The 17 best things to do in Portland right now

There are plenty of ways to see Portland, but the arguable best is via bicycle. Whether you travel to the city with your own bike in tow, rent an e-bike or join a bike tour, (Pedal Bike Tours and Portland Bicycle Tours are two great options) you’ll see Portland at the perfect pace. Follow the Eastbank Esplanade bike path, which runs parallel to the Willamette River, or bike up Willamette Boulevard to the charming St. Johns neighborhood. Grab tacos at Tienda Santa Cruz and enjoy them in Cathedral Park, under the beautiful turquoise St. Johns Bridge. 

Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the oldest in the Pacific Northwest and, impressively, one of the oldest galleries in the nation. With more than 45,000 works on display—contemporary, modern and ancient—there is enough to keep you busy for an entire day. Peep some stunning Native American art and one of the world’s most robust collections of English silver. Its two buildings in Portland’s cultural district are connected via a subterranean gallery, with a sculpture garden to explore outdoors (look out for the towering Roy Lichtenstein work Brushstrokes).

Though likely recommended on every guide to Portland out there, (alongside touristy staples like Voodoo Doughnut and Multnomah Whiskey Library) Powell’s stands out for being truly worth a visit. The largest independent bookstore in the world, Powell’s City of Books is home to more than a million new, used and rare books. The staff does a brilliant job curating recommendations for all kinds of readers, often with personalized, hand-written suggestions along the shelves. The Rare Book Room has many special finds and signed volumes if you’re hunting for a one-of-a-kind gift, or enjoy a cup of coffee from recently-opened, in-store coffee shop Guilder.

If you need a quick bite while downtown, I love visiting the adorable French bistro Maurice for lunch, followed by browsing one of the city’s best high-end clothing stores, Frances May, nearby.

This garden is one of only six test gardens for the American Rose Society and the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. It’s a perfect place to wander, snap some photos and enjoy a staggering range of colors, varieties and scents. More than 10,000 rose bushes bloom here with around 650 varieties of roses. Peak bloom is usually in June, but you can enjoy the beauty from April to October.

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry has to be one of the coolest educational facilities on the planet. With rotating exhibits, a planetarium and a multitude of events like OMSI After Dark and Community Science Nights, OMSI offers fun, engaging activities for everyone, regardless of age. To top it off, the museum sits right on the Willamette, offering beautiful views of the river and Portland’s city center.

Portland has a wide range of performing arts options, from the wonderful Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (a.k.a. the “Schnitz”) to the Oregon Ballet Theater. But the most dramatic setting is undoubtedly the Gerding Theater in the city’s old armory. Already on the National Register of Historic Places, the building has attracted lavish praise from the architectural world for its intelligent renovation. The reviews are equally glowing for the theater’s resident company, Portland Center Stage.

The iconic 113,500-square-foot brick school on Stark Street was extensively renovated before starting a new life as a music venue in 2015. Revolution Hall hosts shows from local legends like Ural Thomas and now-Portland-based Modest Mouse, touring bands like Dawes and the Magnetic Fields, live podcast recordings and comedy nights. The building features multiple bars and restaurants to visit before or after a show—the rooftop bar and its outstanding city views shouldn’t be missed.

The French Renaissance–style château perched high in the West Hills was originally built for The Oregonian’s wealthy publisher Henry Pittock in 1909. This mansion-turned-city-owned museum tells the story of Portland’s growth over the last century through the eyes (and belongings) of the prominent Pittock family. At more than 1,000 feet above sea level, the mansion also commands some of the finest views over the city, making its lawns a popular picnic spot. Need some snack inspiration? Pick up some local produce, Cowbell Creamery cheese (their inner Southeast store houses my favorite selection) and a baguette.

At a whopping 5,200 acres, Forest Park is one of the largest forested natural areas within city limits in the entire United States—and a mere 10-minute drive from downtown, with multiple entry points. Situated among the Tualatin Mountains, the verdant idyll boasts 80 miles of accessible trails and beautiful views of the Willamette River—no wonder the reserve is a haven for hikers and wildlife alike. Take a slow stroll or gear up for a trail run and enjoy the seemingly never-ending woods. If you find yourself craving a chai or sweet treat after, swing into the cozy Dragonfly Coffee House. Want lunch? I’d recommend Top Burmese on Northwest 21st Avenue.

Visiting this year-round farmer’s market on Portland State University’s campus is an absolute Saturday morning must-do—and our preference over the popular Portland Saturday Market. The market is filled to the brim, particularly in the summer months, with the best produce you can find (think local strawberries in June, crisp Kiyokawa Farm apples in September and sungold tomatoes all season long). For some of the best pastries in Portland, visit Maxines and order the focaccia adorned with seasonal herbs and veggies. Native Candy is another staple for their expertly made smoked salmon. If you need a morning meal, try Black Girl Veggies’ vegan fried chicken or an Enchanted Sun breakfast burrito (I always order extra salsa verde).