Our most recommended things to do in Portland, Oregon

Portland: Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour

1. 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: Willamette River 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise

2. Portland: Willamette River 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise

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 piano music while you enjoy a Pacific Northwest meal.

Portland: 2-hour Lunch Cruise on the Willamette River

3. Portland: 2-hour Lunch Cruise on the 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 about the sights along the river and live piano music. Prepared with local ingredients, your meal comes with your choice of entrée from the menu and fresh baked bread. Side salad, appetizers and desserts are available for purchase on board.

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.

From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour

5. From Portland: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour

Discover the scenic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge on a small group tour with an expert guide in a luxury passenger van. Explore Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, stopping at several picturesque waterfalls typical of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Depart from downtown Portland and drive towards Troutdale, known as the Gateway to the Gorge. Enjoy the journey along the Historic Columbia River Highway, the first planned scenic roadway in the United States. Arrive at Crown Point Vista House, an overlook that sits high above the Columbia River. From there, continue along the historic highway deep into the Columbia River National Scenic Area. Arrive at the first waterfall of the day, the dramatic Latourell Falls, which plunges 249 feet over a massive wall of columnar basalt.  You'll also have the chance to visit an often overlooked gem, Horsetail Falls, directly off of the historic highway. Once at the base of these falls, it won't be difficult to see how it received its name.  Proceed next to the grand Multnomah Falls, which plummets to the ground from 620 feet in two major steps. Explore the Multnomah Falls Historic Lodge and stand on the easily accessible viewing platform that offers a full view of the Benson Bridge and cascading falls beyond. Afterward, relax on the journey back to Portland via the Columbia River Gorge scenic route.

Multnomah Falls: Waterfall Corridor Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley

6. Multnomah Falls: Waterfall Corridor Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley

Create your own adventure along the historic Colombia River Highway, including iconic Multnomah Falls. Hop off at any of the stops to explore trails and waterfalls. Trolleys arrive at each stop every hour, so you have plenty of time for a short stop with pictures or a longer hiking excursion. Entry tickets now required by the National Forest Service are included in your reservation. Parking is free at our nearby Corbett parking lot so that you can avoid all the parking waiting and traffic. If you just want to ride the Trolley and listen to the guided narration, a round trip lasts about an hour and forty-five minutes. As you journey between the locations, enjoy the fantastic views from the open-air trolley that features unobstructed perspectives, perfect for snapping photos and taking in panoramic landscape views. A detailed hiking/stop guide is available when you board the Trolley, and suggested itineraries are available on our website. Stops are made at the following locations: Corbett • Crown Point • Latourell Falls • Bridal Veil Falls • Angels Rest • Wahkeena Falls • Multnomah Falls • Triple Falls • Horsetail Falls • Ainsworth

Portland: Happy Hour Sightseeing Cruise

7. Portland: Happy Hour 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: Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River

8. Portland: Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River

Portland is known for its love of brunch — elevate your Portland brunch experience with a cruise on the Willamette River! Enjoy a 2-hour cruise through Portland and Milwaukie, Oregon, and all-you-can-eat buffet prepared fresh on board, hosted champagne/mimosas, live piano entertainment and a narration of the sights on the outer decks. We will make sure to keep the coffee and the champagne flowing, all you need to do is relax and take in the views. You will have a dedicated server at any point during the cruise they will be able to help you make sure it is an amazing experience.

Portland: Guided Delicious Donut Tour with Tastings

9. Portland: Guided Delicious Donut Tour with Tastings

Accompany your passionate foodie guide to 4 donut institutions, where you'll enjoy a curated sample of Portland's best donuts. Savor classics like glazed and chocolate, and discover some more adventurous flavors, like lavender.  Your stops may include Sesame Donuts, Blue Star Donuts, Voodoo Doughnuts and more. You'll even be able to skip the line at Voodoo Doughnuts, where some people wait up to 30 minutes. On the way to the donut shops, visit some local sights including Pioneer Square, Chinatown, and the PSU Campus. Your tour guide will entertain you with interesting facts about these sites as you travel between treats.

Portland, Oregon: Soul of the City Walking Tour

10. Portland, Oregon: Soul of the City Walking Tour

Discover some of Portland's most influential architecture, from cast iron-fronted structures to the grandly disastrous post-modern Portland Building, on this walking tour. Discuss the modern rise of radical activists, and how it is connected to the city’s history going back more than a century. Meet your guide in the center of the city, at Director Park, only a block from the city's Cultural District. Walk through the South Park Blocks, visiting the plazas connected to museums and concert halls, including the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Historical Society. Explore how Portland got its nicknames and city layout, how its cultural identity was forged, and where its commitment to racial justice and social progressivism comes from. Be surprised as you find out how the state of Oregon was founded and why. Next, meet Portlandia, the image personifying the city. Learn how much of the city as you see it today has hippies to thank for its richness. End the tour at Pioneer Courthouse Square. On days when attractions are open, you can briefly enter 1 or 2 buildings. Along the way, discover what led to the prioritization of parks throughout the city center, how the city’s early urban planners decided on their layouts, how modern designers look at the past and plan for the future, and who the streets are named after.

Add dates

Things to do in
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.

All activities

96 activities found
Sort by:

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Portland, Oregon

Explore all

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:

Mount Hood

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

Want to discover all there is to do in Portland, Oregon? Click here for a full list.

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!

Absolutely stunning!! Damon was such a great guide. Full of information and so easy to listen to. Personalized our tour and even dropped us off at our hotel. About as close to a must-do as there is for anyone wanting to see the natural beauty of the area. Our kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we can’t recommend this enough!!

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!

Highly recommend this tour. Well worth the low price!