Itinerary · Portland · United States
2 days in Portland
A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Portland, not crossing it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cacophony, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
2 days covers the main sights, though 4 lets you slow down. Day 1: Powell's City of Books and Pearl District galleries and First Thursday. Day 2: Food cart pods and Lan Su Chinese Garden. Base yourself in Downtown.
Key facts
- Days
- 2
- Sights covered
- 8
- Day trips
- None
- Best base
- Downtown
- Book ahead
- Portland Japanese Garden
Day by day
Day 1: Powell's City of Books and Pearl District galleries and First Thursday
Powell's City of Books, Pearl District galleries and First Thursday, International Rose Test Garden and Portland Japanese Garden, then Central Eastside in the evening.
Morning
Powell's City of Books
The Rose Room holds children's books, and the Rare Book Room has signed first editions and antique volumes.
Late morning
Pearl District galleries and First Thursday
On the first Thursday of each month many galleries hold free evening openings.
Lunch
Lunch: Food cart meals
Cart pods in Southeast, North Portland and downtown; carts come and go, so check what is open on the day.
Afternoon
International Rose Test Garden
On clear days Mount Hood appears behind the downtown skyline, which is how Portland got its 'City of Roses' nickname.
Late afternoon
Portland Japanese Garden
It is above the Rose Garden in Washington Park.
Evening
Central Eastside
Warehouse bars, distillery tasting rooms and cocktail lounges near the river.
Day 2: Food cart pods and Lan Su Chinese Garden
Food cart pods, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Pittock Mansion and Forest Park, then Mississippi and Williams in the evening.
Morning
Food cart pods
Larger pods on the east side and downtown offer dozens of cuisines in one spot, from Thai and Georgian khachapuri to barbecue and vegan bowls.
Late morning
Lan Su Chinese Garden
A walled Ming dynasty-style garden built by artisans from Suzhou, Portland's sister city, filling a city block in Old Town Chinatown with pavilions, a lake, rockeries and a teahouse.
Lunch
Lunch: Craft doughnuts
Long-established doughnut shops downtown and on the east side; queues build on weekend mornings.
Afternoon
Pittock Mansion
Helens and other Cascade peaks.
Late afternoon
Forest Park
The Wildwood Trail runs about 50 km through it, and the Lower Macleay Trail leads to the moss-covered Stone House ruin.
Evening
Mississippi and Williams
Brewpubs, live-music venues and late-night food.
Before you go
- Portland Japanese Garden: Timed tickets online are recommended on weekends and in autumn foliage season.
Hop Fastpass
TriMet's reloadable fare card, also usable as a virtual card in phone wallets, with daily and monthly fare caps across MAX, buses and the streetcar.
If it rains
- Swap in Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) (Central Eastside and Lloyd): Book the submarine tour on arrival; times are limited.
Where to stay for this itinerary
$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and shopping
Downtown
Hotels, Pioneer Courthouse Square and the riverfront park
Pace and daylight
The sights in this plan add up to roughly 11–14 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.7 hours in December to 15.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.
Getting between stops: Tram. TriMet's MAX light rail runs five lines, including the Red Line from the airport through downtown to Washington Park and Beaverton; the Portland Streetcar loops through downtown, the Pearl and the Central Eastside.
More or fewer days
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Portland?
2 days covers the main sights, though 4 lets you slow down. How many days Portland needs.
+What should I book before visiting Portland?
Portland Japanese Garden.