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16 Best Things to Do in Portland, Oregon

By Jen Stevenson

Whether you’ve ventured to the Rose City in search of outdoor adventure, cutting-edge culture, bohemian boutique shopping, or to dabble in the myriad epicurean delights the city for which the city is famous, Portland has it all—and it's sales tax-free, to boot (make that a Danner boot, our hometown hero since 1932). Spend a day in Washington Park, weaving your way through the International Rose Test Garden’s fragrant natives, or forest bathing with a genmaicha and manju chaser in the Portland Japanese Garden’s striking new teahouse; shop for chanterelles and filberts like a local at the bustling year-round Portland Farmers Market; don a green and gold scarf and shout yourself hoarse alongside the Timbers Army at Providence Park; get good and lost in the million-spines-strong stacks at Powell’s City of Books; and do a little craft beer and spirits sampling along the inner eastside industrial district’s well-traveled ale trail and Distillery Row. As any besotted native will tell you, this is the good (and very, very green) life. Read on for our picks for what to do in Portland.

Click the link to read our complete Portland city guide.

Forest Park Arrow

Defining the Portland skyline, Forest Park is a nearly 5,200-acre expanse of deep, dense, Pacific Northwest forest—one of the largest urban green spaces in the country. It's criss-crossed with more than 80 miles of trails and forest roads, so you can hike, bike, run, and walk tas far as you like, all without ever leaving the city limits. Although the park wasn’t officially established until 1948, the idea of preserving the space as a “forest park” was originally proposed in 1903 by landscape architects John and Frederick Olmsted—sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, co-designer of New York's Central Park . Trail markers are relatively clear as you meander through canyons, follow babbling Balch Creek, and cross major roads like NW Cornell and Burnside, but for best results, download a map or purchase a guide from the Forest Park Conservancy or at Powell’s .

Portland Japanese Garden Arrow

Dotted with vivid Japanese maples in fall, delicate pearl-pink weeping cherry trees in spring, fairytale-worthy bridges, shimmering pools teeming with koi, and traditional structures like the Kashintei Tea House, the Portland Japanese Garden feels like another, far more serene, dimension. But don’t just take it from us. Even Nobuo Matsunaga, former Japanese Ambassador, declared it “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.” Your main objective here is to spend at least an hour, preferably two, strolling the gently curved pathways and just generally blissing out. City sightseeing can be intense, so if you need a break from the downtown bustle, this is the place to have a moment of Zen—not to mention a birds'-eye view of downtown from the Pavilion garden.

Spartan Shop Arrow

You’ll want everything in Spartan Shop, a gorgeous Grand Avenue fish bowl filled with luxurious handcrafted homewares. Natural light pours through huge west-facing picture windows, and the spare surfaces hold treasures design-lovers will swoon over: oversized azure blue vases by New York ceramicist Judy Jackson, smoky black jewel vases by Danish interior designer Louise Roe, Thompson Street Studios’ handsewn abstract quilted pillows, and ethereal hand-hammered brass tea scoops from Japan. If you want first dibs on in-demand new merch, follow the shop on Instagram , where Currie Person first announces fresh shipments of Japanese tortoise shell lighters and BDB stack sculptures.

Providence Park Arrow

Home to the Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns, and Portland Vikings, this historic stadium, built in 1893, has seen a lot in its day—from cricket matches and ski jumping competitions to a hysteria-inducing 1957 Elvis concert. If you’re in town on a Timbers game day, don’t be surprised to stumble into a sea of green-and-gold scarf–wrapped residents marching resolutely toward Providence Park—team spirit runs high for Portland’s beloved Major League Soccer team. With a few exceptions, it’s hard to find a bad seat here. But for many, especially the non-soccer-savvy, the best seats are less about sight lines and more about proximity to the Timbers Army, which makes for a very good time on game day, whoever wins or loses.

Jessica Puckett

CNT Editors

Jesse Ashlock

Oregon Zoo Arrow

Home to nearly 3,000 animals—including 19 endangered species—the 64-acre Oregon Zoo is so thoroughly landscaped with native plants that it blends seamlessly into the lush Washington Park landscape surrounding it. Put on your walking shoes before you head through the front gates, because you’re going to cover some serious ground as you weave through the 23 engaging exhibits, divided into five major themed areas: the Great Northwest, Pacific Shores, Discovery Zone, Africa, and the spectacular six-acre Elephant Lands. The sleek, slippery, and ever-playful North American river otters are riveting, the Penguinarium offers some of the best bird-watching ever; the Insect Zoo will entertain bug buffs for hours, and you mustn’t miss Zawadi, Kya, and Neka, the trio of lions that rule the Predators of the Serengeti roost.

Portland Farmers Market Arrow

The pride and joy of this food-obsessed city , Portland’s seriously next-level farmers market (every Saturday, rain or shine) fills the Portland State University campus with 200 rotating vendors that sell the region’s best produce, pastured eggs, grass-fed meat, freshly baked goods, artisan cheese and charcuterie, craft chocolate, and other edible bounty. If you believe in shopping locally and sustainably and supporting small business owners, farmers, and artisan producers, it doesn’t get any closer to the source than this. Fall brings gorgeous gourds and crisp Oregon heirloom varietals from Old World Apples. Those long cold winter nights call for slow-stewed grass-fed SuDan Farm lamb and roasted root vegetables. In spring, grab bunches of tender young asparagus and thick stalks of rosy rhubarb from Winters Farms. And come summer, go nuts—bunches of little gem lettuces, ripe heirloom tomatoes, Hood River cherries, drippy, orange-fleshed Charentais melons, and Baird Family Orchard’s incomparably sweet and juicy peaches.

International Rose Test Garden Arrow

A visit to the Rose City without a stop at the Rose Garden is sacrilege. If your timing’s off to catch the more than 10,000 bushes in their full glory (they bloom April through October and peak in June), the expansive views and general splendor of the nearly-five-acre garden are still worth a visit, even in the dead of winter. Founded in 1917 to help preserve European hybrid roses people feared would be lost to persistent World War I bombing raids, the garden flourished, and has since helped firmly embed its beautiful tenants in Portland’s cultural identity. Seek out the serene Shakespeare Garden, hidden behind heavy hedges on the south end of the park, below the Rose Garden Store. It's planted exclusively with flowers, herbs, and trees named in his plays.

Jamison Square Arrow

Jamison Square has been a neighborhood fixture since 2000, when the Pearl District was just beginning to transform into the trendy, highrise-lined shopping and dining destination it is today. Positioned between the Portland Streetcar lines that run along NW 10th and 11th streets, the park was part of early plans to revitalize the neighborhood, and the first of three open spaces created by PWP Landscape Architecture, the firm that also designed the National 9/11 Memorial in New York . Today, it’s a bustling social hub that welcomes a steady stream of dog-walking residents and visitors drawn to its artwork. The park’s most famous feature is its fountain, which mimics a tidal pool. Then, of course, there are the four 30-foot Technicolor aluminum totem poles flanking the park edges; also known as the Tikitotemoniki Totems, they’re a 2001 abstract art installation by artist Kenny Scharf. If you look closely, you’ll see that they double as covers for the Portland Streetcar’s wire poles.

Powell's City of Books Arrow

Third-generation-owned Powell’s City of Books occupies an entire city block on busy West Burnside. When the Powells founded their (now-iconic) family business in 1971, they had a simple, straightforward business model: put new and used hardcover and paperback titles all on the same shelf, stay open 365 days a year, and only hire people who were truly, madly, and deeply in love with books. Today it is world’s largest new and used bookstore, with nearly a million books in stock. Like most landmarks, Powell’s flagship Burnside store offers free behind-the-scenes tours; they’re first come, first served, 45 minutes long, and held every Sunday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The shop also hosts some of the world’s most renowned authors in the Pearl Room’s Basil Hallward Gallery; check the events calendar to see who’s reading during your stay. Some of the better known authors read at the Cedar Hills Crossing store, so double check the location.

Providore Fine Foods Arrow

Part gourmet grocery, part food hall, part farmers market, Providore Fine Foods is an impeccably merchandised culinary Eden that grabs your attention from the get-go. In addition to the main grocery shelves of anchor tenant Pastaworks, which offer up everything from cut-to-order fresh pasta and delicate triple creams, to rare imported oils and passion fruit puree, the space houses a collective of purveyors, all at the top of their game. Flying Fish Company/The Meat Mongers sell sustainably sourced local seafood, meat, eggs, and dairy and acclaimed Southeast bakery Little T stocks just-baked breads and pastries. The fun’s not over once you’ve canvassed the entire shop—go out the back door, immediately turn left, step up to the bright-yellow Arrosto window, and order the half- or whole-bird chicken dinner, complete with juicy free-range rotisserie chicken basted in lemon-and-rosemary oil and sides of creamy Yukon Golds roasted in chicken drippings, perfectly bitter radicchio-and-escarole salad with lemon-anchovy dressing, and thick, springy fingers of fresh-baked focaccia from the Pastaworks bakery.

Washington Park Arrow

You could spend days exploring Washington Park, a spectacular 410-acre city park that's one of Portland’s oldest and most beautiful. Easily accessible from downtown Portland, it’s home to major attractions like the International Rose Test Garden . There are also three deeply moving memorials within the park—the Oregon Holocaust Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial, as well as the bronze statue depicting Sacagawea holding her son Jean-Baptiste. If you’re in the mood for less sightseeing and more action, hit the free first-come, first-serve archery range, tennis courts, and soccer field, or let the kids run amok at the playground. Whenever you visit, Hoyt Arboretum is a marvel. Encompassing nearly 200 ridge-top acres, it has 12 miles of meandering hiking trails and more than 2,000 species of plants and trees, both native and international.

Lan Su Chinese Garden Arrow

A world away from the busy, gritty Old Town/Chinatown neighborhood surrounding it, Lan Su, a sublimely peaceful garden, is a collaboration with Portland’s Chinese sister city Suzhou, famous for its stunning Ming Dynasty gardens. The ornate structures and exquisitely landscaped courtyards offer a glimpse into the life of a wealthy and prominent 16th-century Chinese family; the delicately carved gingko panels, intricate stone mosaics, and koi lake are a seamless union of design, nature, architecture, and art. As you stroll the pebbled paths, watch for some of the garden’s unique features: Taihu, chunks of heavily eroded limestone farmed from Suzhou’s freshwater Lake Tai, and the 51 different patterned windows embedded in the garden walls. Plan time for a peaceful pot of oolong and and a plate of lotus-seed mooncakes in the Tower of Cosmic Reflections, an authentic two-story tearoom overlooking the 8,000-square-foot Lake Zither.

Cargo Arrow

Combining the talents and passions of ceramicist and art collector Patty Merrill and interior designer Bridgid Blackburn, this emporium’s tagline is “purveyors of curious objects,” and that’s putting things mildly—walk up the steep stairs into the unassuming historic inner eastside warehouse and into what feels like a treasure hunter’s fever dream, particularly if you’re a seeker of rare, handcrafted, meaningfully-made, and sustainably-sourced textiles, jewelry, and home decor. While much of the inventory hails from distant lands like India, Israel, Bali , Vietnam , and Guatemala, there’s plenty of local artisan presence too, both on shelves and via the pop-ups nested within the store.

Beam & Anchor Arrow

Owned and run by husband-wife team Jocelyn and Robert Rahm, this lovingly renovated 7000-square-foot former industrial warehouse turned design showroom is exactly what you’d imagine a Portland home decor haven should be, with raw concrete floors covered in soft Navajo rugs, white-washed brick and warm wood walls, and ceiling beams strung with delicate bundles of dried flowers. If your pocketbook is bottomless, there’s plenty to fall in lust with here; airy cross-backed Japanese washed linen aprons made in France by Linge Particulier, velvety hand-loomed Peruvian alpaca throws, and burnished Oregon maple bowls almost too pretty to put anything. But even if you're on a budget it would be a shame to leave without some souvenir of what you may otherwise think you just dreamt. How about a pair of pale pink Chroma drinking glasses to host your evening wine pour?

Pedal Bike Tours Arrow

From its easy online booking process to its carefully plotted routes, this bike tour company is all pro, without sacrificing the laid back, keep-Portland-weird vibe the city is so proud of. Routes, all designated as beginner-level and spanning roughly three hours and around ten miles, are gentle and perfectly-paced and guides are conscious of each rider’s skill level, so whether you’re a bit wobbly on your wheels or a retired Tour de France rider, you're in for a good time. Guides are clearly hired for their people skills as well as their easy-flowing knowledge of the Rose City, so the overall vibe is that of taking an informal city tour with a fun and confident friend who knows just about everything; the best breweries , restaurants , coffeehouses and landmarks both famous and little known. They even how to cut the omnipresent line at Voodoo Doughnut.  

Little Beast Brewing Arrow

Approaching the eastern end of SE Division Street’s commercial core, past the seemingly omnipresent queue outside Salt & Straw ice cream shop and sausage-slinging Olympia Provisions ’ merry, fire pit-warmed patio, as the foot traffic thins and the neighborhood’s original turn-of-the-century bungalows start to reappear in the cracks between condominium buildings, a trim yellow house peeks out from behind a neatly manicured front yard—this is not someone’s darling little Southeast sanctuary, it’s your new favorite beer garden. The brewery has four excellent flagship beers, from the fresh and bright Bes tart wheat ale, brewed with Belgian malts, fruity Lemondrop hops, and chamomile flowers, to the rich and earthy Animal Family, fermented for six months in a Cabernet Sauvignon foeder (i.e. very large barrel). But be sure to try whatever seasonal specials are on tap, like the terrifically tart Pomme Sour, conditioned with fresh quince.

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3 Days in Portland, Oregon: The Perfect Portland Weekend Itinerary

last Updated: September 28, 2022 oregon portland

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

So you’re headed to the Pacific Northwest and have 3 days in Portland?! Great choice! I’ve got the perfect 3 day Portland itinerary for you – including the best food, views, and some great nature spots outside the city!  

Portland, Oregon is best known for its delectable donuts, snobby coffee culture, orgasmic food, and, of course, for being weird. It is their slogan after all! 3 days in Portland will give you enough time to see all the city highlights, as well as get you outta town for some much needed nature breaks!

I’ve visited more than half the states in the US , but before last year, I had never made it to Oregon! Living in NYC on the East Coast for most of my life, Oregon and the PNW in general hardly crossed my mind. But once I moved to sunny California , I became instantly enamoured with those states just to the north of me. I quickly visited Seattle and Mt. Rainier , but it took me almost 4 years to make it to Oregon! Shame on me!

So when my old coworker (and friend) invited me to spend 3 days in Portland at her place, I just couldn’t say no. We were LONG overdue for a proper catch up anyways. And plus, I could already taste the donuts and coffee I’ve heard so much about. Spoiler alert – they did not disappoint.

If you’re thinking about spending a long weekend in Portland, I highly encourage it. I’m already figuring out the next time I can get myself back to PDX.

Portland Itinerary Logistics

How to get around.

If you’ll just be staying around Portland proper, then you can get away with public transportation (buses, MAX light rail, streetcars, and commuter rail) and the occasional Uber or Lyft. The city also has a few bike share programs (including Biketown which has 100 stations across the city) if pedaling around town is more your thing.  

However, if you’ll be following my itinerary and making a few (highly) recommended day trips, you’ll want to rent a car for your three days in Portland. Note that most parking within the city is metered, although we never paid more than a few bucks per day.

Where to Stay in Portland

If you want to explore the more touristy parts of the city (where most of the items on this Portland itinerary are located, minus the day trips of course), you’ll want to stay on the West side of the Willamette River, which divides the city in half. Downtown, the Pearl District, and Nob Hill are your best bets over on the west side.

Downtown : Stay here if you don’t have a car, it’s your first time visiting Portland, and/or want to do a ton of (tax-free) shopping. Plus, there’s tons of food carts and farmers markets here. // Recommended hotels: Kimpton Hotel Monaco (enchanted forest vibes), Sentinel Hotel (5 star property with easy access to the street car), Kimpton Riverplace Hotel (modern riverside), and The Paramount Hotel (super stylish and well-priced).

Pearl District : A super easy walk to downtown, and absolutely lovely! It’s rather upscale and trendy, with tons of galleries and boutiques. Plus, the Pearl District is home to Powell’s City of Books – what can be better? // Recommended hotels: Mark Spencer Hotel (classy Portland), McMenamins Crystal Hotel (quirky Portland), and Residence Inn by Marriott (kitchenettes, anyone?!)

Nob Hill : Sometimes referred to as the Alphabet District, Nob Hill has a more small-town feel to it with lots of charming victorian architecture, although is still in a central location. 

When to Visit Portland:

Yes, it’s the PNW, and yes, it can be rainy many months of the year. Thankfully, despite all the rain, the air typically doesn’t get cold enough for snow, so you most likely won’t need to bust out your winter gear.

With that being said, if you’re hoping for sunny days (like most), come during July and August, which is undoubtedly the city’s busiest time of year. Because of this, a mid-week visit would highly be to your advantage, as restaurants get packed and traffic can be somewhat unbearable depending on where you’re going.

For the sake of transparency, I visited in mid-June from a Tuesday night to early Saturday (for a total of 3 full days in Portland), and we got lucky with both minimal wait time for food and traffic. The days are long in summer (with the sun setting around 9pm), giving you ample daylight for day trips and Portland adventures.

I highly advise that you plan your days around the weather. I visited in mid-June, and during my 3 days in Portland, I experienced 90+F temps, as well as a tad bit of rain, some chilly mornings, and warm summer nights. The weather here is tempermental to say the least (and changes throughout the day), so be aware when planning your activities for the day. It’s best to come prepared with an umbrella and cute rain jacket any time of year, juuuuuust in case – this is the PNW afterall!

A note on food & eating and drinking in general

One of the big draws of the city is all it’s eating (and drinking – the beer and coffee kind), so you’ll be finding a lot of that on this 3-day Portland itinerary (#noshame). Vegans will have no problem finding food here as there are tons of vegan options on almost every menu in the city. PSA: Portland is not the place to visit if you’re on a strict diet – heck, donuts, ice cream, and coffee concoctions are big around here!

Just know you most definitely won’t be able to get to allllll the Portland foodie hot spots in one trip – I already have a long list for next time! The city is constantly adding new restaurants to it’s (already long) line-up, so you can be sure you’ll eat well on any 3 day trip to Portland! Just whatever you do, get a few Blue Star donuts – they’re worth the calories (promise).

And up next, what you’ve been waiting for, my exact 3 days in Portland itinerary:

3 Day Portland Itinerary

Day 1: cannon beach + first stops in portland.

For the beginning of your 3 days in Portland, head to the beach! The coast is absolutely beautiful and as soon as you get there, you’ll be glad you included it on your Portland itinerary!

Check out Lionheart Coffee Company , located a few minutes outta town, for some coffee to go before heading to the beach. Get the cold brew – it’s infused with cocoa nibs and ridiculously delicious.

Cannon Beach

Start your Oregon adventures by making your way to Cannon Beach, about an hour and a half drive east from the city of Portland. Heading to the Coast provided much needed relief from the heat, as it was in the 90s when I visited! Here at Cannon Beach, you’ll find the famous and ever-so-popular Haystack Rock (it’s a sight to be seen).

No matter where you stand, you’ll see it (I promise), as it towers 235 feet over the beach. If you can, plan your visit during low tide so you’re able to walk right up to Haystack Rock to search for sea creatures (crabs, sea anemone, mussels, and snails). Check here to see when the tide is at its lowest. Check out Pelican Brewing Company should you get hungry (the fish tacos were bomb), then make your way back to the city to continue your Portland itinerary.

Don’t have a rental car? No problem. You’ll find a few companies offering tours to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock, along with additional scenic spots on the coast including Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park, Neahkahnie Point, and Manzanita (on my list for next time). Check it out and sign up here!  Just note that these tours are usually more of a full day, so you’ll need to add the following activities elsewhere on your Portland itinerary.

Back in Portland:

Depending on how long you spend at the beach and your hunger level, I URGE you to head on over to Pok Pok for at least a snack of vietnamese fish sauce wings. One bite and you’ll understand why. Note that this place gets insanely crowded for dinner most nights, which is why I recommend going for (a late) lunch instead.

Still hungry? You’ll find Salt and Straw across the street for some of Portland’s best ice cream. Try the salted caramel and/or the gooey brownie. Can’t decide? I get it, I’ve been there. Order the ice cream flight (with 4 flavors) – you won’t be disappointed.

Next, check the following off your Portland itinerary:

• Pittock Mansion : Looking for spectacular views of the entire city? You’ll find those here at Pittock Mansion. Note that while the view is free to admire, a ticket is required to tour the mansion grounds.

• International Rose Test Garden (located within Washington Park): What’s better than rows and rows of sweet-smelling roses? The garden boasts over 10,000 of the pretty things, in every color combination imaginable (over 650 varieties)! Wander around for a half hour or so, and be sure to actually stop and smell the roses. :p Make sure you visit when the roses are in bloom (April through October, although June is the peak season). FYI – Entrance to the garden is free, but you’ll need to pay for parking.

• Blue Star Donuts: I know, I know, you may have already had some ice cream, but you REALLY can’t leave Portland without at least tryyyying a blue star donut or two (or three). We split the chocolate almond ganache, real maple bacon, and orange oil olive. Psst: you can always buy a few donuts at the airport before heading home if you didn’t get a chance to visit in the city (I did both, shhh).

Recommended Dinner options: Portland has a WIDE array of restaurant choices, and to say I had no bad meals is an understatement (they all thoroughly exceeded my expectations). Check out either Yama Sushi & Izakaya for some Japanese food or Abyssinian Kitchen for some tasty Ethiopian food – both are a few feet away from Fifty Licks should you be craving more ice cream (no judgements – you’re on vacation!)

Day 2: Multnomah Falls – Columbia River Gorge – Rowena Crest – Mt. Hood

Next up on this three day Portland itinerary: a rather long day trip that will take you to a bunch of northwest Oregon’s best sites! Be sure to start early as the Multnomah area gets jam packed with tourists.

First up, Multnomah Falls!

Being the tallest waterfall in all of Oregon state, this stop really should be any Portland itinerary, no matter how long or short. Looking up at the 600+ foot tall roaring cascade of icy water is awe-inspiring to say the least!

Because of the horrific fire in 2017, Multnomah Falls can only be seen from the lower viewing platform, and it’s unfortunately not possible to hike to the upper platform (bridge) at this time. Still worth visiting? I think so. Check for other trail closures before planning more waterfall hikes into your Portland itinerary as most are closed on the Oregon side (I’ve heard Horsetail Falls and Wahkeena Falls are spectacular – but both were closed during my June 2018 visit).

Like I said before, Multnomah Falls get absolutely crazy-busy, so it’s best to come as early as you possibly can! It’s actually the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest (whoa), so be prepared to share the views with 34534 of your closest Portland-loving friends if you come after 10am. 🙂

Rowena Crest

It’s about 25 minutes out of the way, but most definitely worth it for that insta picture (I’m sure you’ve seen it somewhere – haha)! So what is it about this place that makes it rather popular?! Yes, it’s technically just a bend in the road but the surrounding scenery makes it a worthwhile stop.

This iconic horseshoe curve is actually one of the most photographed roads in all of Oregon! It does get pretty windy up here, so if you’re planning on taking that insta-photo, please be extra careful! Note that you’ll need to hoist yourself up and over the railing if you want more than just shoes in your shot (I was too much of a chicken to do so).

Solstice Wood Fire Cafe : By this time you’re probably hungry/hangry, and no better place to calm those pains than at Solstice for some wood-fired pizza. There’s a heated patio if you prefer to sit outside. Walk along the Hood River Waterfront for some great views of the area as well!

Basik Acai Cafe : Not necessarily an Oregon thing to do, but just putting it out there that Hood River has a fantastic place to get acai bowls (there’s even a location in SF and Hawaii). I’m a huge acai lover, so naturally, had to stop here to stuff down an acai bowl (yes, right after pizza, I know, I know).

Hood River Lavender Farm

A must-stop for anyone who’s even a little bit lavender obsessed. Not only can you wander around the whole place smelling the sweet smells, but for $5, you can pick your own lavender to tie up and bring home! The place was smaller than I had expected, but there’s tons and tons of lavender bushes so it doesn’t even matter. Be extra careful when picking, as there’s lots of bees!

Be sure to look inside the gift shop for lavender jams/jellies, soaps, etc. If you come on a clear day you can even see Mt. Hood in the distance! FYI: Lavender picking season is from April/May to November, with peak bloom being July-August.

Trillium Lake

What’s better than a mountain reflection in a jazzy blue lake? Not much! On a clear day, you’ll find Mt. Hood perfectly reflected in the water. Worth the short photo stop for sure! You can also walk around the lake for additional views as well, but we wanted to make it back by dinner so skipped the almost-2-mile loop trail. I want to visit during sunrise or sunset next time!

Timberline Lodge

End this long day at Timberline, a mountain lodge right at the base of Mt. Hood, where you can watch the skiers summer ski and grab a bite to eat (if you’re so inclined). You of course can spend the night here if you’re planning on actually using the mountain for skiing or snowboarding (be sure to make reservations in advance), but we were just observers for the day.

Again, if car rentals ain’t your thing or you just want someone else to do the driving, check out the following half and full day tours to Multnomah Falls and Mt. Hood, with many of the stops I recommended above.

• Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Half Day Tour
• Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Half Day Tour
• Full Day Wine and Waterfalls Tour
• Mt. Hood: Full Day Loop Tour from Portland

Recommended dinner option: Katchka (russian) // For Dessert: Petunia’s Pies & Pastries (all 100% vegan!)

Day 3: More Waterfalls + More Portland

Get ready for another early day, because you’ll be admiring more waterfalls and then ticking more things off your Portland itinerary! To give you an idea of timing, I think we made it to breakfast around 8:30ish or so.

Start with an early breakfast at Pine State Biscuits

I went for the Reggie Deluxe sans gravy, and lemme just tell you – the fried chicken did not disappoint, nor did the biscuit. Highly recommend this place. Vegetarians will appreciate the fact that mushroom gravy is available. The line can get ridiculously long (for good reason, the biscuits are outta this world), so MAKE SURE to get here early, especially if you want ample time for the rest of the day’s activities. 🙂

Short hike at Silver Falls State Park

If the waterfall at Multnomah wasn’t enough for you, or you’re just a waterfall fanatic like myself, make the hour and a half drive to Silver Falls State Park. (Psst – I actually found the waterfall at Silver Falls State Park even more spectacular). There are numerous trails available, with the easiest of them leading to the most impressive waterfall in the park – South Falls. You can even go behind some of them! Definitely reminded me of the some of the waterfalls I saw in Iceland!

If you’re looking for a longer hike, trek the entire 9 miles and you’ll be rewarded with 10 waterfalls (yes, 10!). Where else can you see 10 waterfalls on one hike?! We hiked about 3 miles or so and saw two waterfalls.

People actually call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system – you’ll quickly understand why after your first visit! I mean, who doesn’t appreciate a leisurely walk the rainforest (Oregon’s only one actually!)

Food Cart Lunch

Back to the city it is, for more food of course! Time to check out one of Portland’s food cart hot spots, this one with Fried Egg, I’m in Love and Tov Coffee (two of my new found favorites). Although there are waaaaay larger food truck areas, I really wanted to try out Fried Egg, I’m in Love, and yes, partially because I am a true egg lover.

Powell’s City of Books

Book lovers, rejoice! You can easily spend HOURS exploring Powell’s flagship store – you’ll even need a map (which they happily supply). Be warned: this place is HUGE huge (like, multiple floors with rooms opening into rooms opening into rooms, etc etc). It actually takes up an entire city block and then some. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you’re just not looking hard enough – they have EVERYTHING imaginable and then some (new, used, rare, and even out-of-print books).

Ace Hotel Portland

A block away from Powell’s you’ll find the Ace Hotel, a super aesthetic and super hipster hotel located within the heart of downtown. Not only is it super photogenic, but the hotel is famous for its restored vintage photobooth in the lobby, which invites visitors to use (for $5). Next time for me!

This is also a good time to try some Stumptown Coffee , as there’s a location within the Ace.

Voodoo Donut

Voodoo is known for their super unconventional donuts, eclectic decor (one look inside and you’ll see what I mean), and their pretty pink boxes. A few of their specialties include: cock and balls doughnut with cream filled “balls” (my friend had this one), bacon maple bar (with actual strips of meat), and the old dirty bastard (looks better than it sounds).

Okay, so everyone says Blue Star is better, but I actually really enjoyed my donut at Voodoo (the Voodoo doll with raspberry jelly)! Or maybe I just like all donuts?

Go to the original location at 22 SW 3rd Avenue, just south of the Burnside Bridge, if you want to see the Keep Portland Weird sign below.  Keep in mind it’s CASH ONLY, which is probably a good thing so you don’t overly over-do it.

Keep Portland Weird Sign

Right across from Voodoo Donuts you’ll find this quick photo spot. Don’t miss this iconic mural! The sign itself is just a wall in a parking lot, but just go, be weird, and take your picture. 🙂

The actual address is 350 W Burnside St in case you can’t find it (it’s right behind Dante’s).

Tillikum Crossing

Have more time and looking for a scenic leisurely walk over the river? Head to Tillikum Crossing, also known as the “bridge of the people”, a .35 mile pedestrian, bike, and light rail bridge with unparalleled views of the Willamette River. Smart, right? Why don’t more cities have this (bridges that ban cars that is)?

You can easily do this walk back and forth in under an hour. I reckon it’d be even more dramatic and scenic at night with all the city lights shining down on the river! Be sure to look out for the submarine near OSMI!

EXTRAS: Have an extra day or so?! Something on the above Portland itinerary not really you’re thang? I’ve got a few more ideas up my sleeve for you, don’t you worry my friend.

• Beacon Rock
• Lan Su Chinese Gardens
• Japanese Gardens
• Portland Aerial tram
• Mill Ends Park: the world’s smallest park

Are you visiting Oregon soon?! Which things on this Portland itinerary will you be checking off your Portland bucket list? Do you think 3 days in Portland will be enough to eat alllll food and see allll the waterfalls?

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April 1, 2022 at 10:47 pm

This could NEVER be accomplished in 3 days . Misleading- not about Portland, but about day trips from the city.

April 4, 2022 at 5:20 pm

Hi Cindy, this is actually exactly how I spent my time there, so it’s very much possible! We definitely didn’t have tons of time in each spot and I’d love to revisit! What else in the city would you recommend?

July 28, 2022 at 7:11 pm

Exactly what I wanted. Trillium Lake looks amazing! Will add it to my itinerary.

Still debating on going out of the way to Silver Falls State Park, though..

August 9, 2022 at 4:48 pm

I loved it! You can always do a small section of the park if you don’t have a lot of time. I thought the waterfalls were really impressive, especially the one you can walk behind!

August 9, 2022 at 6:28 pm

3 Days in Portland, Oregon: The Perfect Weekend Portland Itinerary

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway in Portland, Oregon, this itinerary is perfect for you! Highlights include visits to the Oregon Zoo, the Portland

March 8, 2023 at 3:54 pm

We are planning a 3 or 4 day trip to fly into Portland in July 2023. We need an itentenary to include as much sightseeing as possible. We would certainly like to do the wine country water falls and Mt Hood if possible. We don’t mind to rent a car. Can you please help us plan this trip. This is my 50th state to tour and I am excited to see what Oregon offers.

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Portland, OR   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Photo by Matt Payne of Durango, Colorado | Getty Images

23 Best Things To Do in Portland, OR

If you've seen the comedy "Portlandia," you know Portland, Oregon, as a bike-friendly city that's full of food carts, indie bookstores, farm-to-table restaurants and an embarrassing number of coffee shops. Most of these characterizations are

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Washington Park Washington Park free

Many critics, travelers and locals agree that of all of Portland's parks (and they are numerous), Washington Park is perhaps the best. Washington Park is home to such notable landscaping feats as the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden , as well as the World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum and several memorials dedicated to pivotal points in Oregon's history.

There are also family-friendly attractions like the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Children's Museum, along with a large playground, soccer fields, tennis courts and an archery range. Just make sure you save plenty of time for a leisurely stroll down one of the many shady paths, which are often decorated with flower displays and fountains.

International Rose Test Garden International Rose Test Garden free

Not until you visit these sprawling gardens in Washington Park will you fully understand the reasoning behind one of Portland's nicknames, the City of Roses. Established in 1917 by Portlander Jesse A. Currey and city leaders, it began as a testing ground for roses from around the world. Today, it is still the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States.

Home to more than 10,000 rose bushes, the site also boasts a special Shakespeare Garden, which is festooned with roses named after the characters in William Shakespeare's plays. Recently, garden staff have also planted some of the fruit trees that populate the Bard's plays – fig, olive and medlar. Award-winning roses are found in the aptly named Gold Medal Garden. The Test Garden is full of current trial programs that might include miniature roses, David Austin roses (they receive no fungicides or insecticides), and new varieties sent by rose companies for evaluation. If you have your heart set on seeing the roses in full bloom, plan a visit in mid-June.

Portland Japanese Garden Portland Japanese Garden

U.S. News Insider Tip: Make a reservation a few days in advance for the Zen-like Umami Café, which offers Japanese teas and traditional confections like mochi and baked manju. You can't make reservations the day of, and there is often an hourlong or more wait. – Hannah Wallace

If you need an escape from urban landscapes, seek out Zen-like tranquility at the Japanese Garden within Washington Park . The 12-acre Portland Japanese Garden is made up of eight separate gardens that represent different styles of traditional Japanese gardening techniques. All of the gardens feature essential elements like stone, water and plants that come from influences of the Shinto, Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, creating a unique, serene environment where visitors feel they are becoming a part of nature. The garden also features the Kashintei Tea House, where visitors can see demonstrations of a traditional tea ceremony, and a Cultural Village where Ikebana, bonsai care and Japanese music classes take place. If you're visiting in late March or early April, don't miss the chance to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Because of the garden's higher elevation, its trees are on a different blooming schedule than the rest of the city. (Usually a bit later.)

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Powell's City of Books Powell's City of Books free

Whether or not you're an avid reader, Powell's City of Books is worth checking out. Four floors high, it occupies a square city block; in fact, this bookstore is so large that exploring it actually requires a map.

While you wander through the stacks, keep in mind that you are tracing the footsteps of great writers, many of whom – like Ursula K. Le Guin and Neil Gaiman – have scrawled their signatures on the building's pillars. You might also schedule your visit to coincide with a reading, as the book shop hosts events nearly every day totaling more than 500 author visits a year.

Lan Su Chinese Garden Lan Su Chinese Garden

Occupying an entire city block, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is among some of the only authentic Chinese gardens in the country. Modeled after China's Ming dynasty scholars gardens, the Lan Su Chinese Garden aims to be a place where people can escape the hustle of everyday life and connect with nature. In addition to featuring plants and trees native to China as well as an 8,000-square-foot lake, the garden also hosts a variety of Chinese cultural events and festivals, such as the Lunar New Year festival and lantern viewing evenings.

Many recent visitors said the gardens were a highlight of their trip to Portland, describing the space as "tranquil," "stunning" and an "urban oasis." They also highly recommended taking the guided tour, saying it added context to the beautiful and serene setting. Tours are included in the admission price and offered daily at noon and 1 p.m. Others recommended enjoying tea and snacks at the on-site teahouse. A few visitors warned that the area surrounding the garden is home to a large number of homeless people and suggested taking an Uber or Lyft to reach the garden to avoid having to walk within the neighborhood.

Portland's Forest Park Portland's Forest Park free

If you're looking to spend some time outside, but you aren't willing to make the trek to Mount Hood , Forest Park is the place to go. Spanning 5,200 acres, it's one of the largest urban parks in America.

Among the park's features is the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, which is part of the region's 40-mile loop system connecting pedestrian and trail routes along the Columbia River to Gresham through southeast Portland along the Willamette Greenway and back to the Marquam Trail in southwest Portland. To find a trailhead, check out Forest Park Conservancy's online maps or buy a water-resistant trail map at Powell's or a New Seasons Market. If you're an avid bird-watcher, keep your eyes peeled: it's not unusual to spot barred owls, Cooper's hawks or pileated woodpeckers in the tall trees.

Multnomah Falls Multnomah Falls free

If you're willing to venture about 30 miles east of downtown Portland, you'll have access to the tallest waterfall in Oregon  – Multnomah Falls. Located along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the falls are the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest, according to the U.S. Forest Service. 

At 620 feet tall, the Multnomah Falls are not for the faint of heart. Visitors have the option of climbing a 1/4-mile trail to reach Benson Bridge, which gives them a closer look at the falls and is at the crux of the first tier. Another steep, 1.25-mile hike will take travelers to the top of the falls for incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge . The Multnomah Falls Lodge, located at the base of the falls, houses a gift shop, restrooms and a restaurant for patrons to enjoy before or after their hike.

Portland Saturday Market Portland Saturday Market free

Whether you're craving international foods or are in search of a unique souvenir, the Portland Saturday Market is the place to look. Running since 1974, the market is located on the northern side of Tom McCall Waterfront Park and features 150 booths filled with art, upcycled clothing, handmade toys, organic soaps, reclaimed wood cutting boards and jewelry – all made by local artisans .

After you've had your fill of shopping, satisfy your appetite at one of the many food booths, which serve everything from Nepalese and Uruguayan to North African and Polish cuisines. There's live music every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Check the market's Instagram to find out who will be performing.) 

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR

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Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River

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Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour - Full Day

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Hoyt Arboretum Hoyt Arboretum free

Founded in 1928, the 189-acre Hoyt Arboretum features over 170 different tree families and 6,000 individual trees. The species represented originate from every continent except Antarctica. Visitors can either explore the arboretum on their own via the park's 12 miles of trails or take a guided tour. Travelers with children will want to check out the family-friendly activities like seed paper workshops and "Tree Time" for preschoolers. There are also adult classes on everything from forest bathing to mushroom identification walks (prices range from $15 to $30).

Past visitors raved about the arboretum and many expressed their surprise that such a tranquil place exists within city limits. Travelers also encouraged future tourists to take their time when exploring the trails and advised planning a trip around one of the arboretum's weekend guided walks.

Mount Hood Mount Hood

On clear days, you can see snowy Mount Hood, the highest mountain in Oregon (at 11,239 feet), from Portland. Mount Hood is the region's prime skiing area, with numerous powdery downhill and cross-country trails. Test your skills on the expert slopes at Mt. Hood Skibowl or hit Mt. Hood Meadows for some of the area's best terrain. Or, get cozy at Timberline Lodge, built thanks to Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps. The historic, stately lodge is also where Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" was (partially) filmed. Spend the night here in one of 70 rustic rooms, or grab dinner at one of the lodge's seven eateries. 

Planning a summer getaway? Never fear: Mount Hood offers summer skiing as well, not to mention plenty of opportunities to hike and mountain bike. Mount Hood's main summer attraction is the Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl, which features hiking and biking trails, as well as numerous other warm-weather activities.

Portland Art Museum Portland Art Museum

As the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, the Portland Art Museum set the bar high for its patrons. It is home to Oregon's most prestigious collection, including works from the European masters, Japanese screen prints and contemporary American pieces. There is also a sculpture garden and an area devoted to photography. But the museum's Native American gallery – which consists of more than 3,500 ancient and modern objects from more than 200 different tribes – is not to be missed.

Recent travelers admit that they got lost in the art at this Portland museum, which is easy to do since the large collection fills three connected buildings. Because the museum is somewhat of a maze to navigate, some travelers recommend figuring out which exhibits you're interested in ahead of time so you know exactly where to go in the museum before arriving (gallery maps can be found online). Others were particularly pleased with the temporary exhibitions, which have showcased the work of artists like Jeffrey Gibson and Oscar Howe, among others.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Whether you need to keep the kids entertained for a few hours or just need a way to spend a rainy day, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is the place to go. This interactive museum (referred to by residents as OMSI) makes learning fun thanks to its five halls and five labs filled with hands-on exhibits devoted to physics, chemistry, paleontology and more. Other interactive offerings include a science playground specifically designed for young children.

And if you're a movie buff, you'll want to make your way to the museum's USS Blueback submarine, which was used to film "The Hunt for Red October," and is the most modern U.S. submarine on public display in the country. When you've exhausted the exhibits, take in a show at the Empirical Theater or marvel at the stars at the Kendall Planetarium. There's also a riverfront eatery on-site, Theory, that serves healthy sandwiches, bowls and salads. Adults will also enjoy OMSI's evening lectures called "Science Pubs" where you can grab a beer and learn about everything from beaver adaptation to weight stigma in healthcare.

Columbia River Gorge Columbia River Gorge free

U.S. News Insider Tip: After a morning hike in the gorge, stop for a late lunch and soft serve at Sugarpine Drive-In on your way back to Portland. Owned by former Portland/Brooklyn chefs Emily Cafazzo and Ryan Domingo, this Troutdale restuarant serves excellent, hearty sandwiches. – Hannah Wallace

The Columbia River flows 1,200 miles from British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean and forms a dramatic border between Washington and Oregon. Both sides offer spectacular views of the gorge – from some spots on the Washington side you can see clear views of Mount Hood . Multnomah Falls is probably the closest scenic attraction as you drive east from Portland. From there, stop in Hood River or White Salmon for lunch or dinner. Both cities have an array of eateries, breweries, ice cream shops and cafes. In White Salmon, make sure to visit the White Salmon Bakery , which makes delicious pastries and breakfast sandwiches (all on its freshly baked bread) and pop over to the owners' new wine shop, Soca , for a bottle of Oregon wine. In Hood River, head to one of a handful of breweries like pFriem Family Brewers, Ferment Brewing Co. or Double Mountain Brewery.

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & Mt Hood Tour from Portland, OR

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Morning Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland

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Portland Mercado Portland Mercado free

Both a community economic development project for Latino entrepreneurs and one of Portland's best food cart pods, Portland Mercado showcases cuisines from Columbia, Cuba, Peru, Oaxaca and the Yucatan.

Past visitors raved about the al pastor burrito at Fernando's Alegria and the chicken mole at the Oaxacan truck. Others were blown away by the patacones (twice-fried plantains) at Qué Bacano, the Columbian truck. Travelers love the vibe as well: colorful trucks, energetic live music and plentiful outdoor seating.

Pittock Mansion Pittock Mansion

The 16,000-square-foot Pittock Mansion is one of Portland's few historic attractions and definitely one of the most unique. Built between 1909 and 1914 by Henry Pittock – the owner of The Oregonian newspaper – and his wife Georgiana, it was designed after the French Renaissance style. This 44-room mansion (of which only 23 are open to the public) contains a Turkish smoking room, a library, a music room and two sleeping porches, among other features.

A monthly behind-the-scenes tour of the mansion ($22) allows you to see parts of the property not usually open to the public like Henry Pittock's private den and the third-floor servants' quarters. Check the mansion's website for details; tours are usually offered on Saturdays. Also, stop by the gift shop, which sells handcrafted items made by local vendors. You can also take a self-guided tour during visiting hours; maps are available at the front entrance and interpretive panels are stationed throughout the mansion.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park Tom McCall Waterfront Park free

Named for a former Oregonian governor, this 30-acre park stretches alongside the Willamette River in downtown Portland and provides some of the best views of the city's skyline. Because of its prime location, it hosts many of Portland's special events – including the ever-popular Oregon Brewers Festival and the Portland Rose Festival.

But even when the city isn't celebrating, there's plenty to do here. Locals congregate for afternoon strolls or picnics and families cool off on hot days at the Salmon Street Springs fountain. The park is also home to some historic monuments like the Founders Stone, the Japanese American Historical Plaza and the Police Memorial. The Portland Saturday Market is held within the park every weekend from March to Christmas Eve. If you're in need of a bite to eat, head to Pine Street Market – a food hall with that sits at the northern end of the park at Second Avenue and Pine Street.

Mount Tabor Park Mount Tabor Park free

Mount Tabor is a dormant volcanic cinder cone located 5 miles east of downtown Portland. It may sound like a trek, but the scenery is well worth it. At its summit, Mount Tabor provides vistas of both downtown and Mount Hood . Travelers can choose one of three trails that takes them to the top of Mount Tabor and around the park. Along the trails, you'll see three reservoirs, which used to be the source of the city's drinking water. If views and hiking don't interest you, maybe this will: Mount Tabor Park is home to the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby. Each year on the third Saturday in August, racers in wacky cars zoom down the park's hills for a chance to win the top spot.

Past travelers relished the long walks they took through Mount Tabor Park. The breathtaking views are repeatedly mentioned by visitors, the sportier of whom run up the 293 stairs. Know that you'll do a lot of uphill walking before you reach that reward, however.

The Central Eastside The Central Eastside free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Food lovers in Portland get their olive oil, grains and Rancho Gordo beans at Wellspent Market , a locally-owned provisions store that also sells a great selection of natural wines, ciders and beer. – Hannah Wallace

Once an industrial neighborhood, the Central Eastside has been percolating over the past six to eight years with breweries, restaurants and even a few stylish boutique hotels. Even if you don't stay at Kex , an Icelandic youth hostel, you should make a visit to its horseshoe-shaped bar, Pacific Standard , which is now manned by respected bartender and author, Jeffrey Morgenthaler. Time your visit for happy hour (3 to 6 p.m.) to enjoy a $2 discount on all menu items, including food.

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Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai

Named after the orphan Pip in Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations," this eclectic little cafe on Fremont Street is where Portlanders go to get their doughnuts and house-made chai. Because these doughnuts are diminutive, you can order four, six, eight or even 12. Regular flavors like cinnamon sugar, raw honey and sea salt, Nutella and candied bacon maple are justly popular, but don't skip the seasonal flavors, which in summer months always include local berries and peaches.

A decade ago, owners Jamie and Nate Snell used their life savings to start their doughnut shop, and when banks would not give them a $10,000 loan they felt like orphans, and sought help from friends and family. (Hence the name, Pip's.) They've put a lot of love into it – Nate was the general contractor and Jamie did the design and painted the clouds that cover the walls. A fun Portland touch: On your birthday you can come in and get a dozen doughnuts for free.

Portland, Oregon, Brewery Tours Portland, Oregon, Brewery Tours

Portland is well-known for its craft beers. In fact, there are roughly 70 breweries in the city proper, meaning there are plenty of places to quench your thirst. Though you're welcome to stop by the breweries on your own, taking a guided brewery tour might be a better bet if you're only in Portland for a quick trip (and want someone else to worry about transportation). The tours generally stop at a few different breweries in the city, allowing participants to sample several different kinds of beer.

City Brew Tours , which travels by van, wins accolades from past tourgoers for its knowledgeable guides and wide range of beer samples. For the company's Original Brew Tour, which lasts approximately five hours, the $129 ticket price includes beer samples at four breweries and a meal at either Migration or Ex Novo, two local breweries. BrewCycle welcomes you to "cycle" on a trolley with other people as it winds its way from brewery to pub on the east or west side of Portland. (You can also rent out a whole trolley for a special occasion.) Tickets range from $20 to $25 per person, depending on the day, and do not include beer.

PSU Farmers Market PSU Farmers Market free

If you're in Portland on a Saturday, make a morning stop at the PSU Farmers Market. In addition to just-picked local produce, vendors peddle meat, beverages (including alcohol), dairy products, mushrooms, chocolate and more. Talented musicians typically busk for tips.

Past visitors said the market is worth walking through even if you don't plan on buying produce. Others were impressed with the smoked fish, excellent Jewish rye and beautiful flowers for sale. Travelers also raved about the prepared foods at the market, including tamales, breakfast burritos, cookies and more.

Oregon Zoo Oregon Zoo

Explore some of the world's cutest, ferocious and exotic critters at the Oregon Zoo. The zoo houses more than 2,500 animals representing more than 200 different species ranging from reptiles to big cats to insects. In 2021, the zoo opened new habitats for rhinos, primates and polar bears, which were the final improvements after a decade-long expansion project. Along with the animal exhibits, there are also behind-the-scenes tours, as well as a train and carousel.

Recent visitors reported loving the zoo for its manageable size and animal residents (especially the elephants). Reviewers say you should expect to spend about two to four hours exploring. A few travelers were frustrated to learn that advance ticket purchase is required, and a few griped about the cost of parking.

Freakybuttrue Peculiarium Freakybuttrue Peculiarium

You can tell when entering this art gallery/museum/gift shop that the owners, Mike Wellins and Lisa Freeman, love science fiction, horror, cryptozoology, unsolved urban legends and the mysterious. Wellins calls the Peculiarium an anti-museum: you won't find sterile rooms with squeaky floors or frowning guards. What you will find? Everything from an alien autopsy to a theremin, ghosts, D.B. Cooper and two (faux) vampire killing kits. At the adjacent snack bar, you can try Freeman's Frankenballs, Franken Fries and her famous Bug Sundaes (Tillamook ice cream with freeze-dried mealworms and cooked scorpions – stingers removed – on top). 

Visitors say that you definitely "Keep Portland Weird" in this quirky art museum/gift shop with pop horror displays and grotesqueries. Past visitors recommend checking out the gift shop first, and if you're amused, go ahead and pay admission to the museum. Otherwise, it may not be for you.

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I grew up in Portland and have lived here for most of my career — here's my ultimate guide to visiting Stumptown

• I grew up in Portland, Oregon, and have lived here for most of my career as a journalist.
• Here's my guide on everything to do in Stumptown, whether you're a first-time or return visitor.
• Visit Insider's hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations .

Portland, Oregon, is often associated with kooky characters and imaginative people. Rife with artists, chefs, and urban beauty, our town has an undeniable atmosphere of creativity.

The city is cocooned in the Willamette Valley where the Willamette River meets the Columbia River, on the northern border of Oregon just across from Vancouver, Washington. The city is a foodie haven packed with food-cart pods, James Beard Award-winning chefs, and plentiful craft brewers and distilleries.

In Portland, it's all about supporting local businesses and neighborhood entrepreneurs, with a focus on environmental sustainability, creating jobs, and keeping artists in town.

I grew up in Portland after moving here with my family in 1997, and I've spent more than half of my 10 years as a journalist working here. While covering business beats, I've learned even more about the city's historical sites and districts and have been front and center for Portland's growth of creative and trendy businesses.

If you're planning a visit to my hometown, here are my tips, favorite hotels and restaurants, and must-sees.

→ My tips for getting to and around Portland with ease

→ the 11 best hotels to stay in portland, plus 3 neighborhoods to scout for airbnbs, → 11 of the most eclectic places to eat in portland, from upscale dining to doughnut shops, → 10 activities to do and places to see in portland, oregon, from stunning waterfalls to cannabis dispensaries, → what you should know if you're planning a trip to portland — weather advisories and more.

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Portland Travel Guide

Portland, Oregon is an outdoor lover's dream destination and the locals couldn't agree more. Whether it's strolling through any one of the 275 public parks and gardens or kayaking down the Willamette River that cuts through the heart of the city, there's endless options to do some outdoor exploring. And with nearly 400 miles of bikeways it's no surprise that Portland is considered the biking capital of the country.

Even though this West Coast hub gets significantly more rain than the majority of the country, you won't find yourself stuck inside waiting out the bad weather. There's an eclectic mix of neighborhoods each with its own unique vibe. From high-end shopping Downtown to vintage boutiques in the city's Southeast quadrant and fine dining restaurants in Nob Hill and the Pearl District to casual eateries in Division, there's really something for everyone.

Pacific Standard Time. (Daylight Savings Time is observed seasonally)

Best Time to Go

The summer months are when Portland really shines. With consistent warm weather and lighter than average rainfall from June to August, the city's vibrant outdoor scene really kicks into high gear. Residents take advantage of the nicer days with an impressive selection of outdoor dining options and loads of great festivals, including the Waterfront Blues Festival and the Portland Rose Festival each June, and in July, there's the Oregon Brewers Festival and the Big Float , where upwards of 70,000 people descend on the city's waterfront for a massive people-powered flotilla and beach party.

But the summer isn't the only time to visit the City of Roses as pleasant weather stretches into the early fall months making September and October just as good a time to check out the area. But come mid-October, that's when the rainy season starts, and unpredictable weather stretches into early May.

Things to Know

Portland has one of the strongest beer scenes in the country with over 70 microbreweries in the greater metro area. But while beer might be the first drink that people think of when planning a trip to the area, they also have a stand out wine scene. Just to the south of Portland, in the Willamette Valley (pronounced Wuh-la-muht), you'll find around 80 wineries and over 200 vineyards that produce the majority of the state's acclaimed wine.

For those who prefer coffee, the city has even more independent coffee roasters than they do breweries with 80 in the city limits alone.

Known for its commitment to healthy living, Portland was named a "platinum" bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists partly due to its 385 miles of bikeways and its bike share system called Biketown.

Oregon is one of only two states, the other being New Jersey, where it's illegal to pump your own gas. The state is also one of five states that do not impose a sales tax, including Alaska, Delaware, Montana, and New Hampshire.

How to Get Around

Portland's TriMet public transportation system offers light rail, bus, and streetcar service throughout the city and into the surrounding metro area. Riders can use a Hop card on all TriMet public transit and service costs $2.50 for 2.5 hours or $5 for the day.

Trains: The MAX Light Rail system operates on five lines: Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, and Orange. With 60 miles of track and 97 stations, the light rail connects the airport, city, and surrounding suburbs. Trains run every 15 minutes at peak and operate between 4 a.m. and midnight.

Portland Streetcar services Downtown and the surrounding areas on a three-line system: A Loop, B Loop, and North Shore Line. Trains run every 15 minutes at peak and operate between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on the weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and every 20 minutes from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Buses: There are 84 TriMet bus lines that operate in the greater metro area. Busses run every 15 minutes and operate on a 24-hour schedule.

Bike: The Biketown bike-share program is a popular commuting alternative. With 1,500 bikes and 180 stations, you can easily get around town. You can pay as you go (.20 cents per mile, plus $1 to unlock the bike) or buy a monthly membership ($99 annual fee, plus .10 cents per mile). Car Service and Taxis: Uber and Lyft both service Portland. You can also easily find a taxi at the airport or schedule in advance .

Best Hotels

Address: 525 SW Morrison Street, Portland, OR 97204 Phone: (503) 222-9996 Website

Situated right on the corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square in the center of Downtown Portland, The Nines is housed in a turn-of-the-century building and offers 331 rooms, including 13 suites. The hotel occupies the top nine floors of the 15-story building, offering great views of the city. Amenities include a rooftop terrace, two restaurants, and two bars.

The Hoxton, Portland

Address: 15 NW 4th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 Phone: (503) 770-0500 Website

At the center of historic Old Town Chinatown in what used to be the city's original downtown, The Hoxton is surrounded by quaint shops, bars, and restaurants. All of the 119 rooms are decorated with mid-century touches and feature art curated by a local gallerist. The hotel has two restaurants—a rooftop bar and restaurant with sweeping views of the city, and an eatery with pastries in the morning and cocktails at night—plus, a secret speakeasy that serves up inventive cocktails that's housed in the hotel's basement.

Address: 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 228-2000 Website

Situated between the Pearl District and Downtown, the 287-room historical hotel maintains much of it's 100-year-old glamour, from the grand staircase in the lobby to the classically-designed rooms. Guests have their choice of dining in the ground-floor restaurant or setting up a private dinner in the wine cellar.

Address: 614 SW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 224-3400 Website

Built in 1909, the Sentinel is filled with historic charm and high design touches, including a curated art selection displayed throughout the hotel. The hotel boasts 100 rooms and is situated in the heart of Downtown within walking distance to Pioneer Courthouse Square, the waterfront, Portland Art Museum, and plenty of shops and restaurants.

Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel

Address: 1510 S Harbor Way, Portland, OR 97201 Phone: (503) 228-3233 Website

The views can't be beat at this waterfront property, with sweeping views of the Willamette River. But the inside of the hotel is just as grand, with amenities including pillowtop beds with premium bedding, in-room spa treatments, and suite and cottage options with fireplaces, full kitchens, and in-room laundry—plus, it's pet-friendly.

Best Restaurants

Screen door (american south).

Address: 2337 E Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214 Phone: (503) 542-0880 Website

Screen Door specializes in American Southern cuisine but with modern flair. Dine inside or on the covered patio to soak up the nice weather on warm days. For parties of six or more it's recommended to make a reservation, especially during the summer months and for weekend brunch, as wait times can be pretty long.

Andina (Peruvian)

Address: 1314 NW Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97209 Phone: (503) 228-9535 Website

For nearly 20 years, Andina has been serving up modern takes on traditional Peruvian dishes in the city's Pearl District. The décor is inviting yet contemporary with soft neutral colors, crisp white tablecloths, and walls decorated with murals centered around Andean culture that were commissioned by a local artist.

Kachka (Eastern European)

Address: 960 SE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214 Phone: (503) 235-0059 Website

This casual eatery and deli dishes up a range of Eastern European small plates and sells imported grocery items you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Grab a quick bite and enjoy it out on the patio or take it to go for an impromptu picnic at nearby St. Francis Park.

Mucca Osteria (Italian)

Address: 1022 SW Morrison Street, Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 227-5521 Website

This upscale eatery in the heart of Downtown Portland offers the best of traditional Italian fare. From house-made spaghetti to gnocchi in a boar ragu and ricotta-filled tortellini to sous vide pork shoulder, you're sure to leave with a full stomach. Dine indoors to take in the eclectic décor or sit outside for some great people watching, just be sure to make a reservation as they have very limited seating.

Jake's Famous Crawfish (American South)

Address: 401 SW 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 226-1419 Website

Jake's Famous Crawfish is a local landmark that's been in operation since 1892 on the border of the Pearl District and Downtown Portland. Fresh fish is flown in daily making it one of the best spots in town to get seafood. Wait times can be long so it's recommended to make a reservation in advance just in case.

Salt & Straw (Dessert)

Address: 838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210 Phone: (971) 271-8168 Website

Launched by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek in 2011, this ice cream shop is the perfect stop for anyone looking to satiate their sweet tooth. With flavors like Jasmine Milk Tea & Chocolate, Hibiscus & Coconut Sherbet, and Rhubarb Crumble with Toasted Anise, you won't find any other place like it. And with three locations, it's easy to find yourself within walking distance. But if you don't want to leave your hotel, they also offer local delivery.

Things to Do

International rose test garden.

Address: 400 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 823-3636 Website

Perfect for a spring or summer stroll, the International Rose Test Garden is the longest-running garden of its kind in the country and has over 10,000 rose bushes of 650 different varieties. The garden exemplifies the city's nickname as the "City of Roses" and is just one of 279 different parks and natural areas in Portland.

Portland Art Museum

Address: 1219 SW Park Avenue , Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 226-2811 Website

One of the oldest art museums in the country, founded in 1892, this cultural institution has an expansive collection of over 50,000 items spread across 112,000 square feet of gallery space. The museum specializes in Native American art, English silver, and graphic art.

Portland Saturday Market

Address: 2 SW Naito Parkway , Portland, OR 97204 Phone: (503) 222-6072 Website

The Portland Saturday Market is the oldest continuously operated outdoor market in the U.S. selling goods from local artisans. Here, you can find jewelry, photography, paintings, wines, art, and much more.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Address: 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209 Phone: (503) 228-8131 Website

A trip to Lan Su Chinese Garden will have you feeling as though you've just stepped foot in China, rather than in this West Coast town. Filled with plants native to Asia and decorative pagodas, this is a favorite spot to snap photos or take a relaxing stroll.

Address: 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221 Phone: (503) 226-1561 Website

Located in Washington Park just west of Downtown Portland, the Oregon Zoo is set on 64 acres and houses elephants, lions, and chimpanzees. Founded nearly 135 years ago, it's the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River.

Best Shopping

Powell's city of books.

Address: 1005 West Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97209 Phone: (800) 878-7323 Website

Powell's City of Books has been a staple in Downtown Portland for 50 years and offers an impressive selection of over 1 million books for bibliophiles to comb through. The bookstore has expanded to include two additional locations, one in Hawthorne and another in Beaverton, but the flagship location is still a local favorite.

Lena Medoyeff

Address: 710 NW 23rd Avenue , Portland, OR 97210 Phone: (503) 227-0011 Website

The bridal designs at Lena Medoyeff in Nob Hill are truly one-of-a-kind, blending traditional elements with unconventional flair. Her recent collections showcase sleek and sophisticated wedding dresses that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

N'Kossi Boutique

Address: 700 SW 5th Ave, Suite 1180 , Portland, OR 97204 Phone: (971) 407-6558 Website

Since 1995, designer and tailor Jean Pierre Nugloze has brought a unique sensibility to his work, offering both traditional and modern takes on Togolese fashion. Situated right in the heart of Downtown, N'Kossi Boutique offers men's and women's fashion, jewelry, and activewear.

The House of Rose (THOR)

Address: 7459 SW Bridgeport Road, Tigard, OR 97224 Phone: (503) 747-0930 Website

Tony Iyke grew up in Nigeria and brought his talents to Portland, Oregon, creating hand-crafted pieces for both men and women. Iyke creates custom suits, dresses, blazers, and pants, and also offers a selection of suitcases, wallets, and other small accessories.

Betsy + Iya

Address: 1777 NW 24th Avenue, Portland, OR 97210 Phone: (503) 227-5482 Website

The team at Besty + Iya have been making hand-made jewelry since 2008, focusing on fun, geometric patterns—think asymmetrical metallic earrings or necklaces à la Salvador Dalí. The shop also offers a range of womenswear and bridal pieces that play off that cool and funky aesthetic.

Address: 8202 N Denver Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 Phone: (503) 289-0558 Website

Karen McClelland founded Mantel PDX to help support local artists and showcase their work. Housed in a refurbished historical building in Kenton, the store features ceramics, homeware, jewelry, and accessories, all made by fellow Portlanders.

Neighborhoods to Know

The city is divided into six sections that locals call "quadrants": North Portland, Northeast Portland, Northwest Portland, South Portland, Southeast Portland, and Southwest Portland. Each quadrant has its own unique style and scene.

Pearl District: A former industrial neighborhood located between Nob Hill and Downtown Portland, this trendy district has transformed into one of the city's prime shopping areas. Reclaimed warehouses are filled with the area's bars and restaurants, including breweries, quaint coffee shops, and trendy restaurants. And the many Indie boutiques and galleries showcase work by local artists.

Nob Hill: Decorative Victorians and lush greenery make the Nob Hill neighborhood one of the city's most stunning. Many of the homes have been converted into businesses that house casual eateries, boutiques, and refined restaurants, making the area a great spot to grab a bite and take in the city's beautiful architecture.

West End: Set in the historic section of the city's downtown, the West End is where to go for fashion, nightlife, and plenty of shopping. You'll find a good mix of luxe hotels, cafés, design shops, and boutiques that showcase both local and international products.

Alberta Arts District: Centered along Alberta Street in the Northeast portion of town, this trendy district connects the surrounding neighborhoods of King, Vernon, and Concordia with art galleries, colorful murals, and plenty of restaurants. The district is best known for its monthly street fair, Last Thursday , that showcases and promotes local artists, musicians, and performers.

Hawthorne: Set on the east side of the Willamette River in the Southeast quadrant, Hawthorne is a nearly three-mile commercial stretch of eclectic shops and dining options. Here, you'll find bookstores, vintage thrift stores, restaurants, and theaters, and on the far east end is Mount Tabor Park, which is filled with great walking trails and even better views of the city.

Division: You could spend your entire trip feasting your way through all of the restaurants that line the many streets that make up this Southeast quadrant neighborhood. But it's not all about the dining, you'll also find a number of great shops and boutiques selling vintage fashion and home décor items.

Portland experiences more rain than most cities in the country with 43 inches per year compared to the average of 38 inches. But the city gets 88 percent of its rainfall from October through May, making for relatively dry summer months. Even with significant rainfall (averaging 156 days per year compared to the US average of 103 days) the city only gets about three inches of snow per year.

The following are average Fahrenheit lows and highs by month. Average annual precipitation in Portland is 43 inches of rain.

January: 36°F to 47°F February: 36°F to 51°F March: 40°F to 57°F April: 43°F to 61°F May: 49°F to 68°F June: 54°F to 74°F July: 58°F to 81°F August: 58°F to 81°F September: 53°F to 76°F October: 46°F to 64°F November: 40°F to 53°F December: 35°F to 46°F

Apps to Download

PDX Bus, MAX, Streetcar & WES : Public transportation in Portland iOs (Only available on iOs)

Biketown : Bike share servicing Portland iOs | Android

Uber : Rideshare servicing Portland iOS | Android

Lyft : Rideshare servicing Portland iOS | Android

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How nanobreweries are shaking up Portland's beer scene

Portland is a city of beer-lovers and beer-makers, from small-scale producers to major breweries. In recent years, a crop of nanobreweries has sprung up, their owners fermenting beer in garages, pulling pints in trailers and creating a community along the way.

Inside the suburban garage, sunlight angles in amber and gold, while two torpedo-shaped fermenters — one named Hank, the other Steve — are gently rumbling. At the controls is the generously bearded Zak Cate, the co-founder of Little Hop Brewing and a craft beer obsessive who rarely makes the same barrel twice. He’s the dynamo behind this private afternoon tasting session at his home, flipping taps to release coloured streams of pale straw, maple and ruby brown. The air is thick with the yeasty scent of toasted hops and grain.

“For an American beer, the first sip is a punch in the face,” he says, raising his voice above the whirr of machinery. He’s telling me about one of his absurdly small-batch creations — which range from malt-heavy IPAs to herby farmhouse-style ales, not yet in fashion — which sit fizzing gently in 16-ounce tumblers on the hand-sanded counter. An exhale, a good-natured cheers, a flash of light through the glass, then our drinks are held high in front of our gleaming eyes. We grin like children.

The beer rises from the glass, suds swimming at the top and dressed in all the colours of summer. It’s fresh as the morning sun and hoppier than a German kölsch, with hints of pine and grapefruit. A second glass is poured, a rising tide revealing a fruited sour beer in a deep, hazy butterscotch. The first sniff is of burnt vanilla, the flavour tropical, and it’s impossible not to love it. “I’m getting late autumn harvest on the palette,” Zak jokes. “Like Oregon peaches and pineapple.”

All this hipster geekspeak contrasts brilliantly with the suburban set-up. Zak’s childhood home in Multnomah County, southwest Portland, now doubles as a brewery, the garage kitted out with load-bearing flint foundations and a steel ventilator that was formerly used as a horse trough. Upstairs is Zak’s daughter Wallis and in the backyard beyond the washing machine and utility room are the family dogs, Winslow (a labradoodle) and Paco (a puggle). Out front is an eggshell-blue vintage farm truck, rebuilt by hand.  

Oregon has long been a place of pilgrimage for craft beer-lovers, but now it’s the springboard for the ‘second coming’. Zak and his high-school sweetheart and now wife, Lisa, have been brewing for years. Before the pandemic, he was a tastemaker at McMenamins, the originator of Oregon’s first brewpub — and the couple are now part of a new but growing community of ultra-small brewers. Never mind microbreweries — these are nanobreweries.

And you only truly understand this term when you behold the tiny scale of a shoestring operation such as the Cates’. Whereas big-name Portland craft beer brand Widmer Brothers has a 250-barrel system with capacity to fill 300 kegs per hour, Little Hop would take a lifetime to do the same. It has one tank and two pairs of hands — as bijou as it gets for beer.  

“When you’re this small, you don’t fit in the box for anything,” says Lisa. The garage serves not only as a brewery, but also as a production line, canning plant and tasting room. It’s not open to the public, but Zak recently finished hand-building what he calls “the tiniest tap house in America”. Something akin to a garden shed on wheels, The Little Hop House sits on a peaceful residential corner not far from the couple’s home, attracting dawdlers and dog walkers curious to find out what this cute little clapboard trailer is doing here. What it’s doing is selling top-notch beer. At weekends, Little Hops’ brews are poured from the trailer’s six taps and dispensed to local customers from a serving hatch. The vibe is Cheers meets B & Q, but with added wildflowers and droning bees in summer.

Portland is a city where you’re never far from a good beer. The streets are populated by breweries that started out in the late 1980s, when distribution laws changed and brewers were allowed to sell direct to consumers. There are nearly 300 microbreweries in Oregon, including 83 in Portland alone. Craft breweries have long been a staple of social gatherings, and crawls around some of the best are a popular night out for locals and visitors alike.

But while many other US cities have now surpassed Portland’s brewery count, Oregon’s beer scene is evolving in ways few people could’ve expected. The pandemic played its part, shutting down many microbreweries and taprooms across the city. As a result, thousands of workers were laid off and, since 2019, barrel production in Portland has declined by a third.

All this on its own should’ve been enough to discourage the next wave of craft brewers, but in fact it led to the birth of more beer start-ups, as veterans and have-a-go hobbyists alike found themselves with time to experiment at home. Suddenly, brewers of all levels had the freedom to play around with the four main ingredients of water, grain, yeast and hops to create their dream beer.  

These days, most locals in the know say the Greater Portland area is home to around 20 nanobreweries, defining the concept in simple terms. If an empty fermenter is light enough to be picked up by a single person, it qualifies. Those in the nano industry also say the beer has to be drunk locally and not exported. For the majority, the idea isn’t to grow a huge audience, but to make their existing customers stick around and beg for more.  

Seasonal flavours

The day after my visit to Little Hop, I head east of the Willamette River, where salmon and steelhead fisheries, not hops and barley, once made fortunes and determined lives.

There are a multitude of reasons to drink beer — social, emotional — but I’m increasingly interested in the personalities behind the pilsners. People like Alyssa LeCompte and Mike Lockwood, who I meet at Duality Brewing in Central Eastside. Their minimalist nanobrewery launched in May 2023 — not that one could tell it’s such a recent opening on this warm evening a couple of months later. The terrace is full to overflowing, despite the owners eschewing signage or anything else announcing their presence. A smart move, I think, if you’re trying to remain low profile.

“It’s an odd way to run a business,” concedes Alyssa, in reference to the lack of signage. She pours me a hazy blood orange-flavouured cream ale in a stream of bubbles — it’s pearly blonde, with the potency of a kiss and a taste like a bitter, frothy ice cream. “There’s just enough beer for the weekend, but then it’s gone. We only want to work three days a week, so the nano model fits us perfectly.”

As at Little Hop, Duality became a place where Alyssa and Mike fulfilled the fantasies of their pre-pandemic lives. Before settling in Portland, the art school graduates worked in a distillery in New York, and Mike later started home brewing while living in Los Angeles. The couple eventually moved north a few years ago and rented a shipping container as a makeshift brewery. Now they’ve taken over an inner-city lot. Mike still drives the kegs from this improvised lab to their bar — a sleek wood-and-stone hangar that could easily be mistaken for a Tokyo design studio — in the boot of his car.

Behind it all is the idea of connecting with Oregon’s seasonality and creating ingredient-driven beers that pair well with food. Currently sharing the site tenancy is Astral, a Mexican pop-up offering small plates like ahi tuna tostada and wahoo ceviche, which harmonise with whatever’s on tap. I try a citra-hopped table beer alongside slivers of pork belly chicharrón (fried pork rinds) and need little encouragement to order more — the meat is lightly oiled and golden, the beer adding caramel to the springy, salty snack.

Next comes a rye and hibiscus lager aged in grappa oak, paired with chilli asparagus and sugar snap peas topped with a blizzard of cotija, an aged Mexican cheese. The food is a passport to a beach in the Yucatán, the beer like a floral explosion, rather than something concocted in a corrugated steel box.  

Portland’s nanobrewing scene is less bookish and cerebral and more fun than the approach taken by many brewers I’ve met over the years. The usual norms don’t apply here, and this bold experiment is now moving beyond the city limits to the grasslands. This is a part of Oregon where time is marked by the crows of scratching roosters and the growl of tractor engines as farmers tend their grain.

A 25-mile drive north of Portland takes me to Columbia County and Crooked Creek Brewery, run by Dave Lauridsen. A former advertising and celebrity photographer, he moved here from California. Insects thrum and hens scamper around his backyard coop as sunlight pours down over the farmlands.  

It’s a swathe of countryside resembling a Mondrian block painting — all burgundy-red silos, blue sky and bright yellow sun — and so far away from Portland in feel, if not distance, it seems surprising the nano trend is taking hold here. But taking hold it is, and Dave welcomes me into his converted garage, where he pours out a selection of tasters that make it clear why this is the case. There’s a Belgian-type hazy IPA (grapefruity and smooth), a dry hopped blonde ale (toasted and buttery) and a saison with prickly pear and apricot (jammy and bold).  

They’re all deliciously autumnal, although the turn of the leaves is still a few months off. After the tasting, I wander over to the eponymous crooked creek on Dave’s property to watch it glow in the sun. The nano life seems pretty sweet — creativity and freedom abound, and it genuinely seems to bring people together, whether that’s brewers and the employees of food businesses, or friends meeting for a drink poured from a shed on wheels.  

“We don’t just make beer,” says Dave, as the yeasty whiff of fermentation carries out from the lock-up onto the cooling breeze, “we create human relationships and are building a community.”

Related Topics

• FOOD CULTURE
• CULTURAL CONSERVATION
• FOOD TOURISM

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Be Seen. Be Heard. Portland, Part 1

Judge denies request from ex-wife for GPS monitoring device to be worn by Huizar

Armed robbery at Portland dispensary

Peer mediation group at Roosevelt High resolves fights, prevents violence

How climate innovations can improve lives of Oregonians

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Woman wins $1M in Oregon lottery raffle, credits $1.3B Powerball winner for reminder

A forgotten lottery ticket stuffed in a Tupperware container made an Oregon woman a millionaire.

Leslie Carr, 52, a Portland resident, bought the $1 million lucky Raffle ticket for the March 15 drawing at a Fred Meyer in Happy Valley, the Oregon Lottery said .

“I had no idea I was the winner,” Carr told lottery officials. “If it weren’t for the billion-dollar Powerball winner making news, I would have forgot. We don’t check our tickets.”

After learning about the $1.326 billion Powerball win in her state, Carr took a trip to the grocery store where she purchased the tickets to check them. After checking almost all the tickets within her stash Carr checked the last one that gave her the message to visit the Oregon Lottery Headquarters. In disbelief she asked a Fred Meyer staff member to check her lucky ticket, the lottery said.

“I can’t cash this because your prize is worth over $1,000," the staff member told her.

The thought of winning cash from the lottery brought excitement to Carr.

“That’s when I started getting butterflies,” Carr told lottery officials.

Michigan woman wins: $2M lottery jackpot after buying ticket on the way to pick up pizza

'A dream come true': $1 million lottery win will help Oregon woman pay bills and travel

Claiming her $1million prize on Monday Carr, a medical receptionist, plans to take care of some bills before enjoying the rest of her money.

Starting with her mortgage Carr plans to pay off the home that she lives in with her husband. A nice gift to herself is buying a new truck. Carr told Oregon Lottery officials that the one she currently owns has a broken windshield.

After getting those tasks done Carr said she’d love to take a vacation in Hawaii.

Carr told lottery officials that the lottery win was, “a dream come true.”

What are the odds of winning the Raffle?

The odds of winning the $1 million top prize for the Raffle is 1 in 250,000 , the Oregon Lottery said .

The overall odds of winning the Raffle are 1 in 138.8 , the lottery said.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

In order to purchase a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store - and in a handful of states, you can get tickets online.

You can also order tickets online through  Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network , in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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Oregon police arrest suspect after woman's kidnapping caught on doorbell camera

Hillsboro police department said woman was ‘crying for help’ in video.

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Police in Oregon have arrested a suspect after he allegedly was captured on a doorbell camera kidnapping a woman at a home outside of Portland. 

The Hillsboro Police Department, which released images of the struggle, said the woman was "caught on doorbell cam crying for help before she was picked up and carried away" by a male individual in the city late Sunday night. 

Investigators said the pair "appear to have left in a white pickup" truck from the area of SE 32nd Ave and E Main St in Hillsboro and that the incident was being investigated as a "possible kidnapping." 

Police then announced Monday morning that a man had been arrested and charged with kidnapping.  

MISSING TENNESSEE TEEN SEBASTIAN ROGERS’ DAD HIRES PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR AS SEARCH ENTERS SECOND MONTH: ‘COULD BE ANYWHERE’  

The Hillsboro Police Department says the woman seen in this home doorbell camera was "crying for help" as a man picked her up and carried her away from the scene in Hillsboro, Oregon. (Hillsboro Police Department)

"By the early morning hours of April 23rd, the suspect and victim were identified. The suspect was arrested and the victim is safe. The suspect and victim knew each other and this was not a random attack. There is no danger to the public," the Hillsboro Police Department said. 

CHILD WHO SURVIVED 47-HOUR ABDUCTION FROM STATE PARK CREDITED FOR AIRTIGHT CASE AGAINST CAPTOR  

The Hillsboro Police Department announced Monday morning that the woman allegedly targeted in the incident, shown here, has been found safe while a suspect has been arrested and charged with kidnapping. The incident happened in Hillsboro, a city just outside of Portland, Oregon. (Hillsboro Police Department)

The identities of the male and female seen in the video have not been publicly released. 

The Hillsboro Police Department said "Thank you to all the community members who contacted us to provide tips and leads in this investigation." They added that the suspect and victim in this case knew each other and there is no threat to the public.

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"Thank you to all the community members who contacted us to provide tips and leads in this investigation," police said. 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

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This Oregon coast inn is one of the best beach resorts in the country

• Updated: Apr. 22, 2024, 8:19 a.m. |
• Published: Apr. 22, 2024, 6:04 a.m.

• Mims Copeland | The Oregonian/OregonLive

The Stephanie Inn , a popular Oregon coast destination for decades, has another accolade to add to its collection.

The 42-room Cannon Beach resort is the only property in the Pacific Northwest that made the cut for Travel+Leisure’s list of the “15 Best Beach Resorts in the U.S.”

The magazine likes the well-equipped rooms overlooking Haystack Rock and says, “Part of the appeal of Stephanie Inn is community; every day, guests are invited to mingle over a wine and beer gathering in the library as well as an evening nightcap around the fire.”

Long known as a romantic destination (in part because the hotel does not allow guests under 12 years old), the Stephanie Inn boasts a spa with offerings including a 90-minute “Lavender Body Melt” for $210. The award-winning restaurant serves four-course meals focusing on local ingredients for $99.

Rooms start at $339 a night right now and gradually increase to $669 or more a night in peak summer weeks.

Other non-East Coast resorts on Travel+Leisure’s unranked list are the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Mauna Lani, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and The Lodge at Kukui’ula in Hawaii; Montage Laguna Beach and Alila Marea Beach Rest Encinitas in California; and Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Nevada.

Mims Copeland is a social media producer and covers trending topics for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at [email protected]

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2 Oregon towns have some of the dirtiest air in the U.S., new report finds

(NEXSTAR) — No matter where you live in the U.S., it’s probably important to you that the air you breathe is clean and safe. But it’s not as simple as looking up in the sky and seeing “clean air,” so how can you really know?

That’s where the American Lung Association comes in. The organization releases an annual State of the Air report showcasing the country’s cleanest and most polluted cities based on year-round particle pollution in the air.

According to the American Lung Association, particle pollution is a mixture of tiny bits of solids and liquids in the air we breathe. Generally, it can come from factories, power plants, and diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles. It can also come from wildfires, wood stoves, or fireplaces.

Most particles are too small to be visible, but when pollution levels are high enough, they can make the air appear thick and hazy.

Exposure to high levels of these particles can result in illness, hospitalization, and premature death. The American Lung Association states that these particles are responsible for nearly 48,000 premature deaths in the United States every year.

In the latest State of the Air report, the American Lung Association looked at the year-round particle pollution in each city from 2020-2022 and determined if a city passed or failed based on whether its average particle pollution was above or below 9 µg/m3, or 9 micrograms of pollution per cubic meter. 9 µg/m3 is considered the baseline by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Landing at the top of the list of most polluted cities is Bakersfield, California, which more than doubled the NAAQS baseline with an average annual particle pollution of 18.8 µg/m3.

California in general did not fare too well, with six cities landing in the top ten most polluted. Three fellow western states filled out the rest of the top ten. Oregon had two cities in the top ten, and Arizona and Alaska each had one.

Here’s the full list of the top ten most polluted cities, according to the 2024 State of the Air report:

• Bakersfield, CA – 18.8 µg/m3
• Visalia, CA – 18.4 µg/m3
• Fresno-Madera-Hanford, CA – 17.5 µg/m3
• Eugene-Springfield, OR – 14.7 µg/m3
• San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA – 14.3 µg/m3
• Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA – 14 µg/m3
• Sacramento-Roseville, CA – 13.8 µg/m3
• Medford-Grants Pass, OR – 13.5 µg/m3
• Phoenix-Mes, AZ – 12.4 µg/m3
• Fairbanks, AK – 12.2 µg/m3

Other major cities that were just outside the top ten include Indianapolis, Detroit, Las Vegas, Kansas City, and Chicago.

As for the other side of the spectrum, various areas of the western U.S. were also considered the cleanest cities in the country . Honolulu, Hawaii, finished as the cleanest city in the U.S. with only an average annual particle pollution of 3.7 µg/m3. Hawaii also had another area – Maui’s Lahaina metro area – finish not far behind at No. 3. Since this report looked at 2020-2022, the 2023 Lahaina fires were not taken into account. Casper, Wyoming, finished sandwiched between them at No. 2.

Also, only two East Coast cities made the top ten with Wilmington, North Carolina, coming in at No. 4 and Bangor, Maine, at No. 5. Check out the rest of the list of cleanest cities:

• Honolulu, HI – 3.7 µg/m3
• Casper, WY – 3.8 µg/m3
• Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI – 4.0 µg/m3
• Wilmington, NC – 4.4 µg/m3
• Bangor, ME – 4.5 µg/m3
• Cheyenne, WY – 4.9 µg/m3
• Duluth, MN-WI – 5.1 µg/m3
• Colorado Springs, CO – 5.5 µg/m3
• Anchorage, AK – 5.6 µg/m3
• St. George, UT – 5.6 µg/m3

As for how the U.S. compares to the rest of the world, last year IQAir ranked the U.S. as the 102nd most polluted country with an average annual particle pollution of 9.1 µg/m3. For perspective, Bangladesh, finished as the most polluted country with 79.9 µg/m3.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.

Oregon State-Portland Moved To 6:05 P.M. Start In Hillsboro

HILLSBORO, Ore. - Tuesday night's game between Oregon State and Portland at Ron Tonkin Field has been moved back 30 minutes to a 6:05 p.m. PT start.

The adjustment has been made to accomodate a late travel issue for the Beavers en route to Hillsboro.

The game will air on Portland's CW.

Related News & Videos

Pac-12 email registration.

Supreme Court conservatives skeptical of challenge to Oregon city's crackdown on homeless

WASHINGTON — Conservative Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Monday about a challenge to municipal ordinances that punish homeless people for camping on public property when they have nowhere else to go.

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, is reviewing an appeals court ruling that said several ordinances enacted by the small city of Grants Pass, Oregon, are prohibited under the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment.

The ordinances bar sleeping or camping on publicly owned property, including sidewalks, streets, bridges and city parks. Punishment, which is the key issue in the case, can include fines of up to several hundred dollars and exclusion orders barring people from public property.

Exacerbated by lack of housing and the high cost of rent, homelessness and how to deal with it have become flashpoints in many communities across the country.

Justices repeatedly conceded that addressing homelessness is a complicated policy question, but the conservative members of the court expressed doubts that a lawsuit under the Eighth Amendment was the best way to deal with it.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, one of the conservatives, said that before they reach a constitutional issue, the justices "usually think about whether state law, local law already achieves those purposes so that the federal courts aren't micromanaging homeless policy."

He and others raised the prospect of homeless people being able instead to mount a defense under state law known as the "necessity defense," in which people can claim they had no choice but to violate the law.

Fellow conservative Neil Gorsuch raised similar questions, noting that if courts find cities cannot punish homeless people for sleeping outside, the same logic could apply to other ordinances, such as those prohibiting urinating or defecating in public."How about if there are no public bathroom facilities? Do people have an Eighth Amendment right to defecate and urinate?" he asked.

Chief Justice John Roberts appeared equally resistant to the idea that courts have a role to play in overseeing homeless policy.

"Why would you think that these nine people are the best people to judge and weigh those policy judgments?" he asked.

Advocates for the homeless argue that the ordinances in effect punish people for existing when they have no other place to go and that the measures do nothing to address the underlying issue of housing shortages.

They note that cities already have the power to regulate encampments, something that is not at issue before the Supreme Court.

The court's three liberal justices appeared more sympathetic to the plaintiffs.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor addressed the prospect of other cities' enacting similar policies that encourage homeless people to seek shelter elsewhere."Where do we put them if every city, every village, every town lacks compassion?" she asked. "Where are they supposed to sleep?"

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in wondering whether a homeless person could ever bring a claim under the Eighth Amendment if the court overturned the appeals court ruling, asked what would happen if "the city decided it was going to execute homeless people."

It would be a "very extreme scenario," but it would "solve the problems you're talking about," she told the city's lawyer, Theane Evangelis.

Justice Elena Kagan also probed the city's arguments, saying that if people can be punished for sleeping then perhaps, under the same theory, cities could also punish people for breathing, because both actions are a "biological necessity."

"For a homeless person who has no place to go, sleeping in public is kind of like breathing in public," she added.

The ruling issued in 2022 by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals applies to all nine states within its jurisdiction, including California. Several of those states have large populations of homeless people.

Among those asking the Supreme Court to overturn the appeals court are local officials in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and other cities.

The Biden administration has mostly backed the challengers, having filed a brief in support of neither side saying laws that bar sleeping on public property are unlawful "if they are applied in a manner that prevents an individual without available shelter from residing in the jurisdiction."

The appeals court ruled 2-1 that Grants Pass, which is about 250 miles south of Portland, cannot “enforce its anti-camping ordinances against homeless persons for the mere act of sleeping outside with rudimentary protection from the elements, or for sleeping in their car at night, when there is no other place in the city for them to go.”

The decision applies only in situations in which homeless people “are engaging in conduct necessary to protect themselves from the elements when there is no shelter space available,” the court added.

The case arose after a group of homeless people challenged the application of the ordinances. They say there is no shelter space , so they have little option but to sleep outside.

City officials maintain that the ordinances pass legal muster and are aimed at curbing the proliferation of homeless encampments.Officials argue that their policies are aimed at encouraging homeless people to seek housing, although the city itself does not have its own shelter. It directs people to one run by a religious organization that has limited space and imposes various conditions.

"Fines and short jail terms for camping on public property are not cruel and unusual punishments," the city's lawyers wrote in court papers.

Lawrence Hurley covers the Supreme Court for NBC News.