Strolling the Grounds at the Japanese Garden. This is the best Japanese Garden in the United States, perhaps the best anywhere outside of Japan. Our favorite time to visit is in June when the Japanese irises are in bloom. There's no better stress-reducer in the city.
Beer Sampling at Brewpubs. They may not have invented beer here in Portland, but they've certainly turned it into an art form. Whether you're looking for a cozy corner pub or an upscale tap room, you'll find a brewpub where you can feel comfortable sampling what local brewmeisters are concocting.
Kayaking Around Ross Island. Seattle may be the sea-kayaking capital of the Northwest, but Portland's not a bad spot for pursuing this sport either. You can paddle on the Columbia or Willamette River, but our favorite easy outing is around Ross Island in the Willamette River. You can even paddle past the submarine at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and pull out at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Mountain-Biking the Leif Erikson Trail. Forest Park is the largest forested city park in the country, and running its length is the unpaved Leif Erikson Trail. The road is closed to cars and extends for 12 miles. Along the way, there are occasional views of the Columbia River. This is a pretty easy ride, without any strenuous climbs.
Driving and Hiking in the Gorge. No matter what time of year it is, the drive up the Columbia Gorge is spectacular, and there are dozens of easily accessible hiking trails throughout the gorge. If you've got time to spare, take the scenic highway; if not, take I-84. No matter which road you take, be sure to pull off at Multnomah Falls. For an alternative point of view, drive the Washington side of the river and stop to hike to the top of Beacon Rock.
Hiking and Skiing on Mount Hood. Located less than an hour from Portland, Mount Hood offers year-round skiing and hiking. Timberline Lodge, high on this dormant volcano's slopes, was built by the WPA during the Great Depression and is a showcase of craftsmanship. In summer, hiking trails radiate out from the lodge, and in winter there are ski slopes both above and below the lodge.
Hanging Out at Powell's. They don't call Powell's the City of Books for nothing. This bookstore, which sells both new and used books, is so big you have to get a map at the front door. No matter how much time we spend here, it's never enough. A large cafe makes it all that much easier to while away the hours.
Free Rides on the Vintage Trolleys. Tri-Met buses, MAX light-rail trolleys, and Portland Streetcars are all free within a large downtown area known as the Fareless Square. That alone should be enough to get you on some form of public transit while you're in town, but if you're really lucky, you might catch one of the vintage trolley cars. There aren't any San Francisco-style hills, but these old trolley cars are still fun to ride.
People-Watching at Pioneer Courthouse Square. This is the heart and soul of downtown Portland, and no matter what time of year or what the weather, people gather here. Grab a latte at the Starbucks and sit by the waterfall fountain. In summer, there are concerts here, both at lunch and in the evenings, and any time of year you might catch a rally, performance, or installation of some kind. Don't miss the Weather Machine show at noon.
An Afternoon at the Portland Saturday Market. This large arts-and-crafts market is an outdoor showcase for hundreds of the Northwest's creative artisans. You'll find fascinating one-of-a-kind clothes, jewelry, kitchenware, musical instruments, and much, much more. The food stalls serve up some great fast food, too.
Concerts at the Schnitz. The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, home to the Oregon Symphony, is a restored 1920s movie palace and is the city's most impressive place to attend a performance. Even if the show doesn't meet your expectations, you can enjoy the classic architectural details.
Summertime Concerts at the Washington Park Zoo. Summertime in Portland means partying with the pachyderms. Two to three evenings a week throughout the summer, you can catch live music at the zoo's amphitheater. Musical styles include blues, rock, bluegrass, folk, Celtic, and jazz. For the price of zoo admission, you can catch the concert and tour the zoo (if you arrive early enough). Picnics are encouraged, but no alcohol is allowed into the zoo (however, beer and wine are on sale during concerts).
Summer Festivals at Waterfront Park. Each summer, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which stretches along the Willamette River in downtown Portland, becomes the staging ground for everything from Rose Festival events to the Oregon Brewers Festival. Some special events are free and some have small cover charges, but all are lots of fun.
First Thursday Art Walk. On the first Thursday of every month, Portland goes on an art binge. People get dressed up and go gallery hopping from art opening to art opening. There are usually hors d'oeuvres and wine available, and sometimes there's even live music. The galleries stay open until 9pm.
