12 Awesome Things to Do in Downtown Portland

Portland’s neighborhoods are awesome, but I personally think its compact, buzzing downtown is a must-see. Downtown Portland is made up of  200 compact blocks, with plenty of corners and districts to explore, as well as trendy bars, cool restaurants, eclectic food trucks, and indie boutiques. From my hours spent in this urban area and from lazy afternoons to something more active, here are my favorite awesome things to do in downtown Portland, Oregon…

Our Top 3 Best Things To Do
1.
Visit Portland Saturday Market l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Handicrafts made by local artists
Visit Portland Saturday Market
2.
Check out the Food trucks at Hawthorne Asylum l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Foodies
Check out the Food trucks at Hawthorne Asylum
3.
Take a picture at Portland Stag Sign l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Iconic Landmark
Take a picture at Portland Stag Sign
Best For Handicrafts made by local artists

Visit Portland Saturday Market

Vendors at the Portland Saturday Market

Portland Saturday Market is an outdoor market in Tom McCall Waterfront Park that sells handicrafts made by local artists. It is the largest constantly-running market in the United States and I seriously love this place! 

Portland Saturday Market features various handicrafts, including pottery, jewelry, woodcraft, and papercraft.

If you are an art lover, I’d suggest visiting this historic market even if you don’t want to buy anything. It’s a perfect place to explore Portlandian art.

The market showcases products by more than 250 vendors. Portland Saturday Market is open on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Cons

Is only open on Saturdays

Limited operating season

Nearby Attractions

Willamette River

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Must Do Things

Gain insights into the city's vibrant arts scene

Dwell into the historic charm of the place

Facilities

Flexible arrangements for seating

Nearby food stalls

Best For Foodies

Check out the Food trucks at Hawthorne Asylum

Hawthorne Asylum Food Pod

Portland is famous for its rich culture, history, and cuisine. If you want to enjoy the best of local Portland cuisine, I’d suggest trying the food at Hawthorne Asylum. 

Located on Madison Street in Southeast Portland, Hawthorne Asylum is a sprawling food court featuring a wide range of food trucks. It offers an eclectic American fare served at communal tables.

The food court has a vibrant ambiance and attracts food lovers from all parts of the city. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

Pros

Offers wide range of food trucks

Various dietary preferences including vegetarian vegan and gluten-free

Budget-friendly

Convenient hours and fun vibe

Cons

Early closing timing

Potential queues

Nearby Attractions

Portland Art Museum

Willamette River

Must Do Things

Take a Walk or Bike Ride Along the Willamette River

Enjoy live music

Facilities

Convenient public transport

Nearby parks for relaxation

Best For Iconic Landmark

Take a picture at Portland Stag Sign

Portland White Stag Sign

Portland features many cool photography locations. While you are in Portland, I’d suggest taking photos of all the historical landmarks in the city.

Portland Stag Sign is a neon-and-incandescent-bulb sign on the top of the White Stag Building in the Old Town Historic District of Portland. 

Portland Stag Sign is a landmark sign that carries various messages and animations. If you want to let people know you are in Portland, click a photo with this sign. It is an iconic sign that screams ‘Portland.’ 

Pros

It is a symbol of Portland's history and culture

It is designed with its neon and incandescent bulbs

Located in the famous Old Town Historic District

The landmark is social media worthy

Cons

Possible crowds

Limited entertainment options nearby

Nearby Attractions

Pittock Mansion

Washington Park

Must Do Things

Explore the Historic side of Old Town Historic District

Hike in Forest Park

Facilities

Nearby Hotels

Cafes and Restaurants in vicinity

Best For Public Hangout

Visit Pioneer Courthouse Square

Pioneer Courthouse Square Portland

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square is a public space that stretches across an acre of city block. It is popular as the living room of Portland and is configured as an amphitheater featuring 25 steps of seating area. 

Pioneer Courthouse Square hosts more than 300 years every year. It also features Umbrella Man, one of the most popular pieces of public art in the state of Oregon and I would highly suggest visiting him! 

The square is open to the public every day between 5 a.m. and 12 a.m. 

Pros

The square hosts more than 300 events each year

Chance to experience local public art

Photography opportunities

The square is open to the public every day from early morning until midnight

Cons

Can be crowded

Parking challenges

Nearby Attractions

Powell's City of Books

Portland Art Museum

Must Do Things

Try local food carts

Visit nearby museums

Facilities

Music enthusiasts can visit venues like the Crystal Ballroom

Gyms and Fitness Centers

Best For Live Music and Dancing

Listen to some music at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

Whether you are a music lover or not, you must spend an entire evening at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom.

Located in a historic building on Burnside Street in West Portland, Crystal Ballroom is a concert venue and club featuring a spring-loaded dance floor. 

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom hosts a wide range of live musical performances. It has a classy bar offering Northwest-style pub fare and hand-crafted beers. The ballroom has a beautiful interior and a vibrant ambiance. 

Pros

Hosts a wide range of live music events

Spring-Loaded Dance Floor

Vibrant Ambience

The venue has a classy bar that offers a selection of hand-crafted beers

Cons

Low capacity

Mostly local and indie artists perform

Nearby Attractions

Providence Park

Portland Art Museum

Must Do Things

Enjoy performances of local artists

Perfect spot for memorable late night outings

Facilities

Convenient transportation

Dining and Food facilities nearby

Best For Shopping Fans

Go shopping at Pioneer Place

Pioneer Place Portland

Located in Southwest Portland, Pioneer Place is an urban shopping mall featuring classy vintage shops, indie boutiques, and luxurious eateries. This vibrant retail destination lies in the heart of downtown Portland. It features many luxury retail outlets and offers a matchless shopping experience. 

Pioneer Place stretches across four city blocks and comprises four buildings that connect through skywalks or underground mall sections.

Pioneer Place is open Sundays through Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the mall stays open till 7 p.m. 

Pros

Is home to a wide range of luxury retail outlets

Diverse shopping options

Extended weekend hours

Skywalks and Underground connections

Cons

It closes relatively early in the evening

Limited outdoor space

Nearby Attractions

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Powell's City of Books

Must Do Things

Dine at Ritzy Eateries

Explore the Skywalks

Facilities

Diverse dining options

Many nearby sightseeing opportunities

Best For Local Scenery

Take a Walk at Waterfront Park Trail

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

If you want to explore the shores of the Willamette River on foot, you must take a walk along the Waterfront Park Trail. It is an out-and-back trail that allows you to explore all corners of the park. 

While you can cycle along the trail, it may be better if you walk as it is only 12 miles long. The trail is family-friendly and has an elevation gain of 320 feet.

As you travel along the bank of the Willamette River, you get to explore tiny natural areas and riparian corridors. The walk starts at the Sellwood Bridge and takes you to Eastbank Esplanade-Waterfront Park. 

Pros

It's suitable for walkers of all ages and fitness levels

The trail passes by several landmarks and points of interest

You can explore small natural areas and riparian corridors

The 12-mile length of the trail makes it a manageable outing

Cons

Some people may find the length of the trail less

Urban Environment of the track can be a potential con

Nearby Attractions

Portland Japanese Garden

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Must Do Things

Take a Walk in Forest Park

Enjoy the Columbia River Gorge

Facilities

Nearby stations

Plenty of food carts around the Park Trail

Best For Drinks

Drink a whiskey at Multnomah Whiskey Library

Multnomah Whiskey Library Portland

Multnomah Whiskey Library is the best place to enjoy top-notch cocktails in Portland. Located on Alder Street in Southwest Portland, Multnomah Whiskey Library is an upstairs lounge with a vintage interior. 

At Multnomah Whiskey Library, you can enjoy more than 1,500 spirits in a cozy setting. It is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 4 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. 

Pros

Extensive spirit selection

Offers crafted cocktails

Cozy setting

Vintage-chi interiors

Cons

Higher prices

Closed on Saturdays and Sundays

Nearby Attractions

Washington Park

Pioneer Courthouse Square

Must Do Things

Enjoy late night drinks

Visit nearby attractions

Facilities

Best For Exploring the River

Explore the Willamette River in an electric boat at Riverplace Marina

Riverplace Marina Portland

The Willamette River is one of the top attractions of Portland. You can explore every corner of the river in an electric boat at Riverplace Marina. 

Located in Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Southwest Portland, Riverplace Marina provides direct access to the Willamette River and many other fun activities.

It offers secure boat moorage, paddleboard, and kayak storage. 

Pros

Provides direct access to the Willamette River

The marina offers secure boat moorage providing a safe place to dock your boat

Boating on the Willamette River is a family-friendly activity

Photography opportunities

Cons

Weather-Dependent activity

Possible Time Limitations

Nearby Attractions

Portland Japanese Garden

Hawthorne Bridge

Must Do Things

Explore Willamette River

Capture nearby attractions for your social media pictures

Facilities

Place for docking personal boats

Nearby dining options

Best For Beautiful Gardens

Visiting Washington Park

Washington Park Portland Oregon

Portland is home to a wide range of urban parks featuring diverse garden styles, wildlife, hiking trails, and exquisite vegetation. 

Located on Canyon Road in Southwest Portland, Washington Park is a complex of parks housing a rose garden, Japanese garden, theater, children’s museum, soccer stadium, and greenhouse.

The park covers about 485 acres of natural land, including miles of hiking trails. 

From picnicking to hiking to birding, you can enjoy a wide range of activities at Washington Park. The park is open to the public every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pros

The park is renowned for its stunning rose and Japanese gardens

With miles of hiking trails

the park is a great destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts

It is a pleasant place for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing

Provides plenty of green space for relaxing

Cons

Possible parking challenges

Limited activities

Nearby Attractions

Portland Art Museum

International Rose Test Garden

Must Do Things

Hike or Walk the Trails

Birdwatching

Facilities

Public Transport Accessibility

Playgrounds

Best For Golf

Play Golf at Glowing Greens

Glowing Greens Portland

Located on Taylor Street in Southwest Portland, Glowing Greens is an indoor course for mini-golf with a pirate theme. It is a family-friendly indoor destination featuring a colorful playroom for kids.

The place is open Fridays through Mondays at different times.

If you like the idea of playing blacklight miniature golf, you must visit this place in Portland. Glowing Greens also features escape rooms in a basement setting. 

Pros

Family-Friendly

Variety of Activities

The venue often hosts birthday parties and special events

It an indoor activity which is not affected by the weather

Cons

Possible parking challenges

Limited activities

Nearby Attractions

Potential noise levels

Limited to 4 total guests due to less space

Must Do Things

Challenge Yourself in Escape Rooms

Compete with Friends and Family

Facilities

Birthday Packages

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