Explore Portland, Oregon with this guide on the free things to do in the city. Never miss one to make your vacation extra memorable.
First stop is Portland’s theater scene. Catch some actors who love doing Shakespeare and put on FREE shows in the park! Find your favorite play, sit back, and relax as you watch these plays come to life.
Every weekend Portland’s Old Town neighborhood transforms into an amazing market filled with 252 booths of local artists and vendors showcasing some amazing work. It’s a great place to walk around and is dog friendly.
Learn more about Portland’s agriculture and history by visiting the best eight farmer’s market.
In case you did not know, Portland has beautiful roses and have dedicated a whole festival to them! The festival kicks off in summer and lasts throughout the season. There are tons of free events to catch so look at the calendar and pick which one suits you best!
For a dose of nature, visit Forest Park, which is filled with lush, green vegetation and plenty of wildlife. It also has a 30 mile trail and the park is considered a natural air purifier.
Keep yourself busy in The Pearl District that is leading Portland in urban renewal and is an amazing place to visit. The place is filled with shops, places to eat, parks and much more.
Portland has some truly unique bridges all over the city. These are fun stops to give the kids a mini architecture lesson!
Washington Park is a family friend park complete with playgrounds, shelters, paved paths and much more. Be sure to check out the Chiming Fountain located in the main circle. Also there is a great Holocaust memorial in the park as well.
Dubbed the museum of living trees this Arboretum was created in 1928 to help preserve endangered species.
Drive to the beach! It’s only about an hour and a half from downtown Portland and could be a fun side trip. The view is also pretty incredible.
The perfect place for the bookworms is Powell’s City of Books, an amazing place to get lost for a couple hours reading some amazing literature. The store has many locations in Portland and is home to most books you can think off.
Take your children to a different kind of adventure by hitting Portland’s free rock climbing wall for the kids! Check the schedule out and make a stop here for some super summer fun.
Walk around this toy store without buying anything for free. It is a gem located in Portland and has a great selection of toys to make you feel like a kid again.
Check out this site for all off Portland’s cool art walks. Check out the local talent and see what they have been working on!
Peek into Simon Benson’s life, a logger and philanthropist who built this Queen Anne style in 1901. The house remained where it was built for nearly 100 years before it was moved to the Portland State University campus. It has an amazing attention to detail and is a great spot to visit.
Watch your favorite flicks outdoors in the parks for free! Bring a blanket and enjoy the film, there are even movies in Spanish! Make sure to check the list so you can choose your favorite to see.
Portland’s Parks and Rec Department are putting on some awesome, free concerts in there parks. Bring the kids for some ultimate summer fun.
Better known as Oregon’s “living room” Pioneer square is a great place to rest for a little bit. There are also a lot of fun events that happen so be sure to check out the calendar.
Hike to Oneonta Gorge which has an amazing view. The hike to the trial is pretty easy and is only 2.7 miles round trip. The gorge is a great place to visit for the nature lovers in your family.
Visit Oregon’s oldest brewery. Be sure to check the event page for music and tastings and more.
Visit this library that is filled with books upon books and is a fun place to walk around. There are usually fun events going on for kids all year round as well!
Have a stroll with your dog and let them enjoy a leash-free walk! The park is right on the river, as the name suggests, and is fun to get your feet wet and explore.
Alberta Street is a great place to hang out, walk around, and see the culture of Portland. Go there in August for the street fair, a day long celebration of Portland and its people.
Capture Portland’s unique fountain designs scattered all around the city. On top of the list is the Ira Keller Forecourt Fountain.
Discover some free pools and make sure to come cool off and enjoy the sun!
