Unforgettable Things To Do in Portland, Oregon
I moved back to Portland, Oregon after living in Charleston, SC and St Pete, FL the past four years. Moving back has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s not only one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever live, but there are so many things to do in Portland. The nature is everywhere with one of the largest urban forests in the United States, waterfalls and hiking paths just a short drive away, great places to kayak and spend time on the water. Yes, there is a rainy season, but Portland has incredible restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and theaters to distract you. Here are my favorite things to do in Portland, Oregon.
Unforgettable Things To Do in Portland, Oregon
1. Chase Waterfalls 
Eagle Creek Trail, Oregon
There are so many waterfalls in the Portland area to choose from. Some of my favorites are Lewis Falls (pictured), Ramona Falls, Fairy Falls and the many that you will see along the Eagle Creek trail in the Columbia Gorge. And of course, you can’t go wrong by hiking Silver Falls State Park with its 10 waterfalls. And if you’re just visiting Portland, don’t leave without heading to the famous Multnomah Falls. If you want to escape the crowds, visit Elowah Falls. Check to see if you need a permit before visiting, and enjoy the beauty that you will see.
Horsetail and Ponytail Falls, Oregon
Horsetail and Ponytail Falls, Oregon
2. See A Sunset
View of Mt Hood from Rocky Butte at sunset
There are plenty of incredible places in Portland to watch sunset from. Some of my favorites are Rocky Butte, Mt. Tabor (on the west slope over the reservoir), the Skidmore Bluffs, Powell Butte, Council Crest, and Vista House in the Columbia Gorge. Make sure to bring a jacket. Even in summer, things can get chilly once the sun goes down.
3. Go Skinny Dipping
There are two nude beaches in the Portland, Oregon area if you happen to be visiting in summer. One is Rooster Rock in the Columbia Gorge, and the other is the mile long Collins Beach on Sauvie Island. Both areas are open from 7am-10pm. Once the temperatures drop, you can also get naked at many of the area’s hot springs such as Bagby Hot Springs. Portland also has a few clothing optional places you can soak in the hot tubs at such as Everett House and Common Grounds.
If being naked is your thing, make sure to visit Portland during the Naked Bike Ride that happens every summer.
4. See a Movie at the 99W Drive-in Theatre
Now you have to drive to Newberg to get to this Drive-in movie theater. But there are so few drive-ins left, it’s definitely a worthwhile trip to make. It’s $10 for adults or $5 each for kids. Sound is delivered by FM radio, so make sure you have one. When I was a kid, we used to go to a drive-in. We’d go in our pajamas and take our cat (which got in free!). It’s a great memory maker!
5. Visit A Local Park
Portland has so many beautiful parks if you’re looking for free things to do in Portland. A few of my favorites are Cathedral Park with its view of the gothic St Johns Bridge and the river. You can also walk across the bridge for a view from above. A few other favorites are Laurelhurst Park, Mt. Tabor, Peninsula Park or The International Rose Test Garden when the roses are in bloom, and Rocky Butte. And, of course, you can’t forget Forest Park (close to downtown Portland) with its many miles of hiking trails.
6. Visit the Farmer’s Market
Portland has many choices for farmers markets in the spring and summer (close to 40 to be exact). The most popular one is the one on Saturdays downtown at PSU. It’s also the most expensive one. I really enjoy the Hollywood farmers market, the Montavilla one, the King farmers market, and the one at Rocky Butte.
7. Sip Tea
Fly Awake tea
Everyone knows about the coffee scene in Portland, but for one of the truly unforgettable things to do in Portland, check out the tea scene. Portland has some truly incredible tea places. My favorite event to attend in Portland is the Speakteasy at 7pm on Friday nights at Enthea tea. A topic is chosen for the community to ponder and talk about and a $10-$20 sliding scale covers tea all night. Enthea only serves handmade farm direct tea, and the teas are truly special. I also love sitting in the bamboo garden to sip tea in the summer.
Fly Awake is my other favorite tea house. They are tucked in an alley next to SheBop. I adore the poetry of their tea descriptions, and I also love that they constantly pour your tea for you while you are there. I also love their snacks such as samosas and puffed lotus seeds. If they aren’t busy, you can also get a tarot reading while there.
A couple of my other favorite tea shops in Portland are Bardo tea and the Tao of Tea.
Enthea tea
8. Go Thrifting
Portland has incredible thrift stores, and it’s a hobby of mine to browse through them to see what unusual treasures I can find. Some of my favorites are Take It or Leave It, Urbanite, Buffalo Exchange, and Rerun. Save some money after and eat at one of the affordable places I recommend in my article, Cheap eats in Portland. My favorite day is some time at Take It or Leave it, Sureshot Burger across the street, and then Pronto Gelato back across the street!
9. Experience An Ethnic Market
Portland has so many ethnic markets! Branch outside your comfort zone, and make something different for dinner. Barbur World Foods is Middle Eastern focused with foods that also span many other countries. The number of Asian stores in Portland is countless with Hong Phat in Montavilla being my favorite. Lily Market is great if you’re looking for Asian groceries. Mama Pauline’s has the biggest variety of African and Caribbean groceries. We also have many Eastern European and Russian markets. La Tapatia in Gresham has incredible homemade tortillas and other Mexican specialties. Whatever ingredients you’re looking for, you can probably find them in Portland.
10. Go Wine Or Beer Tasting
If you’re a beer lover looking for things to do in Portland, you’re in luck. Portland has over 80 breweries and many call it the craft beer capital of the world. Along with beer festivals and events throughout the year, you can visit all different types of unique breweries. February is craft beer month, or visit in June for nicer weather and Portland’s 10-day Portland beer week. Autumn is fresh hop season, and many beermakers make limited-edition beers that are fun to taste.
The best place to head for wineries is Newberg, and it’s a great area not just to taste wine, but also to picnic, watch live entertainment, or walk on the trails that some wineries have. There are hundreds of wineries within an hour of downtown Portland, but if you don’t feel like leaving Portland, there are a few urban wineries and plenty of wine bars you can visit right in town.
Your Favorite Things To Do In Portland
