Portland is home to a great collection of fun-filled activities that will give you an adrenaline rush and awaken your adventurous spirit.
From roller coaster rides to flying through the air, these activities will each provide you with a unique experience in the city that you won’t forget in a hurry. Here are our best fun and adventurous things to do in Portland, Oregon with or without friends…
1. Willamette Jetboat Excursions – for a fun and exhilarating watery ride
Willamette Jetboat Excursions is the ultimate way to experience everything Portland has to offer.
Traveling just became fun. Drop the heavy bags and get rid of your car, it’s time to get on the jet boat and take a trip across Portland!
Willamette Jetboat Excursions is the oldest and most popular company that offers jet boat rides across various routes. You can choose from a bunch of exclusive routes depending on what you want to see and how much time you have.
Address: 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214, United States
2. iFLY Indoor Skydiving – one of the most adventurous things you can do for all the family in Portland
Get ready to tackle your skydiving fear with this simulated skydiving experience. iFLY Indoor Skydiving offers a surreal anti-gravity and air rush experience in a safe environment.
It’s all about going one step at a time. This skydiving experience is a great way to get an adrenaline rush while cultivating your skydiving skills.
Address: 10645 SW Greenburg Rd, Portland, OR 97223, United States
- To book, check prices or availability for iFLY Indoor Skydiving
3. Portland Escape Rooms – for a fun puzzle-solving adventure
Do you have what it takes to finish the puzzles and escape the room? Portland Escape Rooms provide an immersive, mind-boggling experience that will spark the excitement in you and get your heart beating.
Avoid the mundane trip to the park or museum and instead opt for this incredible 60-minute escape room. With a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 12 participants, now is the time to invite your best buddies to join you and share the excitement of working together as a team.
Portland Escape Rooms has many escape courses each with its own set of challenges, puzzles, and twists. You can also participate in the escape room virtually but we strongly recommend checking out the physical site to see what the hype is about.
Address: 10700 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy #118, Beaverton, OR 97005, United States
4. Portland International Raceway – hosts a wide variety of fun and crazy events
Portland International Raceway is the most comprehensive and interactive motorsport location in Portland. With regular events in a variety of sports, the motorsport company brings together die-hard motorsport lovers and entertains the masses.
Whether you love drag racing, motorbikes, or auto-racing, the facility will have an event lined up for you. If you are an extreme motorhead, you can even get your car on the track for a few spins or better yet, organize an event of your own.
The possibilities are endless and you don’t need to be an expert to take a spin on the road. You can even join “arrive and drive” programs or a nationally recognized driving school to hone your driving skills.
Address: 1940 N Victory Blvd, Portland, OR 97217, United States
5. Ride a Roller Coaster at Oaks Park – for an adrenaline-pumping adventure in Portland
What better way to get your blood pumping, than getting on an intense roller coaster? Get over your fear of heights or jump on for an adrenaline-filled ride, the rollercoaster at Oaks Amusement Park is nothing short of an exciting, adventurous dose of fun.
Oaks Amusement Park is the ultimate spot to travel to with your family. With around 24 rides, a skating court, a miniature golf course, and many other exciting games, Oaks Park is the place to be for the weekend. Residents love the fun, chill atmosphere in the place and regularly visit for an exciting time.
Address: 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202, United States
6. Downtown Ghost Tour – a spooky and fun evening out
We all love to hear nerve-wracking horror stories every once in a while. What better way to awaken your detective side and experience the local horror stories of Portland than to physically visit them?
Join the Downtown Ghost Tour by following your tour guide holding a lantern outside the Lan Su Chinese Garden. In this 1-1.5 hour trip, you will be visiting the bizarre locations in Portland that have been known for their ghost stories.
Address: 239 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
- To book, check prices or availability for Downtown Ghost Tour
7. RISE & ROLL Open Air Roller Disco – a great way to spend an evening in Portland
If you love skating then you need to visit RISE AND ROLL skating events at least once. It is an exciting get-together of fellow skaters in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
The skating meetups take place 5+ days a week to raise charities for various organizations. There is no better way to have fun while also helping the community.
Address: S Bond AvePortland, OR 97239, USA
8. Visit the Jetliner Home in the Woods – an intact Boeing 727 converted into a home you can visit in these Oregon woods
The Jetline Home is a story about a man who dedicated his time to fulfilling his passion of creating a home out of a 727 jet aircraft. Bruce Campbell began his journey in 1999 and over the years realized his dream of owning a jet house.
Good luck finding this secretive yet spectacular house propped away somewhere in the woods in Wine Country. The owner loves to show around his creation and would be eager to give you a tour.
You can also cruise through the area and make it a challenge to find the house.
Address: 15270 SW Holly Hill Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123, United States
9. Dinner Cruise through Downtown – a stylish and fun thing to do in Portland
Craving a memorable trip over a river? There is no better way to explore Portland than on a gigantic ship cruising through the waters.
Join the incredible 2.5-hour cruise trip on the Willamette River and experience the panoramic shots of the city from your very own water vessel.
It’s never too late to ditch your work for the day and hop on an unforgettable journey over the river. The trip offers free cancellation, a hearty meal, and live entertainment.
Address: 110 SE Caruthers St, Portland, OR 97214, USA
- To book, check prices or availability for Dinner Cruise through Downtown
10. Ride Aerial Tram – for a more relaxing adventure in the city
Orlando Magazine compared the experience of the Aerial Tram ride to a full-on amusement park ride. Enjoy the incredible airborne ride and witness some of the greatest views of the city.
With a four-minute ride each way you can squeeze the trip into any busy day. Still not convinced? Check out the 360° virtual tour on the website to get a sneak peek of what awaits.
Address: 3303 South Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA
11. Eastside Craft Brewery Beer Tour – for fun, sociable times and great beer
Spend your holiday with a group of like-minded individuals exploring the beer scene of Portland.
The Eastside Craft Brewery Beer Tour will take you through the Eastside neighborhood, giving you an incredible route to explore the restaurants, local shops, and other landmarks.
You will get to taste the complete range of craft beer at various avenues and rediscover your taste for beer. Try out the sample of various unique blends and broaden your beer catalogue. The trip will span over 2 hours and the number of people is limited to ten.
Address: 833 SE Main St #120 Portland, OR 97214, USA
- To book, check prices or availability for Eastside Craft Brewery Beer Tour
12. Smartphone Scavenger Hunt – a fun and interactive Portland adventure for all ages
Invite your friends over ‘cause it’s time to head out on an adventure. Explore the true beauty of Portland while solving the challenges of this ultimate scavenger hunt. Each team will have a smartphone with tips to solve puzzles that will guide you through the journey.
The maximum three-hour trip on the Smartphone Scavenger Hunt will make you appreciate the local spots of Portland and will take you through popular locations including the Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Arts District, and Powell’s Books.
Address: 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97205, USA
- To book, check prices or availability for Smartphone Scavenger Hunt
13. Gorge and Bigfoot Jet Boat Adventure – an adventure-style experience traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour
Do you believe in BigFoot? This whacky jet board adventure will take you through the Columbia Gorge while giving you a history of the bigfoot sightings in the Northwest.
Whether you believe in the big creature or not, we are sure you will love this incredible journey where you can witness great panoramic views from your jet boat.
You will be cruising from the Willamette River to the Columbia Gorge at a stunning speed of 40 mph. The Gorge and Bigfoot Jet Boat Adventure will last around 3.5 hours and you will get to see popular sites including Multnomah Falls, and Beacon Rock. There are restrooms available on the vessel.
Address: 110 SE Caruthers St, Portland, OR 97214, USA
- To book, check prices or availability for Gorge and Bigfoot Jet Boat Adventure
14. Play Mini-golf in a Glow in the Dark Mini Golf (Glowing Greens) – for fun and adventurous family fun
What better way to spend the weekend with your friends than having fun on an interactive mini-golf course.
Glowing Greens 3D mini-golf facility is pirate-themed with dark light to enjoy your golf in a funky atmosphere.
You can choose different courses based on the number of people and preferences. You can also book a private event in the facility.
Address: 509 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97204, United States
15. Walk Along the Amazing St. John’s Bridge – for breathtaking views
There is nothing more relaxing and revitalizing than a walk. Wipe your worries for the day and take a healthy walk on Portland’s amazing St. John’s Bridge.
With over 2000 feet long, the bridge will give you enough time to soak in the dazzling views of the Willamette River. You can also bring along your bike to enjoy a peaceful, fun-filled ride across the bridge.
Address: H6PP+23Q Portland, Oregon, USA
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Beth was born under a wandering star, with drama in her veins and ink in her pen. After stints studying theatre in Dublin and Utrecht she used her creative streak to see as much of the world as she could on as little money. She toured Italian Schools with a children’s theatre troop, lived as an au-pair in both Rome and Washington DC, explored the British countryside, worked her way through much of Europe, Salsa danced in Cuba and road tripped down America’s west coast where she discovered her spiritual home; Portland, Oregon. In between adventures she resides peacefully with her family, cats and ukulele.