well as being the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest. Inside we find a varied permanent collection, ranging from Native American art to some of the most famous European artists, with some interesting examples of Asian art thrown in. Throughout the year, temporary exhibitions dedicated to specific themes alternate, and the museum’s movie theater shows niche films. Check the official website for times, prices and calendar of exhibitions.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (1945 SE Water Ave. ) is instead a museum complex where interactive activities are offered, all mainly related to the world of science in all its various facets. It ranges from a chemical laboratory to the planetarium, to physics experiments and the internal technologies of a submarine. On the official website you can see updated prices and schedules, as well as any temporary activities that take place there.
Pittock Mansion (3229 NW Pittock Dr.) is a historic mansion dating from 1914 in French-Renaissance style. In addition to the historic value of the building, there are great views of the city and mountains from here. Updated hours for tours are on the official website.
Portland Parks
Portland is quite a green city and there are several interesting city parks. The star of them is Forest Park, located northwest of the city. The name hints at how it is a wooded area, where you can go for a nice walk or go biking or horseback riding. In this park, despite the fact that it is located very close to the urban area, there is no lack of wild animals such as lynx, coyotes or raccoons.
A little further south is Washington Park. Compared to Forest Park, this is less wild and is a suitable place for a walk or a picnic. Here you will also find sports fields and the city zoo, as well as a little gem: the Rose Garden. In the summer, don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the thousands of roses of every type and color in this garden.
In this area we also find the Hoyt Arboretum, a naturalistic area with 12 miles of paths among trees that vary from redwood to yucca, from bamboo to magnolia. Here is there is also a nature center where you can learn some interesting facts about the environment.
In the northeast area of Portland we come to The Grotto. Immersed in the trees, we find a sort of reproduction of the Grotto of Lourdes, which houses a copy of the Pietà by Michelangelo. A spiritual place, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, that can even intrigue those who have no religious interest. A short distance away there is The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, a place to visit in the evening when, surrounded by millions of colored lights, you always feel like it is Christmas.
Lan Su Garden is designed in oriental style, created to honor the twinning between Portland and the Chinese city Suzhou (the words Lan and Su recall the names of the two cities and also mean respectively “orchid” and “rise” in Chinese). Orchids, lotus flowers, chrysanthemums and bamboo are some of the plants in this garden, where you can also take tea in a tea-house built in perfect Chinese style.
Another green space that recalls the East is the Japanese Garden, which actually contains five different styles of Japanese gardens. A real gem where you can walk amidst streams and waterfalls. The central Tom McCall Waterfront Park is also reminiscent of Japan: overlooking the river, it is ideal for a nice walk especially in spring, when the cherry trees in bloom make it one of the most attractive places in the city. Portland is in fact twinned with the Japanese city of Sapporo and has a strong bond with the Japanese archipelago.
Travel around Portland
If you’re on a road trip, your car will take you almost anywhere in the city. But if you want to avoid traffic, or if you’re traveling without a car (maybe Portland is the first or last stop on your trip and you don’t have a rental car during your stay here), there’s no shortage of public transportation. The Metro company has a dense network of buses and streetcars to get around the city and surrounding areas. But if you can, use bicycles! Portland has won the title of most bike-friendly city in the United States several times.
It is no coincidence that the bike-sharing service works very well here and, especially in summer, renting a bike to get around is a great idea. Another means of transport to take to make the visit to the city more complete is the Aerial Tram. This gondola connects the southern Waterfront to Marquam Hill with a one-mile ride and 150 feet of elevation gain. The ride is short (only three minutes), but will allow you to get a great view of the city and climb the hill quickly. Updated prices and times on the official website.
Events in Portland
If you are in Portland at a certain time of the year, why not make the most of some events that take place during those days. Here are a few examples.
- January. In the first month of the year you can choose between the Chocolate Fest, an event focused on cocoa and its derivatives, and the Portland International Auto Show, the great car show that ranges from vintage to contemporary and futuristic models.
- July. In full summer, the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival brings the Tom McCall Waterfront Park to life with its music. The musical rhythms of the southern states flood the waterfront, accompanied by numerous side events. Also in July, there is the Portland Craft Beer Festival for lovers of craft beer.
- September. At the Portland Smoked Feast, chefs from all over the world gather to cook meat, fish and vegetables – all smoked, of course. You will be spoiled for choice.
- December. Since 1954, along the Willamette and Columbia rivers, the Christmas season has been the time for the Christmas Ships Parades. Numerous lighted boats parade along the two rivers, making the cold winter evenings truly atmospheric. Many of these boats are also floating restaurants where you can dine.
Places to eat in Portland
There’s no shortage of restaurants in Portland, and there’s something for every taste and budget. But let’s try to make a few suggestions.
- Voodoo Doughnut (1501 NE Davis St. & 22 NW 3rd Ave. ) Try one of the many varieties on offer or request your very own donut!
- Pine State Biscuit (2204 NE Alberta St.). For a quick but tasty lunch, with original sandwiches that are different from the usual burgers, try this place. Prices are affordable.
- Portland City Grill (111 5th Ave. ). Located on the 30th floor, this restaurant deserves a visit not only for its good food, but also for the view it offers diners. If the location is as important to you as the cuisine, this is the restaurant for you.
Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon
Even for overnight stays there is a huge choice. Here are some suggestions, with a complete list below.
- McMenamin’s Kennedy School. What was once a school is now a hotel complete with restaurant, bar, swimming pool and even a cinema. On the walls you can see historical photos. The hotel also offers bike rental, ideal for visiting the city in peace.
- Kimpton Riverplace Hotel. Right in the center of town, overlooking the river, this four-star hotel is not only decidedly beautiful and welcoming, but it is also environmentally friendly. Among other things, you can also rent bicycles here, taking you straight onto the riverside bike path.
All accommodations in Portland
Shopping in Portland
Portland is a very vibrant city and there are plenty of businesses as well, accompanied by side attractions. If you’re looking for a large mall in the center of town, just to take a walk and buy something, go to Pioneer Place (700 SW 5th Ave. ) or Washington Square Mall (9585 SW Washington Square Rd.). If you want to do something different, the Lloyd Center (2201 Lloyd Center) has a skating rink for you to enjoy. But when visiting a city, it is definitely more interesting to stroll around the little stores that make certain neighborhoods characteristic. This is the case of the North West / Nob Hill: go to 23rd & 21st Ave. to stroll among Victorian-style houses with extravagant boutiques. Or opt for the Pearl District, where stores alternate with art galleries.
Things to do near Portland
If you are in Portland for several days, you might be interested in one or more excursions in the surrounding area. So here are some tips for getting around only a short distance from the city.
- Willamette Valley. The valley of which Portland occupies the northern end, is the most populated area in the state. It is home to several small towns and two other large cities: Salem and Eugene. In particular, Salem is the capital of the state of Oregon and its main attraction is the Capitol. A drive between these centers will involve you crossing a lush area full of waterways.
- Multnomah Falls. Located about a half-hour drive from Portland, these Columbia River waterfalls have a drop of 189 feet and their location inside a gorge makes them particularly impressive. They are clearly visible from the Banson Bridge, which can be taken as a reference.
- Mount Hood National Forest. Mount Hood, at 11,350 feet, is the highest peak in Oregon. Surrounding it is a dense forest full of opportunities for outdoor activities. The landmark is Sandy, an hour and a half from Portland. Read our tips on the best things to do at Mt Hood.
- Mount St. Helens. Also an hour and a half from Portland is this still active volcano, full of viewing points, some of which are easily accessible. It is now 8360 feet high, but its summit was higher before a major explosive eruption in 1980 caused it to lose its top.
- Oregon Coast. There are many coastal locations to consider, either for a round trip from Portland or as stops on an extended road trip. For that, I recommend reading our article dedicated to the Oregon Coast.
