Best Things to Do in/near Portland-Metro, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington
Content Updated July 20, 2007
Here's a list of my favorite things, the best things, to do in Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Everything here can be done in a day, but some trips take an entire day and a bit of planning.
Need a map? Click here.
Also check out the Best Places to Eat in/near in/near Portland-Metro, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.
Animals (Zoos, Wildlife, Farms)
Amusement Parks
Art & Architecture (Museums, Galleries, Points
of Interest)
Books
Gyms and Indoor Sports
Historical (Museums, Points of Interest)
Nature and Wildlife
Outdoor Sports
Plants & Gardens
Science
Shopping
Theater
Tours
Water Parks
Animals (Zoos, Wildlife, Farms)
Oregon Zoo
It's a zoo, and a great place to watch concerts. In December, Zoo Lights allows you to roam the zoo at night among artistic light displays.
Also see the Nature section
Amusement Parks
Oaks Park
Roller coasters, carnival rides, go-carts, and a skating rink. They even have a picnic area, so bring your lunch.
The Maize
They spend all year growing it, but you only get to play in it during one month in Autumn. It's a giant corn maze.
Enchanted Forest
If you're looking for an amusement park with to keep the whole family entertained, this is the place to go. Check their schedule first since they are closed half the year and sometimes have confusing hours.
Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant
Mini-golf, bumper boats, go-carts, and an arcade. It's the perfect place for a date.
Art & Architecture (Museums, Galleries, and Points of Interest)
The West Hills
Take a drive through the West Hills of Portland (right around SW Montgomery) and enjoy the architecture.
Portland Art Museum
A must-see for art lovers.
Pittock Mansion
If you love architecture, interior design, or history, you must check out the mansion.
Contemporary Crafts Museum and Gallery
It's not your traditional art museum. They even have art classes for adults and kids.
Maryhill Museum of Art
It's a long drive
Books
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
One of the most popular libraries is at the Vancouver Mall where they frequently have literature related events.
Multnomah County Libraries
Lots of excellent libraries.
Powells Books
Looking for a place to find a good book? They're probably have it.
Gyms and Indoor Sports
Mt. Hood Community College Indoor Rock Climbing Wall
This is a good indoor place to go when you want to get your climbing fix when the weather isn't cooperating.
Salmon Creek Indoor Sports Arena
Soccer lovers can get play without concerns about the weather.
Back-to-Back Indoor Sports
Soccer, volleyball, and basketball all indoors.
Historical (Museums and Points of Interest)
Fort Vancouver
A must-see for history buffs.
Pittock Mansion
If you love architecture, interior design, or history, you must check out the mansion.
End of the Oregon Trail
Learn about the Oregon Trail in an entertaining way. Great learning experience for kids.
Oregon Historical Society
Another must-see for history buffs. It's all about Oregon history and the world around us.
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Wasco County Historical Museum
Now, you're not going to want to drive all the way to the Dalles just to visit this museum, but it's a nice little place to check out if you're already in the area.
Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum
History buffs will enjoy learning about the history of the Columbia Gorge.
Nature and Wildlife
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Plan a whole day for this trip, but it's worth it.
Forest Park
Forest Park is a huge wooded park with biking and hiking trails right in the middle of Portland
Audubon Society of Portland Sanctuary and Wildlife Center
Right next to Forest Park, the Audubon Society teaches about local wildlife and has several nature trails where you can do some bird watching.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Watch the ships float by while you take a stroll or have a picnic in the park.
Blue Lake Park
Blue Lake Park has a small lake for boating, several nice playgrounds, lots of room for picnics and parties, fields for sports, and an impressive walking / biking trail.
Oxbow Park
A lovely place to go for a hike or camp for a night, next to the Sandy River.
Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area
2000 acres of wildlife protection. Bring your camera. Also see the Metro's Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area page for more information.
Laurelhurst Park
Laurelhurst Park is a lovely place to go for an afternoon with the kids or a sunset walk.
Tryon Creek State Park
A beautiful hiking area with camping.
Willamette Park
A nice riverfront park for an afternoon of nature and sports.
Outdoor Sports
Columbia Gorge
It's one of the most beautiful drives you'll ever take. The Columbia River runs along the north side. Waterfalls dot the landscape to the south. Take historic highway 30 up to Crown Point, drive or hike through waterfall country, stop for a bite to eat at Multnomah Falls, and visit Rooster Rock State Park for riverside relaxation. Bring your camera.
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
Play in the snow in the winter. In the summer, there are a variety of activities perfect for older children and adults.
Timberline Lodge
It's no ordinary ski lodge. It's the actual location where The Shining was filmed. Perfect for snow lovers and Stephen King fans alike. It's high elevation means that you can often go skiing or snow boarding in the summer. Bring your camera.
Mt. Hood Meadows
Another popular skiing and snowboarding location.
Hood to Coast
This isn't a destination. It's an event in August that raises money for the American Cancer Society. The Hood to Coast Relay is a 197-mile relay race that starts at the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood and ends on the Oregon coast in Seaside, where you'll be greeted with a massive beach party. If you're a walker, you can participate in the Portland to Coast Walk instead. The Hood to Coast Relay is the largest relay race in the world, and the Portland to Coast Walk is the largest walk relay in the world. If you don't want to run or walk, you can participate as a volunteer.
Pier Park Skatepark
A 11,000 sq. ft. skatepark with a full pipe.
Glenhaven Skatepark
A 11,000 sq. ft. skatepark with a larger street course than Pier Park.
PGE Park
PGE Park is the major sports stadium for Portland. It's home of the Portland Beavers (baseball) and Portland Timbers (soccer). The Portland State Vikings (football) also play at PGE, and there are frequently events (like concerts, conventions, and publicity games for big league teams).
Also see the Nature section
Plants & Gardens
Portland Japanese Garden
It's difficult to not get into a meditative state in this beautiful place. Bring your camera.
Classical Chinese Garden
Absolutely beautiful. I love the architecture.
Washington Park Rose Test Garden
Roses. Roses. And more roses. Bring your camera.
Hoyt Arboretum
Trees. Trees. And more trees. A nice place to take a stroll or have a picnic. Bring your camera.
Also see the Nature section
Playgrounds for Kids
Washington Park
Your kids will thank you for taking them to this playground. Very creative. Lots of things to climb on. Room to run around.
Portland Children's Museum
This is by far one of the best children's museums I've ever been to. It's big! They even have their own school. Any child under 12 will love it.
Kids Club Fun & Fitness
They offer classes, but they also have open recreation. The star of the show is the giant jungle gym.
AC Gilbert's Discovery Village
This is an excellent children's museum with an amazing playground. It's a bit of a drive to get there, so make a fun-filled day out of it.
Science (Museums and Points of Interest)
OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)
Kids and science fans absolutely must visit OMSI. It's hours of fun. You're guaranteed to learn something new. Be sure to check out a tour of their submarine.
Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium
A beautiful way to learn about the cosmos for a very, very low price.
World Forestry Center
A place to learn about forests. Great for kids.
Oregon Maritime Museum
Anyone who loves boats will love exploring these ships.
Bonneville Locks and Dam
If you like engineering, you must check this out. It's just impressive.
Evergreen Aviation Museum
If you like planes, this is the place to go. It's even the home of the Spruce Goose and has spacecraft.
Shopping
Downtown Portland
Just start at Pioneer Courthouse Square, and start walking. There's an abundance of shops, big and small.
Chinatown
Prepare to get your knick-knacks, trinkets, and collectibles.
Portland Saturday Market
Crafts, art, music, and food. It's a shopping paradise.
Lloyd Center Mall
It's a mall surrounded by lots of little store. On nice days, skip the mall and head straight outside to visit the local shops.
Finnegan's Toys and Gifts
It's the largest independent toy store (not one of those chain stores) in Portland.
Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets
For outlet mall lovers.
Jantzen Beach Super Center
Lots of shopping, and you can take a ride on the historic C.W. Parker Carousel
Theater
Portland Center for the Performing Arts
Whether you're looking for a symphony, a puppet show, or a Broadway performance, you'll find it here.
Rose Quarter
Lots of big shows play here. And when there isn't a show, there's usually a basketball game going on.
McMenamins Edgefield Power Stations
As I write this, a movie costs only $3, and you get to eat at a dinner table while you watch the movie. The screen is small, the sound isn't all that impressive, but the atmosphere is inspiring.
McMenamins Crystal Balroom
If your looking for amazing live music, famous stand-up comedians, or a nigh of dancing, this is the place to go.
Regal Cinemas
Movie theaters with the latest releases.
Laurelhurt Theater
Cheap movies ($3 as I write this) in a classic theater.
Aladdin Theater
Another Portland Classic. It's a small theater with huge shows. It's a must-play venue for many up-and-coming music artists and a choice place to see famous musicians at reasonable prices.
Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is well known for it's summer concerts.
Tours
Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour
Portland was once the place where unsuspecting sailors were kidnapped, dragged into tunnels under the city, and forced into piracy. Goonies anyone?
Mt. Hood Railroad
It's romantic. It's fun. It's beautiful. Bring your camera.
Portland Spirit
If you're looking for a way to explore the river, book an excursion on one of the Portland Spirit's boats. From sternwheelers to jet boats, sight seeing to dinner cruises, there's something for everyone.
Water Parks
North Clackamas Aquatic Park
An indoor water park with a wave pool, water slides, fountains, kids area, diving boards, and even lanes for doing laps.
Mt. Scott Community Center and Pool
An indoor water park.
Southwest Community Center and Pool
An indoor water park with a kids area.
Wilson Pool
An outdoor water park with a current / drift pool, vortex, water slides, and children's area.
...by Feed