The Lowdown The world’s largest independent bookstore is a treasure trove of new, used, and rare books, plus regular in-store events with authors of regional and national stature.

Pro Tip Any book you're looking for is probably here, but it's worth squeezing in a visit to the Rare Book Room, home to antique and rare finds like its oldest book: the collected works of the Roman poet Decimus Magnus Ausonius, printed in 1494. The small room only fits 14 at a time, so on busy days, you can expect a short wait. Buy a coffee at the in-house coffee shop, Guilder, which made our list of the city's best coffee shops. (Just keep the coffee out of the Rare Book Room.)

Don’t Miss Visiting authors. Big-name writers, including plenty of locals, make the upstairs Pearl Room an essential stop on their book tours; expect to find a full room most evenings.

Read More What Does It Take to Land a Job at Powell’s?

The Lowdown The city’s flagship market at Portland State University runs all year long (though winter markets are heavy on leafy greens and tubers). It’s a thrill to find the first local asparagus and rhubarb in the spring, followed by Hood strawberries as summer nears, then Maryhill peaches and the mountain-grown apples of fall.

Pro Tip Come hungry! The prepared food stalls cluster at either end of the market, with coffee stands strategically placed between. Enchanted Sun attracts staggering lines for its New Mexico–style breakfast burritos; if you can order one without a wait, you should.

Don’t Miss Only-at-the-market finds like Mio’s Delectables (Earl Grey Swiss roll with Oregon-grown pears, anyone?), or the farms perpetually name-dropped at Portland restaurants (Gathering Together and Groundwork are the biggies, but Eloisa gets mobbed every Saturday for a reason).

Read More Fabulous Farmers Markets in Portland, Beaverton, and Beyond

The Lowdown Portland has two major league teams, the Timbers (men) and the Thorns (women), each with enthusiastic followings. The men’s club dates to 1975, while the Thorns have been around since 2013—but the roots of both go further back, intertwined with the late Clive Charles, a former Timber who coached men and women at the University of Portland. The Timbers won the MLS Cup in 2015, and the Thorns—whose roster regularly features national team stars from the US, Canada, and other highly ranked squads—won their third NWSL championship trophy in 2022.

Pro Tip Keep an eye out for free or discounted tickets that can come through library summer reading programs. Plus, a match-day ticket serves as TriMet proof of fare, giving fans a free ride to and from the stadium.

Don’t Miss Really, it’s more that you’ll be unable to miss the Timbers Army and the Rose City Riveters, the supporters groups for each team—expect near-nonstop drumming, waving of scarves, and chanting during games.

Read More A Word from Timber Jim, the Man with the Chainsaw

The Lowdown Portland was a pioneer in the pod concept: Cluster a bunch of food carts together, add some seating, maybe a firepit and a sprawling bar to anchor the whole operation, and you’ve got a spot for a quick lunch or a nice night out. Try the Prost Marketplace pod (4233 N Mississippi Ave), which adjoins the brick-and-mortar Prost taphouse and the all-day coffee and cocktail patio bar Bloodbuzz, plus cart faves like Mole Mole with its hand-painted Talavera plates and Matt’s BBQ.

Pro Tip Check the hours of the cart, not the pod. For example, while the Midtown Beer Garden pod, on SW Fifth downtown between Oak and Harvey Milk, is open every day till 9pm, Tokyo Sando is lunchtime only, and closed Tuesdays.

Don’t Miss The Jet Fuel bar at the Hawthorne Asylum pod (1080 SE Madison St), built from an airplane cockpit.

Read More Mole Mole Opens in Mississippi’s Prost! Marketplace

The Lowdown Hikers of all stripes flock to Forest Park, stretching out from Portland’s northwest corner, for a quick hit of nature and selfies with the lichen-coated, graffiti-adorned stone structure known locally as the “Witch’s Castle.”

Pro Tip This trail gets crowded, so aim for an early arrival or go on a weekday if possible.

Don’t Miss The five-mile Macleay Park Trail, the park's most popular trail. It has everything, including gurgling streams and epic views from Pittock Mansion, and it even passes the Bird Alliance of Oregon (which has its own trails) in case you’re looking for a detour.

Read More 8 Essential Forest Park Hikes

The Lowdown One of Portland’s most lovable qualities is that it hasn’t abandoned neighborhoody movie palaces in favor of soulless suburban multiplexes. The Hollywood is one of the city’s grandes dames, and its classic facade is a citywide landmark.

Pro Tip Serious movie buffs will want to get a membership, which includes free admission to some screenings, advance access to special event presales, and discounts at both the Hollywood and Movie Madness, the city’s last video and DVD rental store. Also a museum of film memorabilia and costuming, the shop was saved from closure in 2017 when the Hollywood successfully crowdfunded a campaign to buy it and its collections. A major move is in the works to bring the video store from SE Belmont to a storefront right across from the theater.

Don’t Miss The unique happenings on the marquee. Usual programming is a mix of new and classic films, but if you’re in town for one of its special events—Kung Fu Theater, B-Movie Bingo, Mondo Trasho, 35mm and 70mm screenings, and much, much more—run, don’t walk, to a showing.

Read More Portland Is One of America’s Great Moviegoing Towns

The Lowdown Portland’s love for all things two-wheeled is on glorious display during the summertime bike extravaganza Pedalpalooza, when hundreds of themed rides hit the streets celebrating everything and anything: the late Dolly Parton, Black liberation, the recycling of e-waste, the films of John Carpenter. But group rides happen year-round.

Pro Tip Find ride details on the Shift calendar. Apple users can also download the Bike Fun app to stay in the know.

Don’t Miss The Bike Play, which usually happens during Pedalpalooza. For more than a decade, the Working Theatre Collective has written and performed a play that unfolds over the course of a bike ride, complete with original music and choreographed dance numbers. The audience (that’s you) pedals from scene to scene. It’s a gleeful, heartwarming affair.

Read More Portland’s 15 Essential Bike Rides

The Lowdown The Trail Blazers may have only one NBA title to their name, and it’s from 1977, but Portland retains hope in this ever-scrappy team. The Fire, meanwhile, just closed their first season after a 24-year absence from the WNBA, outperforming expectations on the court and bringing party vibes to the stands. 

Pro Tip Save the expense and hassle of parking and take the MAX to a game—there’s a stop right across the Moda Center—or ride (or rent) a bike. If you're walking from downtown, take the Steel Bridge's more pedestrian-friendly lower deck from Waterfront Park.

Don’t Miss Rose, the Fire’s pink, glitter-loving dragon mascot. She wears a crown of roses and custom Nike Air Force 1s, and she’s got an in-arena lair where she welcomes visitors.

Read More How I Fell for the Portland Fire

The Lowdown If Portland International Airport isn't at the top of whatever list you come across of America's best airports, that's just because the list maker got tired of the truth. The MAX access, the street-pricing policy (chains with an airport location aren't allowed to charge more at PDX than at their non-airport sites), the artful wayfinding signs, the forest-canopy ceiling...even with ongoing construction and a baggage claim out of a horror movie set, it's a glorious temple of travel.

Pro Tip Try to go to Aurora, the not-so-secret speakeasy accessed through a locked door just off Loyal Legion (whose servers will give you the not-so-secret code to the keypad), when it's staffed. Weekday happy hour is usually a safe bet. But even when there's not a bartender to whip up one of Aurora's "seasonal elixirs," the pastel-lit art deco space makes for a peaceful escape.

Don’t Miss The tiny treasures lining the art display shelves at either end of the Concourse Connector. 

Read More The New Portland Airport Terminal, by the Numbers

The Lowdown Before her death in March 2023 at age 92, Darcelle XV held the Guinness World Record for oldest living drag performer. The Portland nightclub and drag theater Darcelle (né Walter Cole) established in 1969 is one of the oldest of its type in the country, hosting cabaret-style revues and lively brunches. While the grand matron of drag may no longer grace the stage, her spirit lives on, thanks to the longstanding house performers and the cabaret's new owner, drag artist and veteran Jeremy Corvus-Peck.

Pro Tip Find your new favorite up-and-comer at Catch a Rising Star, a Thursday evening show where new drag performers hit the stage alongside experienced acts.

Don’t Miss Sunday Funday Drag Brunch with Portland drag legend Poison Waters, whose audience interactions are as delightful as you’d imagine. 

Read More Darcelle Has Died. Long Live Darcelle.

The Lowdown Just 20 minutes from downtown Portland, this much-loved regenerative farm on Sauvie Island hosts a variety of activities and events, including berry picking, live concerts, farm-to-plate dinners with guest chefs, and silent reading parties (yes) through the summer, followed by pumpkin hunting and more harvest fun in the fall. 

Pro Tip Event tickets sell out quickly, so don't hesitate when reserving your spot for an upcoming show or dinner. 

Don’t Miss Sunflower season, which typically runs through August and into September, preceding Topaz's expansive harvest festival.

Read More 13 Great Pumpkin Patches to Visit near Portland This Fall

The Lowdown A tranquil garden in Portland’s historic Chinatown, Lan Su Chinese Garden was built by artisans from Suzhou (known for its Ming dynasty gardens). With native plants, koi-filled ponds, intricate covered walkways and bridges, and a teahouse offering traditional gaiwan service, it’s somehow still an underrated sanctuary in the heart of the city. 

Pro Tip Missed the group tour? You can still take a self-guided one by downloading the Discover Lan Su app, which includes an audio guide of the garden with all kinds of fun facts and history, as well as scavenger hunts for the little ones. (Or, use this mobile site.)

Don’t Miss Annual events like the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chrysanthemum Festival, or Lunar New Year, which often involve lion dance performances, art shows, markets, and lantern viewing. 

Read More The History of Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden

The Lowdown The 64-acre Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi, with dozens of species including headliners like lions, polar bears, and elephants. 

Pro Tip Get there right when the zoo opens. More animals will be out and about in the morning—especially during summer, when afternoons can be stiflingly hot. Plus, if you didn't take the MAX (why didn't you take the MAX?), you’ll have a better chance scoring a parking space. 

Don’t Miss Tula-Tu, who made her Today Show debut in early 2025 when she was less than two weeks old. A year and a half later (and over 1,000 lbs heavier), she made news again as the first elephant on the West Coast to be vaccinated against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, or EEHV, which claimed the life of one of her older sisters before she was born. 

Read More A Closer Look at the Oregon Zoo's Elephant Breeding Program

The Lowdown Since 1969, this menagerie of a record store—the oldest, continually running record store in the Pacific Northwest—has celebrated underground artists and indie bands throughout its racks. These days, the shop has expanded beyond vinyl, with shelves of DVDs, CDs, cassette tapes, and video games spanning countless genres.

Pro Tip Music Millennium has hosted musicians like Sheryl Crow, Soundgarden, and Randy Newman for meet-and-greets, album release parties, signing events, and more than 4,500 live performances. Keep an eye on the shop's Instagram for upcoming event dates; those in-store shows can be a rare opportunity to see now-famous local artists (think the Decemberists or Portugal. The Man) play in an astoundingly intimate setting.

Don’t Miss The super-discounted CD section, where you can still find albums for less than $10.

Read More Local Record Store Icon Terry Currier Reflects on Music Millennium Turning 50

The Lowdown It’s an unspoken rule that if you set foot in Oregon, whether you’re a resident or just passing through, you must pay a visit to Multnomah Falls at least once. Located right off I-84, the majestic, 620-foot waterfall can be viewed from highway level, or you can get more up close and personal via the short hike to the Benson Bridge and (literally) soak it all in. A longer trail takes you up to the top of the falls.

Pro Tip From about Memorial Day to Labor Day, all visitors arriving by private vehicle or motorcycle must have a timed-entry permit, but that won't guarantee a parking spot. Portlanders can catch a ride with the Columbia Area Transit bus from Gateway Transit Center, which drops you off right at the falls—but be aware that the bus might bypass the falls if the parking lot is too crowded for the bus to pass through it safely. (That doesn't happen very often.)

Don’t Miss Even more waterfalls nearby. Multnomah Falls is just one of more than a dozen cascades packed into an 8.5-mile stretch along the Columbia River, so consider stopping by another while you’re out here.

Read More The Closest Attractions in the Columbia River Gorge

The Lowdown Unfamiliar with the ceremony surrounding director Jim Sharman’s camp classic? There are props, scintillatingly vulgar call-backs, and, if you’re lucky, an extra cast offscreen animating the participatory ordeal. Since 1978, the Clinton Street Theater has held weekly screenings—even continuing the streak in an empty theater through the pandemic. 

Pro Tip Consult the theater’s list of approved costumes and props ahead of time. Rice, rings, noisemakers, and rubber gloves? Check. But, “No water bottles or hot dogs allowed!” 

Don’t Miss Alternating weeks bring the Clinton Street Cabaret's live accompaniment, while newbies who just want to dip a toe can look for a "For Virgins" night: marginally scaled-down, first-timer’s trip through all things Rocky Horror with PoMo contributor and host extraordinaire Thom Hilton. 

Read More Clinton Street Theater Celebrates 50 Years of Rocky Horror

The Lowdown Soaring more than 1,000 feet, Council Crest Park is Portland’s highest viewpoint, a panoramic perch to take in the city and points beyond.

Pro Tip If you stand in the middle of the rock ring and clap (or speak), the stones echo the sound back to you. The coolest part? It’s audible only to those who stand in the center.

Don’t Miss Spotting five peaks in the Cascade Range: Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Hood, and Jefferson, all visible on a clear day.

Read More 34 Reasons to Love Portland’s Parks

The Lowdown Doughnut shops are to Portlanders what soccer teams are to English football fans: You pick one and remain loyal till death. By our reckoning, the hat tips to Pip’s. The treats smaller than the doughnuts at Voodoo or Blue Star, which means you can try more before you fill up. Each mini round is fried crisp to order and dolloped, drizzled, or stacked with whatever you like: Nutella, raw honey, maple-candied bacon, or seasonal jams.

Pro Tip There’s no way around the lines, but visit on your birthday for a free dozen.

Don’t Miss The chai. There are five flavors, all named for silky balladeers and mixed on premises.

Read More Doughnuts and Chai at Pip’s Original

The Lowdown Who said amusement parks are just for kids? Opened in 1905, Oaks Amusement Park has plenty of draws for all ages: one of the oldest roller rinks in the country, mini golf, classic carnival games like ring toss and balloon bust, and, of course, rides, which range from a family-friendly carousel to ones that are a bit more vertical. 

Pro Tip The rides run from spring break through Halloween (weekends only when school is in session), but the roller rink is open year-round, and weekly skates include a kids' skate, a gay skate, and a skate for those 18 and older.

Don’t Miss The Wurlitzer pipe organ, which dates to 1926 and was installed at the rink in 1955. Live organ music accompanies a few sessions each week.

Read More Oaks Park's Gay Skate Is on a Roll

The Lowdown With cheerful locations in two of Portland’s most thriving indie-retail clusters, women-owned She Bop is the friendly neighborhood sex toy boutique of your dreams. Expect a rainbow of high-end vibrators and dildos, enlightening books, and a seriously impressive selection of lubes, all overseen by a crew of frank, enthusiastic staffers.

Pro Tip She Bop offers private, after-hours group parties—“a sex toys 101,” in the shop’s words—for up to 10 people.

Don’t Miss Classes covering a dizzying array of topics, including sex and aging, bondage, trans sex, kink, and improving your oral technique. Most are held on Zoom, allowing people to join from anywhere in the world.

Read More How She Bop Changed the Sex Shop Game

The Lowdown Tryon Creek State Natural Area transports you to an oasis of lush, forested trails teeming with all kinds of flora, fauna, and wildlife. 

Pro Tip Trilliums begin to bloom in late February and peak in April. Fall colors, meanwhile, pop in September and October, contrasting the oranges and browns of deciduous trees with the park’s evergreen backdrop. Also: navigating the sprawling park can get tricky, so have a good trail map handy.

Don’t Miss Saturday guided hikes, which cover topics like ravens and crows, beavers, and fungi. And every April, the park welcomes spring with its annual Trillium Festival, where you can go see the perennial white flowers peeping out.

Read More 10 Portland-Area Flowers to Know 

The Lowdown Yes, Portland was a big deal during the rise of the specialty coffee movement, but there’s more to the city’s café scene than V60 pour-over and Scandinavian-style roasts. This downtown coffee counter is a prime example: The beans on offer, roasted by international barista champion Joe Yang, are exceptional in their own right, available in 25- to 30-second espresso extractions. They also appear in fun flavored lattes, like the earthy black sesame or the iced tiramisu, topped with a coffee-scented cold foam made in house.

Pro Tip Less and More’s kiosk on SW Fifth Avenue may be better for a quick coffee to go, but the team also operates a full-blown café space a couple blocks away, ideal for rainier days.

Don’t Miss The shop’s ssuk latte, which uses Korean mugwort for a somewhat savory, herbal, caffeine-free wonder.

Read More The Definitive Guide to Portland’s Best Indie Coffee Shops

The Lowdown With loads of lakes and rivers a short drive from Portland (and access points within the city), there are plenty of options for getting wet on a hot day or seeking out solitude on a gray one. Boat ramps at Sellwood Riverfront and Willamette Park provide easy access to a gentle section of the Willamette River for those who want to paddle with the city as their backdrop. 

Pro Tip Several local shops (Alder Creek, Portland Kayak Company) will rent you whatever craft your heart desires and outfit you with paddles, life jackets, and anything else you might need for a day on the water. Kayaktivist group Mosquito Fleet also operates a free kayak lending library and social paddles from a former industrial site near North Portland’s Cathedral Park. Keep an eye on the group’s Instagram page for events.

Don’t Miss A group paddle with Wylde Wind & Water. Out in Hood River, world champion paddleboarder Fiona Wylde runs a nonprofit devoted to making stand-up paddleboarding easier to access, hosting community paddles with free equipment and lessons in the summer.

Read More 8 Glorious Spots to Kayak or Paddleboard near Portland 

The Lowdown Cradled in the hills of Washington Park, the Portland Japanese Garden is made for leisurely ambles through the serene oasis, with trickling waterfalls, a teahouse, and eight gardens, each designed to represent a different style of Japanese gardening. 

Pro Tip Some parts of the garden are steep, so be sure to wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Don’t Miss Umami Café, the garden’s glass box of a teahouse, with panoramic views of the surrounding forest. Imported Japanese teas come with locally made cakes and pastries; for something heartier, go for the tea-scented rice dish ochazuke.

Read More The Portland Japanese Garden Beckons You to Visit

The Lowdown Founded in 1969, SOLVE leads cleanup efforts around the city and state, maintaining and restoring natural areas like beaches and parks while also tidying our streets. SOLVE got its start by cleaning up Oregon’s beloved beaches (unlike in other states, the entire coastline belongs to the public—looking at you, California), and healthy waterways are still a primary focus. Sign up here.

Pro Tip If trash pickup isn’t your jam, SOLVE also hosts events more focused on gardening or flora care—get ready to tackle some weeds and invasive species. 

Don't Miss SOLVE's active calendar of cleanup events, both in Portland and in the surrounding area.

The Lowdown Pendleton’s iconic woolen blankets, jackets, and westernwear might share a name with the town 200 miles east, but the company’s headquarters are in Portland. And its flagship factory store is just outside the city in Milwaukie, with hundreds of bolts in stock for home sewing projects.

Pro Tip Watch the store’s blog for community crafting events, like garment mending and flower- and sun-dyeing workshops.

Don’t Miss The bins of selvage edges and fabric scraps, available for purchase by the pound.

Read More Vintage Furniture Gets a Pendleton-Style Upgrade

The Lowdown A Roy Lichtenstein sculpture sits outside the city’s highbrow art museum. After an $111 million transformation project, a brand-new glass pavilion named for American abstract painter Mark Rothko welcomes visitors into the space. Inside: Impressionist paintings, nineteenth-century Japanese woodblock prints, Tom of Finland drawings, and a breadth of works by Oregon artists, like Mickalene Thomas and Robert Colescott, and a Black Art and Experiences gallery. Outside of its permanent collection, the museum hosts a constant stream of internationally traveling exhibits.

Pro Tip Kids are always free, and grown-ups can check the museum's website for special free days—which can leave more money to spend on lunch and dessert at the Provider Fine Foods–affiliated Coquelico café.

Don’t Miss The community events and filmmaker takeovers at the museum’s Tomorrow Theater movie house across the river.

Read More 10 Must-Visit Museums in Portland

The Lowdown Formerly home to Washington High School, Revolution Hall opened just over a decade ago and has eclipsed even stalwart venues like Crystal Ballroom as the hippest place in town for midsize music acts. A central auditorium provides seating for hundreds, and the surrounding hallways still sport rows of lockers.

Pro Tip All-ages shows tend to still reserve standing-room-only seats for the 21+ crowd, while balcony seating is available for concertgoers of any age.

Don’t Miss Rev Hall’s appropriately named Roof Deck Bar, usually open April through October and offering one of the best city views on the east side.

Read More The Story of Washington High School’s Boom, Bust, and Rebirth as Revolution Hall

The Lowdown The late, great children’s author Beverly Cleary, who introduced us to the beloved character Ramona Quimby, grew up in Portland. And if you’ve ever read the book series you might recognize some of the Northeast Portland locations—Klickitat Street, anyone?

Pro Tip Retrace Ramona’s steps with help from Portlander Laura O. Foster’s guide, Walking with Ramona: Exploring Beverly Cleary’s Portland. The book takes you meandering through Beverly Cleary’s Northeast Portland neighborhood, and what became her namesake elementary school, where Ramona was headed when she got her boots stuck in the mud and had to be rescued by Henry Huggins.

Don’t Miss The summertime spray park at the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park, a nice spot for the kids to cool off post-tour.

Read More What Ramona Quimby Taught Me about Taking Up Space

The Lowdown Hailed as the first sports bar in the world dedicated to showing women's games, Jenny Nguyen's memorabilia-bedecked space is lined with TVs airing the WBNA, NWSL, PWHL, AUSL, and other leagues, plus tennis, golf, gymnastics, Olympics, and more.

Pro Tip Get there early to score a seat during March Madness, WBNA playoffs, or any hometown game involving the Thorns or Fire. 

Don’t Miss The fashion on the wall in the east bathroom, from the Y2K business casual on display in the 2001 vintage Portland Fire poster to the ’80s L. L. Bean chic lurking under skier Debbie Armstrong's jacket on her autographed Sports Illustrated cover to the sensible vest in the speed-dating flyer for "Sapphic singles looking for love."

Read More Watching Women’s Sports Is Hard. The Sports Bra Makes It Easier.

The Lowdown Portland’s largest theater company operates out of a converted armory with two stages: a 590-seat venue upstairs and an intimate studio theater downstairs. Its seasons include a crowd-pleasing blend of familiar plays (often given fresh takes) and new ones.

Pro Tip The theater offers $25 rush and standby tickets 90 minutes before shows. It's also one of many local institutions participating in Arts for All, which offers $5 ticket to anyone who receives food stamps (SNAP) and has an Oregon Trail Card.

Don’t Miss PCS’s annual new plays festival, JAW, a weekend-long spree of readings highlighting just-written works. It happens annually in July and is a very cool peek into the creative process of making theater.

Read More How Portland Center Stage Is Refreshing Rent

The Lowdown Say yes to fun, splashy prints and all the coveralls your heart has ever desired, plus the best suiting this side of Savile Row. The gender-flexible Portland brand keeps its downtown store stocked with both essentials and statement pieces, plus fun one-off collabs with Blondie icon Debbie Harry or local animation studio Laika. 

Pro Tip Wildfang’s bold approach to fashion makes it a natural stop for folks reinventing their style—whether that means getting into suits or experimenting with gender presentation. You can book an appointment with Wildfang’s on-site stylist to talk through a new look, prepare for a wedding, or finally figure out why most suits make you look like David Byrne in Stop Making Sense.

Don't Miss Wildfang's commitment to inclusive sizing. Rifle through the thoughtfully tailored collection for sizes 1x–4x, still woefully underrepresented in most brick-and-mortar boutiques.

Read More Wildfang Foments a Feminist Revolution

The Lowdown Trusty OMSI has been serving Portland-area families since 1944, and its now-iconic waterfront space (opened in 1992)—complete with a planetarium, movie theater, and tourable US Navy submarine—makes every trip feel like a certified event.

Pro Tip The on-site café, Theory, is surprisingly great for a museum restaurant.

Don’t Miss OMSI’s monthly After Dark nights, for those 21 and over, which mix education with fun.

Read More I Spent the Night at OMSI’s Adult Sleepover

The Lowdown The city’s most underrated museum, the Oregon Historical Society Museum has three floors of historical artifacts and information about how they inform the present. It doesn’t shy away from the systemic racism that threads through Oregon’s history, whether against Japanese residents during World War II, the Black population that came to build railroads and were subject to redlining, or the Indigenous tribes displaced by the doctrine of westward expansion.

Pro Tip Admission is free for residents of Multnomah County, a thank-you to voters for supporting a property tax measure to help fund OHS.

Don’t Miss Oregon Historical Quarterly, the museum’s peer-reviewed quarterly journal of Pacific Northwest public history, which has been running since 1900. 

Read More Where Governors Go Shopping: The Oregon Historical Society Vault

The Lowdown Lovely’s pizza is the ultimate barometer of what’s in season in Portland at any moment. Naturally leavened dough made from locally milled flours holds a kaleidoscope of whatever’s popping up in the fields of local farmers or in the baskets of local foragers. The menu changes often—we’re talking micro-seasonal—so try not to fall in love with what you see on Instagram.

Pro Tip Trust the chef. If you’re wary of so-called adventurous toppings, this is the place to try pizza with nettles, flowers, and cheeses you’ve never heard of.

Don’t Miss The other fifty: housemade ice cream. Our favorites include vanilla bean bourbon and Amarena cherry.

Read More Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty Perfects the Portland Pizza

The Lowdown Mother Foucault’s is no doubt the city’s most idyllic book den. Tippy stacks of literature, philosophy, theory, foreign language, and poetry collections fill the shop, which is loosely inspired by Shakespeare & Company, the famed Paris bookshop where its owner, Craig Florence, learned the trade. Though it recently moved less than a city block away, the “new” shop has all the charms of the OG location.

Pro Tip Try not to go in looking for something specific. “You’ll find stuff in the piles that you never knew existed, which is what a bookstore is for,” says Portland author Jon Raymond.

Don’t Miss Other People’s Poems. The first Friday of each month, an informal intelligentsia gathers to recite poems strictly from memory.

Read More 11 Portland Authors’ Favorite Indie Bookstores

The Lowdown Those raised in Portland all have stories from this charmingly unsettling coffee shop in a converted Craftsman. Groups of teenagers and decades-long regulars grab tables that rotate or randomly jiggle, attributed to the alleged ghosts that haunt the house. Awaiting orange-scented borgias and chocolate raspberry fools (an indulgent parfait of mousse, compote, and whipped cream), patrons will wander over to the piano for an impromptu concert.

Pro Tip Rimsky’s can get busy on the weekends. If you want to grab a table, arrive as soon as it opens at 7pm. Alternatively, kill time while you wait by reading through the shop’s scattered guest books and journals.

Don’t Miss The bathroom. Bring goggles. (Also, bring cash—this is an old-fashioned spot in terms of payment.)

The Lowdown Yes, the nearby Willamette Valley boasts hundreds of vineyards and wineries to visit. But it's easy to drink killer wine in Portland, too. Many of the city's own urban tasting rooms—places like Division Winemaking Company, Statera Cellars, Buona Notte, and Fossil & Fawn—have sprung from some of the state's most up-and-coming winemakers, showcasing undersung varietals from around the region. 

Pro Tip Need some guidance, and a bite to eat? Combination restaurant-wine bars like Heavenly Creatures and Bar Diane have star-studded lists and knowledgeable servers. 

Don’t Miss The wineries hidden within 109 SE Salmon St, an easy-to-miss, industrial-looking building in inner Southeast. After you taste, wander over to the internationally renowned cheese shop Cowbell or the spectacular rice “wine” bottle shop Sunflower Saké, both a short walk away.

Read More NA Bubbles and Grilled Cheese at L’Orange’s Sibling Wine Bar

The Lowdown Amateur baseball team the Portland Pickles is made up of collegiate players from all over the West, some future major leaguers among them. Home games are at Walker Stadium in Southeast’s Lents Park.

Pro Tip Watch for the team’s special promotions, and you might leave a game with a rug, a free permanent pickle tattoo, or the searing memory of pole-dancing man in a pickle costume and tear-away pants.

Don’t Miss A photo op with said pole dancer, the most recognizable figure in the stadium. The seven-foot mascot has run for president, set off a Twitter scandal after posting a photo of an indeterminate green appendage, and survived an alleged kidnapping.

Read More Gaming Out the Brine Lives of Baseball Mascot Dillon T. Pickle 

The Lowdown If you haven’t had paper-wrapped khao man gai from this iconic spot, you haven’t been to Portland. What started as a cart is now two brick-and-mortar restaurants on either side of the Willamette, where locals sip Thai tea floats and dunk cucumbers in peanut sauce. We’re not really sure how the white rice, poached chicken, and ginger-heavy Nong’s sauce is as powerfully delicious as it is, but Nong Poonsukwattana has turned a humble Thai-Chinese dish into a Portland icon.

Pro Tip Nong’s quintessential chicken and rice arrives with a bowl of soup featuring a profoundly flavorful, pandan-bolstered chicken broth. You can order the broth by the 32-ounce container for $6, so keep your freezer stocked (no pun intended).

Don’t Miss Fried chicken skins! Salty and savory cracklings are made daily and served as an optional add-on, though quantities are always limited.

Read More Queen of Carts

The Lowdown Since 2001, Southeast club the Goodfoot has been ground zero for sweaty, inclusive dance nights. The upstairs pub has pool and pinball, but it’s the basement where you’ll find dance music and DJs, including the long-running Soul Stew most Fridays.

Pro Tip While the bar takes cards, it’s usually cash-only at the door, so come prepared.

Don’t Miss Inimitable DJ duo Anjali and the Incredible Kid’s “Tropitaal” parties, serving up a high-energy mix of Indian and Latin American sounds. 

The Lowdown Winters here might be cool and damp, but there are loads of places to be warm and damp instead. In town, there's sweet-smelling "wellness social club" Knot Springs, where the hot pools have a view of the city skyline; riverside saunas with cold plunges in the Willamette or Columbia; Finnish-inspired Löyly, with sauna spots in Northeast and Southeast; and clothing-optional neighborhood soaking favorite Everett House. Or head for the hills, where hot springs options range from the rustic Bagby and Terwilliger to the more developed Carson and Kah-Nee-Ta.

Read More A Beginner’s Guide to the Wide World of Sauna and Steam

The Lowdown For 25 years running, the nonprofit Urban Art Network has closed down a city block on the first Thursday of each month (April through October) to host an open-air gallery of local artists and makers, which coincides with art galleries’ monthly openings. Walk the fair and stroll the gallery strip—it’s all free.

Pro Tip The Portland Art Museum is free on First Thursday. (It’s usually $22–25; free for those 17 and under.)

Don’t Miss The Portland Art Map, from the Oregon chapter of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which covers over 60 local galleries and museums.

Read More At 50, Blue Sky Gallery Still Believes in Photography

The Lowdown Just across the river from downtown (and easily walkable over the Hawthorne, Morrison, and Burnside Bridges), the Central Eastside Industrial District is home to sprawling stores worth getting lost in: international bazaar Cargo, curated maker market and "lifestyle store" Urbanite, design-savvy furniture shops Kabbinett PDX and 20th Century Interiors, multistory vintage mall Memory Den, and more.

Pro Tip Watch Cargo’s calendar for upcoming workshops with local artists and craftspeople.

Don’t Miss Recurring events like the Portland Night Market, which takes over a warehouse and adjacent parking lot with vendors, food carts, cocktail bars, and, at least once, a replica of the DeLorean from Back to the Future, and the Portland Flea, with vendors selling everything from floral ’60s dresses, fur coats, and preloved Levi’s to handcrafted rugs and mugs.

Read More Why Cargo Moved Its Hoard of Global Designs across the River

The Lowdown One of Portland's oldest bars, this tiki-tastic hut on North Interstate has karaoke seven nights a week. Expect crowds on weekends, including festive crews all dressed like Mrs. Roper or a bachelorette parties full of young women in Pitbull costumes.  

Pro Tip The seating sections on either side of the front door are out of earshot for karaoke and offer just the right mix of privacy and people-watching for a first date.

Don’t Miss The tropical cocktails, from a delicate piña colada to a giant rum-and-brandy Scorpion Bowl to share.

Read More 6 Very Different Karaoke Experiences Around Portland

The Lowdown Portland’s bicycle culture is ubiquitous, and it’s safe to say you haven’t truly done Portland till you’ve taken a two-wheeled jaunt around the scenic waterfront (including a ride over the car-free Tilikum Crossing). And with plenty of bike rental options, including the city’s bike share program, Biketown—which has an all-electric fleet—you’ll be on your merry way in no time. Go for a 10.6-mile loop between the Sellwood and Steel Bridges, or keep it simple with a 2.6-mile pedal.

Pro Tip Park your bike at the SW Moody Aerial Tram Terminal station (which btw, has a free bike valet) and enjoy 360-degree views of Portland’s cityscape from aboard the tram. On weekdays, the tram operates until 9:30pm, so if you wait till after rush hour you can make it a twilight ride. 

Don’t Miss The statue of Vera Katz, a beloved former mayor of Portland, sitting along the Eastbank Esplanade.

Read More The Portlander’s Guide to Having More Fun on Your Bike

The Lowdown Recreational weed has been legal in Oregon since 2015—we legalized it for medical use way back in 1998—and it’s safe to say some of the thrill has worn off. Which is why Somewhere, a dispensary nestled on a quiet block in Northwest Portland, is so welcome (also welcoming, thanks to its big windows). While the shop has a thoughtful selection of cannabis products, including freshly cured flower, tinctures, and topicals, it also sells all manner of exotic plants, from cacti to carnivorous varieties. There has rarely been a better two-in-one shopping stop.

Pro Tip Chocolate specialist Grön makes eminently balanced bars; ask a staff member for a recommendation.

Don’t Miss Flower deals, available every day of the week.

Read More How the American West Became the Wild Cannabis Frontier

The Lowdown Started two decades ago by William Vương and Christina “Ha” Luu on SE 82nd Avenue, Hà VL today is helmed by their James Beard–nominated son, Peter Vương. Choose from two or three Vietnamese noodle soups daily, most offered only once a week. A similar rotation fills the menu at nearby sister restaurant Rose VL, on SE Powell.

Pro Tip Go early. You don't want to be greeted by a "Sorry" sign on the door signaling that Hà VL has run out of soup.

Don’t Miss Annam VL, on SE Belmont, where grandkids Ân and Jerry Vương mix experimentation and tradition, with mom Phương La-Vương at the stove.

Read More Broths That Airlift the Soul to Saigon

The Lowdown After legislation in the 1980s made brewpubs a sustainable business option in Oregon, the number of breweries started to balloon. In the 1990s, Portland became known as Beervana, and in the early part of the twenty-first century there were so many breweries and brew fests that it took some effort to hit them all. That heyday might have passed, as the industry faces economic challenges and shifting lifestyle trends, but Portland remains a beer lover's paradise.   

Pro Tip While state law requires bars that sell liquor to also sell food, beer-only spots don't have to—but at such places you can often bring something from elsewhere.

Don’t Miss Breweries and pubs in cool old repurposed spaces, from Steeplejack in an old church on NE Broadway to McMenamins' converted elementary (Kennedy School), funeral parlor (Chapel Pub), poor farm (Edgefield), and many other historic properties.

Read More Portland’s Defining Breweries Right Now

The Lowdown There was a time when skin contact with the Willamette River was not recommended. But thanks to Superfund projects, some serious new city infrastructure (don’t get us started on the Big Pipe), and a lot of advocacy work, the river that separates Portland’s east and west is now dotted with designated beaches and swim docks from Sellwood to St. Johns. Near downtown, find Poet’s Beach under the Marquam Bridge.

Pro Tip There are no lifeguards on duty, and the river is unpredictable. Swim at your own risk, wear a personal flotation device, and heed warnings. The city routinely monitors the Willamette’s water quality and shares results online. 

Don’t Miss The Cathedral Park dock specifically designed for swimmers; its multiple swim ladders and dive platforms make it way easier to take a dip.

Read More Portland Is a Beach Town. It’s True.