Best Things To Do in Portland, Oregon

The perfect getaway for your next vacation is in Portland, Oregon's largest city and home to a wide range of entertainment. It is famous for a love of sports and a food scene that includes donut trails, haute cuisine and street options. Another reason I like this destination is because of its accessibility, as it can be explored by bike, boat or cable car.

Additionally, the region is surrounded by sandstone, which creates a pleasant climate any time of year and allows for outdoor activities. If you still need a push to convince you, read on.

Portland is the kind of destination you escape to when you want to relax, so an enriching Willamette River cruise is a must. From this perspective the views of the skyline are a real spectacle, especially when done at sunset. For approximately two and a half hours you can leave your worries aside and dedicate yourself to enjoying the views from another perspective.

In general, this type of experience highlights the beauty of the Hawthorne Bridge, the oldest bridge in the city, as well as the opulence of the Marquam Bridge which is listed as its more modern sibling. You will also be able to see the reflection in the water of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, which offers exciting shows that I recommend you attend.

On board you will be accompanied by the soft melodies of live piano, local history narration and traditional food tastings. You will usually find boat trips starting at 121€.

To feel like a true local, you have to immerse yourself in the passion of basketball. It's one of the region's most popular sports, and its games offer an exciting, high-energy experience. Specifically, people burn their throats every time the Trail Blazers, the local team that plays tournaments at the Moda Center arena, play.

The atmosphere is electric and competitive and buying tickets to see the Portland Trail Blazers is a must while you're planning your itinerary, as they sell out very quickly. Every second is filled with local culture: at off times the players interact with the fans and there are cheerleading shows, contests and live music. The games are also accompanied by craft beers and, of course, are the unbeatable sensation of popcorn butter between your fingers.

Another must-see attraction on your itinerary is the Portland Aerial Tram, which is known for offering the best panoramic views of the city. Many tourists ignore its existence and miss one of the most rewarding and fun experiences.

You can fly over the South Waterfront neighborhood and the Willamette River to the main campus of Oregon Health & Science University, as well as see different monuments for about three minutes. It's a shame that the trip is so short, but it's enough to marvel at Portland's arteries and capture postcard photographs. In general, the round-trip ticket costs about 4 € and it is advisable to avoid rush hour for a more pleasant trip.

Each cabin has four seats but more people can stand up, so it can be an interesting activity if you plan to visit Portland with children as a family or group of friends. At the lower terminal you'll see exhibits about the vehicles and their history, emerging neighborhood life, and the farmers market at Elizabeth Caruthers Park. Upstairs there is self-guided hiking and views of Mt. Hood.

Portland is known for its award-winning doughnuts that resonate globally, so it would be a shame to visit and not take the famous trail that takes you to experience the most exquisite creations. Its history is very interesting and dates back to the 17th century, when the first recipes arrived in the country. Later, the locals created unique formulas that made a difference in terms of dough, texture, fillings, smells and flavors.

If you want to stimulate serotonin (your happiness hormone), you can't miss the opportunity to visit the best stores in this picturesque city and discover the most in-demand proposals. And if you have doubts about this plan, I'll confess that the mixes made in Portland compete with those of big cities like New York and Los Angeles.

My recommendation is that you join the best guided tours in Portland, some of them can give you the sweetest two hours of your life, as they can include the experience of tasting donuts. This way, you also get to see underrated stores and immerse yourself in the secrets of baking and decorating techniques. These types of experiences can be found from 62 € and allow you to choose vegan and gluten-free options.

A French corner in the heart of Portland is the Pittock Mansion, an iconic stop not to be missed on your itinerary. It was built in 1909 and for years was the private Renaissance Revival-style chateau residence of Henry Pittock, the publisher of The Oregonian newspaper. It was later purchased by the local government and became one of the most important museums on the perimeter.

A guided tour allows you to explore its architecture and peek inside, where more than 46 charming rooms are hidden away. Among the permanent exhibits you can see period furniture, personal objects of the family, relics such as a family desk, porcelain sets, preserved dresses, original pieces including a grand piano and Henry Pittock's Masonic sword.

In addition, the temporary exhibitions are fascinating and are reinvented every year with original proposals. This place is charming and living proof of the transformation of the city, as well as the legacy of the Pittocks. You can buy tickets from 16€ and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top of the mansion.

Another way to get to know Portland is aboard a bicycle, in fact it is an ecological city where cycling routes are promoted to avoid traffic and reach the most important monuments in a short time. The most relevant place to visit is Clinton Street, where you will be immersed in the vibrant life and you can see the Clinton Street Theater, an old building very popular for its weekly screenings of horror movies.

Plus, if you go in July you can catch the Clinton Street Parade. Or, you can let the pedals take you to:

• Ladd's Addition's iconic maze.
• The vintage stores and dining offerings in the quaint Hawthorne neighborhood.
• The architectural wonders of the Solterra Building.
• The cool breeze of El Poeta Beach, where you can sink your feet into the sand.

You can rent a bike on your own from 30€ per day, but you'll be adrift in an unfamiliar city. On the other hand, joining a guided tour guarantees you the peace of mind of having an itinerary through the best places and experiences. Plus, not only will you have an expert guide, but you'll also have the opportunity to stop to recharge with a delicious Portland donut.

The International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is a magical location that has more than 10,000 rose bushes that grace the city, especially in the season from May through October.

The garden's exhibits are impressive and many people come to see the famous Shakespeare Garden, where you can learn about the biodiversity of flowers named after the writer's works. It is a multi-sensory experience where you will be captivated by the fresh smells, vibrant rose bushes and colorful mazes. Guided tours are available in the spring and it is a popular tourist attraction as it exhibits beauty at its best.

One reason why I love this garden? Admission is completely free and it offers a variety of events throughout the year.

Without a doubt, Nob Hill and Pearl District top Portland's most iconic neighborhoods because of their entertainment offerings. Both day and night, these places are packed with locals and tourists who refuse to miss a second of fun.

Both locations are only 15 minutes away from each other, so you could dedicate a whole afternoon or even more time if you plan to spend at least 3 days in Portland Here is a small guide of the most outstanding activities in these two locations.

Nob Hill

• Explore the industrial facades and cobblestone houses and immortalize the best memories of your trip.
• Take advantage of gallery nights on the first Thursday of the month. Usually these art spaces are closed for the night, but on this day they extend their hours with special exhibits, dining experiences and live entertainment.
• Visit the Wallace House built in 1888, which is surrounded by Victorian and Edwardian homes that function as theaters, stores and other entertainment spaces.

Pearl District

• Admire The Cosmopolitan in The Fields Park, one of the tallest buildings surrounded by craft breweries and old warehouses.
• Join the monthly art trail, which opens all of the area's galleries to the public such as the Augen Gallery founded in 1979.
• Enjoy the Portland bike rides that take place in this area.

Want to get away from civilization and breathe in the fresh air? Or would you like to experience a haunted tale in a picturesque castle? Then you have to visit Portland and delight yourself with all the proposals of the wooded areas of the city.

I leave you a guide of everything you can enjoy in these places.

Forest Park

Forest Park is an urban park within walking distance of Portland, which you can reach using the Portland TriMet line 16. It is ideal for hiking with trails of varying intensities, enjoying a dip in its waterfalls and admiring the wildlife. Admission is free and it features rustic overlooks on the hills, as well as a connection to the Audubon Society Sanctuary and Pittock Mansion.

Witch's Castle

The Castillo de la Bruja (Witch's Castle) is accessible by bus line 20 and allows you to see an old stone building that is abandoned and has generated legends, theories and testimonies of ghosts. Its beauty lies in the peculiar decoration of moss and graffiti and you don't have to pay to take a look.

Portland is a city with an interesting and intense history that is reflected in different points throughout the city. So you have a set of activities to get to know it, but that go beyond the typical museums and exhibits. In fact, many of them are outdoors.

The Grotto

A must-see in Portland is the religious sanctuary The Grotto, which is characterized by its botanical gardens, sacred chapel and relaxation spaces. Here you can witness a medieval labyrinth and participate in meditation rituals. Also, if you plan to visit the city at Christmas time, you can take advantage of the Festival of Lights or attend the annual Blessing of the Animals in July.

Additionally, this place offers free concerts and events according to the seasons. Note that the lower level is free, but to go up to the gardens you must pay an entrance fee of around 8€.

The Living Room

The Portland Courthouse Square or Pioneer Courthouse Square is a space dedicated to cultural festivals and free concerts where you will surely have a great time. You can observe the first section of this park, which was built in the 80's, or sit in the chairs to admire its spaces. In general, it is a good option to visit with the family and rest between attractions.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Another mandatory stop is the classical Chinese garden, better known as Lan Su Chinese Garden. Here you will find a conglomerate of Asian culture, since it houses 2,000 years of history that can be explored through its art, architecture, design and gastronomy spaces.

Of course, you will find native Chinese plants and lunar festivals at different times of the year. During your visit you can't miss the calligraphy, painting and handicraft workshops, as well as tea tastings and Tai Chi and Qi Gong activities. Admission starts at 13€, but inside you can find attractions at an extra cost.

Portland Japanese Garden

If you liked the Chinese garden, you'll probably want to check out its other half. This is the Portland Japanese Garden which is easily accessible via bus lines 15 and 20. It opened in 1967 and is hidden in the vastness of Washington Park. Here you can view temporary art collections, watch musical instrument demonstrations, attend bonsai classes and immerse yourself in Japanese traditions.

You can also see a collection of netsuke, which are Japanese deities and mythological characters carved in miniature, or participate in textile workshops, join guided tours, participate in the tea ceremony or admire the terraces and pavilions.

It is a pleasant tour and can be completed in about fifteen minutes. Keep in mind that from November to January it is not as beautiful as in summer; I think it is important to find it in bloom to get the most out of the entrance fee of around 18€.