Situated between the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, Portland is one of the most eclectic cities in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you want to sample a bacon maple bar for yourself or discover why residents want to “keep Portland weird,” our team of Clipper Vacation’s Northwest travel experts have rounded up their 50 favorite things to do in Portland to provide you with a key to the city and inspiration for booking your next trip.
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Get out and about exploring Portland’s variety of attractions and eclectic neighborhoods on a City Tour. ∗
Explore the chic Pearl District, a former warehouse district now chock-full of art galleries and upscale businesses.
Get the ultimate Oregon experience exploring waterfalls and luscious Pinot Noirs on a Willamette Valley Wine & Waterfalls Tour.∗
Check out fun innovations and new discoveries at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Set out to experience two great attractions of the Pacific Northwest on a Columbia Gorge Waterfalls & Wine Tour. ∗
Explore 64 acres of animal fun in the West Hills of Portland at the Oregon Zoo.
Shop new, used and out-of-print books at the famous Powell’s Books.
Check out a walled Chinese Garden enclosing a full city block at the Lan Su Chinese Garden.
Sip local craft brews and spirits on a brewery or distillery tour.
Chat with locals and enjoy artisan goods at Portland Farmer’s Market in the summer or Saturday Market in the winter.
Take a soak, grab a bite and enjoy a brew at the quirky and fun McMenamins Kennedy School.
A PDX classic – satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to the famous Voodoo Doughnuts.
Take a fun trip between the city’s South Waterfront district to the Marquam Hill neighborhood on the Portland Aerial Tram.
Stroll from downtown to one of Portland’s great neighborhoods over one of Portland’s famous bridges.
Take a drive into Oregon’s Willamette Valley to visit top-notch wineries and tasting rooms.
Take the kiddos to enjoy a wide variety of interactive exhibits and activities at the Portland Children’s Museum.
Enjoy a gastropub serving craft beers, sandwiches and eclectic entrees at Widmer Brewing Company.
Take a hike and soak in the scene at the popular Oreonta Gorge.
Experience peace and tranquility along with Japanese art and culture at the Portland Japanese Garden.
From a zoo and arboretum to a rose garden, Japanese garden, forestry museum and more, Washington Park is the perfect year-round attraction.
Do brunch like the locals at the homey Mother’s Bistro & Bar.
Soak in Portland’s perfect summer waterfront from Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Snag a unique or classic toy at the lively Finnegan’s Toys.
Whether you want to windsurf, kiteboard or just soak in the views, the Columbia River is the perfect scene.
From roller skating to thrill rides, miniature golf to carnival games, Oaks Amusement Park has it all.
Get the camera ready to snap shots and post some selfies at Multnomah Falls.
Take a stroll through 6,000 trees and more than 2,000 species at the Hoyt Arboretum.
Get your gamer on with vintage games and pinball machines at the Ground Kontrol Arcade.
Have a costumed guide take you through the Hat Museum.
Check out cherry blossoms, drink unique teas and shop around in Chinatown.
Drive out of downtown for a visit to the beautiful beach town of Cannon Beach (about 90 minutes from downtown Portland).
Get the crackers and sweet tooth ready with a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory (about 90 minutes outside Portland).
Join the local sports crazed fans at a Portland Timbers soccer match.
Get your history fix with a visit to the historic Simon Benson House.
Catch a movie at one of Portland’s many Brew ‘n’ View movie theaters.
See more than 7,000 rose plants of 550 varieties at the International Rose Test Garden.
Take the kids for a quick history lesson in riverboats, gold and banking at the Wells Fargo History Museum.
Check out the oldest art museum on the West Coast (7th oldest in the U.S.) at the Portland Art Museum.
See the beautiful 1909 French Renaissance-style chateau, Pittock Mansion.
Dig into Portland’s deep history at the Architectural Heritage Center.
Take a hike in one of the largest urban forests in the United States at Forest Park.
Pay tribute at Oregon’s largest museum dedicated to the documented visual history of the Jewish people of Oregon at the Oregon Holocaust Memorial.
Enjoy a summer play with Portland’s Shakespeare in the Park.
Put your endurance to the test by participating in the Portland Marathon.
Choose from one of 500 food carts organized across town.
Check out guided tours and educational exhibits on a historic steam-powered tug moored on the Willamette River at the Oregon Maritime Museum.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Old Portland Underground, locally known as the Shanghai Tunnels.
Explore one of Lewis and Clark’s landing spots at Cathedral Park.
Check out the Guinness Book of World Records’ smallest park in the world.
Sip a variety of handcrafted, locally-distilled spirits on Distillery Row.
Traveler Specials
Clipper trips to Victoria and Seattle and whale watching are discounted for active and retired US or Canadian military personnel, children and seniors.
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