Portland Travel Guide 2025

Nestled on Oregon’s Willamette River in the shadow of Mount Hood with abundant green spaces to enjoy, Portland, Oregon is where travelers can embrace the great outdoors and dip into the thriving local coffee culture and culinary scene. With the motto “Keep Portland Weird", this city is a buzzing oasis of alternative culture and all things eclectic.

From the bustling downtown district and its variety of bookstores, bars, coffee shops and restaurants to its array of vibrant parks and gardens, use this guide to explore the city’s best and most interesting things to do in Portland. Take a journey through the City of Roses with this Portland travel guide.

How to Get Around Portland

Portland offers multiple forms of public transportation at affordable price points, as well as plenty of rental options for bikes and e-scooters. From the ever-present TriMet buses to the unique Portland Aerial Tram, here are the best ways to make your way through the City of Roses.

TriMet Bus

TriMet bus routes blanket the city and its suburbs, making this a great choice for getting around affordably and quickly. Many buses have bike racks, all of which are wheelchair accessible. With the area being home to over 12 bus lines, you likely won’t wait long for a ride.

Fares are just $2.80 for 2.5 hours, but once you hit the daily limit of $5.60 with two rides, the rest of the day’s bus fare is free. Seniors, veterans, children, low-income riders and people with disabilities get reduced fares. Use the Hop Fastpass® mobile app to buy fares online. You can also apply TriMet fares to the MAX Light Rail or Portland Streetcar.

MAX Light Rail

Ride the MAX Light Rail for connections from the downtown area to the airport and the broader metro area in Portland. With 90+ stations and over 60 miles of track, you can ride the rail to most of Portland’s popular attractions and arrive at your destination by a short walk. There are five lines coded by color: Blue, Red, Yellow, Green and Orange. Every line runs through the downtown area and the rail makes stops at stations every 15 minutes.

Fares are the same as TriMet buses at $2.80 per person for 2.5 hours. The same rules apply in terms of $5.60/day limit before fares are free and reduced prices for certain people groups and income classifications.

Portland Streetcar

The Portland Streetcar’s 16 miles of track network through the heart of the city, operating on three lines that transport you to many of Portland’s attractions. Routes loop the central east and west areas and every route travels to or from the city’s South Waterfront area.

The streetcar is a great way to reach museums, famous bookstores and restaurants around the city. fares are the same as TriMet bus and MAX Light Rail fare at $2.80 per person for 2.5 hours or $5.60 for a day pass. Discounts are offered for seniors, veterans, children, disabled passengers and low-income passengers.

Shuttles

Three shuttles operate in and around Portland, connecting various neighborhoods and districts for easy travel without driving or renting a car.

• ACCESS Shuttle: Transport from Cully to Cornfoot and Alderwood to Parkrose neighborhoods during weekday morning/afternoon hours
• Swan Island Shuttle: Transport for Swan Island to Rose Quarter Transit Center during weekday evening hours
• Washington Park Shuttle: Transport within Washington Park with easy access from MAX Light Rail Red and Blue line

Bike & Electric Scooter Rentals

Portland’s miles of protected bike lanes make it a popular area for biking and it’s one of the best ways to get around the city while avoiding traffic. Bike rentals through the local bike-share program, Biketown, gives you access to a neon orange e-bike to ride around town. Or join a Portland bike or e-bike tour. Renting electric scooters, or e-scooters, is another way to get around easily. Both Lime and Biketown offer e-scooter rentals so you can zip around the downtown area in an energy-efficient way.

Portland Aerial Tram

Travel from Portland’s South Waterfront area up to Marquam Hill on the aerial tram for incredible views and a unique experience. The ride lasts about five minutes each way. You can reach the waterfront terminal on the TriMet bus, MAX Light Rail, streetcar, or via bike and walking paths. You can purchase fares at the terminal or online for convenience.

Best Time to Visit Portland

The best time to visit Portland is June to August, when summer is in full swing with the iconic roses in bloom, temperatures average between the low and upper 60s and rainfall is minimal with ample chances to spend time outdoors or exploring the city. Tourism peaks during these warm-weather months as people scramble to get out and enjoy Portland at its finest. It’s the perfect time for sightseeing and enjoying the city’s best restaurants, shops, hiking trails and museums. It’s recommended to buy attraction tickets in advance where you can and set out early to avoid crowds.

Expect plenty of festivals, outdoor concerts and events to take place around the city between June and August. Here are some of the most famous events you can expect when traveling to Portland during the summer:

• Portland Rose Festival (June)
• Festival of Balloons (June)
• Oregon Midsummer Festival (June)
• Portland Craft Beer Festival (July)
• Portland Pride (July)
• Waterfront Blues Festival (July)
• Cathedral Park Jazz Festival (July)
• Dahlia Festival (August)

Top Things to Do in Portland

There’s always something going on in Portland with tons of attractions to grab your attention, from museums and coffee crawls to lush parks and gardens. When you visit the City of Roses, make sure a few of the best things to do in Portland are on your itinerary.

1. Do a Downtown Portland Coffee Crawl

Portland takes its coffee seriously and every visitor that appreciates good java should embark on the Downtown Portland coffee crawl. You’ll sample espressos, locally-roasted beans and unique barista creations on the route. You can walk, bike, or drive to do the crawl: Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Courier Coffee Roasters, Good Coffee, Case Study Coffee and In J Coffee are popular stops on the route downtown.

2. Visit Portland’s Museums

Even a rainy day in Portland can turn into something fun and educational when you take advantage of the array of museums around the city. No matter your interests—art, science, history, or the macabre—there’s a museum to browse with your name on it. The most famous is the Portland Art Museum, featuring a rotating display of exhibits hailing from places across the globe. Native American exhibits juxtapose with Van Gogh works while pre-Han Dynasty Chinese art coexists with Monet paintings in this jam-packed museum.

Check out the natural science exhibits and planetarium at OMSI, The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Portland’s industrial past can still be seen at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center with steam locomotives and rail cars on display. To get into the weird vibes that make Portland so fun, check out the Freakybuttrue Museum, close to the Fremont Bridge.

3. Take a Portland City or Food Tour

The best way to get a feel for this eclectic city is on a Portland City Tour, where you’ll explore the icons of the city with visits to buzzing neighborhoods downtown, Hoyt Arboretum, historic Pittock Mansion, the International Rose Test Garden, famous shops like Powell’s Books and incredible architecture and landmarks along the way.

Feeling hungry? Opt for an All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour, where you’ll sample tasty offerings from Korean hot dogs and hand-pulled noodles to Banh Mi sandwiches and rich Portland chocolate goodies with a stand-up comedian as your guide.

4. Browse Iconic Local Shops

Portland heartily embraces all things local and independent shops around the city make for interesting outings. Discover tons of treasures you didn’t know you needed at some of the most beloved local spots, like Powell’s City of Books—the largest independent bookstore in the world sitting on an entire block of real estate with a million books inside. Other cool shopping destinations are the Fallout-themed Memory Den Vintage Mall, the Paxton Gate oddities shop and the rows of boutiques, jewelry stores and curated goods shops located on Hawthorne, Division and N. Mississippi streets.

5. Explore Gardens and Parks

Portland’s green spaces make it such a vibrant place to visit. With so many beautiful places for a stroll, you can choose a new outdoor oasis to discover each day during your visit. Some of the best with plenty of things to do in Portland are:

• Forrest Park: Over 5,200 acres with 80 miles of hiking trails make this wildlife preserve and one of the nation’s largest urban forests perfect for nature lovers.
• International Rose Test Garden: Located in Washington Park, this is the most famous of Portland’s rose gardens with 10,000 roses in bloom over 4.5 acres.
• Portland Japanese Garden: More than 12 acres of Japanese plants, bridges and koi ponds with an art gallery and cultural village make this a special find in the heart of Washington Park.
• Hoyt Arboretum: Also in Washington Park, this 189-acre area features a conservation lab and natural education center, botanical garden and 60 species of trees along shaded paths.
• Peninsula Park Rose Garden: The first public rose garden in the city is less crowded than the Test Garden and boasts brick paths with gorgeous roses in bloom from May through October.

Where to Stay in Portland

From swanky accommodations on the riverfront to eclectic hotels situated in the heart of the buzzing downtown area, Portland is packed with great places to stay. Elevate your experience by staying at one of the best hotels in Portland.

1. The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton

• Address: 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, 97205
• AAA Diamond-designation: Four Diamond
• Great For: Historic digs with plush guest rooms

The Benson Portland ranks as one of the best AAA Four Diamond Designated hotels in the city with plush guest rooms, stunning decor and a long history spanning back to 1912. Just a few minutes from Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Pearl District, this hotel offers peace and quiet with onsite dining available and a moody cigar bar with live music nightly. AAA members save 10% on rooms.

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2. The Nines Hotel, A Luxury Collection, Portland

• Address: 525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR, 97204
• AAA Diamond-designation: Four Diamond
• Great For: The opulent best of the best in Portland

The Nines Hotel boasts a AAA Four Diamond Designation, while offering the crème de la crème of accommodations in Portland, taking all guest amenities “to the nines” with contemporary art displays, impeccable decor sourced from around the world and its upper-level location in the historic Meier & Frank Building near downtown Portland. Just steps from some of the top restaurants and shopping in the city, it’s a stunning hotel to choose for your stay. AAA members get a 5% discount and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking.

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3. Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown

• Address: 319 SW Pine St, Portland, OR, 97204
• AAA Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
• Great For: Impressive accommodations close to museums

Choose the AAA Three Diamond Designated Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown if you plan on visiting museums during your trip to Portland. With decor inspired by the luxurious Edwardian Era, the Corinthian columns, golden ceilings and heated indoor pool will add a special touch to your stay. Just a 4-minute walk from a MAX Light Rail station, it’s easy to make your way around the city from this convenient location and the Portland Art Museum is a short walk down the road. AAA members can save 10% on bookings while earning Honors points.

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4. Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

• Address: 1401 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR, 97201
• AAA Diamond-designation: Three Diamond
• Great For: Riverfront balconies with modern rooms

Gaze out over the rushing Willamette River from your balcony at the AAA Three Diamond Designated Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, taking in sweeping views of the waterfront with Mount Hood towering in the distance. Enjoy meals at the concierge lounge, view local artwork displays and enjoy proximity to many of the city’s best downtown attractions. Save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when you book your stay.

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5. Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland

• Address: 601 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
• AAA Diamond Rating: Three Diamond
• Great For: Access to everything & pure luxury

If the lap of luxury is where you want to rest your head, Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland is perfect. As a AAA Three Diamond-designated hotel, it offers a balance of luxurious touches, convenient location and modern decor that feels upscale, clean and distinctly Portland in nature. Walk less than a mile to reach eateries, bars, shops and attractions downtown, or board the MAX Light Rail from a nearby station for further exploration. You can save up to 10% with an AAA membership and earn World of Hyatt points with your stay.

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Where to Eat in Portland

Foodies and adventurous-to-picky eaters can all enjoy Portland’s vibrant culinary scene, offering a wealth of local and international flavors done classically and in re-imagined ways. From the beloved food carts that fill the streets with delicious aromas to charming and hip restaurants downtown, these are the best restaurants in Portland.

1. Ox

• Address: 2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR, 97212
• AAA Diamond Designation: Three Diamond
• Reservations: Suggested
• Price: $$$

Ox is known for their smoky Argentinian-style wood-fired meats, fusing the culinary heritage with Northwestern ingredients and elements from French, Spanish and Italian cuisine. Open for dinner, this is an upscale restaurant with an intimate dining setting and delicious offerings that shift with fresh, seasonal ingredient availability. Enjoy a custom-mixed drink from the bar and revel in one of Portland’s best eateries at Ox.

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2. Serratto

• Address: 2112 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR, 97210
• AAA Diamond Designation: Three Diamond
• Reservations: Suggested
• Price: $$

Serratto creates dishes inspired by Italian and Mediterranean flavors, constructing an innovative menu from fresh local vegetables, seafood and meats for a posh, farm-to-table feel. From the Painted Hills burger to seared scallops and wonderfully executed mushroom risotto, this restaurant can just as easily accommodate a laid-back night out or dinner for a special occasion.

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3. King Tide Fish & Shell

• Address: 1510 SW Harbor Way, Portland, OR, 97201
• AAA Diamond Designation: Three Diamond
• Reservations: Optional
• Price: $$

At King Tide Fish & Shell, you’ll taste the briny, bright flavors of the Pacific with a raw bar, delectable seafood dishes, American cuisine and a wide craft beer selection to perfectly pair with your meal. From elk carpaccio to Dungeness crab-topped deviled eggs, the options are as unique as they are delicious at this restaurant overlooking the Willamette River’s Esplanade walkway.

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4. Gado Gado

• Address: 1801 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR, 97212
• AAA Diamond Designation: Diamond Approved
• Reservations: Suggested
• Price: $$$

Explore a variety of Asian cuisine at Gado Gado, ranked as one of the best restaurants in Portland with pan-Asian offerings that reflect the owner’s Chinese and Indonesian background. Get inspired with the chef’s tasting menu or browse the menu for dishes offered with banquet-style service, like beef rendang, carrot curry and roti canai, all with Far East flair.

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5. Deschutes Brewery & Public House

• Address: 210 N.W. 11th Ave.
• AAA Diamond Designation: Diamond Approved
• Reservations: Optional
• Price: $$

Deschutes Brewery & Public House is a craft beer experience and dining highlight that’s just as popular with locals as with visitors. A brewpub housed in an old auto body shop with over 20 beers on tap and a broad menu with Pacific Northwest favorites, you might come for the beer, but you’ll stay for the elk burger, Dungeness crab rolls and hearty macaroni with beer cheese.

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Portland Photo Spots

Get share-worthy shots of the landmarks, local shops and gardens that make Portland so unique when you visit these iconic locations to take photos.

1. Portland Japanese Garden: An eastern oasis in the heart of Washington Park, you can pose by the Japanese pavilion, partake in a tea ceremony, or wander bridges over koi ponds in this photo-ready spot.
2. Keep Portland Weird Mural: This locally-loved piece of street art is perfect to snap a photo of. The mural is painted on the back of Dante’s, close to Voodoo Doughnut. Fans of the Portlandia TV show will recognize it from the opening sequence.
3. Portland White Stag Sign: In Chinatown on the White Stag Building, you can take a picture of the Portland White Stag Sign to add to your city memorabilia collection—it’s even cooler at night.
4. The Iconic Voodoo Doughnut: You can’t visit Portland without stopping by the most famous of its many doughnut shops—Voodoo is the one with bright-pink boxes and creative, over-the-top twists on the classic pastry and its storefront is certainly photo-worthy.
5. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Downtown: From the neon sign and moody, exposed brick interior, the famous Stumptown Coffee Roasters is woven into the fabric of Portland’s culture and is a great spot to grab Instagram-worthy photos that capture the eclectic essence of the city.

Day Trips from Portland

Portland’s proximity to nearby destinations makes it the perfect base for adventurous day trips. Try visiting Mount Hood National Forest, Cannon Beach, or Hood River to sample more of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer outside of Portland.

1. Mount Hood National Forest, OR

• Distance: 50 minutes
• Cost: $5 day pass

Less than an hour away from Portland, Mount Hood, a stunning stratovolcano that looms over the city, beckons adventurous day trippers. It’s the state’s tallest mountain and in the national forest, trails network the woodlands and Hood River banks through lush, natural scenery. Embark on a Mount Hood, Waterfalls and Wine Tasting Tour to experience it all with a group day trip and a local guide to show you the best areas.

2. Cannon Beach, OR

• Distance: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cost: Varies

For a change of scenery, nearby Cannon Beach is spectacular with large boulders resting on the sand and rock formations jutting out of the Pacific waters. With an unspoiled coastline and famous sea stacks, it’s a picturesque place with lots of seafood, shops and art galleries to check out after a stroll down the shore. Look for tufted puffins hanging out on Haystack Rock, check out scenic coastal trails in Ecola State Park and visit the farmer’s market (Tuesdays from June through September) or browse the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum.

3. Hood River, OR

• Distance: 1 hour
• Cost: Varies

Once you’ve explored Portland, head to Hood River, OR to make your way through this smaller city’s unique shops, breweries and natural areas. Quirky boutiques, river kayaking adventures and shops selling gigantic ice cream cones make this town feel like something out of a movie. Must-visits in town include the History Museum of Hood River County, popular breweries and vineyards like Full Sail Brewing Company and Marchesi Vineyards & Winery and Gorge Paddling Center for kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals on the Hood River.

Visiting Portland on a Budget

Keeping your travel budget low in Portland isn’t hard with so many free and low-cost activities to keep you entertained. From seeking out affordable eateries to free attractions around the city, here are helpful tips to visit Portland on a budget.

1. Check out the city’s street art and murals in Chinatown, Alberta Arts District, downtown and Southeast Portland. The iconic Keep Portland Weird mural is on the side of Dante’s downtown.
2. Head down to the Willamette River to go fishing after picking up a one-day angling license from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for $23.
3. Use your AAA membership to score big discounts—you’ll find a variety of vehicle discounts, tickets and hotels at lower prices through your AAA membership in Portland.
4. Take advantage of free days at local museums, like the first Thursday of the month at the Portland Art Museum and the always-free Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University.
5. Plan your meals during happy hour, which restaurants and bars across the city celebrate daily with food and drink specials like $8 pizzas at Life of Pie, $1 oysters at OK Omens and $6 gumbo bowls at Tiny Bubble Room.
6. Visit Portland State University’s beautiful, shaded campus for free with a weekly Saturday morning farmer’s market, food carts and free events and performances scheduled throughout the year.

Plan Your Portland Vacation with AAA

Once you’ve gathered inspiration for your dream Portland trip on Trip Canvas, contact one of AAA’s Travel Agents today to start making your dream a reality, using your AAA membership to access exclusive deals. No matter your budget, they can help you simplify the planning process with prepackaged trips or à la carte options.