Portland is Oregon’s happiest paradox: a city of bookstores, bridges and rose gardens ringed by waterfalls, volcanoes and one of America’s great river gorges. This guide gathers the best of Portland, with the places and tours our readers love most.
The Columbia Gorge and Multnomah Falls
East of the city, the river carves a green canyon of cliffs and falls: Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Tour — Vista House, Multnomah Falls and Ice-Age Cliffs. Multnomah Falls Morning Tour — A Half-Day of Gorge Waterfalls Before Lunch. Afternoon Multnomah Falls Tour — A Half-Day of Gorge Icons With a Late Start.
Mt. Hood and the Oregon Coast: the great day trips
Two legendary landscapes sit within a day’s reach: Mt. Hood Day Trip From Portland — Multnomah Falls, Timberline Lodge and Hood River. Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & Mt. Hood Tour — Bridge of the Gods to a Volcano in One Day. Full-Day Oregon Coast Tour From Portland — Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Oregon Coast Tour From Portland — A Full Day on America’s Most Beautiful Public Coastline.
Gardens and parks: the green Portland
Portland gardens like it means it: Portland Japanese Garden — America’s Finest Japanese Garden Blooms Above the City. International Rose Test Garden — Portland Is the City of Roses for a Reason. Washington Park — Portland’s 410-Acre Backyard of Wonders. Forest Park — 5,200 Acres of Wild in the Middle of Portland.
Bridges, riverfront and views
Twelve bridges stitch the Willamette, and the riverfront is the city’s living room: Tilikum Crossing — The Bridge Built for People. Tom McCall Waterfront Park — Portland’s Living Room on the River. St. Johns Bridge and Cathedral Park — Portland’s Gothic Green Giant. Council Crest Park — Portland’s Rooftop at 1,071 Feet.
Historic houses and quiet gardens
For a slower afternoon, Portland hides manors and walled gardens: Pittock Mansion — Portland’s Castle in the Clouds. Lan Su Chinese Garden — A Walled Ming Dynasty Garden in Old Town. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden — Portland’s Blooming Hidden Gem.
Food: donuts, tastings and wine country
Eat your way across the city and out to the vines: Portland Donut Adventure — A Walking Food Tour Through the City’s Sweetest Shops. Portland Downtown Food Tour — Six Tastings of Local and Global Flavors. Willamette Valley Wine Tour With Lunch — Three Wineries and Oregon’s Famous Pinot.
Portland by bike, by air and on foot
However you like to move, there is a happy way to see it all: Essential Portland Bike Tour — Old Town, the Waterfront and the Pearl District on Two Wheels. Waterfalls and Waterfront E-Bike Tour — Hidden Falls on a Car-Free Trail. Downtown Portland Air Tour — The Skyline, the Bridges and the River From Above. Intro to Portland Walking Tour — The Best of the City in Two Weird, Wonderful Miles.
