Portland is a haven for any type of traveler. So whether you love eco-tours, biking, hiking, arts, or even if you just love wine, beers, pizza, there’s something for you in the largest metropolis in Oregon. And with so many things to do Portland locals recommend, it can be overwhelming. It will be a challenge to know where to start and which activities to choose. And that is why we trimmed down the list to the best 10 things you should never miss in the city.
Washington Park – Portland Japanese Garden
This is also known as the largest and most genuine Japanese botanical garden outside Japan. If you are up for some urban hiking from the city, this is the best place to wrap your adventure. Visitors can now enjoy traditional arts and join amazing cultural activities. They also have performances which you and your friends can enjoy. For a moment, you would forget that you are in Oregon. It’s as if you are in the land of the rising sun.
It is a 12-acre land that showcases eight different Japanese garden techniques. It’s in this place that you can feel you are one with nature. Even locals appreciate the serenity of the place. There’s an admission fee though, but considering the experience you can get from here, it’s definitely worth it.
There is limited space for car parking during peak seasons and weekends. Thus, it is way better and more economical to just walk or go to the gardens through biking.
Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is community-supported since 1888. It’s the home of more than 3,000 animals and a few endangered species. We recommend wearing your most comfortable shoes as you are going to walk for long periods. But don’t worry about getting tired. There are a lot of snack bars where you can grab sandwiches, salads, fries, or even cheeseburgers. So if you are bringing your kids along, it’s an amazing destination to add to your itinerary. And there are a lot of educational exhibits where your children can learn. It’s not surprising that there are people who keep on coming back.
Every year, 1.5 million visitors come here – strong proof of how popular Oregon Zoo is. And by the looks of it, the place is here to stay.
Admire The Beauty Of Lan Su Chinese Garden
Here’s another place in Portland where you get to experience tranquillity – the Lan Su Chinese Garden. This was built by real Chinese artisans where you get to see authentic Chinese gardens. Imagine not having to fly out of the US to witness such beauty.
This garden was inspired by the Ming dynasty gardens of China. It is the perfect place to just relax, forget about your usual problems, and just connect with nature. It’s peaceful and it soothes one’s soul.
It will only take you less than an hour to go around and is ideal if you are looking for a quick stop. The details from the garden are truly remarkable and anyone with exquisite taste will be impressed.
Lan Su Chinese Garden is stroller and wheelchair accessible. It also has a lot of benches if you wish to sit down and just take your time admiring the surroundings.
Portland’s Living Room
Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square is also known as the ‘living room’. It’s where big events and gatherings take place. During earlier times, you can find a school, parking garage, and a hotel in the area. But in 1974, the city obtained the place and turned it into an amazing spot where people can gather and have fun.
If you visit the living room, you will notice that there are names on the bricks. These are the names of the donors as the funding was mostly from private individuals.
It’s always nice to grab a sandwich and enjoy watching locals just going around. It doesn’t matter if there’s an event or none. Just sit around and observe. If you happen to talk to a local, it is always one of the best things to do Portland residents will surely recommend.
Urban Forest Reserve
There are so many things that locals and tourists can do in Portland. One of these is to visit the Urban Forest Reserve. It’s a short hike close to the city and is perfect if you want to run, walk, or even bike. The place is nothing short of spectacular and it’s always amazing to be surrounded by greens. Don’t forget to bring your camera as every inch of this place is picture-perfect.
The project was completed in 1948 and it has helped the quality of air and water in the area. It took decades to finish, but it was a successful plan and everyone could enjoy and benefit from it. Hopefully, other cities will follow the lead.
The Grotto
One of the things to do Portland locals will also recommend is to visit The Grotto. Every year, the place is visited by more than 300,000 people. You can spend around 90 minutes to two hours here. It is handicapped accessible and the roads are paved. You can even request for wheelchairs for free. This, however, is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Take note that The Grotto is a smoke-free area, and vaping is also not allowed. Feel free to take photos but make sure that you are not distracting other visitors. You might want to read the full guidelines before you enter the vicinity. Just remember, this is a solemn place and proper behavior must be observed. There’s also a huge parking space if you plan to bring your car.
The Portland Art Museum
Ever since, visual arts have been embedded in Portland’s culture. And so whenever you visit the city, we encourage you to go to the museum. Here you can find several Native American and Asian art, plus modern pieces as well. Of course, you cannot compare it to the Louvre, but there are still amazing pieces to adore.
A lot of tourists shared that they spent half a day in the Portland Art Museum and they didn’t even realize it. That shows how much they enjoyed the place.
Also, you would appreciate the great finds in the gift shop. There’s definitely something for you in there. As of this writing, you can enjoy a discounted admission fee as some of their galleries are temporarily closed.
Go to a Brewery
Portland has also a number of great breweries and if you want to have a different kind of adventure, you might want to try a couple of these places. Just so you know, the city is also called ‘Beervana’, and not having a pint could be your biggest sin.
You can either choose Great Notion Brewing, Ecliptic Brewing, Breakside Brewery, and Culmination Brewing, to name a few. We can’t really select which one is the best given that all of these places offer a unique type of experience.
Even if you are traveling solo or with a group, we’re pretty sure you’d have a great time.
Go to a Wine Bar
For those who do not know, Portland is located in the Willamette Valley, a region where quality wines are produced. And if you are interested to taste local wines, then including a special tour in your itinerary is highly recommend.
There are several wine bars that you can visit in Portland. Like their breweries, it was such a challenge to pick the best one. And that is why we urge you to try everything on our list if your time permits. We have the Corkscrew, Oui Wine Bar, The Bar at Park Avenue, and Muse.
We understand that some of you might have little interest in wines. The thing is, it’s not just about tasting or comparing one variety from the other. It’s also about learning the culture of Portland, experiencing local hospitality, and doing something far more different from what you are accustomed to. So do something new and choose Portland to do it. We bet that you will include this to your personal list of Things to Do Portland Visitors Recommend.
Go Get Pizza
Pizza is everywhere but not all cities can boast their pizza places. The case is different in Portland.
We’ve tried several spots and boy, every slice was a piece of heaven. We were a bit surprised too. Our top picks are Sizzle Pie Downtown, Apizza Scholls, Ken’s Artisan Pizza, and Life of Pie Pizza.
You can also check our list here and try out a couple of restaurants. You will never regret it. Forget about your strict diet right now. We kid you not, it is possible to survive the entire year just by eating pizza from different restaurants in the city.
Final Thoughts
It’s not hard to fall in love with Portland. And it’s possible that you start off as a visitor but end up wanting to live here. It has so much to offer and you get to have the right balance of the bustling city yet the tranquillity of beautiful parks and forests.
