Attractions
We've compiled a list of things to do and places to see while visiting the Portland area.
Article: 10 Things to Do in 24 Hours
If you're time in Portland is limited, check out this article for some of the best things to see while visiting.
Portland Saturday Market
ortland Saturday Market is located next to the Willamette River in both Waterfront and Ankeny Parks on SW Naito Blvd in downtown Portland, Oregon.
Portland, Oregon
Operating since 1974 the Portland Saturday Market is the largest continually operating outdoor arts and crafts market in the nation. Centered in Portland’s historic Old Town the Market is one of the most popular shopping destinations for local handcrafted goods.
Some of our favorite snacks here are the whole-grain elephant ears from the Portland Elephant Ear's booth (on the waterfront [river] side near the fountain) or the cinnamon almonds from the Moondrops booth (near Skidmore Fountain).
Portland Farmers Market
The Saturday Market is located at Portland State University in the South Park Blocks between SW Hall & SW Montgomery.
Portland, Oregon
Portland Farmers Market is a collection of six urban green markets that operate March through December, serving up to 25,000 shoppers per week.
We provide a direct connection to over 250 vendors with deep roots in Oregon and Southwest Washington, including farms, nurseries, bakeries, meat and seafood providers, cheese makers and specialty foods producers.
Our markets offer:
- a vibrant gathering place where friends meet and shop.
- a resource for learning about food, agriculture and nutrition.
- a showplace for Northwest agriculture.
Powell's City of Books
Powell's City of Books is a book lover's paradise, the largest used and new bookstore in the world. Located in downtown Portland, Oregon and occupying an entire city block, the City stocks more than a million new and used books. Nine color coded rooms house over 3,500 different sections, offering something for every interest, including an incredible selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find titles.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Pioneer Courthouse Square is located in the heart of downtown Portland at 701 SW 6th Avenue bordered by SW Yamhill, SW Morrison and SW Broadway.
Portland, Oregon
Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square is affectionately known as the City's "living room." With more than 26,000 people passing by the Square each day, and thousands more visiting the Square directly, it is the single most visited site in Oregon's most visited city.
The Square is one of Portland's leading outdoor venues, hosting over 300 events each year that range from large-scale concerts to cultural festivals. The Square is a true symbol of Portland with its bricks symbolizing the people that make Portland such an extraordinary city.
Great place to people watch!
Forest Park
An abundance of wildlife (more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species) can be found in Forest Park. With its massive tree canopy and substantial undergrowth, the park serves as a natural air purifier, water collector, and erosion controller.
The 30-mile Wildwood Trail in Forest Park is part of the region’s 40-Mile Loop system that links Forest Park to pedestrian and trail routes along the Columbia River to Gresham, through southeast Portland, along the Willamette Greenway, and back to the Marquam Trail in southwest Portland. A landmark on the trail is the Stone House. This structure was built in the mid-1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as a public restroom. The infamous Columbus Day storm on October 12, 1962, took out the water line. Because the structure had been heavily vandalized over the years, the decision was made to gut the building rather than embark on costly repairs. It remains as a favorite spot to rest along the trail.
Hoyt Arboretum
Hoyt Arboretum is Portland's global garden in the wild, where we grow and exhibit trees and plants from around the world while educating our community and conserving vitally important plant bio-diversity.
Come visit and enjoy this beautiful greenspace -- home to over 1,000 species of trees and plants. Hoyt Arboretum is free and the grounds are open to the public from 6 AM – 10 PM every day of the year. You will find 21 miles of trails, a world-class tree collection, a Visitor Center, trail maps and other materials to help you.
International Rose Test Garden
Tucked between the Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, the zoo and the rest of Washington Park, the garden contains 10,000 plantings of 550 varieties. From here, in addition to the spectacle of color, you will see the most photographed view of the City of Roses, with Mt. Hood towering in the background.
Oregon Zoo
In 1887, Richard Knight, a local pharmacist who collected animals as a hobby, officially presented his menagerie to the city and the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi was created. The Oregon Zoo is home to animals from all corners of the world, including Asian elephants, Peruvian penguins and Arctic polar bears. From the mist-filled Africa Rain Forest to the majestic Great Northwest exhibits, the zoo encourages visitors to understand and experience the natural world. Committed to conservation of endangered species and their habitats—both locally and around the globe—the zoo is a center for wildlife preservation and field research. The Oregon Zoo’s award-winning education programs serve nearly 700,000 people both at the zoo and at schools, senior and community centers around the region. A summer concert series, seasonal events and the zoo railway help this popular Oregon attraction draw more than one million visitors each year. The Oregon Zoo is all of this, but it is also a safe place for families to share moments of discovery and fun.
Portland Japanese Garden
Proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden is a 5.5-acre haven of tranquil beauty nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland, Oregon.
OMSI - Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a scientific, educational, and cultural resource center dedicated to improving the public's understanding of science and technology. OMSI makes science exciting and relevant through exhibits, programs, and experiences that are presented in an entertaining and participatory fashion.
Mt. Hood Railroad
In 1805, the Lewis and Clark expedition discovered the mouth of the Hood River. Subsequent explorers and pioneers discovered the dense forests and rich, fertile soil of the Hood River valley—now internationally famous for its fruit industry. The Mt. Hood Railroad served as an economic lifeline for the valley, carrying fruit and forest products to market since 1906. In the 1920s and 30s the railroad was used as a commuter train by area residents. While still an active freight line, our rail tours now offer visitors some of Oregon’s most breathtaking scenery—from the town of Hood River toward the base of Mt. Hood.
