The Ultimate List of Tips for Travelling to Portland, Oregon

Last updated on 8 January 2025

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In just a few short weeks time I’m headed off to Portland, Oregon.

I’m actually going via Vancouver, Canada, and with a quick stop in Seattle and the coast. But the majority of my time away will be in the city of Portland. I have never been to this area of the States before, so I’m so looking forward to getting out and exploring. I’ve heard of lots of neat things about Portland, and can’t wait to tick some of these items off the ‘go here’ list.

To be completely honest with you, the thing I’m most excited about is visiting the largest independent book store in the world: Powell’s City of Books. Eep!

In my excitement for the upcoming trip, I’ve put together the ultimate list of tips for travelling to Portland, Oregon, so you can find as many things as you possibly can about this West Coast city all in one handy place.

Useful Links

• The City of Portland website
• 12 Reasons the Oregon Coast is Even Better than Disneyland – How Does She?
• 7 Wonders of Oregon – Local Adventurer
• 10 Things To Know Before Traveling To Oregon – Follow Me Away
• The Ultimate Oregon Coast Road Trip – Local Adventurer
• City Guide to Portland – Time
• Your Guide to Portland – Time Out

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Things to do in Portland

Links to Lists

• 15 Amazing Places to Visit in Oregon – Fascinating Places
• 101 Things to Do In Portland – Local Adventurer
• Things to do in Portland – Travel Portland
• Things to do in Portland – Air B&B
• Discover 25 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Portland, Oregon – Atlas Obscura
• Best Things To Do in Portland, OR – U.S News
• 25 Best Things to Do in Portland – The Crazy Tourist
• Portland Bucket List: 20 Things to Do – Bucket List Journey
• The Portland Bucket List: 59 Things to do before you die – Thrillist
• 12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Portland, Oregon – Planet Ware
• The 20 best things to do in Portland – Time Out
• Things to do in Portland – USA Today 10 Best
• 51 Weird and Fun Things To Do in Portland – Travel Outlandish
• 25 Free Things to do in Portland, Oregon – Local Adventurer
• 101 things to do in Portland this summer – Oregon Live
• Portland, OR: 50 Things to Do With Kids Before They Grow Up – Alpha Mom
• Best 43 Fun Things to Do in Portland, Oregon – Activities & Attractions – Money Crashers
• Things to Do Outdoors in and Around Portland – Travel Channel
• The Top 10 Things To Do And See In Portland, Oregon – The Culture Trip

Specific Places

• Powell’s Book Store
• Umpqua Hot Springs
• Waterfall Hikes
• Tree to Tree Adventure Park
• Oregon Zoo
• Portland Art Museum
• Tom McCall Waterfront Park
• Washington Park
• Japanese Garden
• Shanghai Tunnels
• Pittock Mansion
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
• Portland Children’s Museum

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Food, cafes, and restaurants

• The best restaurants in Portland – Trip Adviser
• The 38 Essential Portland Restaurants – Eater
• 10 Best Appetizing Lunch Restaurants in Portland, Oregon – USA Today 10 Best
• 30 Portland Restaurants for the Ultimate Local Dining Bucket List – PDX Monthly
• Top 10 Restaurants In The Pearl District Of Portland, Oregon – The Culture Trip
• The 27 best places to eat after 10 p.m. – Oregon Live
• Eat Your Way Through Portland’s Best Restaurants – Bloomberg

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Apps to Download

Getting Around

• Portland Transport
• Google Maps
• PDX Bus, MAX, Streetcar and WES
• Pay for Parking

Guides

• Trip Adviser
• GPSmyCity
• Public Art PDX

Accommodation

• Air B&B
• Expedia

Other

• Xe Currency
• Google Translate
• Duolingo

Feel free to let me know of more links – I’d love to add them to the list!