Explore Portland
Portland is a very walkable city and also has excellent public transportation including light rail, buses, and streetcars. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also widely available. If you're planning to explore waterfalls or hiking trails outside the city, renting a car may be helpful.
Things to Do
Explore the City
Portland has a variety of unique neighborhoods, each with its own personality.
• Pearl District – A lively neighborhood with art galleries, breweries, boutiques, and great restaurants. It’s also home to Powell’s City of Books, a must-visit spot for book lovers.
• Northwest District (NW 23rd Avenue) – Often called “Trendy Third,” this area is great for strolling, shopping, and grabbing coffee or brunch.
• Mississippi Avenue – A fun street filled with local shops, bars, live music venues, and excellent food.
• Alberta Arts District – Known for murals, galleries, vintage stores, and creative restaurants. A great place to wander and explore.
• Hawthorne District – Eclectic and classic Portland. Expect vintage stores, quirky shops, bookstores, and great casual restaurants.
• Division Street – One of Portland’s best food streets, full of amazing restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops.
Parks & Gardens
Portland is famous for its green spaces.
• International Rose Test Garden – One of the most beautiful spots in the city, especially in summer when thousands of roses are in bloom.
• Portland Japanese Garden – Widely considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.
• Washington Park – A large park that includes the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, scenic walking paths, and amazing views of the city.
• Tom McCall Waterfront Park – A great place to walk or bike along the Willamette River with views of Portland’s bridges.
Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest outdoors, there are incredible hikes both in and just outside the city.
• Forest Park – One of the largest urban forests in the U.S., with miles of trails. The Wildwood Trail is a beautiful and accessible hike close to downtown.
• Pittock Mansion Hike – A relatively short hike that leads to one of the best viewpoints overlooking Portland and Mount Hood.
• Columbia River Gorge – About 40 minutes from Portland and home to stunning waterfalls and scenic hikes. Some favorites include Latourell Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Multnomah Falls.
• Mount Hood Area – If you have more time, the trails around Mount Hood offer incredible alpine scenery and wildflowers in the summer.
Food & Drink
Portland is famous for its amazing food scene. You’ll find incredible coffee shops, food carts, breweries, and restaurants throughout the city.
Some classic Portland experiences include:
• Exploring a food cart pod
• Trying local craft beer at one of the many breweries
• Enjoying brunch (Portland takes brunch very seriously!)
• Visiting a local coffee roaster
Your Culinary Adventure Awaits!
Mediterranean Exploration Co.
Pizza Thief
Scottie’s Pizza
St. Jack
Matt's Tacos
Screen Door
Good Coffee
Sholom Ya’ll
Tusk
Dolly Olive
Bamboo Sushi
EEM