Categories > Guides and Tips

top-tourist-things-to-do-portland-banner

Top 12 Tourist Things to Do in Portland for an Unforgettable Vacation

| Last Updated: August 2025

First time in the City of Roses? Or the second time because you want to do something that you weren’t able to do the first time you’re here? Regardless of how many times you’ve been here, a tourist is a tourist, and we welcome you here! 

We understand that it’s tough to know where to start your exploration, so let us help you! Make sure to check out this roundup of the top tourist things to do in Portland for a hassle-free and unforgettable vacation.

Enjoy sightseeing aboard Gray Line’s Hop-on Hop-off Pink Trolley

Media credit: graylineofportland

Website: https://www.graylineofportland.com/ 
Address: 846 SW Park Ave
Contact Details: +15032417373
Operating Hours:

  • Wednesday – Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday – Sunday: 8:10 AM – 4:00 PM

Admission Costs:

  • One-Day Pass
    • Adults (13+): $32.00
    • Youth (ages 6–12): $16.00
    • Child (ages 0–5): Free
  • Two‑Day Pass
    • Adults (13+): $49.00
    • Youth (6–12): $25.00
    • Child (0–5): Free

If you want to explore Portland at your own pace, then hop on this pink trolley! With its vintage and open-air upper deck design, it’s one of the best ways to see Portland.

Depending on your preference, you can opt for a 1-day or 2-day pass. Both passes include a dozen stops like Washington Park, Powell’s Books, and South Waterfront.

This tour takes approximately 1 hour to complete a loop, so you’d still have plenty of time to enjoy other activities.

Pro Tip:

Bring sunglasses and sunscreen during summer and a rain jacket if you’re visiting in spring or fall.

Have a full-day guided Oregon coast tour

Media credit: infiniteoregontours

Website: https://infiniteoregontours.com/ 
Address: Carlton
Contact Details: +15037524744, [email protected] 
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission Costs: From $129 per person

Staying for a week in Portland? Then join Infinite Oregon Tour’s Oregon Coast tour. You’ll not regret seeing the wildlife and stops included in this tour!

You’ll be joined by a local guide and visit Ecola State Park to see those basalt sea stacks. You’ll also drop by on Indian and Cannon Beach, where you can enjoy sandy shores. 

Prepare your social battery because this will take 8 hours. Also, be sure to bring binoculars for bird-watching and a good camera so you can capture memorable moments.

Pro Tip:

Cannon Beach has great bistros and seafood spots, so make sure to bring cash in case you want to purchase food or local products.

Visit the International Rose Test Garden

Media credit: portlandrosegardens

Website: https://www.portland.gov/parks/washington-park-international-rose-test-garden 
Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave
Contact Details: +15038233636
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Admission Costs: Free

The International Rose Test Garden is a public city park that you can visit at any time of the year, without any charge. Those who love plants, especially roses, will find this garden a gem!

There are free guided tours available here, starting at 1:00 PM from May to September (only on weekends). These months are the bloom season, with mid-June showing the most vibrant view.

Moreover, if you want a self-paced tour, you’re free to do so with their self-guided visits.

Pro Tip:

Make sure you have the courtesy map if you’ll have a self-guided visit.

Discover what’s inside the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Media credit: omsi

Website: https://omsi.edu/ 
Address: 1945 SE Water Ave
Contact Details: +15037974000
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Admission Costs:

  • Adult (14+) $20
  • Senior (63+) $17
  • Youth (3–13) $15
  • Infant (Under 3) Free

If you’re a museum person, then the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) should be on your list. It’s one of America’s premier science centers that you shouldn’t miss.

There are five exhibit halls featuring physics, chemistry, and paleontology. You’ll also see eight interactive labs, a turbine hall, and the USS Blueback submarine!

There’s a lot to see inside, which makes their admission fee of $20 worth it! You can opt for basic exploration (1 to 2 hours) or a complete experience (3 to 4 hours). We recommend choosing the latter to experience a sub tour.

Pro Tip:

OMSI has a $5 promo for the first Sunday of every month, so if you want to get real value, make sure to catch this.

Purchase local products at the Portland Saturday Market

Media credit: portlandsaturdaymarket

Website: https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/our-markets/psu/ 
Address: 1803 SW Park Ave
Contact Details: +15032410032 
Operating Hours: Saturday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

For a fun and a bit of local experience, try visiting the Portland Saturday Market. Just under the Burnside Bridge, you’ll see a collection of vendors selling local products worth your money.

There are handcrafted pottery, jewelry, and woodwork, perfect for home or office display. Also, this market is full of art and crafts like cozy crochets and illustrations. You can buy a couple of them to support the local vendors and as a souvenir as well.

Aside from goods, you can also snag some local foods like seasonal produce, cheese, and meat. 

Pro Tip:

Ask vendors if they offer bundle deals, which can help you purchase more items while saving a bit.

Enjoy the Doughnuts and Coffee Bike Tour

Media credit: aroundportlandtours 

Website: https://aroundportlandtours.com/bike/doughnuts-coffee-bike-tour/ 
Address: 833 SE Main St #124
Contact Details: +15039983170
Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00  PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Admission Costs: $49 per person 

If you want to combine strolling while eating, this doughnut and coffee bike tour is a must-try! This is a guided tour starting from one popular doughnut shop and one hidden gem.

You’ll start the day at 10:00 AM with a coffee, tea, or cocoa (your choice) partnered with a locally famous doughnut in Portland.

As you hop from one store to another using a bike, you’ll see the charming streets with murals. You can ask your guide to stop so you can take some pictures.

Pro Tip:

Arrive 10 to 20 minutes early for gear fittings (and so you won’t miss the free bite and coffee).

Ride a gravel bike in Forest Park

Media credit: cyclepdx

Website: https://portlandbicycletours.com/ 
Address: 180 NW 3rd Ave
Contact Details: +18447392453 
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission Costs: $109 per person

Craving for some Portland adventure? This gravel adventure through Forest Park will put you in touch with nature.

The tour includes renting a gravel bike with included gears and an expert guide. The tour is approximately 3.5 hours with 30+ miles of traveling distance.

There is a minimum age and height required for this tour. You should be at least 16 years old and 4’10” tall.

Pro Tip:

Be ready for rolling hills and gravel paths throughout Forest Park.

Visit The Grotto – The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother

Media credit: bethkelly011

Website: https://thegrotto.org/ 
Address: 8840 NE Skidmore St
Contact Details: +15032547371
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission Costs: 

  • Adult: $10.95
  • Senior (65+): $9.95 (or $8.95)
  • Youth (ages 6–11): $5.95 (or $4.95)

For a more spiritual take in Portland, The Grotto is the place to go. This 62-acre garden has rock-carved shrines and landscapes, perfect for some quiet reflection.

The lower level, known as the Plaza & Cave, is free of charge and accessible at any time of the year. It has the famous Pieta statue, an art gallery, and the Chapel of Mary.

However, if you want to see the upper garden, you need to pay for it. You’ll get to visit the botanical garden with roses and rhododendrons. There’s also the view of the Columbia River Valley and Mount St. Helens.

Pro Tip:

Allocate 2 hours if you want to have a full visit.

Have a 2-hour lunch cruise on the Willamette

Media credit: portlandspirit

Website: https://www.portlandspirit.com/ 
Address: 110 SE Caruthers St
Contact Details: +15032243900
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Admission Costs: $69 per person

For a Portland waterfront experience, this 2-hour lunch cruise is worth a try! This experience includes fresh Northwest-inspired lunch, live piano music, and narrated river commentary.

As you board the yacht, you’ll enjoy charming city views while eating. This is a perfect choice for couples or even solo travelers who want to explore the city’s cuisine.

You can reserve a window seat, but it’s not guaranteed, so make sure to book early. 

Pro Tip:

Extras like salad or desserts are not included in the initial cost, so make sure to bring cash.

Marvel at the Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls

Media credit: americashubworldtours

Website: https://americashubworldtours.com/ 
Address: 1706 NW 24th Ave #96331
Contact Details: +15038962464
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission Costs: From ~$85 USD per adult

If you’re with friends, this waterfall tour would make for a great memory to cherish. This tour takes you to Multnomah Falls, Vista House, and other Gorge waterfalls.

You can take your time and snap some great photos of these falls. The short walks while your guide talks about local flora, geology, and Portland history also make up for a surprisingly relaxing experience.

This is a half-day tour with approximately 3.5 hours, so plan your day accordingly. Inclusions include a round-trip from downtown via Mercedes-Benz van and bottled water.

Pro Tip:

Wear hiking shoes, a light rain jacket, and layered clothing.

Taste Portland’s cuisines on Secret Food Tours’ walking food tour

Media credit: secretfoodtours

Website: https://www.secretfoodtours.com/ 
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission Costs: $99.99 per person

Don’t leave Portland without tasting the city’s local foods. This Portland walking food tour is a must to fill your hungry stomach and learn about the famous meals Portlanders have.

This tour takes you to 5 to 6 stops, exploring different flavors from local to global dishes. Some exciting foods to try are Tonkotsu ramen, a local sandwich, and pretzels with dip.

If you have dietary options or requirements, you can bring notes and show them to your local guide. They’re happy to change or tailor some stops for you.

Pro Tip:

Come hungry because this is more than just light bites, as you’ll end up eating a full meal.

See Portland with a city tour from Peak Tours and Transit

Media credit: peaktourspdx

Website: https://www.peaktoursandtransit.com/ 
Address: 519 SW Park Ave #202
Contact Details: +15032084768
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission Costs: $69 per person

This Portland city tour is a friendly introduction that’ll make you appreciate the city more. It’s a 3-hour tour with a comfortable van, a local guide, and snacks provided.

You’ll visit some landmarks like the Pittock Mansion, iconic bridges, and the Downtown District. As you go along, you can take photos and enjoy sightseeing. This also includes light walking, so you’ll get to feel the city’s vibe.

 If this is your first time in Portland, this is a must-try. If this is your second time and you want to visit other attractions, you can do so, but you’ll need to pay an extra fee.

Pro Tip:

Wear comfy shoes because some major stops require more walking (like the Pittock Mansion).

Related topics