Portland, Oregon is a city known for its strong independent culture, laid back atmosphere, and thriving craft beer scene. Located in a beautiful setting, the city has easy access to outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and skiing in the nearby mountains. The city has a mild climate, with warm summers and mild winters, making it a pleasant place to visit year-round.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in PDX when bored:
Visit the Portland Art Museum
The PAM is a large museum with a diverse collection of artworks, including modern and contemporary pieces.
Take a Tour of the Portland Japanese Garden
Portland’s Japanese Garden features a beautiful garden with streams, waterfalls, and koi ponds.
Explore Portland’s Food Scene
Portland is known for its food carts and farm-to-table restaurants. Some of our favorite spots include Le Pigeon, Nong’s Khao Man Gai, and Coquine.
Visit the International Rose Test Garden
This stunning garden features over 10,000 rose bushes, and is located in Washington Park.
Visit Powell’s City of Books
The world’s largest independent bookstore, with over 1 million books on three floors.
Go Hiking in Forest Park
Forest Park is a large urban park with miles of trails, located just minutes from downtown Portland.
Attend a Portland Timbers Soccer Game
Soccer fan? Catch Portland’s professional soccer team at one of their games in Providence Park.
Take a Brewery Tour
Portland has a thriving craft beer scene, with many breweries to visit and sample local beers. Make sure to check out Great Notion Brewing and Deschutes Public House.
Visit the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
This hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits and a planetarium is a perfect afternoon activity, with or without kids.
Check Out Portland’s Art Scene
Portland has a thriving street art scene, with many murals and other works of public art to discover. PDXStreetArt has a great map you can follow.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding at Mt. Hood
Portland is just a short drive from Mt. Hood, a popular ski and snowboard destination.