Our most recommended things to do in Portland, Oregon

2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River

1. 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River

Whether you want to relax after a long day of sightseeing or need to unwind at the end of your workweek, a sunset dinner cruise along the Willamette River is sure to do the trick. The journey offers spectacular views of the Portland skyline and city’s main landmarks. Listen to live music while you enjoy a freshly cooked Pacific Northwest meal.

2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River

2. 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River

Enjoy lunch along the Willamette River on a 2-hour cruise in Portland. Great for newcomers and locals alike, the leisurely cruise presents an expansive vista of Portland from the water. In addition to exceptional views and food, the afternoon tour also includes commentary from your captain and live entertainment. Prepared with local ingredients, your meal can be upgraded to include an appetizer and dessert.

Portland: Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour

3. Portland: Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour

Take a historic and memorable look at the haunted past of Portland, Oregon, with a walking tour. Set off on an adventure through downtown Portland with a knowledgeable and experienced guide, and discover the most haunted locations in the area. Make your way to the meeting point at the Harlow Hotel and look out for your guide, who will be carrying a lantern. Begin immediately with the obscure history of the City of Roses before embarking on a haunted route to 8 locations in the surrounding downtown area. Head to the waterfront, then walk the dark streets to the Old Town Pizza to hear researched stories and eyewitness accounts of personal hauntings in Portland's morbid and mysterious past. From there, the tour only gets spookier as you visit The Shanghai Tunnels to see the firsthand reminder of Portland's shady past where men were kidnapped or "Shanghaied" and sold to ship's captains in need of sailors, and women were captured and forced into illicit work.  Learn about an entire network of vice and illegal trade that began to use these tunnels for gambling, opium dens, prostitution, and kidnapping. Follow your guide to some other haunted locations and hear, in gripping detail, the history of hauntings and paranormal activity.  Finally, make your way to the final stop at Kell's Irish Pub, where your guide can give you a recap of Portland's strange activity, answer any ghost questions you might have, and check out and exchange any paranormal pictures and activity caught on camera.

Portland: Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Beer Tasting

4. Portland: Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Beer Tasting

Descend into an underworld beneath Portland on this guided walking tour of the city's Shanghai Tunnels. Learn all about the haunted history of the network of passages, then head upstairs for a well-earned craft beer tasting session. Meet your guide to hear stories of Portland's dark past, and hear all about the resident ghost, Nina. Explore these atmospheric tunnels as you uncover the stories of how they used to be used to transport unsuspecting sailors to ships docked on the river. Then, head back up to Old Town Pizza, located in the lobby of Portland's notorious former Merchant Hotel. A special beer tasting of award winning beer, before reflecting on your adventure while sipping on a delicious full pint.

Hood River: Scenic Train Valley Excursion

5. Hood River: Scenic Train Valley Excursion

Enjoy a scenic train ride through lower Hood River valley with this admission ticket. Relax as you travel along the century-old, short line railroad and take a scenic excursion through Northern Oregon. Take part in an adventure just outside of Portland as the Mount Hood Railroad provides you with round-trip train excursions, railbike riding, and seasonal special events. Marvel at thousand views as you travel through orchards, vineyards, and forests. Witness picture perfect scenery of snow-capped Mount Hood and capturing the nostalgia of classic American train travel along the way. Leave the valley floor and cross as you ride along 3 miles of the lower main fork of the Hood River. Navigate a 3% grade that takes you on one of only five switchbacks remaining in the United States. All the while, enjoy a peek-a-boo view of Mt Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak. Concessions and drinks are available for purchase during the layover at The Fruit Company. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks, drinks, and picnic lunch — but no alcohol. All seats are pre-assigned and seat numbers are indicated on boarding passes. Feel free to move through the scenic train except where otherwise posted. Children must be accompanied by an adult when moving through the train. Return times may vary.

Portland: Heart of Portland Sightseeing Cruise

6. Portland: Heart of Portland Sightseeing Cruise

Board the Portland Spirit and embark on a tour of Portland and the Willamette River from an entirely new perspective. Learn about the area, people and bridges from the historical narration, played on all three levels. You may sit indoors in the climate-controlled areas or outside in the open air. Take in the views of the Portland and Milwaukie waterfronts with a full-service bar and bistro menu available for purchase. The cruise will head south on the Willamette River to Milwaukie and then back to the dock.

Portland: Pink Trolley City Tour

7. Portland: Pink Trolley City Tour

Discover the highlights of downtown Portland and its scenic waterfront by open-air trolley. Find out more about a city of contrasts, a lively city center surrounded by stunning natural beauty, from Washington Park and the West Hills to the Willamette River and Waterfront Park. See all the many and varied attractions the "Rose City" has to offer with a narrated tour. Travel from Pioneer Square through the Old Town, as you make your way to the outer residential areas of the city. Learn more about the city along the way with live informative commentary. Take a short stop at the International Rose Test Gardens, where you can enter for free and take a short stroll. Then hop back on the bus to discover the rest of the city. Ride through the fashionable residential area of the Pearl District, with its many chic boutiques, craft breweries, and artisan coffee stores. See Trendy 21st and 23rd Avenue with their upmarket stores and shopfronts, and find out more about where else you may want to explore during your stay in the city.

Portland: Mt. Hood Day Tour

8. Portland: Mt. Hood Day Tour

Your 8.5-hour trip begins early with a hotel pickup from downtown Portland. Embark on an exhilarating morning drive through the Columbia River Gorge. Catch spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains that flank the river and glimpse a waterfall or two. Along the forested highway, visit Oregon’s famous waterfall Multnomah Falls. Join your guide and fellow visitors on Benson Bridge and snap a picture of the 611-foot-tall cascade of water as it crashes below. Next, continue to Hood River, a picturesque valley town renowned as a prime destination for wind sports. Watch kiteboarders and windsurfers skate across the water as you learn about Hood River’s rich environmental and cultural history. Then take some free time for lunch, shopping or wine-tasting (if whimsy strikes you!). Then visit Rowena Crest which has spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge. The final stop on your guided tour is the glorious Mount Hood, Oregon’s tallest peak at 11,249 feet (3,429 meters) and Timberline Lodge. Take a mountain walk or a self-guided visit through the renovated lodge that was once the setting for the classic film The Shining. Your day concludes back in Portland by early evening.

A Full Day of Wonder: Wine, Waterfalls, and Timberline Tour

9. A Full Day of Wonder: Wine, Waterfalls, and Timberline Tour

Learn the history of Starvation Creek and see the stunning waterfall there, then it's on to marvel at the unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless artwork of historic Timberline Lodge on scenic Mt. Hood, with 4-stories of heavy timber, built by artisans for the Works Progress Administration. Roll through scenic Hood River Valley, where we will visit 2 or more boutique wineries, depending on timing. View astounding Columbia River Gorge and feel the spray of majestic Multnomah Falls, where you can cross a bridge halfway up the waterfall, visit a rustic gift shop, and buy a chocolate chip cookie the size of a dinner plate. We may stop at seasonal craft and produce stands along the way. Lunch is included. Wine tastings can be purchased for an additional fee during your visit, if desired. So many beautiful sites to see and stories to hear! Sip, sip, hooray! We are licensed and insured, family-owned, local, and knowledgeable.

Portland: Mount Hood Wine and Waterfalls Full-Day Tour

10. Portland: Mount Hood Wine and Waterfalls Full-Day Tour

Enjoy a full-day tour of the beautiful landscapes of the wine-growing regions near Portland. Discover breathtaking sights like the Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls. Enjoy a mouth-watering lunch and a winetasting experience at a local winery.  Be picked at your accommodation in Portland and relax in comfort aboard a Mercedes Sprinter van as you travel through the verdant landscape of the Willamette Valley which is known for its hazelnuts, berries, evergreen trees, and Pinot Noir wine. Ride into the foothills of the western Cascades and ascend to the tree line on Mount Hood, the highest peak in Oregon. Spend an hour at the historic Timberline Lodge, built by local artisans during the Great Depression.  Explore the interpretive displays, go hiking, or play in the snow, before heading thorugh the Hood River Valley to a picturesque winery. Eat a farm-to-table lunch while enjoying a wine tasting at a boutique vineyard with a view of Mount Hood.  Learn about wine production in the region and visit 1 other winery in the Columbia Gorge or Columbia Valley areas. Travel through the Columbia Gorge and admire the towering basalt cliffs, before stopping for half and hour at Multnomah Falls. Have time to walk up to the Benson Bridge, visit the interpretive center, or peruse the gift shop. Afterward, head back to Portland to be dropped off at your hotel.

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Portland, Oregon
The best city for foodies in the US — a bold claim, but hit a brewery or a foodcart and you won’t disagree.

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Frequently asked questions about Portland, Oregon

What are the best day trips and excursions from Portland, Oregon?

The best day trips and excursions from Portland, Oregon are:

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What are the best tours to do in Portland, Oregon with kids?

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Insider tips: Planning a trip to Portland

Bucket List Journey mission is to give every person in the world the tools and inspiration to live their bucket list. Annetter is an obsessed new experience collector, her passion is for checking the world off her bucket list one adventure at a time. You can check her Portland's Bucket list here.

What should I do on my first trip to Portland?

From waterfalls to walking tours, there’s plenty of fun things to do in Portland, but there’s a couple that you absolutely shouldn’t miss. The International Rose Test Garden is an absolute must not only because it’s the oldest public garden of its kind, but also because there are most that 10,000 rose bushes with many varieties you have never heard of! Multnomah Falls is another highlight for your trip. Though the 611 foot waterfall is technically not in Portland city limits, it’s a daytrip away that won’t disappoint.

What are some hidden gems to see in Portland?

Most people know about Voodoo Donuts and the Keep Portland Weird sign, but did you know that they have a Vacuum museum and an aerial tram? Starks Vacuum Museum will be a quick and quirky stop, though it does have over 300 vacuum cleaners lined up against the walls dating back to the 1800s. The aerial tram is only a four-minute ride, but during those minutes you will get to see some of the most spectacular city views from 500 feet in the sky.

How much time should I spend in Portland?

About four-days in Portland will get to all the major highlights, but to really delve deeper into the districts give yourself at least 7 days (especially if you want to do a couple day trips!)

What food is Portland known for?

Portland is filled with dining options, but what you can't leave Portland without doing is visiting one of the over 500 food trucks that they are known for. One of my favs was Potato Champion who serves Belgian style fries and Poutine.

What is the best way to get around Portland?

Though Portland has a great light rail and busy system, renting a car would be best, because the city is spread out with some distance in-between attractions. This is especially true if you want to do some day trips.

What are the best months to visit Portland?

Portland can get pretty cold in the Winter months, which always makes exploring a city a little trickier, so the best time to visit is in the Summer (July through August). A lot of what makes Portland great is it’s outdoorsy activities, which you’ll be able to enjoy a lot more with the warmer weather.

What is the Pearl neighborhood known for?

Each neighborhood has its own vibe, but one of my favorites is the Pearl district. It was formerly a section filled with old warehouses that have now been turned into shops, galleries and restaurants. If you are a foodie, like me, you'll want to spend days dining in all the great eateries!

What are the best neighborhoods for food?

Every district has it’s food perks, and I already mentioned the Pearl District for restaurants, but another one not to miss is Division district. There you'll find the perfect mix of pizza parlors, cafes and a variety of Asian restaurants to tempt your palate.

What are the best neighborhoods for shopping?

If you're into funky and artsy shops then head over to the Alberta Arts district. There you will find everything from hip vintage clothing to stylish galleries to relaxing spas.

What neighborhood should I stay in when I visit Portland?

When I visit, I like to stay right in downtown Portland, because there's a lot to do and it's easily accessible to many attractions. You can walk to the Portland Art Museum, Powell's Books and the riverfront. Plus, there are many light rail stops in downtown, so it's easy to pop onto a train and visit other areas.

Other Sightseeing Options in Portland, Oregon

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What people are saying about Portland, Oregon

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 1,467 reviews

Our guide was very knowledgeable about Portland - we learned so much about the city - as much as the donuts, which we enjoyed immensely! He explained the history of the donut shops and how the flavors fit with that history. We had leftovers to take home, and loved our donut swag, which our guide personalized for us! We had a wonderful time, and highly recommend this!

Very fun and extra tasty! Very family friendly. Tried at least 11 different types of donuts. Our guides were knowledgeable, informative, and so pleasant. Even kind enough to bring donuts (my favorites on the tour) from another site not walkable.

Excellent tour guide and experience! Would absolutely recommend! Great additional insights into what to do in Portland and history of donut culture!

Very well planned tour with a very knowledgeable driver.

Highly recommend this tour. Well worth the low price!