Location: Portland
Top Things to do in Portland
Top 10 Free Things to do in Portland, Oregon (OR)
You’ll wonder why you don’t live in Portland after you’ve visited this laid-back and friendly city. With a reputation for manicured parks, eclectic nightlife, fine micro-breweries and distilleries, and nature that cuts right into the city, Portland’s a Pacific Northwest must-visit. Don’t miss the famous Japanese Garden, one of the largest and most beautiful of its kind outside of Japan.
Restaurants in Portland
1. Portland Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 70 reviews
Portland Farmers Market on Portland State University's campus is open year-round! Operating hours are 8:30 am (Mar-Oct) or 9:00 am (Nov-Feb) to 2:00 pm. There is ample street parking, and several parking lots on PSU's campus for easy parking. Multiple bus lines, the Portland Street Car and MAX all run near the market, so we recommend taking public transportation when possible. Bike parking, provided by PSU, is also available.
Reviewed By wanderlusters2 - Portland, United States
i love this farmers market because they have everything here. i always get the organic produce here because they are so fresh i can taste the difference. sometimes I get the mint leaves here too when they have them. i wish i could find more herbs here, like thyme and chives and tarragon, etc. we also like getting the fresh bread here too, very tasty.
2. Northwest (Nob Hill)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
A grocer from San Francisco opened a store on NW 23rd over a hundred years ago and named it after the uppercrust S.F. neighborhood.
Reviewed By Ginx60
Plenty of nice little boutiques. The southern end of 23rd avenue has big name shops but the northern and has the boutiques. From clothes to shoes to books to paraphernalia. Interspersed with the boutiques are plenty of dining and drinking options. A nice way to spend a few hours with people you care about.
3. Sellwood
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Neighborhood with a pleasant, small shopping area with dozens of antique shops.
4. Washington Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,532 reviews
This popular park offers miles of trails, an extensive rose garden, a large Japanese garden and a zoo. For information on free shuttles, attraction admission hours and pricing within the park, and maps, visit our website.
Reviewed By PaulPapich - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
My wife and I live immediately adjacent to Washington Park in Southwest Portland. In fact, being close to the Park was one of the major reasons we selected the property we bought. We visit it every week without fail. To start with, Washington Park is immense and gorgeous! It is home to the International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Holocaust Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, the city's zoo, arboretum and forestry museum, archery range, tennis courts, walking trails, and much, much more. It would be a world-class destination if it only had the Rose and Japanese Gardens, which are extraordinarily beautiful. But perhaps the greatest draw for me personally are the trees - my ancient, stately friends, covering the hilly terrain, providing shade to walkers like me, and peace to anyone seeking a haven in today's chaotic world.
5. International Rose Test Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,561 reviews
The oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States boasts more than 8,000 roses.
Reviewed By PaulPapich - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
If you are ever in Portland during its glorious summer months, you absolutely owe it to yourself to visit the International Rose Test Garden. It is one of Portland's true gems. Imagine tens of thousands of perfect roses in full bloom, dozens of rose varieties, colors of every hue! Now imagine lovely walks among the rows and rows of roses, the perfume in the air, the tranquil atmosphere, the stately conifers that enclose the Test Garden on three sides, the view of downtown on the fourth, and the happy people taking photographs and stooping to smell the flowers. There you have the Rose Garden!
6. Travel Portland Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
At the Travel Portland Visitor Center you'll find brochures, maps and expert advice for your stay in the greater Portland region - all in the heart of downtown at Director Park. Within easy walking distance of downtown hotels and served by MAX light rail, the square also houses TriMet, where you can buy transit tickets. HOURS: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Sunday (May-October only) 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
7. Portland Saturday Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,089 reviews
Operating since 1974 the Portland Saturday Market is the largest continually operating outdoor arts and crafts market in the nation. Located in Waterfront Park and Ankeny Plaza in Portland’s historic Old Town the Market is one of the most popular shopping destinations for local handcrafted goods. The Market offers a unique opportunity for customers to meet the artist as well as see one of a kind pieces created in the artist’s booth. Over 250 small businesses and individuals artists from across the NW region gather each week for the Saturday/Sunday event with live music and a plethora of exotic foods that will satisfy everyone’s appetite.
Reviewed By L3739IAfrant
The Saturday market is always a must when we visit esp for local artisans and food. The waterfront scenery is beautiful and other parts of the city can be strolled. Great way to start a weekend.
8. Hoyt Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
A popular destination for nature lovers, this arboretum contains many different species of trees.
Reviewed By aprkniess - Beaverton, United States
The Hoyt Arboretum park is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. We hiked about 4 miles today following the Wildwood Trail and several smaller trails from the rose garden to the Hoyt Arboretum visitor center and back. The trail was not difficult but following the exact loop was sometimes not clear with the map we had. You could easily spend all day roaming and exploring. There are memorials and old douglas fir trees, etc all through the park. It's so close to downtown Portland, yet you feel as if you're in the country.
9. Mount Tabor Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
A forested mountain peak lying just outside the city of Portland: great for hiking.
Reviewed By carmenlK5654FY - Houston, United States
This is a great hiking/walking park. So many trails and choices to walk. Due to the Coronavirus, these hiking trails were not so crowded. Great walk here. Check out the dead Volcano.
10. Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
A beautiful, thickly wooded park lined with over 14 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Reviewed By suzannep247 - Seattle, United States
What a treat! We explored this urban state park for the first time on a sunny October Sunday and had a blast. Dense forest with well-maintained trails signed at every junction. Paved, accessible Trillium trail begins at visitor center, as does packed-earth MainTrail and others that form 2-mile and 4-mile loops. Fantastic array of mushrooms and several wooden bridges crossing the namesake creek. Stumps and other fun kid scramble zones. One suspension bridge is closed for repairs; it is so marked. Enough parking. No fee. Visitor center closed due to Covid, and no paper trail maps were available; I recommend downloading one online for your phone. Horses allowed on some of the trails; leashed dogs on all. Most users wore masks. We were rarely alone - it’s a popular park - but still found serenity.
