Free things to do · Portland · United States
10 free things to do in Portland
Portland without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cacophony, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Portland without paying an entry fee: Powell's City of Books, International Rose Test Garden, Forest Park and Hoyt Arboretum are all free. Oregon has no general sales tax, so shopping and dining cost less than the same price tag elsewhere.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- November–March
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Pearl District
1.Powell's City of Books
Pick up a free store map at the entrance; it is easy to lose an hour in a single room.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Garden · Washington Park
2.International Rose Test Garden
Visit from late May to September for blooms; June is peak.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- Nature
Park · Northwest and Nob Hill
3.Forest Park
For a short taste, walk the Lower Macleay Trail from NW Upshur Street to the Stone House and back.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
Garden · Washington Park
4.Hoyt Arboretum
Start at the visitor centre for a trail map, and walk the short Redwood Trail.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Market · Downtown
5.Portland Saturday Market
Despite the name it runs on Sundays too; check the season dates before planning around it.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Art
Waterfront · Downtown
6.Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Eastbank Esplanade
Walk or cycle the loop at sunset, crossing on the Tilikum Crossing for the best view of the city.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
Park · Hawthorne and Belmont
7.Mount Tabor Park
Go for sunset from the west-facing slopes, then eat on Hawthorne or Belmont.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
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Street · Alberta Arts District
8.Alberta Street murals and galleries
Walk from east to west and finish with ice cream or dinner near NE 15th.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Food
- Shopping
Neighbourhood · Pearl District
9.Pearl District galleries and First Thursday
Combine an evening gallery walk with dinner nearby and a browse at Powell's.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Shopping
Park · Downtown
10.Mill Ends Park
It is easy to miss; look for it in the median strip at SW Taylor Street.
- Time needed
- 10 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl District | Powell's City of Books and Pearl District galleries and First Thursday | 1–2 hours + 2 hours |
| Washington Park | International Rose Test Garden and Hoyt Arboretum | 1 hour + 1–2 hours |
| Northwest and Nob Hill | Forest Park | 2–3 hours |
| Downtown | Portland Saturday Market, Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Eastbank Esplanade and Mill Ends Park | 1–2 hours + 1–2 hours + 10 minutes |
| Hawthorne and Belmont | Mount Tabor Park | 1–1.5 hours |
| Alberta Arts District | Alberta Street murals and galleries | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Citywide
Food cart pods
Go with friends and order from several carts to share; most pods have covered seating for rainy days.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Kids
- Iconic
Historic site · Northwest and Nob Hill
Pittock Mansion
The grounds and viewpoint are free; you can hike up from Lower Macleay Park on Forest Park's trails.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Architecture
Garden · Eastmoreland
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Peak bloom is usually April and May.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Couples
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Oregon has no general sales tax, so shopping and dining cost less than the same price tag elsewhere.
- The Rose Test Garden, Forest Park, Hoyt Arboretum, Powell's and the riverfront loop are free.
- Food carts are the best-value way to eat well.
- Take the MAX Red Line from the airport rather than a taxi.
- Hotels are noticeably cheaper from October to April; summer weekends are the most expensive.
- Lloyd District and Central Eastside hotels are often better value than downtown, with quick MAX links.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Portland expensive to visit?
Portland is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Portland?
Powell's City of Books: Pick up a free store map at the entrance; it is easy to lose an hour in a single room.