Unique Things to Do in Portland, OR
Portland, OR's most unique experiences include Doug Fir Lounge, Forest Park, Forest Park (Lower Macleay Trail), Gigantic Brewing Company, and Horse Brass Pub.
The views from the lawn are free and arguably the best panorama in Portland. Hike up from Forest Park if your kids have the legs for it.
3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210 · Daily 10am-5pm (Apr-Oct), 10am-4pm (Nov-Mar), opens noon Tue · Ages 0+
Kids 17 and under always free. A legitimate rainy-day option where nobody has to pretend to be interested — the Native American gallery is genuinely cool.
1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205 · Wed-Sun 10am-5pm, first Thu until 7pm · Ages 0–17
The skating rink has been here since 1905 and it still slaps. Rides are seasonal but the rink runs year-round.
7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202 · Seasonal; skating rink Tue-Sun, varies
Organ-pipe music, wooden floors, and the kind of retro charm you cannot manufacture. Pre-school skate sessions exist for tiny wobblies.
7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202 · Tue-Sun, hours vary by session. Kids' sessions weekday mornings. · Ages 3+
Free storytime nearly every day in half a dozen languages. Your rainy Tuesday just got a plan.
801 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205 · Mon/Wed/Thu/Sat 10am-6pm, Tue 10am-8pm, Sun 12pm-5pm, closed Fri
Free to walk, fun to eat. The elephant ears alone justify the trip. Artists making things in real time keeps kids interested longer than you'd expect.
2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204 · Saturdays 10am-5pm, Mar-Dec
Entire city block of books — nine color-coded rooms, free to browse
1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 · Daily 10am-9pm
Kids 17 and under always free; First Thursdays free for everyone
1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205 · Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon; First Thursdays 10am-7pm (free)
The dance floor literally bounces — mechanical floating floor from 1914
1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 · Show nights, check schedule
Drink in the old detention room of a 1915 elementary school
5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211 · Mon-Wed 7am-10pm, Thu-Sun 7am-midnight
Grounds are free — Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens views from 1,000 feet up
3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210 · Daily 9am-4pm, opens at noon on Tuesdays (Sep-Mar)
Rooftop bar with Mt. Hood views — no show ticket needed to drink up there
1300 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97214 · Show nights, check schedule
250+ artisans every Saturday since 1974 — free admission, waterfront
2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204 · Saturdays 10am-5pm, Mar-Dec
Restaurant open 20 hours a day — shows happen underground
830 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214 · Restaurant: 7am-late; shows check schedule
Witch's Castle glows green after rain — 1.6 miles roundtrip, free
1905 NW 29th Ave, Portland, OR 97210 · 5am-10pm daily
Walk in free since 1905 — $1 per ride or $22.95-$43.95 all-day bracelet
7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202 · Seasonal (Mar-Oct), check schedule
Craft beer meets champagne lounge — a uniquely Portland combo
5224 SE 26th Ave, Portland, OR 97202 · Mon-Fri 2pm-9pm, Sat-Sun noon-9pm
Brewery in a converted 1929 church with stained glass and soaring ceilings
2400 NW Wilson St, Portland, OR 97210 · Wed-Mon 11am-10pm, closed Tue
Quintessential 'Keep Portland Weird' — a quirky dessert-and-coffee house in a creaky old Victorian.
707 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 · Thu-Sun 7pm-12am
5,000+ rose bushes in a sunken formal garden — Portland's original rose garden, free.
700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217 · Daily 5am-midnight
British pub atmosphere with 50+ taps and a dartboard — Portland's best pub since 1976.
4534 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97215 · Daily 11am-2:30am