Month guide · Portland · United States
Portland in May
What May is really like in Portland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
May is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 14.9 hours of daylight. Mild and drier with long evenings; roses start to bloom at the end of the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Portland: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (17°C (63°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:40
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:34
- Daylight
- About 14.9 hours
Spring (March–May). Showers, cherry blossoms, rhododendrons and full-flowing waterfalls; it warms and dries out through May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
- Portland Rose Festival events begin (usually late May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Garden · Washington Park
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
Garden · Washington Park
Portland Japanese Garden
Considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan, it has five garden styles, including a sand-and-stone garden and a strolling pond garden, plus a cultural village designed by architect Kengo Kuma.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Nature
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Architecture
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
Built in 1914 for newspaper publisher Henry Pittock, this French Renaissance-style mansion sits about 300 metres above the city, with period rooms inside and grounds that look out over downtown to Mount Hood, Mount St.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 9°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Portland?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Portland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Portland?
It is a shoulder-season month. Mild and drier with long evenings; roses start to bloom at the end of the month.
+How warm is Portland in May?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Portland in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.