Best Attractions in Portland (2025)
Powell's City of Books
Book store · Pearl
An entire city block of new, used, and rare books with author events and staff-curated rooms. Frequently recommended by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel Portland, it remains a living room for Portland readers and visiting writers alike.
Portland Japanese Garden
Garden · Arlington Heights
A masterwork of craftsmanship and calm, with seasonal exhibitions, public tours, and the Umami Café. Highlighted by The New York Times for family-friendly trips; the official schedule confirms robust 2025 programming and member hours.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Cultural landmark · Chinatown
An authentic Suzhou-style scholar’s garden built by artisans, with tea service and festivals that reflect Portland–Suzhou ties. Praised by local critics and garden writers; open daily with clearly posted 2025 hours.
OMSI
Museum · Hosford-Abernathy
Hands-on halls, Kendall Planetarium, and the USS Blueback submarine keep all ages engaged, while OMSI After Dark adds adults-only nights. The museum’s calendar confirms active 2025 exhibits and events.
Portland Art Museum
Art museum · Downtown
A cornerstone of the arts downtown with exhibitions ongoing in 2025 and a transformed campus—featuring the Mark Rothko Pavilion—opening November 20, 2025. Announced by the museum and covered by Axios and Willamette Week.
Hollywood Theatre
Movie theater · Hollywood
A 1926 nonprofit movie palace with 70mm screenings, inventive series, and film festivals. Celebrated by Willamette Week and film writers, its 2025 schedule and restoration milestones underscore a thriving community hub.
Portland Saturday Market
Market · Chinatown
Since 1974, this artist-run market has showcased handmade goods and live music on the riverfront. Recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tradition and listed by Travel Portland; in 2025 it operates every Saturday, March–December.
Portland Farmers Market at PSU
Farmers' market · Downtown
The city’s flagship farmers market fills the South Park Blocks with peak produce, artisan foods, and chef sightings. Frequently cited by travel editors, it runs year-round on Saturdays with rotating vendors and demos.
Portland Center Stage
Performing arts theater · Pearl
Portland’s leading theater company stages bold new work and classics in a beautifully restored, LEED-Platinum armory. Despite fundraising challenges reported by arts outlets, its 2025–26 season is on sale and active.
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar
Video arcade · Chinatown
An independently owned arcade-bar with pristine pinball, classic cabinets, DJ nights, and tournaments. Frequently praised by local media and guidebooks; its 2025 event calendar confirms late-night buzz.
Pittock Mansion
Local history museum · Hillside
A hilltop historic house museum with sweeping city views and exhibits on early Portland. Featured by local travel guides; the official site lists daily hours and rotating programming throughout 2025.
Westward Whiskey
Distillery · Buckman
Tour a working single-malt distillery and taste Oregon’s grain-to-glass craft. Highlighted by Travel Oregon and drinks writers, Westward’s 2025 schedule shows ongoing tours, tastings, and classes in SE Portland.
Best Attractions in Portland (2025)
An entire city block of new, used, and rare books with author events and staff-curated rooms. Frequently recommended by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel Portland, it remains a living room for Portland readers and visiting writers alike.
A masterwork of craftsmanship and calm, with seasonal exhibitions, public tours, and the Umami Café. Highlighted by The New York Times for family-friendly trips; the official schedule confirms robust 2025 programming and member hours.
An authentic Suzhou-style scholar’s garden built by artisans, with tea service and festivals that reflect Portland–Suzhou ties. Praised by local critics and garden writers; open daily with clearly posted 2025 hours.
Hands-on halls, Kendall Planetarium, and the USS Blueback submarine keep all ages engaged, while OMSI After Dark adds adults-only nights. The museum’s calendar confirms active 2025 exhibits and events.
A cornerstone of the arts downtown with exhibitions ongoing in 2025 and a transformed campus—featuring the Mark Rothko Pavilion—opening November 20, 2025. Announced by the museum and covered by Axios and Willamette Week.
A 1926 nonprofit movie palace with 70mm screenings, inventive series, and film festivals. Celebrated by Willamette Week and film writers, its 2025 schedule and restoration milestones underscore a thriving community hub.
Since 1974, this artist-run market has showcased handmade goods and live music on the riverfront. Recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tradition and listed by Travel Portland; in 2025 it operates every Saturday, March–December.
The city’s flagship farmers market fills the South Park Blocks with peak produce, artisan foods, and chef sightings. Frequently cited by travel editors, it runs year-round on Saturdays with rotating vendors and demos.
Portland’s leading theater company stages bold new work and classics in a beautifully restored, LEED-Platinum armory. Despite fundraising challenges reported by arts outlets, its 2025–26 season is on sale and active.
An independently owned arcade-bar with pristine pinball, classic cabinets, DJ nights, and tournaments. Frequently praised by local media and guidebooks; its 2025 event calendar confirms late-night buzz.
A hilltop historic house museum with sweeping city views and exhibits on early Portland. Featured by local travel guides; the official site lists daily hours and rotating programming throughout 2025.
Tour a working single-malt distillery and taste Oregon’s grain-to-glass craft. Highlighted by Travel Oregon and drinks writers, Westward’s 2025 schedule shows ongoing tours, tastings, and classes in SE Portland.
Powell's City of Books
Book store · Pearl
An entire city block of new, used, and rare books with author events and staff-curated rooms. Frequently recommended by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel Portland, it remains a living room for Portland readers and visiting writers alike.
Portland Japanese Garden
Garden · Arlington Heights
A masterwork of craftsmanship and calm, with seasonal exhibitions, public tours, and the Umami Café. Highlighted by The New York Times for family-friendly trips; the official schedule confirms robust 2025 programming and member hours.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Cultural landmark · Chinatown
An authentic Suzhou-style scholar’s garden built by artisans, with tea service and festivals that reflect Portland–Suzhou ties. Praised by local critics and garden writers; open daily with clearly posted 2025 hours.
OMSI
Museum · Hosford-Abernathy
Hands-on halls, Kendall Planetarium, and the USS Blueback submarine keep all ages engaged, while OMSI After Dark adds adults-only nights. The museum’s calendar confirms active 2025 exhibits and events.
Portland Art Museum
Art museum · Downtown
A cornerstone of the arts downtown with exhibitions ongoing in 2025 and a transformed campus—featuring the Mark Rothko Pavilion—opening November 20, 2025. Announced by the museum and covered by Axios and Willamette Week.
Hollywood Theatre
Movie theater · Hollywood
A 1926 nonprofit movie palace with 70mm screenings, inventive series, and film festivals. Celebrated by Willamette Week and film writers, its 2025 schedule and restoration milestones underscore a thriving community hub.
Portland Saturday Market
Market · Chinatown
Since 1974, this artist-run market has showcased handmade goods and live music on the riverfront. Recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tradition and listed by Travel Portland; in 2025 it operates every Saturday, March–December.
Portland Farmers Market at PSU
Farmers' market · Downtown
The city’s flagship farmers market fills the South Park Blocks with peak produce, artisan foods, and chef sightings. Frequently cited by travel editors, it runs year-round on Saturdays with rotating vendors and demos.
Portland Center Stage
Performing arts theater · Pearl
Portland’s leading theater company stages bold new work and classics in a beautifully restored, LEED-Platinum armory. Despite fundraising challenges reported by arts outlets, its 2025–26 season is on sale and active.
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar
Video arcade · Chinatown
An independently owned arcade-bar with pristine pinball, classic cabinets, DJ nights, and tournaments. Frequently praised by local media and guidebooks; its 2025 event calendar confirms late-night buzz.
Pittock Mansion
Local history museum · Hillside
A hilltop historic house museum with sweeping city views and exhibits on early Portland. Featured by local travel guides; the official site lists daily hours and rotating programming throughout 2025.
Westward Whiskey
Distillery · Buckman
Tour a working single-malt distillery and taste Oregon’s grain-to-glass craft. Highlighted by Travel Oregon and drinks writers, Westward’s 2025 schedule shows ongoing tours, tastings, and classes in SE Portland.