The largest city in the state of Oregon, Portland offers tourists a lot of attractions to enjoy. You will be amazed at the number of fun things to do in Portland for adults and kids alike! The city has attractions to satiate all types of travelers. For instance, on one hand, there are museums that history enthusiasts will enjoy visiting. On the other hand, there are spectacular Japanese and Chinese gardens which nature lovers will be thrilled to explore. Nature-loving travelers will also be glad to know that Portland is one the greenest cities across the globe – more people cycle than drive here!
Make plans and visit this remarkable city on your next vacation. Here are some really awesome things to do in Portland during your trip.
Popular Things to do in Portland:
We’ve managed to compile a list of the top things to do in Portland from the endless options around. There are several free things to do in Portland as well. Check out our list and decide which of these amazing attractions you’d like to enjoy first.
- Washington Park
Sprawled across more than 140 acres of land, Washington Park is among the topmost nature-based attractions in Portland. Offering attractions that suit all age groups, this is among the best family vacation spots in the US. You will find a zoo, Japanese Gardens, a children’s museum, tennis courts, and an arboretum here among other things. There are plenty of large open grounds where kids can run around and play.
- McMenamins Bagdad Theater
This is one of those amazing things to do in Portland you simply cannot miss! Even if you’re visiting for work on last minute flights, make time to enjoy this fabulous attraction. What could be better than a night at the movies where you can enjoy a round of buttery popcorn? Well, a night at the movies with beer to go with the popcorn! If you’re a wine aficionado and not much into ale, they have that here as well.
- Portland Art Museum
While you can explore natural attractions during the day, visiting the Portland Art Museum is among the best things to do in Portland at night. Among the oldest museums in the United States, it has more than 42,000 pieces of permanent collection. The exhibits include items from Native Americans as well as a sizeable collection of English silver. The Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art is located on the same campus and is well worth a visit as well.
- ‘Keep Portland Weird’ Sign
There are some weird things to do in Portland that make this city stand out. For instance, there’s a museum dedicated solely to Vacuum machines. Also, the Smallest Park in the World is located here. The people of Portland are proud of their eccentricity. To prove this, they’ve painted a massive signboard that says ‘Keep Portland Weird’ which can be found south of the Burnside Bridge. You’ll see this even on the bumper stickers of cars across the city.
- Oregon Zoo
This is among the best free things to do in Portland in winter and any other time. There are more than 1900 animals at the Oregon Zoo belonging to approximately 230 different species. Of these, around 21 species are endangered and thereby, part of the zoo’s breeding and conservation program. Among the most recent successes of the breeding program at the zoo has been that of the majestic African Elephant. It’s among the topmost attractions at the zoo.
- Jetliner in the Woods
Remember the weird things to do in Portland we spoke about? Well, this is definitely one of them. Owner Bruce Campbell decided that he wanted to transform his jet into a home. So he did. The massive 727 jetliner is now a fully-furnished spectacular residence. Explore the private-airplane-turned-into-a-mansion and wonder how it got up there. It’s so elite you’ll find it more luxurious than the business class flights you’ve flown to Portland in!
- Lan Su Chinese Garden
Considered by many to be the most genuine Chinese Garden outside of those found in China, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is a paradise for nature lovers. The moment you walk through the gates, you will feel like you’ve walked right into China. In addition to enjoying picturesque views, you can learn about the Chinese culture and important traditions. Even the locals love this attraction and can be found in large numbers here. It’s among the non touristy things to do in Portland.
- Pittock Mansion
This is among the best things to do in Portland for history enthusiasts arriving on India to US flight tickets. Built in the early 1900’s, this spectacular mansion was home to pioneer Henry Pittock and his wife. Sitting pretty on land spanning across 46 acres, the mansion has more than 25 rooms you can explore. Perched 1,000 feet above sea level, it’s a great place for bird watching and panoramic views of the surroundings. More than 80,000 people visit the mansion each year.
