Things to do in Portland

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Portland

Things to Do in Portland

Exploring Portland's Japanese Garden and International Rose Test Garden are traveller faves. For a walk on the wild side, head to Forest Park or Columbia River Gorge.

Book these experiences for a close-up look at Portland.


Top Attractions in Portland

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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From quick jaunts to full-day outings.


*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Connector13189435046
    United Kingdom2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Place was to goood I like the place very much I will come again I will never forget this place I will tell my friends to visit here see you soon
    Written March 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • YanJing Jiang
    Shanghai, China25 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Japanese garden has many Japanese styles building. The garden is big and beautiful, There are also cafe and gift shop in it. The staffs are nice and friendly. Today is a rainy day . It has a special vibe to walk in garden in the rain. I like it very much.
    Written March 11, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Laura H
    El Dorado Hills, CA431 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a huge park overlooking the city of Portland. Roses are the main feature of this beautiful park. There is a fee for parking and signs warning of car break-ins. While there, we met a family who had all their luggage stolen. Remember to not leave anything visible inside of your car.
    Written November 26, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kisssmee
    Los Angeles, CA787 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a nice serene place smack dab in the middle of Downtown. It's street parking and thankfully it wasn't terribly difficult to find a spot.

    The front gate is locked and you will be buzzed in. You pay your fee at the ticket booth. You explore the grounds and enjoy the greenery and ambiance of it all. Unfortunately, when I visited there was scaffolding so it was a little bit of an eyesore. The brighter side, it just means I have to come back again to fully enjoy the beauty of the place. There is a small body of water in the middle and beautifully decorated architecture around.
    Written February 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jamie S
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    As one of the most historic sites to visit in Portland, the mansion and the grounds were breathtaking, especially on what turned out to be a rainy day. Within the mansion, there are many interesting historical facts along with furniture and antiques from different time periods. On the grounds, there are great views of the city and fall colors. There was also an exhibit for Eliza Barchus which contained her artwork and life details, which may have been the highlight of the mansion.
    Written November 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GastroEclectico
    Phoenix, AZ803 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One hundred years ago a grotto was created into this incredible rock face where soon later was installed a beautiful reproduction of Michaelangelo’s Pieta. This beautiful work of man’s craftsmanship stands today amidst an inner-city secluded area inspiring meditation and solemnity inspiring self-contemplation and thoughtful introspection in nature’s beauty within a 62-acre ecological enclave. One can leisurely, yet wondrously meander the walk paths of this remarkable garden/park to quietly ponder, picnic or serenely contemplate the open seclusion of nature’s marvelous wonder. When visiting Portland, this is a must visit – enjoy a couple of hours of tranquility. It is truly a gem and isolated treasure within the bustle of the city.
    Written November 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • minimize940314
    Los Angeles, CA3,528 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was traveling alone so I was not able to stop by wineries and have glasses of wine. However, driving through the valley itself is an experience as the scenery is gorgeous.
    Written August 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PH2003
    Denver, CO367 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Being from Denver, I’m used to the city zoo just being a bunch of fake habitats in the middle of the city. Oregon’s zoo is so much different and I loved every bit of it. From the start, the zoo itself just blends into the city. The environment feels completely natural and you blend right into the mossy forest. You don’t even feel like you’re in a zoo, you feel completely immersed in nature.
    I also appreciated the diverse animals that Oregon has, compared to other zoos I’ve seen. It’s clean, the animals don’t seem miserable, and the path is a solid in/out model. It’s impossible to get lost in this place.

    The only downside to going on an off-season rainy day is the lack of food. We had to walk practically halfway through before we found a food spot that was open. The little food carts were all closed.
    Written February 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • KACB
    Texas17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We walked the Holly Loop, and it was a nice leisurely walk with so much beautiful scenery to stop and look at. We can’t wait until we can come back and check out the other trails. There is a small gift shop in the visitor center where we purchased a few postcards.
    Written September 15, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andrew T
    272 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an incredibly beautiful forest to walk around in. If you have the time you can easily spend the whole day there. Lots of undulation so if that’s a difficulty walking need to be considerate of that. But the walking trails are really well paved. Overall rating 9.7
    Written October 16, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Renee R
    4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I visited OSMI the first time a couple weeks ago. My husband and I, both seniors, enjoyed it. We spent about 90 minutes walking through the museum, watched a starry night presentation, and then a laser light one. Finally had a coffee before returning home. We decided to buy a season pass so we could bring our kids and grandkids. We are looking forward to visiting again.

    The reason for four stars is if you are paying separately for the entrance fee, then planetarium show(s), and maybe a sub tour, you can easily spend close to $200 for the day for a family of 4. That seems pricey for what you are getting. That is why we decided to buy a membership.
    Written December 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • FloridaAuthor
    Gainesville, FL207 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely gardens and on Mondays it’s pay what you want, which is a nice option to keep it accessible to all. Parking is tight, so mass transit or biking might be a better option.
    Written May 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Portland