If you have not come to visit Portland, Oregon yet, then you are missing out on one of the best travel destinations in the United States! There is truly so much that Portland has to offer visitors, but if you are unfamiliar with the area, you may not know about some of the top activities that you can check out during your visit. That is why we have gone ahead and put together a handful of recommendations for some of the best things to do in Portland when you come to visit! Let’s go ahead and get started:
1. Discover the Portland Art Museum
First up on our list, we have the Portland Art Museum, which is the only major arts museum located in the stretch between Seattle and San Francisco. Not only is this museum home to several permanent collections, they also regularly host special exhibitions, giving visitors an opportunity to see all sorts of unique art from around the world. Plus, this activity is ideal for families with kids, as children 17 and under can enter the museum for free!
2. Visit the Oregon Zoo
Another of the top things to do in Portland is to pay a visit to the Oregon Zoo, which is home to dozens upon dozens of fascinating creatures. They have animals from across the world, such as the lions, rhinos, and giraffes from the African savannah, Asian species like the Amur tiger and Asian elephant, plenty of North American creatures, and even Polar bears from the arctic!
3. Explore the Portland Japanese Garden
Yet another of the things to do in Portland that you won’t want to miss out on when you come to visit is the Portland Japanese Garden, which is recognized as one of the most beautiful and authentic Japanese gardens located outside of Japan. This carefully tended space is an ideal spot for visitors to stop and reflect, while enjoying the cultivated beauty of the many plant species and displays at the garden.
4. Eat at a Food Cart Pod
Portland is home to a wide variety of food trucks, or food carts as the locals call them, and they cluster together in several different areas, forming what are known as pods! This makes it easy to find something for everyone in your group, as there are typically lots of types of food available from the various food carts at these pods. There is also usually good seating, atmosphere, and sometimes even live music!
5. Shop at the World’s Largest Independent Bookstore
Finally, you won’t want to leave Portland without browsing the largest independent bookstore in the world! That is why visiting Powell’s City of Books is another of the best things to do in Portland, as this bookstore spans an entire city block and is home to over half a million books. If you are looking for something new to read, or if you just want to experience this cool spot for yourself, make sure to stop by during your trip to the area!
Now that you know a bit more about some of the top things to do in Portland, you can probably see why the area is such an amazing vacation destination! If you are ready to go ahead and experience all that the city has to offer for yourself, you can go ahead and browse our selection of lodging in Portland right here to find the perfect option for your stay. We look forward to welcoming you!
