10 Unique Things to Do in Portland, Oregon for First-Time Visitors
Portland is known for its quirky charm, culinary scene and beautiful natural landscape — a perfect destination for any traveler.
This guide was compiled to help you discover unique experiences that will make it an unforgettable visit.
So, whether you’re a first-timer or just hoping to see the city through a different lens, you’ve landed in the right place.
Inside are 10 things that do a good job being Portland in a way that is unique and lesser known.
Each item on this list provides a unique way to engage with the city, from wandering verdant gardens to delving into the artsy side of Portland.
This list includes something beyond just the expected plating and comparable experiences that define what it means to be Portland.
So prepare to experience this phenomenal city like a local and create memories that will have you begging to visit again and again.
1. Roam in the International Rose Test Garden
Located in Washington Park, the International Rose Test Garden is one of those places you really need to visit when in Portland for the first time.
An experience for the senses — especially chlorophyllal — this garden boasts more than 10,000 rose bushes and nearly 650 varieties.
In addition to stunning floral displays, this garden boasts sweeping views of downtown Portland and Mount Hood.
It’s also a very pleasant place to stroll, de-stress and enjoy the splendour of the “City of Roses” while learning about new types of rose varieties being tested.
Whether you’re a garden lover at heart or simply enjoy beautiful surroundings, this iconic Portland destination is a feast.
2. Dynamic Visit to Powell’s City of Books (The World’s Largest Independent Bookstore)
Powell’s City of Books is also one of Portland’s most famous attractions, and a dream for book lovers.
Take up a city block, this massive bookstore is packed with new, used and rare books on every subject you can think of.
With its color-coded rooms, its high shelves stocked with a smorgasbord of books, the store has a way of making you feel lost — in the best sense of the term — in literary treasure.
There’s also a homey coffee shop, where you can grab a cup of coffee, and read your latest find.
Whether you’re an avid reader or not, Powell’s vibe is its own experience is a must-have piece of Portland culture.
3. Do a Food Cart Crawl Through the City
Portland’s food cart scene is the stuff of legend, and crammed with some of the most varied and mouthwatering street food in the country.
And with more than 500 food carts around town, it’s possible to eat everything from Korean barbecue to vegan donuts in a single afternoon.
Popular food cart pods include Cartopia and the Downtown Food Cart Pod on SE Hawthorne, both with a variety of cuisines.
These food carts are in tune with Portland’s creativity and community, peddling eclectic dishes with a local twist.
A food cart crawl is a wonderful way to taste the flavors of Portland, as well as support small, local businesses.
4. Peculiarium — A Museum of Oddities and Curiosities
The Peculiarium: A deadpan Portland staple, the Peculiarium is slathered-in-snark participatory museum of strange things, interactive exihibits and bizarre art installations.
True to the Portland spirit of the weird, the bizarre and the just plain strange, this unique space embraces the quirky.
The Peculiarium is home to everything from alien autopsies to Bigfoot sightings, and while I’ll say some of the things fall into the creepy categories, it’s always interesting.
It is a delightful stop for fans of the strange, a peek at a side of Portland that few guidebooks include.
Be sure to snap a pic at the Bigfoot photo booth or pick up their weirdo snacks at the gift shop!
5. Bike along the waterfront on the Eastbank Esplanade
One way to experience Portland, which is one of the United States’ most bike-friendly cities, is to ride along the Eastbank Esplanade.
This gorgeous path runs alongside the Willamette River with stunning views of the city skyline, bridges and waterfront activity.
Rent a bike at one of the thousands of bike-sharing stations and cruise this scenic path at your own speed.
The esplanade is ideal for walking and jogging, and even just sitting by the river watching the boats go by.
It’s a nice opportunity to see the city from a different perspective and appreciate Portland’s outdoorsy culture.
6. Explore Local Art at the Alberta Arts District
The Alberta Arts District, one of Portland’s most vibrant neighborhoods, is enlivened by galleries, murals, boutiques and cafes.
Famed for its creative energy, the colorful neighborhood is home to art installations and street art on nearly every corner.
There you’ll find plenty of unique shops abroad where you can shop handmade goods, as well as a couple of wonderful dining establishments with farm-fresh ingredients.
The district is bustling with activity for Last Thursday, a monthly street fair with local artists, musicians and acts.
Walking down Alberta Street in the Alberta Arts District gives a true feel of Portland’s artistic and cultural life.
7. Try Some Craft Beer At A Nearby Brewery
From its ample craft beer scene — with over 70 breweries within the city limits — it’s not uncommon to call Portland “Beervana.”
From cozy taprooms to vibrant beer gardens, each brewery has its own flavors, styles and vibes.
A few popular picks: Deschutes Brewery, Hair of the Dog and Breakside Brewery; all give a taste of the city’s brewing inventiveness.
Most have food for sale, so they’re perfect places to hang out, sample the local beer and have something to eat.
Even if you don’t love beer, the Portland brewery experience is a fun way to vibe with the locals.
8. Walk Around the Japanese Garden, an Oasis in the City
Washington Park’s Japanese Garden is one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.
The exquisitely landscaped garden features peaceful ponds, traditional tea houses, pruned trees and stunning views of Mount Hood.
It is a calm retreat from an often frenetic city, a chance for reflection amid rooms and courtyards of extraordinary beauty.
This intricacy of nature and art is a part of each section of this garden, which is shown in traditional Japanese gardening.
It also provides cultural events and tea ceremonies, as well as art exhibitions that deepen the experience.
9. The Weirdness at Voodoo Doughnut
Doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnut — for first-timers it’s practically a Portland rite of passage, and the eclectic, Instagrammable, over-the-top doughnuts are an experience in themselves.
That includes such offerings as the Voodoo Doll doughnut (with a pretzel stake and red jelly filling) and the Bacon Maple Bar.
Pink boxes and round-the-clock operation at the shop are both essential and, let’s face it, the shop’s zany decor makes it a must-see for anyone wanting to connect with Portland’s more whimsical side.
There is typically a line out the door, but you don’t mind the wait — it’s part of the experience — and once you take your first bite, it’s totally worth it.
Voodoo Doughnut isn’t merely a bakery; it’s an institution in Portland, a living testament to the city’s love of the weird and wacky.
10. Wander Away an Afternoon in Forest Park, One of the Largest Urban Forests in the United States
Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, has over 80 miles of hiking and biking trails without leaving the city.
The park’s green, lush vegetation — a scenic backdrop to outdoor pursuits such as hiking, with trails ranging in difficulty — is set on a 2,207-acre stretch of land.
Providing a way to traverse through dense forests, scenic overlooks, and hidden streams, the trails offer them a taste of the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Wildwood Trail, which winds its way through giant trees and a world away from the city, is a local favorite, admired by friendly roosters that wander near the nearby cafe.
As a nature lover, Forest Park is the perfect escape when you want to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the city.
Wrap Up | 10 Unique Things to Do in Portland, Oregon for First-Time Visitors
As someone who lived in Portland Oregon for a while, I can testify to the weirdness of Portland Oregon.
Stuffed full of its lush gardens and open parks, and packed with zany shops and varied food offerings, Portland is a fun, if eccentric, destination.
These ten things to do are unique to the city, beyond the typical tourist attractions and life experiences, giving you an idea of what it’s like living in the Port of Barcelona.
From art districts to craft beer to famous bookstores, there is always something to explore.
So get out there and enjoy the best Portland has to offer — it’s a city which embraces the weird, the wonderful and everything in between.
