12 Awesome Things to Do in Downtown Portland

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. 

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. 

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.’ 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.