21 Of The Best Free Things To Do In Portland, Oregon! 

Portland, Oregon is a city well known for excellent dining and nightlife, outdoor activities, an art-forward and giving community, and of course, general weirdness.

Visiting Portland can be done at a reasonable price thanks to moderately priced hotels and plane tickets, and fear not, there’s tons to do here even on a small budget.

Read on for some of the best free things to do in Portland, Oregon!

Free Things To Do In Portland, Oregon

Washington Park

Washington Park in Portland is easily one of the most diverse and fascinating city parks in the region. Countless fountains and statues dot the trails and the history here dates back all the way to 1871.

Some attractions within the park require a fee but there’s no shortage of free things to do here! Some of the most popular are the World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum, and International Rose Test Garden.

Tip: Be sure to check out the bamboo forest, located in the Hoyt Arboretum, which has 30 species of bamboo!

Of course you can also walk, bike, picnic, or play games as you would in any other park, too!

International Rose Test Garden

You can’t say you experienced the “City of Roses” without a stop here! The garden was originally established in the early 1900’s by Jesse Currey, who feared hybrid roses grown in Europe wouldn’t survive WWI. Today, it’s the country’s oldest public rose test garden and attracts visitors from around the world.

The garden is free and open year-round, although it’s best to visit in summer months!

Pioneer Courthouse Square 

The hub of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square, is a great place to experience Stumptown. You’ll find free concerts, budget-friendly food trucks, farmers markets, art installations and so much more. 

Everything you find here is local and intended to serve and benefit the community as a whole.

There are hundreds of special events here throughout the year, so keep an eye on their schedule here, again many are free events!

Willamette River

The Willamette River flows through the heart of downtown Portland, eventually meeting with the Columbia River, which acts as the border between Oregon and Washington.

The river is a core feature of Portland so it’s no surprise some of the most fun things to do downtown occur on its banks!

Biking or walking through the park are common activities, as well as kayaking or stand up paddle boarding on the river!

The Tom McCall Waterfront Park is one of the most popular spots along the river, as its lined with cherry blossoms that are especially beautiful in spring. If visiting Portland on a weekend be sure to check out their highly popular Portland Saturday Market. The park is also close to the famous “White Stag” sign, AKA the “Portland Sign.” 

Free Museums In Portland

Below are a list of a few Portland museums which are always free:

• Oregon Rail Heritage Center
• Blue Sky Gallery (also known as Portland Center for the Photographic Arts)
• Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University
• Stark’s Vacuum Museum
• Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art (at Lewis & Clark College)
• The Historic Belmont Firehouse

Below are a few Portland museums which have free admission days. Keep in mind free days may change so be sure to check current offerings before heading out! When researching a specific museum check for “admission access programs” on their admissions/tickets page.

• Portland Art Museum – Usually hosts one free day per month, this day changes, it’s best to check their website.
• Oregon Historical Society – Free for residents, often hosts monthly free days, check their website.
• Oregon Museum of Science & Industry – Monthly $2 days and other programs, read more here.
• Oregon Zoo – They offer various discounted or free days throughout the year, check for any upcoming dates here.
• Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals – Occasional free days or special programs for locals, details here.

Military members, many Portland museums offer free or heavily discounted tickets with ID.

Locals, keep an eye out on free museum passes from the library or special events such as Bank of America Museums on Us Program.

Powell’s City Books

Powell’s is the world’s largest independent bookstore, with approximately one million works to choose from. The four story building occupies an entire city block and has a cafe that can only be described as a bookworms’ dream!

Rather head to the library? Check out Portland’s Central Library! This gorgeous, three story building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Beggars-Tick Wildlife Refuge  

Love the outdoors? You’ll also enjoy Beggars-Tick, a quiet, 20 acre park on Portland’s eastern edge. The marshy wetland is a great spot for wildflowers, bird watching and peaceful hikes.

Best of all the refuge is free to all visitors! And don’t worry Beggars-Ticks are plants not pesky bugs.

You may also like Powell Butte Nature Park!

Columbia River Gorge

Located just a short drive outside of downtown Portland is the Columbia River Gorge, a stunning canyon reaching depths of 4,000 feet overlooking the Columbia River.

If you want to make a day of it, drive the Infinity Loop which will take you through lush forests, along the Historic Oregon Trail, and even up Mount Hood.

Simpsons Tour 

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening grew up in Portland and included many of the city’s street names and landmarks in the highly-popular cartoon.

Groening’s goofy creativity fits effortlessly into Portland’s weird vibe and unsurprisingly Stumptown has embraced its connection to the cult hit. Simpsons fans enjoy a free, self-guided walking tour of spots in the city that inspired Groening.

Some popular spots to check out include:

• Flanders Street – The inspiration for naming Ned Flanders, watch for “NE Flanders Street” signs which have been vandalized to read “NED Flanders Street.”
• Lovejoy Street – Reverend Lovejoy, a lover of trains, is named after a street the Portland Streetcar runs along.
• Lincoln High School – Inspiration for Springfield Elementary and where Matt Groening drew Bart Simpson onto wet cement.
• Burnside Street/Montgomery Park – Two spots which inspired the name for Charles Montgomery Burns, the richest man in Springfield.
• Terwilliger Boulevard – This treacherously twisted street was the inspiration behind the twisted criminal Sideshow Bob, whose full name is Robert Underdunk Terwilliger Jr., PhD. 

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in Oregon with two falls cascading a total of 620 feet.

Best of all? It’s only 30 minutes from downtown!

The lower viewpoint is right off the road and easily accessible for anyone. If you want to check out views from the bridge it’ll require a short hike along a paved path. From here you can go even further if you’re willing to endure a 785 foot elevation change and 11 switchbacks. You’ll be rewarded with a view of the falls from above should you complete the journey.

This is one of the most visited attractions in the Portland area, so it’s best to arrive early, the lot does fill up quickly! The falls themselves are free but there may be a small fee for parking.

Keep Portland Weird Sign 

Part of visiting Portland is embracing the weird and celebrating the fun, quirky nature of the city that welcomes characters from all walks of life. They’re undeniably different here and that makes for memorable experiences you won’t find in other cities.

Right across from the original Voodoo Doughnuts location is the iconic “Keep Portland Weird” sign. While you’re in the area grab a doughnut from Voodoo or a cheap coffee from Stumptown, snap a pic and lean into the culture of the city.

The mural is located on the back of Dante’s at 350 W. Burnside St. in a parking lot viewable from 3rd Ave.

Pittock Mansion Grounds

Pittock Mansion is a historic home near Washington Park that happens to have some of the best city views, making it a very popular spot for sunrise!

You can drive to the mansion or take the popular 2.5 mile hike. If you wish to hike, follow Wildwood Trail.

Tip: If you enjoy urban hiking trails the Forest Park area is a great area with miles of paths worth exploring!

This French Renaissance-style château was built in the early 1900’s and was eventually dedicated to the city of Portland in the 1960’s. The estate is open to the public with self-guided or guided tours available for purchase or you can simply walk the grounds for free.

Witch’s Castle

Witch’s Castle is located within Forest Park, which is the largest wooded urban park in the United States. Flanking Portland’s West Hills, its 70-mile network of verdant trails are a great way to witness the magic of the Pacific Northwest’s forest lands without having to leave the city limits.

Once in the park, you’ll find a two-story stone house known as the Macleay Park Shelter, but more often referred to as the Witch’s Castle.

Accessing the “castle” requires a fairly easy hike, you’ll find the abandoned structure located along Balch Creek near the intersection of Wildwood and Lower Macleay Trail.

Looking for more green space to explore? Walk along the South Park Blocks, a green strip spanning 12 city blocks ending at the campus of Portland State University.

Last Thursday On Alberta Street

NE Alberta Street shuts down the road to vehicles and hosts a free art walk on the last Thursday of each month from about 4 – 9 pm. In addition to dozens of art galleries available to explore, there are also street vendors, live music, performers, and food trucks.

Not able to attend? Check out their self-guided public art tour instead.

In addition to Last Thursday on Alberta Street there’s also First Thursday Art Walks in the Pearl District and First Friday Art Walks in the East Side Arts District.

Portland Festivals & Events  

If you can’t tell, Portland is a city that loves to have a good time so it’s no surprise there are tons of festivals here year round! Whether it’s live music, delicious food, or cultural events you seek, you’re sure to find it in Portland, Oregon!

The following events are free to walk around but of course food, beverage, and some elements of entertainment will cost you.

• Portland Folk Festival 
• Portland Jazz Festival 
• Portland Flea
• Chinese New Year
• Street Fairs
• Portland Winter Light Festival 

Keep a eye on Travel Portland’s event schedule. If you’re visiting in the warmer months keep in mind there’s also regular free summer events such as movies in the park and live music which will be listed on Travel Portland’s site.

Mill Ends Park 

Mill Ends Park is a tiny urban park consisting of literally one tree, located in the median strip of SW Naito Parkway in downtown Portland, Oregon. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the smallest park in the world!

The story of the park makes me consistently laugh out loud. Back in 1948, columnist Dick Fagan of the Oregon Journal planted flowers in a hole where city workers failed to put a light post. Fagan then began publishing whimsical tales about the tiny park, often referencing the leprechauns who took residence here.

The park gained official status from the city in 1971 and is much-loved by Portlanders still today.

While you’re in downtown Portland be sure to stop by Mill Ends to see “the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland.”

Cheap Things To Do In Portland, Oregon

Below are a few ideas for cheap shopping, dining, and entertainment in Portland, Oregon!

Cart Pods

Food halls and cart pods are a great way to support small business and indulge in lots of delicious food! Best of all these options usually offer lower price points than regular restaurants.

Pssst, if you’re wondering what a cart pod is, it’s basically a gathering of food trucks.

There are so many good food halls and and cart pods here, it seems a disservice to mention only a handful, but nonetheless, a few popular options include:

• Prost Marketplace
• Hawthorne Asylum
• Cartlandia
• Pine Street Market
• Portland Food Hall
• Cartopia

Antique Stores & Thrift Shops

Love antiquing? Portland is home to more antique and vintage stores per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. If you love bargains and sifting through uncovered treasures, you’re in for a serious treat when you shop downtown Portland.

Below are a few popular options but there are tons more!

• CAT Thrift Store
• Village Merchants
• Take It Or Leave It
• ARTIFACT: Creative Recycle

Be sure to also check out the many street fairs and farmers markets throughout Portland during the summer months.

State Parks

State parks a great way to get out and explore the wilderness and ample green spaces surrounding Portland! Most require a small fee, below are a few popular parks near Portland:

• Willamette Stone State Heritage Site
• Tryon Creek State Natural Area
• Silver Falls State Park
• Champoeg State Heritage Area
• Ecola State Park
• Wapato Access Greenway State Park
• Milo McIver State Park

As you can see there are tons of excellent free things to do in Portland, Oregon!

Any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below!

If you’d like to follow along with my travels in real time, check out @seen.by.amy on Instagram or @seenbyamy on TikTok!

For more ideas be sure to check out my Portland guides below or head over to Travel Portland!

More Information For Your Portland Vacation:

• The Best Things To Do In Downtown Portland, Oregon
• Weekend In Portland, Oregon Guide

More Information For Your West Coast Travels:

• Washington Guides
• California Guides