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Portland, Portland, OR

Photo: Truflip99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingFoodie FavoriteLocal GemOutdoor Adventure

Portland

· Portland, OR

Why you should go…

Travel Portland is the official destination marketing organization for Portland, Oregon, a nonprofit founded in 1978. The city is known for attractions such as the Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, Powell's Books and Lan Su Chinese Garden, along with a strong food and coffee culture and tax free shopping. The Columbia River Gorge, with its waterfalls and hiking trails, is about 40 minutes from downtown.

  • #city guide
  • #food
  • #gardens
  • #shopping
  • #day trip

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

Maps and brochures

Portland: brochurePortland: brochure

What's around here?

The closest stops to Portland, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Vancouver, Washington

    Free

    Washington city on the Columbia River across from Portland, promoted by Visit Vancouver WA for leisure and event travel.

    2.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    EcoTours of Oregon

    $50+

    A Portland tour operator running guided day trips to the Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood, the coast and wine country since 1992.

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums
    History Buff

    The Historic Trust

    Free

    Nonprofit that preserves and offers tours of Vancouver, Washington's historic Officers Row and Providence Academy.

    2.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

    Under $25

    You step inside a reconstructed 1800s Hudson's Bay Company fur trading post and walk the grounds of Vancouver Barracks.

    2.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Forest Park

    Free

    Hike, run or bike more than 80 miles of wooded trails and firelanes in the hills above northwest Portland.

    4.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Pittock Mansion

    Under $25

    A hilltop 1914 chateau-style mansion with sweeping views of Portland and, on clear days, five Cascade peaks.

    5.0 mi awayMore like this