Things To Do In Portland, Oregon

EXPLORE PORTLAND

Portland is famous for its ubiquitous rainy days, and there are certainly plenty of cozy bookstores and coffee shops where you can curl up with an artisan latte and a good book and ride out the weather. But hidden inside the city’s quirky bookworm shell is a social butterfly secret — in and around the energetic downtown core are myriad award-winning eateries, brewpubs and distilleries, cafes and shops. And all those rainy days mean spectacularly floral and verdant springs and summers, so the urban hiking in Portland is unparalleled. Follow our guide below on things to do around Portland, Oregon — we can’t guarantee you’ll have time to catch up on your reading.

As you plan future trips, please double check with the featured businesses’ websites as, given safety measures in place and state regulations, hours and operations may be affected.

EAT

TAKE-OUT/DELIVERY

Azar Indulgences
Address: 712 SW Salmon St. Portland, OR 97205

Get your chocolate fix from Azar Indulgences, located conveniently in the downstairs lobby. They also offer coffee & breakfast which can be delivered straight to your room so you can stay cozy in your robe & slippers. View their menu and place your order here.

Southpark Seafood
Address: 901 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR 97205

A chic Northwest eatery featuring sustainable seafood and farm-fresh ingredients that’s available for lunch and dinner delivered directly to your room. View their menu and place your order here.

Cheryl’s on 12th
Address: 1135 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Cheryl’s on 12th is a New American restaurant cafe with beautiful floor to ceiling windows, quaint charm and delicious cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with delivery available straight to your room. View their menu and place your order here.

RESTAURANTS

Departure
Address: 1135 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Floating above the iconic Meier & Frank Building, Departure’s creative menu is a modern culinary exploration of Asia brought to life through clever remixes of land and sea.

Higgins
Address: 1239 SW Broadway Portland, OR 97205

This landmark restaurant boasts expert wine and spirits offerings, a world-class beer program, and showcasing of the Pacific Northwest bounty.

Paley’s Place
Address: 1204 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Chef Vitaly Paley’s first restaurant, opened in 1995 in a converted house in the Nob Hill neighborhood, Paley’s Place Bistro & Bar celebrates the heritage cuisines of France and Russia, as well as the seasonal and sustainable ingredients of the Pacific Northwest. With Chef Paley at the helm, known for his impeccable mastery of flavors and culinary techniques, even simple dishes like charcuterie boards are elevated to heavenly heights and have extreme foodie followings.

Kachka
Address: 960 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

In Southeast Portland, Kachka is serving not only what is considered by many to be the best Russian food in the city, but in the country. With a beautifully cozy interior and wonderfully kind and informative waitstaff, if Kachka is your introduction to Russian cuisine, you won’t be led astray, and it might become your new favorite. Kachka has an extensive menu of small and sharing plates, cocktails and vodkas, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Kachinka
Address: 720 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

The James Beard Award-winning chef of Kachka, Bonnie Morales, opened Kachinka so guests could have a late-night, homey place nearby to inexpensively drink cocktails and enjoy her incredible Russian dumplings. It certainly offers that, but there are plenty of drinking snacks to choose from, like pumpernickel hot dogs or a Russian-inspired poutine. These might be the most satisfying bar snacks you’ve ever tasted.

Le Pigeon
Address:  738 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214

Le Pigeon is a beloved Portland fine-dining favorite, first opened in 2006 by James Beard Award-winner Gabriel Rucker. Serving cheerful French dishes in a tiny space, Le Pigeon is still at the top of most critics’ best restaurants lists. Try their five- or seven-course tasting menus, and if you’re lucky, sit at the chef’s counter and watch the magic happen.

OX
Address: 2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97212

Led by James Beard Award-winning duo, Chefs Greg and Gabrielle Denton, OX brings exciting and carefully crafted Argentinian wood-fired grilling traditions to Portland, while showcasing local and seasonal ingredients. The menu may be upscale and scrupulously presented, but Ox is full of friendly, welcoming energy, and you’ll find yourself feeling at home — and immediately uplifted.

10 Barrel
Address: 1411 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97209

A favorite Portland brewery located in the Pearl District, 10 Barrel is known for pizzas, indulgent brewpub eats and a huge selection of locally brewed beers. Check out the huge rooftop patio to catch some summer sun while you sample the ten-beer flight, or catch the Blazers game inside.

Blue Star Donuts
Address: 3325 SE Division St., Suite 1, Portland, OR 97202

Blue Star is a gourmet donut shop that makes incredible yeasted and cake donuts from scratch, using fresh fruits, herbs and spices, and even liqueurs. You must try the Cointreau Crème Brûlée donut, a signature brioche shell filled with fresh custard, hand torched for that bruléed sugar crust that we all adore so much — with a pipette of Cointreau inserted into the top. Give it a squeeze to make it extra special!

Greenleaf Juicing Co.
Address: 617 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205

With two pounds of fruits and veggies going into a glass of juice, sipping on one of Greenleaf’s concoctions will likely make you feel like you’ve been behaving and eating healthy for a week. In addition to creative and fresh juice blends, Greenleaf serves delicious smoothies, breakfast bowls, salads and steamed soups.

Pine Street Market
Address: 126 SW 2ne Avenue, Portland, OR, 97204

The market, opened in 2016, features nine of Portland’s best chefs and purveyors, in a casual, open layout.

DRINK

BARS

The Bible Club
6716 SE 16th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

If you’re looking for the surreptitious-speakeasy vibe, hop across the river to the Westmoreland neighborhood. The Bible Club, with its cheeky, contradictory name, is full of charming, pre-Prohibition-era décor and music, transporting you to a time of secret passwords and glamorous gatherings. The cocktails, however, are decidedly modern, imaginative and tasty.

Pepe Le Moko
Address: 407 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Underneath the famous Clyde Common restaurant, you’ll find the tiny (only 42 seats) speakeasy helmed by acclaimed barman Jeffery Morgenthaler, Pepe Le Moko. The tunnel-like design feels like a cross between a subway car and a cozy diner, but it’s Jeffery’s cocktails that are the true star of this spot. Try his version of the Long Island Iced Tea, made with top-shelf liquors and Cointreau.

Multnomah Whiskey Library
Address: 1124 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205

Situated in the heart of downtown, Multnomah Whiskey Library has a head-spinning inventory of spirits, with rare bottles that would make Raymond Chandler’s knees weak. Sit and sip from a Lagavulin neat or a cocktail, and watch as the expert bartenders slide along the floor-to-ceiling shelves on ladders, plucking up glinting bottles like treasure.

Loyal Legion
Address: 710 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Loyal Legion, in Southeast Portland, is certainly loyal to the breweries of our wide-ranging home state. With 99 Oregon-brewed beers on tap, visitors and locals alike can taste all the flavor variations, brewing styles and hop varieties that the generous and diverse region has to offer.

WINE & LIQUOR STORES

Park Avenue Wines
Address: 626 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR

A lovely wine shop located downtown, Park Avenue Wines has a curated selection of locally and internationally sourced bottles to take home, as well as an in-store bar for tastings and wines by the glass. In partnership with Spätzle & Speck, they also offer a fantastic full menu. Have no fears about snobby sommeliers here — you’ll only find kind, helpful wine lovers who only want to pair you with flavors you’ll love.

DISTILLERIES

Westward Whiskey
Address: 65 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214

Just across the river in what’s known as Distillery Row, where a veritable treasure trove of local distilleries set up shop in Inner Southeast Portland, you’ll find Westward Whiskey. Started over 15 years ago on the foundations of minimalism and the pursuit of perfection, Westward now distills single-malt whiskey, aquavit, vodka and other spirits. Distillery tours, classes and tastings are available — check the schedule online.

COFFEE SHOPS

Case Study Coffee Roasters
Address: 802 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

If you’re looking for the perfect place to hunker down with your laptop so you can finally get some chapters done on your novel, look no further than Case Study Coffee Roasters. With enormous picture windows that bring a bright and inviting light to the tables inside, and warm wooden paneling that makes it feel a bit like a library, you’ll feel relaxed and ready to write. Case Study roasts their own beans in small batches, and it’s a smooth and balanced brew.

Deadstock Coffee
Address: 408 NW Couch St Suite 408, Portland, OR 97209

Part coffee shop, part shoe gallery, Deadstock Coffee is a stylish haven where sneaker heads and coffee enthusiasts converge. Like the latte you’re sipping (with the sneaker stenciled on the foam)? Buy some freshly roasted Deadstock beans to take home. And thanks to the fact that Nike and Adidas HQs are in Portland’s own backyard, you can look at some pretty sweet (and sometimes rare) kicks.

Heathman Hotel around town portland sign

DO

OUTDOORS

Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

Easily accessible to downtown, Tom McCall Waterfront Park runs adjacent to the Willamette River and is often bustling with joggers, cyclists, picnickers, and others who want to enjoy the fresh air and the water. You definitely do not want to miss it in the spring, when the park’s numerous cherry trees absolutely explode with blossoms — it’s a sight to behold.

Hoyt Arboretum
Address: 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221

With twelve miles of both relaxing and challenging hiking trails winding through 189 acres, Washington Park’s Hoyt Arboretum provides access to a globally diverse landscape, from stands of stately redwoods to groves of flowering dogwoods and cherries, exhibiting many rare and threatened species along the way.

International Rose Test Garden
Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Located in Washington Park, the International Rose Test Garden is home to over 10,000 rose bushes of approximately 650 varieties. Visit between April and October to see the blooms, with the peak happening around June. Take a peaceful and fragrant stroll through the rows and forget your cares, enjoy the unbeatable skyline view, or snap some amazing floral selfies.

Forest Park
At 5,200 acres, Forest Park is the largest urban park in the country, and is a gorgeous, forested oasis alongside the city. Forest Park’s extensive system of trails, fire lanes and gravel roads provide excellent accessible opportunities for hiking, walking, running, and simply escaping the urban atmosphere. You’ll be amazed at the lush canopy of deep forest and ferns, wildlife and birdsong, just minutes from downtown.

Mount Tabor Park
Mount Tabor is a volcanic cinder cone in Southeast Portland (don’t worry, unlike its brethren in the nearby Cascade range, it’s long extinct), and there is a beloved 191-acre public park built atop it — offering fresh air and respite from the city, only steps away from urban comforts. At 636 feet high, the summit of Mount Tabor provides breathtaking views of Portland, especially on a clear summer day, and you can reach it by one of three official trails, winding through heavily forested paths, up steep stairs and along the scenic reservoir, or meandering around while enjoying the mountain views. Bikes are allowed on paved roads and marked trails, and dogs are allowed off-leash in the fenced dog park.

Washington Park
Address: 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221

Washington Park is an urban park that includes the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Children’s Museum, Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, amphitheater, memorials, archery range, tennis courts, soccer field, picnic areas, playgrounds, public art and many acres of tranquil wild forest with miles of trails for hiking. It’s easily accessible via either car or Max from downtown.

Activities

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Address: 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205

Known locally as “The Schnitz,” Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is on the same block as the Heathman Hotel, and is a Portland institution. Built as a vaudeville venue in 1928, the historic theater now hosts big-name concerts, lectures, plays, symphonies and dance performances. It holds nearly 2,776 seats in its two levels, and the scrolled, green “Portland” marquis is a favorite photo-op for visitors.

Oregon Museum of Science & Industry
Address: 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Stationed along the eastern banks of the Willamette River, OMSI (as locals call it) is a sprawling museum with five vast halls full of over 200 interactive exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages. Attend a Maker Workshop and learn how to make your own cider or sauerkraut, as well as the science behind the craft, or attend an OMSI After Dark event, and talk science while you nosh on gourmet snacks and adult beverages and enjoy the sparkling riverfront views.

Portland Art Museum
Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Housed in a collection of modernist-style buildings along downtown Portland’s South Park Blocks, Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest. Among a rotating collection of progressively minded and forward-thinking exhibitions, it boasts a permanent collection of more than 42,000 objects, including a preeminent Pacific Northwest Native American art exhibit, and prominent works by Warhol, Renoir, Monet and Kehinde Wiley.

Next Adventure
Address: 426 SE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97214

Next Adventure is a locally owned and operated outdoor supply store that sells or rents absolutely everything you could ever need for your river, mountain, beach or desert adventure, whether you’re camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, climbing or exploring the outdoors in any imaginable way — they’ve got the gear to outfit you. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about both sports and local conditions, and can answer any questions you may have about venturing out to Mt. Hood for a day of snowboarding or to Pacific City for Oregon-style surfing. Head downstairs to check out the Bargain Basement, a vast selection of lightly used name-brand clothing and equipment at — you guessed it — bargain prices.

Cycle Portland
Address: 117 NW 2nd Ave., Portland, OR 97204

A full-service bike shop that also offers rentals, repairs, and awesome themed tours of the city, Cycle Portland is a must if you’re inclined to push the pedals in PDX. Show up hungry and take the Foodie Field Trip tour, which spans 7-8 miles and hits a number of local hotspots, or rent a set of wheels and set out on your own path — they have everything from easy-going e-bikes to uber-hip single speeds.

BurnCycle
Address: 910 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

BurnCycle is a local fitness favorite — a signature 45-minute indoor cycling workout that incorporates drills to target your entire body. They’re all about community and positivity, so show up for this low-impact, high-intensity workout with a smile on your face, and you’ll be met with endless words of encouragement, and you’ll leave feeling like a million bucks — body and soul.

Mission Theater
Address: 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209

Tucked in among some of Portland’s best restaurants and boutique shopping in the Nob Hill neighborhood is the Mission Theater, a spacious single-screen cinema with a wraparound balcony and comfortable seating. Once an evangelical mission, this McMenamins property boasts a full bar downstairs, first-run showings, and enormous slices of gourmet pizza. In addition to the opportunity to see a popular new movie in a historic space, the Mission features live and interactive events such as Drag Queen Bingo.

Shops

Powell’s City of Books
Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209

Powell’s needs no introduction; an entire city block of books — three stories, nine rooms, 68,000 square feet — getting lost in the pages takes on a whole new meaning at Portland’s most famous and fervently adored bookstore. Start at the Southeast corner and see if you can make it through Fiction without stopping for lunch. Make sure you stop by the Rare Book Room upstairs, home to some 9,000 fascinating antique volumes.

Everyday Music
Address: 1313 W. Burnside, Portland, OR 97209

Used record store Everyday Music was started 35 years ago, in the heyday of Portland’s Grunge scene. As you wander the aisles, you might be able to picture legendary Portland rockers like Elliott Smith or Carrie Brownstein rifling through the CDs for the find of a lifetime, looking for inspiration for what would become some of our favorite songs. Since they only buy and sell used music and movies, Everyday Music is all about the search — the treasure hunt. Just like a library, give yourself some time to scour the stacks, and enjoy the hunt.

Frances May
Address: 1136 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205

Frances May is an Indigenous woman-owned boutique that features independent designers, with a focus on local Portland BIPoC creative voices. You can find timeless, well-crafted men’s, women’s and kids’ clothing pieces that you (or your family) will wear for many years to come, as well as divinely scented bath and body products and smart and stylish housewares. The shop is always cleverly curated and the stock is updated often, but the helpful staff is their greatest asset — knowledgeable about each and every designer and with a keen eye for style, they can assist you in selecting the perfect piece or pieces to elevate your wardrobe.

Bridge & Burn
Address: 1029 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97205

Bridge & Burn’s clothing is inspired by Portland and the Pacific Northwest, with deep, earthy colors you might find on a hike through the Columbia River Gorge. The appealing, utilitarian designs are well made in small runs, and the flagship downtown Portland store offers a selection of local brands of the same stripe, such as Pendleton Woolen Mills and Kiriko.

Jacobson Salt Co.
Address: 602 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214

Artisan salt can elevate your food to a next-level flavor experience, the subtle bite and mineral differences are similar to those in wine. Explore all the varieties of this extraordinary seasoning at Jacobsen Salt Co. They harvest and process their salt in Netarts Bay, and their Southeast Portland tasting room is also a production warehouse doubles as their company’s production warehouse. You can taste and shop for salts, single-origin honey, spice blends, and incredible salted caramels.

Steven Smith Teamaker
Address: 110 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214

If you’ve tried Steven Smith Teamaker teas at Provenance Hotels and loved the uniquely marvelous blends like Meadow and Portland Breakfast, you definitely need to visit the Smith Headquarters Southeast Portland Tasting Room. Take a factory tour, where you’ll learn all about sourcing, blending and producing their divine-smelling teas and tisanes, then take your newfound tea knowledge and enjoy a tea flight or a fancy tea mocktail.

Tender Loving Empire
Address: 412 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

A local record label that’s also a turned local handmade goods shop — how very Portland! We dare you to walk into the boutique without uttering the word “cute” at least once; full of handmade jewelry, baby items and stuffies adorned with cheerful faces, intricately illustrated prints, apparel, candles and other housewares — we also dare you to leave without buying anything..

Wildfang
Address: 404 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

WILDFANG is a whole mood. A female-founded, women-run clothing and lifestyle shop, WILDFANG makes undeniably stylish clothes for gender-non-conforming womxn and tomboys. The Portland flagship store has a wall where you can carve your name and permanently make your mark, like the boss that you are!

MAAK Lab
Address: 916 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209

MAAK Lab is hard to describe — apothecary, workshop, fragrance developer — all we know is that their signature soaps smell AMAZING. We like waking up and showering with the Coffee Bar, which is actually made with coffee and espresso beans.

Health & Safety

If you are having a medical emergency, please dial 911 immediately.

RiteAid Pharmacy
Address: 622 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205

A full service pharmacy and convenience store.

ZOOM+Care
Address: 202 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Make an appointment online or walk-in.