A Local’s Guide to the Top 16 Things to Do in Portland Oregon

It’s no longer a secret that Portland, Oregon is a cool place to live and to visit. In this post, we share the top things to see and do that we recommend to our friends and family who visit Portland.

Portland has many other attractions, of course, but these are our personal favorites that we would prioritize.

Jedd and I first met in Portland back in 2007, and the city has experienced a major boom since those days. In fact, it’s become such a popular tourist destination that some places touted as “local Portland landmarks” are now frequented almost entirely by out-of-town visitors.

Since becoming nomadic, we still return to Portland often. The fact that I was born there is additional street cred (especially considering that many of the people you meet in Portland now are transplants from California).

Although it’s changed a lot, we still have our favorite spots, and we love to help people discover the classic parts of Portland that we first came to love.

In this post, we’ll cover:

– Top 16 things to see and do in Portland from a local’s perspective
– Our favorite Portland restaurants
– Awesome day trips from Portland
– The best time of year to visit Oregon
– Where to stay in Portland (plus an Airbnb discount) 

* Access our free Portland packing checklist here *

Photo credits: In addition to our own images, many of the pictures in this post were taken by our brother, Joel Chang.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that we only recommend places we truly love.

1. Powell’s Books: Famous Portland Landmark

Out of all the things to do in Portland, Powell’s City of Books is probably on every single top ten list. It’s one of the few “mainstream” attractions in downtown that we’d recommend 100% to any visitor because it’s truly unique to Portland.

If you’re not familiar, Powell’s is one of a few brick-and-mortar book stores still thriving in the age of Amazon. It takes up a full city block with multiple levels – about 1.6 acres of retail space! Even if you don’t make a purchase, a visit to Powell’s Books is an experience in itself. Just wander around!

Powell’s now has a few satellite locations, but as a visitor, the main location downtown in the Pearl district is the one you want to see. Check it out at 1005 W Burnside St (on the corner of 10th Avenue and West Burnside). Enjoy a free guided tour on Sundays at 10 a.m. or 4 p.m.

2. Best Portland Neighborhoods (Sellwood!)

Personally, we prefer Portland neighborhoods over the downtown area. If you’re a city person, there are plenty of things going on in the city center that you’d probably love. But it’s almost a different world downtown, and we always recommend that visitors prioritize some time to explore at least one of Portland’s cozy, quirky neighborhoods.

Our all-time favorite neighborhood in Portland is Sellwood-Westmoreland, located down south along the Willamette River. It has its own small town feel that’s a bit different than other communities in the city. In fact, Sellwood is a bit off the beaten path. As amazing as it is, most visitors only see the more “famous” neighborhoods (more on those below).

We love the wide streets lined with trees and sidewalks, beautiful parks, small shops, and family-friendly feel in Sellwood. It’s also home to our favorite restaurant in Portland, Jade Bistro and Patisserie, which serves up delightful Southeast Asia fusion dishes in a bright, casual atmosphere.

Also check out Tea Chai Te – a cafe built out of an old train car! If you’re into biking, running, or walking, be sure to check out the extensive Springwater Corridor multi-use trail which loops through Sellwood and continues up the river.

As far as other Portland neighborhoods go, you can take your pick from NW 23rd Street, The Pearl District, Belmont Street, Alberta Arts District, Mississippi Avenue, and Hawthorne Boulevard. Each one has a trendy commercial district with interesting shops, cafes, and its own variation of that artsy/quirky/green Portland vibe.

Northwest 23rd and The Pearl are both districts in Northwest Portland. They’re essentially downtown, and they tend to have higher-end shops.

The other neighborhoods are all East of the Willamette River. Belmont, Alberta, Mississippi, and Hawthorne are street names where thriving, local businesses are the centerpoint, surrounded by charming residential communities.

You can’t really go wrong to pick one or two, walk the streets, window shop, and enjoy a meal.

3. International Rose Test Garden and Hoyt Arboretum

See more #JumpingJedd pics around the world here

A huge part of Portland’s appeal is the natural beauty, which is why we chose our next two recommendations. The International Rose Test Garden and Hoyt Arboretum are neighboring parks just above downtown that are free to the public.

You can enjoy both back to back or choose one that appeals most to you. (The Portland Japanese Garden is also next door, which is also highly recommended, though there is an admission fee.)

The Rose Garden is quite extensive. The roses usually bloom from April through October, which is really the best time to visit Portland anyway, as we’ll discuss below. Portland is known as the “City of Roses” so this attraction is an iconic part of the city.

Parking near these parks can get busy in peak seasons, but it’s also accessible via the Washington Park Shuttle from the MAX light rail’s Washington Park station. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the gardens or hike around both parks for exercise.

4. Council Crest Scenic Portland Viewpoint

One of our favorite views overlooks the whole city of Portland from Council Crest hill, above downtown. It’s one of the highest points in city limits.

You can get to Council Crest by car or hike up via an urban trail system. On a clear day, you’ll see wonderful views of the area’s snow-capped mountains.

This is one of those spots that locals know and love, but it’s less common on the tourist track. It can be a nice place for a picnic, the end of a rewarding urban hike, or just a quick drive-in-and-out stop.

5. OMSI: Oregon Museums of Science and Industry

OMSI is a long-time favorite Portland attraction for locals. I grew up visiting this hands-on science museum as a child, and I still enjoy the experience as an adult.

There are a number of permanent interactive exhibits like brain-teaser puzzles, the human body, earthquakes, and fun physics experiments. The museum also features rotating temporary exhibits and IMAX movies. It’s a great place to bring the family for a rainy afternoon.

Bonus if you’re in Portland on the first Sunday of the month: OMSI admission is only $2!

6. Salt & Straw Ice Cream Shop

Everyone thinks Voodoo Donuts is iconic Portland. Yes, they have weird donut shapes and flavors, but guess what? Those long lines out the door are 90% tourists. Locals are over it and have found other favorite donut shops, namely Pips and Blue Star.

Portland’s true sweet sensation is Salt & Straw ice cream. Granted, you still have to stand in line. And yes, they have locations outside of Portland as well. But even locals think it’s worth the wait.

What makes Salt & Straw special is their hand-made, local flavors. Combinations like pear and blue cheese, strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper, and sea salt caramel are not only unusual, many are quintessentially Northwest. You can find all 4 scoop shop locations here.

Classic Portland Experiences

Our remaining Portland recommendations are not necessarily specific points but rather broader categories of popular activities for Portland. Visitors and locals alike love these, so I’d rank them about the top non-touristy things to do in Portland, Oregon.

7. Portland Food Carts

Food carts are ubiquitous in Portland. New “pods,” or groupings of food trucks, have continued to pop up in nearly every neighborhood across the city.

The most well-known food cart pods began in downtown, where inner-city workers order lunch. You can find nearly every type of ethnic food, from taco trucks to Thai to fancy hand-made Italian pasta carts.

Not every food cart has amazing food, but you can easily sample dishes from multiple places at once. Many of the food cart pods outside of downtown will also have a common area for tables and sometimes a bar. There’s a map of the various locations on the Portland Food Carts website.

For one of the top quality food carts in town, visit Artigiano on SE Division Street (open weekend nights May through October). This outdoor osteria serves authentic, handmade Italian dishes inspired by the chef’s annual research trips to Italy.

Jedd’s oldest brother helps out the chef, Rachael. We recommend ordering the chef’s choice menu and eating family style.

8. Visit Portland Breweries

Craft beers, and the breweries that produce them, are also ubiquitous in Portland. Several dozen craft breweries originated in Portland, with Widmer Brothers being one of the big-name originals.

True to the Portland spirit, Hair of the Dog Brewery prides itself on originality. Their tasting room on SE Yamhill features uniquely-named beers on tap, served alongside pub food with a local twist.

The traditional English-style Horse Brass Pub, an establishment that pre-dates Portland’s micro-brew explosion, is located on SE Belmont. They keep 59 beers on tap and serve them up in proper Imperial pints.

The Portland Cider Company Cider House on SE Hawthorne serves up a couple dozen ciders on tap, all produced in the Northwest. For fresh, local ciders, there’s no better place.

Check out this brewery guide to do some beer tastings or indulge in a hearty meal alongside a refreshing pint.

9. Portland Farmers Markets and Street Fairs

The local flavor of Portland is incredibly vibrant in the various markets across the city. Markets are a great way to experience not only the products and produce of the region but also the people.

The Farmer’s Market every Saturday at PSU has the ultimate Portland vibe and is great for people watching. The Saturday Market is a large, outdoor arts and crafts market located under the Burnside Bridge. These two are the most well known markets. Both are accessible via public transit and close during the winter months.

Olympia Provisions has a booth at the market in addition to their two restaurant locations in Portland. Their specialty is handmade, traditionally cured meats.

In addition to fresh produce and locally-made products, the Portland Farmer’s Market is also a great place to grab a meal, like this farm-to-fork breakfast dish by Verde Cocina.

Most neighborhoods also have their own smaller farmer’s markets during the week. And annual street fairs, featuring local artists and food vendors, are a popular activity during the summer.

10. Best Portland Food & Restaurants

Portland is no doubt a foodie town. Chain restaurants are rare in the city. Instead, you’ll find all kinds of locally owned restaurants to suit any taste or dietary restriction. Of course, everyone has their own favorites.

As we mentioned in the neighborhood section, Jade Bistro and Patisserie in Sellwood is our personal favorite, with indoor and outdoor seating. I always order the wide rice noodles, which resembles a Thai pad see ew. The truffle fries are a must try, too.

Jenny and Tammy at Swiss Hibiscus restaurant (just off of Alberta on NE 14th) not only serve up amazing Swiss-European food with Hawaiian “aloha spirit”, they’ve also become friends as well as clients of ours. 

Paprika schnitzel and goulash, both served with spätzli, followed a tasty soup, salad, and bread. Swiss cuisine is similar to German, which a hint of French and Italian, too. As far as we know, Swiss Hibiscus is the only Swiss restaurant in the area. It was #1 on Trip Advisor for a while and their fantastic dressing has been featured on Diner, Drive-ins, and Dives.

It’s hard to beat the value you get with Saburo’s super-sized nigiri and jumbo sushi rolls in the Sellwood neighborhood. The place is only open for dinner, and there is often a long line wrapped around the outside of the building of people waiting for a table. We typically put our name on the wait list as soon as we arrive, and then take a walk around Sellwood – the best neighborhood in Portland 😉 – while we wait.

Though we’re not “fast food people,” we can’t help but love the burgers, fries, and shakes at Burgerville, which focuses on local ingredients and sustainability. I’d call Burgerville an iconic eatery in the Northwest region.

Ken’s Artisan Pizza is another Portland icon. Ken Forkish makes obsessively good, Italian-style wood-fired pizza in Southeast Portland.

There are countless “best” bakeries in Portland. Try Ken’s Artisan Bakery (a sister shop to his pizza place) on Northwest 21st, Pix Patisserie on Burnside for desserts that are a work of art, and any of the Petite Provence locations for French-style pastries and delicious breakfasts.

For the best bagels in Portland, head to Bentley’s Bagels in downtown Nob’s Hill area for New York style boiled bagels.

For a Portland restaurant with quirkiness and atmosphere (but average food and service), McMenamin’s Kennedy School is super intriguing to explore. 

11. Best Coffee in Portland

Coffee is also a big part of Portland culture. Different people swear by different roasters. Popular local makers include Stumptown and Coava, but new roasters and coffee houses are popping up every year.

Coava Coffee has made a name for itself with conscientious, single-origin coffees. The spacious Brew Bar on SE Grand serves as the company’s tasting room and storefront for their roastery.

A favorite Portland coffeeshop of ours is Cathedral Coffee with cool interior and outdoor spaces to hang out in a residential neighborhood of North Portland.

* Access our free Portland packing checklist here *

Best Day Trips from Portland Oregon

Another winning attribute about Portland is that it’s perfectly poised amidst other amazing places to visit. From the city, you’re only an hour’s drive from the ocean, the mountains, the high dessert, impressive gorges, and countless waterfalls. Even Seattle is only a three hour drive (in low traffic).

If you have access to car and some time to spare while visiting Portland, we strongly encourage you to take a day trip to any of the places below.

13. Columbia River Gorge waterfall hikes

The Columbia River Gorge is one of Oregon’s most scenic drives. Take I-84 East from Portland and you’ll soon be zipping along the massive Columbia River, with Washington State just across the water. As you approach Corbett, take the slower but more scenic Old Highway through a canopy of trees and past one waterfall after another. Choose one for a hike, depending on how far you want to walk.

The crowning glory of the Columbia Gorge is Multnomah Falls, a spectacularly tall waterfall. It can be seen from the highway but it’s worth pulling over and getting a closer look. This happens to be one of the most visited attractions in the state, so expect traffic to back up.

Unfortunately some areas of the Gorge suffered from major fire damage so check beforehand for these areas, which may still be closed to the public: Benson State Recreation Area, Sheppard’s Dell State Natural Area, Angel’s Rest Trailhead, John B. Yeon Trailhead, Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, Toothrock Trailhead, Ainsworth Day Use area and Starvation Creek State Park.

14. Oregon Wine Country

The Willamette Valley is making a name for itself on the world wine stage. Just a short drive southwest from Portland, you’ll find yourself amidst beautiful rolling hills and vineyards. Small towns like McMinnville, Independence, Newberg, Dundee, and Carlton have grown to accommodate more and more wine producers, tasting rooms, and other amenities for tourists.

The region’s Pinot Noir is perhaps most popular. But Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling are also grown in the area. You can use this interactive winery map to plan your own wine tasting tour.

15. Silver Falls and Silverton, Oregon

One of Oregon’s best kept secrets in the spectacular Silver Falls State Park. Where else can you visit 10 waterfalls in one hike? Not only that, but you can actually walk behind two of the largest waterfalls. The landscape reminds us of Lord of the Rings. It’s undoubtedly one of our all-time favorite places.

Silver Falls is an hour and a half drive south of Portland. If you prefer to make it an overnight trip, you can either camp at the State Park or find accommodations in the nearby town of Silverton, where we enjoyed a stay at the beautiful Oregon Gardens Resort.

16. Salem, Oregon

Oregon’s capitol, Salem, is roughly an hour South of Portland on I-5. Since it’s the closest thing to a “homebase” for us, we do have quite a few recommendations for Salem, including more side trips.

When is the best time to visit Portland?

Summer is really the best time to visit Portland, in our opinion. The skies are blue, the land is green, temperatures are warm, and traffic lightens a bit without school in session.

While the weather is getting more unpredictable, you’re more likely to get long stretches of soggy and dreary weather from mid October through mid April. It’s manageable with a good rain coat if that’s the only time you have to visit. But daylight also gets really short in the winter months.

May and June can be hit or miss with rain. July and August are usually rain-free but can occasionally get quite hot. September is usually pretty spectacular.

How To Get Around Portland

You can get around Portland relatively easily without a vehicle if you stay within walking distance of a MAX light rail station. Buses also run regularly and are widespread across the city.

Another option would be to get a Zipcar membership (though it’s probably not worth it for a short visit if you don’t also use their network in your hometown).

Biketown bicycle rentals by Nike and scooter rentals are also available on many street corners. And of course, there’s always Uber or Lyft.

If you’re on an Oregon road trip or drive to Portland with your own car, know that parking and traffic are getting more challenging each year. Ten years ago we could drive across Portland in 20 minutes. Not so anymore!

Where to Stay in Portland

Where to stay in Portland depends on where you want to visit and whether you have a car. There are many different options for accommodations in Portland, including Airbnb rentals, chain hotels, quirky hostels, and everything in between.

I heard that Portland has the highest saturation of Airbnb hosts for any city. That’s partly thanks to the city’s lax regulations on ADU’s (Accessory Dwelling Units) and also because Airbnb has an office in Portland!

Personally, I’ve always wanted to stay at McMenamin’s Kennedy School because it’s so unique.

The McMenamin’s franchise is well known for refurbishing historic buildings into funky brew pub restaurants. Located in Northeast Portland off the beaten path, the Kennedy School is a former elementary school that now houses a restaurant, bars, movie theater, heated saltwater soaking pool, hotel rooms, and more murals than you can count.

>> Click here for photos, prices, and availability at the Kennedy School <<

The Duniway by Hilton is one of the higher end, hip and modern downtown hotels. The 4 star property is well located and very classy.

>> Click here for prices and availability at The Duniway <<

That just about covers our favorite places and top things to do in Portland, Oregon. Did we miss anything? What is your #1 recommendation in Portland? Let us know in the comments!

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