portland places to visit

14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Portland, Oregon

Written by Chloë Ernst and Brad Lane Updated Mar 18, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Portland, the largest city in Oregon, straddles the Willamette River and is considered by many to be one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It's a combination of creative culture and flourishing city attractions that brings flocks of tourists and soon-to-be residents to The City of Roses.

Perhaps to compensate for the damp Pacific Northwest winters, visitors will find a wealth of cultural happenings, musical entertainment, theater, and a selection of other fun things to do in Portland . And those same rains nourish the city's impressive gardens, one of the city's top attractions. Green spaces range from colorful plantings of roses and rhododendrons to a classical Chinese garden.

Portland's proximity to other major Pacific Northwest destinations also adds to its popularity. From the Oregon Coast to Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, epic Oregon adventures are less than two hours in any direction.

Discover the best places to visit in this culture-rich city with our list of the top attractions in Portland, Oregon.

See also: Where to Stay in Portland

1. Washington Park

2. columbia river gorge national scenic area, 3. pittock mansion, 4. international rose test garden, 5. forest park, 6. powell's city of books, 7. portland japanese garden, 8. portland art museum, 9. lan su chinese garden, 10. oregon museum of science and industry, 11. oregon zoo, 12. crystal springs rhododendron garden, 13. portland saturday market, 14. mount tabor park, where to stay in portland for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to portland, best time to visit portland, oregon.

Portland's Washington Park contains a number of tourist attractions, including the famed International Rose Test Garden, a zoo, and museums. A one-time wild land first purchased by the city in 1871, it is located to the west of the city center. Visitors can spend an entire day exploring the park's attractions, and another strolling through the unusual gardens.

The well-known International Rose Test Garden is where new varieties of roses are grown. In the city's mild climate, roses continue to flower into autumn, though visitors will want to catch an annual Rose Festival in May and June.

The Portland Japanese Garden is another all-day escape in Washington Park. It's one of the largest outside Japan and is landscaped on the grounds of an old zoo.

Other popular things to do in the park include visiting the present-day zoo, the Portland Children's Museum , and Hoyt Arboretum . The Oregon Zoo at Washington Park features animals from across the world, including African crocodiles, American beavers, and Asian elephants. The Hoyt Arboretum is comprised of 190 forested acres and features 12 miles of hiking trails.

Address: 4033 Southwest Canyon Road, Portland, Oregon

The Columbia River marks the Oregon-Washington state border, and its entire length is a remarkable sightseeing region ideal for leisurely drives and enjoying the outdoors.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the top day trip destinations from Portland , covering an immense 292,500 acres along the Pacific Northwest's largest river. The trip takes in locks, viewpoints, and hiking trails.

Many visitors like to stop and photograph the waterfalls that edge the route, including the towering Multnomah Falls (which flows year-round), lovely Oneonta Gorge , and Latourell Falls in Guy W. Talbot State Park.

Other places to visit include Vista House at Crown Point and the Angel's Rest hiking trail. Camping is available in the gorge at Ainsworth State Park.

Just west of downtown Portland, this grand home was built in 1914 by Henry Pittock - founder of the Oregonian newspaper. Pittock lived here for only five years until his death in 1919 at the age of 80.

The house, set for demolition in the 1960s, brought the community together as they persuaded the City of Portland to purchase the home. Through private fundraising, the mansion was restored to its full glory, and it is because of this forward-thinking of residents that visitors have a chance to tour this impressive and eclectic home today.

Especially for its day, the Pittock Mansion had many impressive features, including a central vacuum system, intercoms, and indirect lighting. The home is set on 46 acres and at an elevation 1,000 feet above Portland. This allows for exceptional views of the city on clear days.

During its heyday, the home was also known for its impressive gardens. That trend continues today, plus the house is mid-way between Washington Park , Hoyt Arboretum , and the many trails of expansive Forest Park.

Address: 3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, Oregon

Official site: http://pittockmansion.org/

The Rose Test Garden in Portland's Washington Park was founded in 1917 and is the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. The grounds are divided up into several sections with many interesting plants and spaces to explore. The garden develops new rose varieties and even miniatures, and past award winners are planted in what is known as the Gold Award Garden , which also features a lovely gazebo.

It's best to visit during the late spring bloom. On blue sky days, Portland's city center and Mount Hood are in clear view from the gardens. Parking is often competitive at the International Rose Test Garden, but the city provides expansive public transit options to reach the park.

Another lovely Portland rose garden - Peninsula Park Rose Garden - is set in a sunken landscape on the other side of the river.

Address: 850 SW Rose Garden Way, Portland, Oregon

Forest Park flanks the west side of the city and provides more than 5,000 acres of Northwest forest to explore, providing an easy escape from the urban environment. It covers the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains and is one of the largest urban parks in the country. The park is easily accessible by car, bike, or public transportation.

The park is home to many of the best hiking trails in the Portland area and contains more than 80 miles of hiking and walking trails. First-time visitors should bring a map to help navigate. The 30-mile Wildwood Trail is popular, as it connects with other pedestrian paths that circumnavigate the city.

Another popular loop is the Maple Trail Loop , which highlights some of the tallest flora in the park. The iconic Pittock Mansion is also accessible with a hike through Forest Park starting from Lower Macleay Park.

Address: NW 29th Avenue and Upshur Street to Newberry Road, Portland, Oregon

Bibliophiles will love exploring more than a million books at this legendary used bookstore. Shelves mix new titles with used copies for a slightly haphazard but welcoming feel.

Staff picks, clever displays, and plenty of space to lean against a corner and read make choosing a book easier to do. The Burnside location also features a roomy coffeeshop with plenty of space to sit and read your new book selection.

The events calendar at Powell's Books has something nearly every day, including author readings, panel discussions, writing workshops , and many different types of book clubs . This shop on Burnside Street is one of five of the independent chain's locations in the Portland area, and easily the largest.

Address: 1005 W. Burnside Street, Portland, Oregon

Official site: http://www.powells.com/

Encompassing 12 acres within Washington Park, Portland's Japanese Garden is located on the grounds of an old zoo. It was first opened to the public in 1961 and built to give the citizens of Portland a place to find serenity in their day and to recognize the growing cultural ties between Oregon and Japan. Both impressions remain today at the Japanese Garden, and the area is beautifully laid out in a variety of styles that offer a uniquely peaceful experience for visitors.

Garden spaces include the picture-like Flat Garden , the Strolling Pond Garden , and a Tea Garden complete with a lovely ceremonial teahouse. Events at the garden include cultural demonstrations, lecture series, and mindfulness tours. The Umami Café at the garden features tea and Japanese finger foods served in a bright and modern cafeteria.

Address: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, Oregon

The Portland Art Museum is the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest, founded in 1892. It has since amassed a substantial and varied collection. The number of items exceeds 50,000, and only a small portion is displayed in more than 112,000 square feet of gallery space .

Highlights include Native American artifacts, graphic arts, English silver, Asian art, photography, and Northwest art. One of the Portland Art Museum's most notable pieces is Vincent Van Gogh's Cart with Black Ox .

The Northwest Film Center and the visual-arts-focused Crumpacker Family Library are also part of the museum . Free days are offered at the museum in the evenings on the first Thursday of every month.

Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, Oregon

Official site: http://portlandartmuseum.org/

The Lan Su Chinese Garden opened in the year 2000 to shed light on Chinese culture and history after the city developed a relationship with its sister city of Suzhou, China.

This tranquil environment blends rocks, plants, trees, gardens, and a lake on about 40,000 square feet, roughly a city block, of land in central Portland. Artisans came from Suzhou to construct traditional buildings and walkways, and native Chinese plants were imported.

Completing the garden is a lovely tea house. Guided and self-guided tours are available, and special events like mahjong, tai chi, and tea tastings also occur on a regular basis. Personal cameras are encouraged at the gardens, but tripods are not allowed.

Address: 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, Oregon

Official site: http://www.lansugarden.org/

The OMSI complex in Portland includes a theater with a four-story screen, a planetarium , a US Navy submarine, and educational hands-on displays. Among the galleries, visitors find colorful, entertaining, and educational exhibits for young children, as well as hands-on and interactive displays for all ages . Some of the fields cover energy, the environment, health, chemistry, engineering, and technology.

Docked just outside the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is the USS Blueback , a non-nuclear submarine that was in use for more than 30 years. This submarine was featured in the movie Hunt for Red October . Today, visitors can climb aboard for a guided tour.

Address: 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, Oregon

Official site: www.omsi.edu

Located in Washington Park, Oregon Zoo features hundreds of species, including many birds and marine animals like Steller sea lions and sea otters. Animals from around the world are represented here, from the African savannah to the Amazon and Arctic. One man, Richard Knight, put together a private collection of animals and began the zoo in the late 1800s.

Visitors may also want to take the time to learn about the Oregon Zoo's conservation programs and research, as one of the primary focuses is on preserving the species of the Pacific Northwest.

The Oregon Zoo features special behind-the-scenes tours that include animal interactions and a look at the operations of the facility. The zoo also hosts a wide range of camps, classes, and after-school programs.

Address: 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, Oregon

Official site: www.oregonzoo.org

Beyond the Pacific Northwest's rhododendrons, this Portland garden also contains azaleas, Japanese maples, dogwood, and magnolias on almost ten acres of land . While the main attraction is, of course, the spring blooms, when the colors are simply incredible , the spectacle continues into early summer.

The gardens are just as popular for waterfowl, and hundreds of species of birds are spotted in the park throughout the year. In winter, admission is free, and the garden becomes a peaceful place to spend some time.

The many lovely features of the garden include waterfalls and ponds, along with several coniferous trees. For anyone looking for a great place to volunteer their time and meet other community members, regular Wednesday work parties occur at the garden from February through November.

Address: 6015 SE 28th Ave, Portland, Oregon

The Portland Saturday Market was founded in 1974 and has evolved to become one of the city's largest open-air artist markets with over a million visitors each year. Today, the market occurs between the beginning of March and Christmas Eve in the Old Town Chinatown district, next to the Willamette River.

Over 250 vendors set up each Saturday morning. These local purveyors sell all types of arts and crafts, ranging from woodworks to jewelry and including illustrations, souvenirs, and home décor. It's completely free to visit the Portland Saturday Market, except for parking. The market is very accessible via bicycle or public transportation.

And it's not only arts and crafts at the Portland Saturday Market. Packaged foods like organic tea and artisan caramels add their flavors to the stalls, while a lively food court wafts the aroma of coffee and breakfast entrees. And live music throughout the entire market adds a lovely soundtrack to the community event.

Official site: https://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/

Mount Tabor is a dormant volcano in Southeast Portland surrounded by a city park. It's named after an Israeli peak and has been a public park since 1903. The famous landscape architect, John C. Olmsted helped design the park, which today still features several scenic trails, monuments, and long gardens of native plants.

The park is one of the most popular in Portland to enjoy a sunny day. The park encompasses nearly 200 acres, offering plenty of space to roam and discover something new. A few other park attractions include basketball and tennis courts, statues and public art, and a fantastic sunset view atop the summit.

The best place to stay in Portland for fun and sightseeing is right downtown. The city center is relatively compact, and staying here will put you in reasonable proximity to many of the major attractions. Nearby is Nob Hill with trendy restaurants and boutiques. Below is a list of highly- rated hotels in convenient locations :

Luxury Hotels :

• One of the most highly rated hotels in the city is the recently renovated RiverPlace, a Kimpton hotel. This boutique hotel lies along the beautiful Willamette River, adjacent to the Waterfront Park, a perfect place for a stroll.
• Another good option is the Embassy Suites by Hilton in the heart of downtown, near Old Town Chinatown.
• The Sentinel is also a popular choice, just up the street from Powell's Books, one of Portland's landmarks.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Just a little outside the main downtown area but close to the chic Pearl District is the Residence Inn . This recently renovated property is an extended-stay hotel with large suites.
• The Courtyard by Marriott downtown has an excellent location and offers good-value accommodation.
• Fans of unique properties will like the Ace Hotel with its clawfoot bathtubs and funky interior decor.

Budget Hotels:

• The Crystal Hotel is a hip option with unique decor and a saltwater pool, in a good location downtown.
• Another popular hotel is the Econo Lodge , near Portland State University and the Portland Art Museum, known for being good value.
• The Park Lane Suites and Inn offers both regular rooms and large suites, making it a good option for budget-minded families. It's also conveniently located near Washington Park, which is home to many of the city's attractions, including the Portland Japanese Garden, the zoo, Portland Children's museum, and the Hoyt Arboretum.

Sightseeing Tours :

• A great way to explore the city without the hassle of parking and finding your way around is the Portland Sightseeing Tour Including Columbia Gorge Waterfalls . Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from your hotel in a bus and seeing all the city highlights, with interesting insider information from an expert guide. On this full-day tour, you'll learn about Portland's food cart culture and visit the city's different neighborhoods and top attractions, including the beautiful Columbia Gorge waterfalls.
• If you're short on time, the Best of Portland Small-Group Sightseeing Tour is a half-day tour in a luxury van or SUV. The tour also includes a convenient pickup from your downtown hotel as well as fresh pastries, seasonal snacks, and a naturalist guide, who shares fascinating information about the parks, gardens, and city landmarks.
• For a more on-the-ground-style sightseeing adventure, the Portland Segway Tour gives you the flexibility of either a one-hour riverfront tour or a two-hour tour. The longer tour adds even more attractions, such as the Pearl District and Powell's Books, to the same riverside itinerary.
• Oregon is famous for its spectacular wilderness areas, and a fun and easy way to see them is on a day trip from Portland. The Mt. Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River is a fun way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without the worry of navigating your way and researching the top destinations. Board the coach from your downtown hotel on this full-day tour, and sit back and relax as your guide leads you through the highlights of the scenic Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood area, including waterfalls, the Cascade Mountains, and the pretty town of Hood River.

The best time to visit Portland depends on what you plan to do when you get here. The time of year and the weather in Portland can be significant factors when planning your trip. The summer season shines with postcard appeal. The winter and shoulder seasons do live up to its rainy reputation, but many would consider it just a drizzle.

The best time of year to go to Portland is during the summer, when the City of Roses is on full display. The gardens are in bloom, the skies are sunny, and the city is alive with local markets and outdoor concerts.

The summer months see the least amount of rainfall , so it's a great time to get in hikes at Mount Hood and the best opportunity to see the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden in Washington Park at their peak.

While summer is the best time to visit Portland it is also the high tourist season. That means more people on the ground and high rates for hotels and airfare. If you plan to visit in the summer, you should find a place to stay and book hotel rooms several months in advance to ensure availability.

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Other Oregon Cities : East of Portland, in the Columbia River Gorge, the city of Hood River is gaining notoriety as the windsurfing capital of the West Coast. South of Portland in the Willamette Valley, the state capital of Salem features great manicured spaces, including an ornate state capitol building. For some Southern Oregon adventures, the Shakespearean city of Ashland entices travelers with its attractions and festivals.

More on Oregon

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Your Quintessential Portland Bucket List: 50 Things to Do in Town

By Shannon Daehnke , Michelle Harris , Fiona McCann , Conner Reed , Margaret Seiler , Julia Silverman , Matthew Trueherz , and Sam Stites August 14, 2023

Image: courtesy Zack Spear/Unsplash

It's a question that befalls all of us: What should we do this weekend? Shouldn't we go do something on Saturday? Hmmm, I can't think of anything to do. Let us help. Portland's dining scene has been called the nation's most delicious, and  the hikes and views from our parks are second to none; our spectacular gardens are always worth a visit, and our movie theaters , bookstores , and coffee shops beckon with delights when the clouds hang low. 

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or are a local falling back in love with your chosen city, here's how to g et out there with our bucket list as your trusty guide.  

(Looking for more event listings? We've got you covered with this  curated lineup of upcoming events .)

IMAGE: NASHCO PHOTO

1. Get lost in the stacks at Powell’s Books’ flagship store

Pearl District

The Lowdown The world’s largest independent bookstore, with a treasure trove of new, used, and rare books, plus regular in-store events with authors of regional and national stature.  

Pro Tip Any book you’re looking for is probably here, but it’s worth timing your visit to Friday, Saturday, or Sunday so you can stroll through the Rare Book Room. Buy a coffee at the in-house Princess Bride– themed coffee shop, Guilder, which made our best coffee shops list. (Just keep the coffee out of the Rare Book Room.)

Don’t Miss  Visiting authors. Big-name writers, including plenty of locals, make the upstairs Pearl Room an essential stop on their book tours. Watch for award-winning novelist David James Duncan in August, former National Parks detective Andrea Lankford in September, and Jeopardy phenom Amy Schneider in October. 

Read More: Check out Powell's Remodeled Blue & Green Rooms

Image: Courtesy Topaz Farm/@juliavargaphoto

2. Attend a concert or farm-to-plate dinner at Topaz Farms

Sauvie Island

The Lowdown Located just 20 minutes from downtown Portland on Sauvie Island, this regenerative farm hosts a variety of activities and events, from berry picking and live concerts in the summer to farm fresh harvest dinners and pumpkin hunting in the fall. 

Pro Tip  Tickets sell out extremely quick, so get on reserving your spot at an upcoming show or dinner. 

Don’t Miss  The Victoria Bailey Trio with Richard Gans on August 17, Robert Henry & the Repeaters with Marcedes Carroll August 24, and Hooks and the Huckleberries with Alison Self August 31, all part of the farm's Americana Harvest Nights  

Read More: Where to Pick Berries This Fruit-Filled Season 

3. Catch a game in Soccer City USA 

Goose Hollow

The Lowdown We've got the Portland Timbers and the Portland Thorns. The women's major league team, the Portland Thorns, has been around since 2013 but its roots go further back, intertwined with the late Clive Charles, a former Timber who coached men and women at the University of Portland. The Timbers won the MLS Cup in 2015, while the Thorns won their third NWSL championship trophy in 2021. 

Pro Tip Keep an eye out the free or discount tickets that can come through fill-up deals at local 76 stations and library summer reading programs.

Don't Miss The Thorns' home match with the top-of-the-table North Carolina Courage on August 20 . 

Read More  Portland Soccer at a Crossroads for Timbers and Thorns Fans

Image: Courtesy Knopka Ivy/Unsplash

4. Sip tea at the Lan Su Chinese Garden

Old TOwn-Chinatown

The Lowdown A tranquil garden in Portland’s historic Chinatown, Lan Su Chinese Garden was built by artisans from Suzhou (known for its Ming dynasty gardens). It’s considered one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China, with native plants, koi-filled ponds, and a teahouse.  

Pro Tip Missed the group tour? You can still take a self-guided tour by downloading the Discover Lan Su app, which includes an audio guide of the garden with all kinds of fun facts and history, as well as a scavenger hunt for the little ones.    

Don’t Miss  The Mid-Autumn Festival (September 1–3), which includes a Moonlight Market and action-packed festivities, including lion dance performances, and lantern viewing.  

Read More: The History of Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden  

5. Graze your way through a new-wave food cart pod, Prost Marketplace 

The Lowdown The city was a pioneer in the pod concept: cluster a bunch of food carts together, add some seating, maybe a fire pit and a sprawling bar to anchor the whole operation, and you’ve got a nice night out. Try the Prost Marketplace pod (4233 N. Mississippi Avenue) which adjoins the brick-and-mortar Prost taphouse and the all-day coffee and cocktail patio bar Bloodbuzz.  Matt’s BBQ , Burger Stevens ( a contender in Portland Monthly ’s Burger Cabal rankings ), DesiPDX , and more make this one of the city’s top pods.  

Pro Tip A beverage at either bar gets you a covered, heated table to enjoy some burnt ends, or papadums, or both—regardless of the weather.

Don’t Miss  Loosely named for a Cure song, Fried Egg I’m in Love serves punny breakfast sandwiches capable of curing any hangover, like the veggie sausage “Vegan and Sara” or the Aardvark sauce–spiced “Egg Zeppelin.”  

Read More: 20 Food Carts that Define Portland Now  

Image: MICHAEL GORDON/SHUTTERSTOCK.com

6. Wave at animals at the Oregon Zoo

Washington Park

The Lowdown The 64-acre Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi and is home to more than 2,000 animals.    

Pro Tip Get there right when the zoo opens. For one, there will be more parking spaces available (the zoo is also right by a MAX stop), and there will also be more animals out in the morning—especially during summer, when afternoons can be stiflingly hot.  

Don’t Miss In summer, the amphitheater near the elephants hosts Zoo Nights evening concerts. Come the holidays , the Oregon Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with ZooLights, an end-of-the-year Portland tradition where you can walk through a colorful display of more than a million holiday lights.

Read More : A Closer Look at the Oregon Zoo's Elephant Breeding Program

Image: Dee Browning/shutterstock.com

7. Hike Forest Park’s Wildwood Trail (and see the Witch’s Castle)

Forest Park

The Lowdown Hikers flock to Forest Park , stretching out from Portland’s northwest corner, for a quick hit of nature and selfies with the graffiti-adorned stone structure dubbed the “Witch’s Castle” by locals.  

Don't Miss The five-mile Macleay Park Trail to Pittock Mansion is Forest Park’s most popular, and for good reason. It has everything, with gurgling streams and epic views from the mansion, and it even passes the Audubon Society of Portland (which has its own trails) in case you’re looking for a detour.

Pro Tip This trail gets crowded, so be sure to get there early in the a.m. and go on a weekday if possible.  

Read More : The Insider's Guide to Forest Park 

8. Seek out the coolest kicks at Index

The Lowdown Part sneaker museum, part sneakerhead holy grail, this athletic shoe consignment store has vintage kicks for sale, some of them at eye-watering prices. Recently spotted: a pair of Nike Air Max 1 Parras that resemble a Magritte painting, for a cool $5,000.  

Pro Tip If you’ve got sneakers in great condition, bring them in to try to consign them—the shop is picky about what it will take, but you might find that you can get some cash back toward your next great pair.  

Don't Miss Surprising finds. Watch  their IG and other social media for big drops and hard-to-find shoes. The best and rarest finds move fast, so be ready to swoop in, or resign yourself to gawking.  

9. Soak at Knot Springs

Kerns/Central Eastside Industrial District

The Lowdown The closest thing Portland has to Nordic sauna culture, this super-chic wellness temple has a primo location at the foot of the Burnside Bridge on the eastside. A 90-minute reservation gets you access to two soaking pools—one warm, one hot—plus a cold plunge, sauna, and steam room.  

Pro Tip  Admission to the Springs is discounted during off-peak hours. 

Don’t Miss The “rest and rehyrdrate” patio overlooking the Willamette River, with comfortable seating and a chance to luxuriate in fresh air after the humidity of the sauna or steam room.  

Read More: Welcome to Portland's Flashiest New Spa  

10. Celebrate your szn with a stars-aligned scoop at Cloud City

The Lowdown This scoop shop has matches bigger names in the ice cream biz on inventive flavors, locally sourced ingredients, and satisfying vegan options (currently six) but rarely has the lines.

Pro Tip Among the rotating specials is an impressively well-articulated astrological sign as ice cream flavor, so you can have your horoscope for dessert.

Don’t miss Circus Friends, our favorite flavor: Mother’s frosted animal cookies—the genuine article—are folded into a sweet cream base and zhuzhed with an extra helping of rainbow sprinkles. It guarantees a smile and a rainbow-stained tongue.

Read More : Portland's Best Ice Cream 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

11.  Search for trilliums at Tryon Creek 

Southwest Portland

The Lowdown Tryon Creek State Natural Area transports you to an oasis of lush, forested trails teeming with all kinds of flora, fauna, and wildlife. 

Pro Tip Trilliums begin to bloom in late February and peak in April. Also, navigating the sprawling park can sometimes get tricky, so have a good trail map handy. Fall colors also pop in Tryon Creek in September and October, contrasting the oranges and browns of deciduous trees with the park's evergreen backdrop.

Don't Miss The guided hikes, covering topics like Ravens & Crows, and Fantastic Fungi. And every year, the park welcomes spring with its Annual Trillium Festival, where you can go see the perennial white flowers peeping out.  

Read More: Tryon Creek State Natural Area   

12. Drop some dough at the Nike Employee Store

Washington County

The Lowdown Shoes, gear, and apparel from Oregon’s most famous homegrown employer are available worldwide, but only the Portland area (OK, and Memphis, Tennessee) has a giant Nike Employee Store, where both new and previous-season merchandise is up for grabs, for at least 40 percent off sticker price.    

Pro Tip You likely need to know someone who works at the swoosh factory to get on the guest pass list (and there’s no sneaking in—they check for passes at the door). Nearly everyone in the metro area knows someone who fits that bill, though, and passes are routinely distributed to folks who work at government agencies in Portland , so ask around and ye shall find.  

Don't Miss Adidas and Columbia Sportwear also have employee stores in the area, with passes similarly easy to score . 

R ead More : A Nike Historian Weighs In on What Air Got Right—and Wrong

Image: courtesy MJ Tangonan/Unsplash.com

13. Take a pilgrimage to Multnomah Falls 

Columbia River Gorge

The Lowdown It’s an unspoken rule that anyone who sets foot in Oregon, whether you’re a resident or just passing through, must pay a visit to Multnomah Falls at least once. Located right off I-84 , the majestic, 620-foot waterfall can be viewed from below or more up close and personal via the short hike up to Benson Bridge and (literally) soak it all in.  

Pro Tip From May 26 through September 4, 2023, all visitors to Multnomah Falls must obtain a timed reservation ticket , so be sure to reserve one and have it handy before heading out. Want to make a day of the Multnomah Falls area? Rather than drive, catch a ride with the Columbia Area Transit (CAT) bus from Gateway Transit Center, which drops you off right at Multnomah Falls. You can get tickets here .  

Read More : 6 Oregon Waterfalls for a Hike, a Picnic, or Even a Nap

Image: Courtesy Yacht Tubs

14. Rent a floating hot tub 

Willamette River

The Lowdown Play captain for the day and cruise the Willamette River aboard a luxe six-person yacht tub , which is basically a floating soaking tub . No prior boating experience required!  

Pro Tip For the best bargain, round up five of your besties to come along.

Don't Miss S pecial events around town,  like a chance to rub elbows (bows?) with the Christmas ships come winter, which are listed on the  website .

Read More : Floating Hot Tubs Offer Novel Way to Get Out on the Willamette River

15. Peep the view at Council Crest

Southwest Hills

The Lowdown Soaring over 1,000 feet, Council Crest Park is Portland’s highest viewpoint, boasting panoramic views of the city and beyond.

Don't Miss  Spotting five peaks in the Cascade Range: Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Hood, and Jefferson, all of which are visible on a clear day.

Pro Tip If you stand in the middle of the rock ring and clap (or speak), the stones echo the sound back to you. The coolest part? The sound is only audible to those who stand in the center.  

Read More: 34 Reasons to Love Portland's Parks  

Image: Courtesy Super Joy Coffee Lab

16. Get buzzed at Super Joy

The Lowdown Every Portlander’s got their own favorite place to grab a cup of coffee. You can’t miss ‘em—they’re on every corner. Take the time to make your way to Super Joy for a wholly memorable cup.  

Pro Tip Owner Joe Yang’s mission is to introduce Chinese coffee beans to American palates. He’s also the 2020 US Coffee Championship roasting winner.  

Don’t Miss A cortado, to which Yang himself is partial. But seek out anything made with beans from the Yunnan region of China.  

Read More: The Definitive Guide to Portland’s Best Indie Coffee Shops

Image: michael novak

17. Catch a flick at the Hollywood Theatre 

The Lowdown One of Portland’s most lovable qualities is that it hasn’t abandoned neighborhood-y movie palaces in favor of soulless suburban multiplexes. The Hollywood is one of the city’s grandes dames, and its classic façade is a citywide landmark.    

Don’t Miss Usual programming is a mix of new and classic films, but if you’re in town for one of its special events— Kung Fu Theater , B-Movie Bingo , Mondo Trasho, 35mm and 70mm screenings, and much, much more—run, don’t walk, to a showing.  

Pro Tip The theater offers Sizzle Pie pizza and beer to enjoy while you watch, but don't miss the excellent food to be found in the surrounding Hollywood neighborhood, including cult favorite Chin’s Kitchen for perfect Chinese dumplings and the “secret bar” at culinary bookshop Vivienne Kitchen & Pantry.  

Read More : Neighborhood Guide: Hollywood

18. Go kayaking or paddleboarding

The Lowdown  With more than a dozen lakes and rivers a short drive from Portland, there are plenty of options to get wet on a hot day or even seek solitude out on the water when it's gray. Boat ramps at Sellwood Riverfront and Willamette Park provide easy access to a gentle section of the Willamette River for those who want to paddle with the city as their backdrop. 

Pro Tip  Several local shops ( Next Adventure , Alder Creek , Portland Kayak Company ) will rent you whatever craft your heart desires and outfit you with paddles, life jackets, and anything else you might need for a day on the water.

Don't Miss Our roundup of eight unmissable flatwater paddles within an easy drive of Portland . 

Read More : Fun Spots to Canoe, Kayak, or Paddleboard near Portland.  

19. Bike at Gateway Green

The Lowdown Portland’s very first dedicated off-road bike park, Gateway Green encompasses 25 acres of luscious green space sandwiched between I-205 and I-84. Once the location of the Rocky Butte Jail, it’s now a recreational haven for cyclists, walkers, and nature lovers.  

Pro Tip Going by car? Unfortunately parking is scant, but you can also park in the southwest corner of the Gateway Fred Meyer. Otherwise you can street park in Maywood Park or at the Parkrose/Sumner transit center and make the roughly one-mile ride south to Gateway Green. 

Don't Miss  The south side of the park (including the mountain bike trails Linda's Line and the upper section of Rebar Ridge), which will open after MAX Red Line construction completes on October 21, 2023.

Read More : Gateway Green, an Urban Park in the Works for 12 Years, Is Open

Image: Courtesy Portland Flea

20. Hunt for treasures at the Portland Flea

Hosford-Abernethy/Central Eastside Industrial District

The Lowdown A trip to the weekly Portland Flea is easily the best way to spend a Sunday morning. Browse the booths of more than 70 different vendors selling everything from groovy ’60s floral dresses, fur coats, and preloved Levi’s to handcrafted rugs and mugs.  

Don't Miss  @portlandflea on Instagram. If you're a serious vintage hunter, you can check  beforehand so you can zero in on your top picks.    

Pro Tip Bring a water bottle and suntan lotion. The Portland Flea is ground zero of the "but it was overcast!" sunburn. 

Read More : The Portland Flea Is Back, and Now It's Weekly 

21. Stroll the Portland Japanese Garden

The Lowdown Cradled in the hills of Washington Park, the Portland Japanese Garden is made for leisurely ambles through the serene oasis, with trickling waterfalls, a teahouse, and eight gardens, each designed to represent a different style of Japanese gardening.  

Pro Tip Some parts of the garden are steep, so be sure to wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes.    

Don’t Miss During the harvest moon, which falls in late September, the Japanese Garden hosts a moonviewing festiva l , or O-Tsukimi in Japanese, where you can gaze at the moon and enjoy tea, live music, and a walk through the lantern-lit garden.    

Read More : The Portland Japanese Garden Beckons You to Visit

22. Bike the waterfront loop

Downtown/Central Eastside Industrial District

The Lowdown Portland’s bicycle culture is ubiquitous and it’s safe to say you haven’t truly done Portland till you take a two-wheeled jaunt around the scenic waterfront (including a run over the car-free Tilikum Crossing). And with plenty of bike rental options, including the city’s bike share program, Biketown —which has an all-electric fleet (details here )—you’ll be on your merry way in no time.  

Pro Tip Park your bike at the SW Moody Aerial Tram Terminal station (which btw, has a free bike valet) and enjoy 360-degree views of Portland’s cityscape from aboard the tram. On weekdays, the tram operates until 9:30 p.m., so if you wait till after rush hour you can make it a twilight ride.  

Don’t Miss The statue of the late, great Vera Katz, a beloved former mayor of Portland, along the Eastbank Esplanade .    

Read More : The Portlander's Guide to Having More Fun on Your Bike   

IMAGE: ALEXANDER OGANEZOV/SHUTTERSTOCK

23. Ride the roller coaster and go skating at Oaks Amusement Park

The Lowdown Who ever said amusement parks are just for kids? Opened in 1905, Oaks Amusement Park happens to have the oldest remaining roller rink in the country, along with mini golf, classic carnival games like ring toss and balloon bust, and of course, rides, which range from a family-friendly carousel to ones that are a bit more vertical.  

Pro Tip Oaks Park may give off vintage vibes but the prices are firmly 21 st century. A ride bracelet that grants you unlimited spins on Adrenaline Peak and other vertiginous rides is the way to go.  

Don’t Miss  Even while r ides are closed in winter,  the roller rink is open year-round. Check out their weekly skates which include a kids skate, a smooth groove (R&B) skate, and a gay skate. 

Read More : Oaks Park's Gay Skate Is on a Roll

24. Get polished at Nomsternailz

Northwest District

The Lowdown No one in town does nail art quite like the folks here, on the tiniest of canvases, while also being very forward about their 420-friendliness. If it’s CB-infused wellness products you seek, this is your spot.  

Pro Tip These folks do home visits, too; book through their IG at @NOMIcure.  

Don’t Miss Their signature offering, the Cannacure, which includes a CBD-infused foot soak, sugar scrub, and mud mask.  

Read More : Get High while Getting a Pedicure in the Comfort of Your Own Home

25. Lend a helping hand with SOLVE

The Lowdown The good folks at SOLVE lead cleanup efforts around the city to keep streets safe and clean, and they are always grateful for a helpful hand. Sign up  here.

Pro Tip SOLVE got its start by cleaning up Oregon’s beloved beaches (unlike in other states, the entire coastline belongs to the public—looking at you, California), and healthy waterways are still their focus. Picking up litter also helps ensure that it won’t wind up in a river and ultimately wash out to sea.  

Don't Miss SOLVE's active calendar of cleanup events, often as many as 3–5 a day.

IMAGE: COURTESY PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS INC

26. Get crafty at the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store

The Lowdown Pendleton’s iconic woolen blankets, jackets, and westernwear might share a name with the town 200 miles east, but the company is headquartered right in Portland. Fabric junkies will swoon at this flagship factory store, which has hundreds of bolts in stock for your home sewing projects.  

Pro Tip In-store classes have been on pause since the pandemic—when they resume, you can make your own slipcover, baby blanket, and more with Pendleton prints. In the meantime, Community Crafting sessions are listed on the store's blog .

Don't Miss The bins of selvage edges and fabric scraps, available for purchase by the pound.  

Read More : Vintage Furniture Gets a Pendleton-Style Upgrade

Image: Michael Novak

27. Wander through the Portland Farmers Market

The Lowdown The city’s flagship market at Portland State University runs all year long (though winter markets are heavy on leafy greens and tubers). It’s a thrill to find the first local asparagus and rhubarb in the spring, followed by Hood strawberries, luscious peaches and the crisp, tangy local apples of fall.  

Pro Tip Come hungry! The prepared food carts cluster at either end of the market, with coffee carts strategically placed in between.

Don't Miss  Only-at-the-market finds like Salumeria de Carlo, for which the lines can be long but are worth it. 

Read More  Fabulous Farmers Markets in Portland, Beaverton, and Beyond

28. Order up a cold one at Level Beer

Argay Terrace/Multnomah Village/Kerns

The Lowdown In 2017, founders Geoffrey Phillips, Jason Barbee, and Shane Waterson set out to craft quality beer with one thing in mind: balance. Six years, three taprooms, and a handful of Oregon Beer Awards later, they're still brewing great traditional beers with unexpected subtleties like Let's Play! Dry-Hopped Pilsner. Zanier offerings have cheeky, retro titles (see: Pretty Fly for a Cacti, a fruited sour made with prickly pear and cara cara orange). All locations are family friendly, dog friendly, and beer nerd friendly. 

Pro Tip  Bring quarters to feed the several arcade machines at each location. 

Don’t Miss Monday movie night, trivia Wednesday nights, and live music Thursday nights at Level 1. 

Read More : Our Favorite Places to Grab a Beer in Portland

IMAGE: WESLEY MCLACHLAN / UNSPLASH

29. Be a patron of the arts at the Portland Art Museum 

The Lowdown The city’s highbrow, Gilded Age–era art museum is full of surprises from around the world . The museum also plays host to local work—Portlanders from animation studio ShadowMachine are celebrated at this summer's  Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio , and work from a century's worth of creators will be on display starting in August in Black Artists of Oregon . 

Pro Tip  Walk a couple of leafy blocks over to the food carts at Pioneer Courthouse Square for sustenance; there are plenty of good options, but we always wind up at Whole Bowl for a hearty helping of beans, rice, and addictive Tali sauce (the ingredients are a closely guarded secret).  

Don’t Miss The museum’s permanent collection of Indigenous art, which is especially strong . Parents' babies are fond of Baby Hour, a weekly docent-led tour for caretakers of babies up to one year old. 

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Oregon Museums  

IMAGE: JOSH HILD / UNSPLASH

30. Dance up a storm at the Crystal Ballroom

The Lowdown  Established in 1914, this funky hotel/concert venue/bar combo is one of the best places to catch a show in PDX. Though it’s a hot spot for big names, it’s small enough to feel intimate and a little underground.  

Pro Tip Don’t worry about getting there early to score a spot in the front—if you’re over 21, just enter the venue through the somewhat hidden Lola’s Room Bar and you’ll somehow emerge in the very front, just to the right of the stage.  

Don't Miss Head Automatica, Jamie Cullum, and Chromeo all coming to town in September; and in October, Jai Wolf, Shakey Graves, and Lil Yachty. 

Read More : Bounce On, Crystal Ballroom

31. Take in a show at Portland Center Stage 

The Lowdown  PCS’s venue in a converted armory is among the most intimate, acoustically balanced theater spaces in town.    

Pro Tip If budget is a concern, the theater offers $25 tickets to all shows, but book early because they sell out. 

Don’t Miss Liberace and Liza Holiday at the Mansion (A Tribute).  No need to survive another A Christmas Carol this year, when Portland's own David Saffert and Jillian Snow will play the roles of these two divas. 

Read More:   How Portland Center Stage Is Refreshing Rent  

IMAGE: COURTESY WILDFANG

32. Find feminist fashion at Wildfang

The Lowdown  Say yes to  fun, splashy prints and all the coveralls your heart has ever desired, plus the best suiting this side of Savile Row. The gender-flexible Portland brand has one other brick-and-mortar, in Los Angeles. 

Pro Tip The store is down the block from Powell's Books and Shake Shack, and caddy corner from the Living Room Theater , so you can make a day out of it. 

Don't Miss  Wildfang's commitment to inclusive sizing. Rifle through the thoughtfully tailored collection for sizes 1x–3x.  

Read More: Wildfang Foments a Feminist Revolution  

33. Orca out at the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry 

The Lowdown  There's plenty to learn about these apex predators in this OMSI exhibit, running through January 2024.

Pro Tip The on-site café, Theory, is surprisingly great for a museum café.

Don’t Miss OMSI's monthly After Dark nights, for those 21 and over, that mix education with fun. In August, learn how to read your pets’ body language at PetPalooza ; in September grab your  favorite flannel and explore the winter activities of the great Pacific Northwest; and in October sip  spirits while dressed as ghost, ghoul, or goblin.

34. Go back in time at the Oregon Historical Society

The Lowdown The city’s most underrated museum, the Oregon Historical Society Museum, has three floors of historical artifacts and information about how they inform the present. It doesn’t shy away from the systemic racism that threads through Oregon’s history, whether against Japanese residents during World War II, the Black population that came to build railroads and were subject to redlining, or the Indigenous tribes displaced by the doctrine of westward expansion.

Pro Tip Always free for residents of Multnomah County.

Don't Miss One of OHS's current exhibits, The Odyssey of the Historic Jantzen Beach Carousel: From Leavenworth, Kansas, to Portland, Oregon, 1921–2022 , shows off four carousel horses, but the rest of their pals are undergoing restoration work.

Read More  Where Governors Go Shopping: The Oregon Historical Society Vault

Image: courtesy Simsshot Photography

35. Get stuck in a book at the Portland Book Festival

The Lowdown  F or a whole glorious day in November (it's November 4 this year), the city is the center of the literary universe during the annual Portland Book Festival, a reader's phantasmagoria of author discussions, pop-up readings, writing workshops for youth and adults, kids’ story time, an extensive book fair, and local food trucks. This year's lineup is STACKED. (That's a book joke, get it?) 

This year's list of attending authors has not yet been announced, but you can visit the  Literary Arts website periodically to look for updates. 

Pro Tip  Kids under 17 get in for free, so bring the whole family, and get there early for your favorite authors to ensure you'll get a seat.

Don't Miss And when you've had enough books (never!) poke around at the Portland Art Museum, the festival's venue, which is included in admission. 

Read More:   The List of Oregon Book Award Finalists

Image: Courtesy Emma Evans

36. Mingle under the lights at a night market 

Buckman/Central Eastside Industrial District

The Lowdown A handful of times a year, the Portland Night Market takes over a warehouse and adjacent parking lot, with over 100 vendors, 50 food carts, three specialty cocktail bars, and ... a replica of the Delorean from Back to the Future ?  

Pro Tip If you’re planning to shop, get the Fast Pass, which lets you skip the lines. It's worth it. And don’t miss the on-site celebrity alpacas.    

Don't Miss PNM is not the only market in town.   Another night market ,  sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and held in the Jade District along SE 82nd Avenue, is back Aug 19, 2023, after a pandamic hiatus.

Read More: Portland Night Market Returns

37. Make a toast at the Crick

The Lowdown If getting out to wine country isn't in the cards, try this tasting room for local winemaker Bertony Faustin’s Abbey Creek Winery.  

Pro Tip  M ake a reservation (required), and plan to splurge on charcuterie boards. Yep, you can leave your car at home—it's right across from a MAX stop.  

Don’t Miss The classic hip-hop allusions in Faustin’s pours—2019 Sparkling Blanc de Noir inspired by the tunes of Janelle Monae, anyone?  

Read More: Bertony Faustin of Abbey Creek Winery Is Seizing the Moment

38. Feel the good vibes only at CC Slaughters

Old Town-Chinatown

The Lowdown Established in 1981, CC Slaughters is one of Portland’s oldest gay bars and is many Portlander’s first gay bar—for good reason. The drinks are relatively cheap, there’s disco balls and drag queens, and the vibes are friendly.

Pro Tip  Come during a show or theme night , when it gets busy and fun. 

Don't Miss  CC Slaughters hosts a game night every Wednesday (everything from Scrabble to Uno to Sorry!), Trans-Uhh-Licious night every Thursday; the schedule is especially jam-packed every June, in celebration of Pride Month.  

Read More: A Comprehensive Guide to Portland's Best LGBTQ+ Nightlife

IMAGE: COURTESY KATHY & SAM/FLICKR

39. Crane your neck to see the swifts

The Lowdown Every year, thousands of Vaux's swifts roost in the giant chimney at Chapman Elementary School. And every year, Portlanders gather there, too, to picnic and watch when the sky swirls with birds before they appear to be swallowed up by the chimney for the night. Catch the swifts in September and maybe the first few weeks of October, too, though they do taper off.

Pro Tip  If you have kids, bring along the biggest piece of cardboard you can find, so they can join everyone else under the age of 12 in sliding down the hill next to the school.

Don’t Miss The hawk who circles nightly, looking to seize a swift for dinner. Depending on your perspective, the predator is the villain of the peace or natural arbiter of the bird world.

Read More:  Not All Is Lost, the Vaux's Swifts Are Still Roosting in Portland 

40. Pick up good weed at Farma

Hosford-Abernethy

The Lowdown This lower Hawthorne dispensary, nestled between a bike shop and a comedy club, emphasizes cannabis’s curative properties in a gleaming, ultra-friendly space flecked with plants and trinkets.  

Don’t Miss Daily deals spanning pre-rolls and edibles and tinctures.  

Pro Tip If you’re looking to figure out how different strains will hit you on a granular level, this is your spot—don’t be afraid to channel your inner wine taster with questions like “What will make me creative but sleepy but not too sleepy and also giggly?” The selection is massive, and the staff are always down to get into the weeds.  

Read More How the American West Became the Wild Cannabis Frontier

IMAGE: COURTESY PORTLAND PICKLES

41. Meet Dillon T. Pickle

The Lowdown Amateur baseball team the Portland Pickles is made up of collegiate players from all over the West, some future major leaguers among them. Home games are at Walker Stadium in Southeast’s Lents Park.

Pro Tip Watch for the team's special promotions, and you might leave with a  rug, a souvenir, or a free permanent pickle tattoo.

Don't Miss  A photo opp with the most recognizable figure in the stadium, the seven-foot mascot. He's run for president, set off a Twitter scandal after posting a photo of an indeterminate green appendage, and survived an alleged kidnapping.

Read More Gaming Out the Brine Lives of Baseball Mascot Dillon T. Pickle

42. Catch a show at Darcelle XV Showplace

The Lowdown Before her death in March 2023 at age 92, Darcelle XV held the Guinness World Record for oldest living drag performer. The nightclub she established in Portland in 1969 is one of the oldest of its type in the country and now boasts its own historical plaque. While the grand matron of drag may no longer grace the stage, her spirit lives on.  

Pro Tip Catch a Rising Star, a Tuesday evening show where new drag performers hit the stage alongside experienced acts, is a fun time. 

Don't Miss Aim to catch Sunday Funday Drag Brunch with hilarious host Poison Waters, whose audience interactions are as delightful as you’d imagine.   

Read More  Darcelle Has Died. Long Live Darcelle

IMAGE: GOOD GOOD GOOD/UNSPLASH

43. Grab doughnuts at Pip’s

The Lowdown Doughnuts are to Portlanders what soccer teams are to English football fans: you pick one early on, and remain loyal to the death, yelling down all newcomers. But by our reckoning, the hat tips to Pip’s. Sure, the doughnuts hare smaller than Voodoos or Blue Stars, but each is freshly fried to order, arriving crisply encased and perfectly spongy as the perfect mouthful. There's no real dilemma here when ordering: order all half dozen flavors, though if you have to choose, the raw honey and sea salt flavor is the way to go.   

Pro Tip Come within seven days of your birthday and present proof for a free dozen. 

Don’t Miss The chai. Mixed on the premises, it is also worth the long lines. Did we mention the lines?   

Read More: Doughnuts and Chai at Pip's Original 

44. Take a walk with Ramona Quimby

Hollywood & Grant Park

The Lowdown The late, great children’s author Beverly Cleary, who introduced us to the beloved character Ramona Quimby, grew up in Portland. And if you’ve ever read the book series you might recognize some of the Northeast Portland locations—Klickitat Street, anyone? Don't Miss Retracing Ramona’s footsteps with Multnomah County Library’s self-guided walking tour , which includes Fleur De Lis Bakery (the site of the former Hollywood Library) and Beverly Cleary School’s Hollywood campus, where Ramona was headed when she got her boots stuck in the mud and had to be rescued by Henry Huggins.    

Pro Tip In the summer, the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park becomes a spray park, providing a nice spot for the kids to cool off post-tour.

Read More: What Ramona Quimby Taught Me about Taking Up Space  

Image: Courtesy Broder

45. Go Scandi at Nordic Northwest

The Lowdown Check out one of the country’s largest private collections of Nordic antiques and folk art, traveling exhibitions, and lovely grounds.  

Don’t Miss The on-site Nordic Finn Ware shop, stocked with all the sleekly designed home goods your heart desires, from Marimekko to Moomin.

Pro Tip Broder Café and Broder Nord, two of the city’s beloved brunch spots, have a less-crowded outpost here called Broder  Söder. Try the s wedish meatballs, Norwegian potato crêpes, and Danish æbleskiver pancakes with house-made lemon curd and lingonberry jam.  

Read More: Brunch Serene at SW Portland's Broder Söder

IMAGE: STUART MULLENBERG

46. Grab a produce-loaded slice at Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty

The Lowdown No pizza in Portland provides as acute a sense of place as Lovely’s. Naturally leavened dough made from locally-milled flours holds a kaleidoscope of whatever’s popping up in the fields of local farmers—or in the baskets of local foragers. The owners’ soft spot for imported cheeses might forever turn you away from bland shredded mozzarella. And delicacies like Calabrian chiles are there to satiate your more traditional cravings. The menu changes often—we’re talking micro-seasonal—so try not to fall in love with what you see on Instagram. 

Pro Tip Say yes to the four-dollar side of housemade ranch. It's worth it.

Don’t Miss The other fifty: housemade ice cream. Our favorites include rum raisin, made with house-dried raisins, and Oregon strawberry buttermilk.  

Read More   Lovely's Fifty Fifty Perfects the Portland Pizza

IMAGE: JONATHAN SIMCOE / UNSPLASH

47. Scope out the next big trend in home goods at Schoolhouse and Rejuvenation

Northwest Industrial & Buckman/Central Eastside

The Lowdown Two of Portland's tastemakers have gone big time: Schoolhouse, which makes vintage-inspired lighting and home décor, is now part of culinary lifestyle brand Food 52; its crosstown rival Rejuvenation has been part of the Williams-Sonoma empire for a decade now, but retains its independence and impeccably stylish home furnishings outpost on Grand Avenue.    

Pro Tip Don’t miss Rejuvenation’s vintage room, a delightful clutter of salvaged hardware, vintage light fixtures, and antique doorknobs.  

Don't Miss  When we interviewed the head of Schoolhouse after the Food 52 acquisition, she hinted at more brick-and-mortar spaces coming soon. Keep an eye out.  

Read More: Schoolhouse's Portland-Made Home Goods Are Getting a Bigger Spotlight 

48. Let chicken and rice change your life at Nong’s Khao Man Gai

Buckman & Downtown

The Lowdown If you haven’t had the paper-wrapped Thai meal, you haven’t been to Portland. Dreams are made of the dishes at these two brick-and-mortars, which started out in Portland as a cart. We’re not really sure how the white rice, poached chicken, and ginger-heavy Nong’s sauce™ is as powerfully delicious as it is, but Nong Poonsukwattana approves of the restaurant's singular focus: “In Thailand, it’s normal for restaurants to focus on one dish—as long as you do it really, really well.” 

Don’t Miss Fried chicken skins! Salty and savory cracklings are made daily and served as an optional add-on, though quantities are always limited.

Pro Tip Chicken is the restaurant’s muse, but there are several vegan options available.

Read More 6 Portland Spots to Make Good on Your Healthy Eating Resolutions

Image: ARTYOORAN/shutterstock.com

49. Feast your eyes at the Portland Saturday Market

The Lowdown It’s not a trip to Portland if you don’t visit the Saturday Market. It's the largest continuously operating outdoor arts and crafts market in the country, featuring over 150 booths and 300 artisans. 

Pro Tip Those in search of a holiday present should know that the market is open all day, every day for the week leading up to Christmas, in what has been dubbed the “Festival of the Last Minute.”

Don't Miss  The weird. Pick up a painting of a cat drinking a beer, a voodoo doll, or tie dyes of items that it wouldn't occur to you to tie dye. 

Image: Margaret Seiler

50. Jump in the river

The Lowdown There was a time when skin contact with the Willamette River was not recommended. But thanks to Superfund projects, some serious new city infrastructure (don't get us started on the Big Pipe!), and a lot of advocacy work, the river that separates Portland's east and west is now dotted with designated beaches and swim docks from Sellwood north to Cathedral Park in St. Johns. Near downtown, find Poet's Beach (picture above), under the Marquam Bridge.

Pro Tip There are no lifeguards on duty, and the river is  unpredictable . Swim at your own risk, wear a personal flotation device, and heed warnings.   

Don't Miss Daily lap swims with the  River Huggers , who paddle around six mornings a week through mid-September, meeting at the Station 21 Firehouse near the Hawthorne Bridge.

Read More Portland Is a Beach Town. It’s True.

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The 17 best things to do in Portland right now

From quirky bike tours to doughnuts the size of your head, here are the best things to do in Portland

Portland is a fun, quirky little city, known for its super fun attractions and its innovative art scene. There’s plenty to see and do here, from music festivals to bike rides, and its ever-growing popularity lends itself to trendy craft breweries, food trucks and fabulous restaurants. 

You might be visiting for Portland Rose Festival, for Chinese New Year or for the Winter Lights, but on either side, there’s a whole load of activities to fill your trip. Whether you like the sound of a whiskey library or a botanical garden, our list of the best things to do in Portland will see you through. 

RECOMMENDED: 🍽️ The best restaurants in Portland 🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Portland 🍔 The best food trucks in Portland 🍻 The best breweries in Portland 🍩 The best doughnuts in Portland

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Fun things to do in Portland

1.  Voodoo Doughnut

What’s better than doughnuts, I hear you cry? That’s right, it’s donuts the size of your head. And if that sounds like a dream come true, the answer to all of your prayers is right here, in Portland. Voodoo Doughnuts is a wild doughnut store in the city, with over 50 artisan flavours on offer, including 25 vegan options. Flavours range from grape ape to blueberry cake, so you’re in for a treat. 

2.  Bike tours of Portland

There are plenty of ways to see this city, but arguably the best way is via a bicycle. And if even that isn’t enough, you can join a bike tour in the city, from Pedal Bike Tours and Portland Bicycle Tours , which offer fully guided tours to get the most out of Portland. You can even join a drinking tour, where you pedal between the city’s best microbreweries, or they offer customized rides to your liking. 

3.  Portland Art Museum

• Greater Portland

Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the oldest in the Pacific Northwest and, impressively, one of the oldest galleries nationally. With a vast array of works on display (contemporary, modern, and ancient pieces - and more than 45,000 of them), there is enough to keep you busy for an entire day.  Peep some outstanding Native American art and one of the world’s most impressive collections of English silver. Its two buildings in Portland’s cultural district are connected via a subterranean gallery, with a sculpture garden to explore outdoors (look out for the towering Roy Lichtenstein work  Brushstrokes ). 

4.  Powell’s City of Books

• Jefferson Street

The largest independent bookstore in the world, Powell’s City of Books is home to more than 1 million new, used and rare tomes. Bookworms can find plenty to do in this labyrinthine store. In the Purple Room, check out the Espresso Book Machine, which you can use to publish your own book in the time it takes to make a cup of coffee. The Rare Book Room has plenty of signed volumes if you’re hunting for a one-of-a-kind gift. 

5.  Multnomah Whiskey Library

The Multnomah Whiskey Library stocks an incredible selection of more than 2,000 liquors from around the world.  Portland is rightly famous for its craft beer scene, but fans of the hard stuff now have their own clubhouse here too. This beautiful membership-based bar (Read: You have to become a member to imbibe) exudes sophistication and old-school class—it is already known as one of the finest whiskey bars in the world. If all libraries were like this, we’d be much more studious. 

6.  Portland Saturday Market

• Attractions

A huge outdoor market – Portland's largest and the largest continuously operated outdoor market in the US – selling a great variety of arts and crafts.  For a good ol' browse and a spot of breakfast/lunch. A stroll on any Saturday will turn up unique items (which make for great Christmas presents), like deer-antler jewelry and vegan soap. You can guarantee the quality of the food, as a panel of judges regularly checks the quality of what's being sold.

7.  International Rose Test Garden

• Parks and gardens
• Arlington Heights

One of only six test gardens for the American Rose Society and the oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States.  Whether you're a rose fanatic or just like to stop and smell them, the International Rose Test Garden has hundreds of them for you to admire and sniff. More than 10,000 rose bushes bloom with around 650 varieties of roses. Peak bloom is usually in June, but you can enjoy the beauty from April to October.

8.  Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

• Central Eastside

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry has to be one of the coolest educational facilities on the planet.  Not only does it have the submarine from  The Hunt For Red October  (a.k.a. the USS  Blueback ) as a permanent floating exhibit outside, but its outstanding planetarium also hosts Laser Pink Floyd shows. Yep, that’s laser shows to a thumping 1970s soundtrack. This place  seriously  rocks.

9.  Portland Center Stage

Portland has plentiful performing arts options, from the wonderful Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, a.k.a. the “Schnitz,” to the Oregon Ballet Theater. But the most dramatic setting is undoubtedly the Gerding Theater in the city’s old armory. Already on the National Register of Historic Places, the building has attracted lavish praise from the architectural world for its intelligent renovation. The reviews are equally glowing for the theater’s resident company, Portland Center Stage. 

10.  Revolution Hall

The iconic 113,500-square-foot brick school on SE Stark Street was extensively renovated before starting a new life as a music venue.  Portlanders have been going back to school in droves—namely, George Washington High School, which reopened as live music venue Revolution Hall in 2015 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. The popular rooftop bar with outstanding city views doesn't hurt either. It sure beats sneaking a beer behind the cafeteria.

11.  Nong’s Khao Man Gai

Although Portland is home to more than 500 food carts, which you’ll see (and smell) baking, frying, and grilling all over town, Nong’s Khao Man Gai is a must-try.  The simple yet delicious poached Thai chicken and rice at this food truck is a local legend. Within this miniature kitchen, one dish is perfectly executed time and time again - tender chicken, fluffy rice, and aromatic sauce fit for a king. 

12.  Pittock Mansion

The French Renaissance–style château perched high in the West Hills was originally built for  The Oregonian’s  wealthy publisher Henry Pittock in 1909.  This mansion-turned-city-owned museum tells the story of Portland’s growth over the last century through the eyes (and belongings) of the prominent Pittock family. At more than 1,000 feet above sea level, the mansion also commands some of the finest views over the city, making its lawns a popular picnic spot. Grab your strawberries and blankets, people.

13.  White Stag Sign

Also known as the Portland Sign, a large neon sign atop the White Stag Building.  This iconic sign welcomes those coming across the Willamette River to downtown Portland via the Burnside Bridge. Though the wording has changed over the years, it was designated a historic landmark in 1977 and permanently changed to read "Portland, Oregon" in 2010. Walk across the bridge to snap a pic, and try to get the skyline behind it. During Christmastime, the stag's nose glows red like Rudolph's. 

14.  Pioneer Courthouse Square

Widely referred to as “Portland’s Living Room”, this park hosts around 300 events each year.  Pioneer Courthouse Square is also home to one of the city’s most famous residents: “Umbrella Man.” Otherwise known as  Allow Me  by J. Seward Johnson, the bronze statue of a suit-clad, umbrella-toting man has become a Portland icon, overlooking the events in this popular gathering space. 

15.  Forest Park

• Willamette Heights

If Portland is a republic of tree huggers, then Forest Park is its capital. At a whopping 5,200 acres, it is the largest forested natural area within city limits in the United States—and a mere 10-minute drive from downtown, with multiple entry points.  A verdant idyll situated on the west side, amongst the Tualatin Mountains. With 80 miles of accessible trails and beautiful views of the Willamette River, the reserve is a haven for hikers and wildlife alike.  If you’re feeling fit, lace up your sneaks and tackle one of Forest Park's many hikes.

16.  Oregon Historical Society

Thousands of artifacts tell the story of Oregon, from early settlement to the present day. For instance:  Thanks to the flip of a coin in 1845, Portland gained its name. Had the coin landed the other way up, you'd be in Boston right now. It's great historical facts like this about the city and the state that make the Oregon Historical Society a winning visit. You can see the very 'Portland Penny' in question while you're there, as well as a 9,000-year-old sandal and a replica ship's hull.

17.  The Shanghai Tunnels Virtual Tour

This network of underground catacombs was supposedly used for nefarious purposes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is now one of Portland's must-visit and most unique tours .  While a sale of the building has now restricted access to physical tours of the tunnels, Cascade Geographic Society still offers amazing virtual tours of these not-so-well-kept secrets with intriguing backstories. Legend says that a dark secret lurks beneath Portland’s streets, where many an unsuspecting (or inebriated) Portlander would wake up to find himself aboard a merchant ship bound for the Orient—a process known as “Shanghaiing”. Step inside the Shanghai Tunnels virtually, and come face to face with this subterranean world, from hidden trapdoors to holding cells – just be sure to look over your shoulder.

More great things to do in Portland

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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.

Matt Ortile

Kaitlin Menza

Kelsey Glennon

Lauren Burvill

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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