Fun, hip and ultra-friendly, the Oregon city is one of the most sociable cities in the US, so if you’re hanging out there at the weekend you’re in for some serious fun.
From Saturday night cocktails at trendy bars to long lazy Sunday brunches (and everything in between!), here are the best things to do at the weekend in Portland, Oregon…
1. Enjoy Portland’s food truck scene – a must-do weekend acitivity!
Portland features a rich culinary scene with hundreds of food trucks available throughout the city. From Vietnamese cuisine to local American food to Southern-inspired menus, you’ll find a multitude of cultural fusion food carts in Portland.
According to Bon Appétit magazine, Portland is home to the world’s best street food.
While you are in Portland, you must savor its food truck scene. The best places to enjoy street food in downtown Portland include The Cart Blocks, Third Avenue, and Pioneer Courthouse Square.
From Korean tacos to Asian-fusion rice bowls, you’ll have a massive variety of foods to choose from. In southeast Portland, you’ll find the best street food at Cartopia, Eastport Food Center, and The Lot at John’s Marketplace.
2. Catch a sunset at St. John’s Bridge or Pittock Mansion – for peace, romance and beautiful views at the weekend
Pittock Mansion is a Renaissance-style chateau in the West Hills of Portland. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in the city. The highest point of the Italian-style castle lies at 950 feet.
It is a perfect place to watch the sunset while enjoying mesmerizing views of the cityscape. The mansion is open to the public Wednesdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Tuesday, Pittock Mansion opens 2 hours late.
Address: 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210, United States
Phone: +1 503-823-3623
The St. Johns Bridge is a steel suspension bridge in northwest Portland. The bridge connects the Cathedral Park neighborhood and the Linnton and Northwest Industrial neighborhoods over the Willamette River.
You can stroll along the bridge in the afternoon and find a quiet spot to watch the sundown.
Address: 8600 NW Bridge Ave, Portland, OR 97203, United States
Phone: +1 503-731-8326
3. Sunday brunch at Mother’s Bistro & Bar, Off the Griddle or Hunnymilk – a Portland must do at the weekend!
Located in the heart of southwest Portland, Mother’s Bistro & Bar or Hunnymilk is a bistro specializing in American comfort food. The restaurant serves hearty comfort-food classics in a cozy setting.
Mother’s Bistro & Bar or Hunnymilk features a country-chic interior and has a peaceful ambience. It is a perfect place for a Sunday brunch.
They have a sizable brunch menu with a great selection of American comfort food, including pancakes, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, chicken fried steak, meatloaf, and chili among others.
Address: 121 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, United States
Phone: +1 503-464-1122
4. Take a walk or run in Tom McCall Waterfront Park and visit the Portland Saturday Market – a relaxed way to spend a Saturday afternoon
Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a riverfront park along the Willamette River in Southwest Portland. The park features beautiful walkways skirted with lush green verdure, sparkling fountains, and exquisite gardens.
You can indulge in a wide range of free outdoor activities here, from strolling to birding to running.
As you walk around the park, you come across a broad array of historical monuments, including the Japanese American Historical Plaza, the Oregon Maritime Museum, and Salmon Street Springs.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park hosts Portland Saturday Market every Saturday. The market showcases Portlandian art in the form of handicrafts fashioned by local artisans. As you stroll along the paved pathways in the park, you get to discover a wealth of public art.
Address: 98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204, United States
Phone: +1 503-823-7529
5. Try a local beer at 10 Barrel Brewing – a fun way to spend a weekend afternoon in Portland
Located on Flanders Street in northwest Portland, 10 Barrel Brewing is a brewery offering a great selection of craft beers. The brewery specializes in local pub fare and has a sizable vegan and gluten-free menu.
10 Barrel Brewing also has outdoor seating on a rooftop patio that overlooks downtown Portland. From vegan salads to salmon to truffle fries, they serve an eclectic pub fare.
The brewpub is open Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, they stay open till 12 a.m.
Address: 1411 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 503-224-1700
6. Ride the Portland Aerial Tram – a great weekend activity for all the family
Portland Aerial Tram is an aerial tramway that travels between the Marquam Hill neighborhood and the South Waterfront neighborhood of Portland.
While the tramway was originally built as a means of transportation for the doctors, patients, and students of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), it has become one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city.
If you want to revel in the spectacular views of the cityscape, you must ride the Portland Aerial Tram while you are in Portland. Portland Aerial Tram is open for tours Mondays through Saturdays.
On Saturdays, the tram is accessible to the public between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you want to beat the crowds, you should ride the tram before 12 p.m.
7. Go to a rooftop bar – a cool way to spend a weekend evening in Portland
Portland is home to many classy rooftop bars offering breathtaking views of the cityscape. From fine dining to relaxing ambience to spectacular views, rooftop bars have everything to make your afternoon or evening special.
Some of the most famous rooftop bars in Portland include Departure, Noble Rot, Radio Room, 10 Barrel Brewing, Laurelwood Brewpub, New Seasons Woodstock, and Xport Bar & Lounge.
Address: 3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, United States
Phone: +1 (503) 494-8283
8. Relax at Portland Japanese Garden – for peace and beautiful scenery at the weekend
Nestled in the picturesque West Hills of Portland, Portland Japanese Garden is a sanctuary of carefully maintained gardens featuring beautiful waterfalls, winding streams, and intimate waterways.
It is one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan with an authentic Japanese tea house serving steamed types of sencha, fukamushicha, and other teas.
Portland Japanese Garden is a part of Washington Park, an urban park along the Willamette River in Southwest Portland. Portland Japanese Garden features many styles of gardens that span 5.5 acres of the park area.
The gardens have a relaxing ambience and offer striking views of Mt. Hood. Portland Japanese Garden is open to the public every day between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Address: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205, United States
Phone: +1 503-223-1321
9. Retro Roller Disco at Mt Scott Community Center – a fun family-friendly weekend activity
Mt Scott Community Center is a council-run entertainment facility in Mt. Scott Park, an urban park in Oregon’s Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood.
The entertainment facility features a roller-skating rink, basketball court, community center, gym, fitness room, and kitchen.
If you want to do something fun with your family on the weekend, you may want to go roller-skating in this children-friendly roller rink. Mt Scott Community Center is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Address: 5530 SE 72nd Ave, Portland, OR 97206, United States
Phone: +1 503-823-3183
10. Go for cocktails at Teardrop Cocktail Lounge – the perfect way to spend a weekend evening in Portland
Teardrop Cocktail Lounge is a cocktail bar in the Pearl District of Portland. If you want to relish the nightlife of Portland to the fullest, you must have a cocktail night here. The bar serves an excellent selection of classic craft cocktails and an eclectic pub fare in a rustic-chic setting.
From casual appetizers to craft cocktails to evening snacks, Teardrop Cocktail Lounge has everything to make your evening comfortable and enjoyable.
The bar is open Mondays through Sundays between 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. They also have happy hours every day between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Address: 1015 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 503-445-8109
11. Dance the night away at Holocene – a perfect weekend option in Portland for those who like to party
Holocene is a music venue in the Buckman neighborhood of Portland. If you want to see the most spectacular side of Portland’s nightlife, you must go discoing at Holocene.
Holocene has a two-stage floating dance floor. The venue has great acoustics and a lively ambience. Whether you want to spend the weekend with friends or party alone, Holocene is a great place to get back your energy after a working week.
The place is open Mondays through Sundays at different timings. On Fridays and Saturdays, the place is open from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Address: 1001 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 503-239-7639
12. Go to Mox Boarding House – a unique local game store experience which offers a fun geeky weekend activity
Mox Boarding House is a board game cafe offering a wonderful gaming and dining experience. They have a massive selection of tabletop games and game libraries with more than 600 titles.
If you are a gaming enthusiast, you must spend your weekend at this unique gaming cafe. The cafe is open Mondays through Fridays between 11 a.m. and 12 a.m. On weekends, the cafe opens at 10 a.m.
Address: 1938 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 503-506-0669
13. Have a Picnic on Sauvie Island – a perfect way to spend the weekend for outdoor and nature lovers
Sauvie Island is the largest island in the Pacific Northwest, covering over 26,000 acres of natural land along the Columbia River.
The island is home to unique wildlife, exquisite water bodies, and lush green farms. It features some really impressive picnicking spots that overlook the Columbia River.
You can also visit several pumpkin farms on the island. From hayrides to corn mazes to cow trains, there are a wide range of recreation for children on these farms. Picnicking on Sauvie Island is one of the best things to do in Portland with children on weekends.
14. Catch Live music at Dante’s – for a lively and fun weekend evening in Portland
Dante’s is a live music venue on Burnside Street in West Portland. The music venue hosts a massive array of musical shows, including rock shows, karaoke, and cabaret.
If you want to have a lively musical night on the weekend, Dante’s maybe the best spot for you. The place also has a stylish bar serving eclectic pub fare in a vibrant setting. Dante’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Address: 350 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 866-777-8932
15. Take the kids to PlayDate PDX – a great option for young children in the city
PlayDate PDX is an indoor playground in Pearl Courts in Northwest Portland. The playground features a 3-story play structure offering a multitude of entertainments for people of all ages. It also has a well-lit toddler play area filled with colorful balls.
The place also has a ritzy eatery specializing in diverse cuisine.
If you want to spend the weekend with your children, PlayDate PDX may be the perfect place. The place also features a bakery offering snack cakes, flavorful cupcakes, muffins, bagels, waffles, and other delicious eats.
- Address: 1434 NW 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, United States
- PlayDate PDX
- Phone: +1 503-227-7529
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Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fuelled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organisations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specialising in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find him on Instagram @garynansome, Twitter @garynansome and his website https://garynunn.co.uk/