Where To Go And What To See In Portland Oregon

Powell’s City of Books and Voodoo Doughnut are just a couple of must-visit destinations in Oregon‘s largest city.

1. Downtown/Riverwalk Waterfront, for an introduction to the Rose City

Park

If you’re just getting started on your visit to Portland, there’s no destination with a higher density of exciting activities than the downtown and riverfront areas. There’s plenty of room in the downtown areas north and south of Burnside Street, and a host of the city’s best stores, restaurants and attractions. With shopping opportunities at the Pioneer Place Mall, museums along the South Park Blocks, hotels and restaurants along Broadway and a riverwalk alongside the Willamette at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, find something for everyone at this top Portland tourist spot.

2. The city’s numerous breweries, for beer lovers

Pub, American

Think you love beer? Come test your devotion at any of Portland’s 75+ breweries within the city limits. Spread across the city’s neighborhoods, brewers serve to fulfill the city’s nickname, Beervana, in both micro and macro fashion. While it might be hard to reach all of them in a single visit (even a majority of locals haven’t paid a visit to every brewery), standouts include Widmer Brothers Brewing, Hopworks Urban Brewery and the Deschutes Brewpub.

3. Powell’s City of Books, for a burgeoning bookworm

Bookstore

Powells City of Books, This landmark, multi-level source for new & used books also houses a cafe & selection of gifts. Portland, Oregon

To many Portlanders, Powell’s City of Books is a second home. Its popularity is pervasive: visitors can be found lingering around the shelves or thumbing through new and used selections, rain or shine, any time of year. If you’re visiting for the first time, experiencing the color-coded floor plan and and 1.6 acres (0.64 hectares) of retail space in the downtown location might seem overwhelming at the start, but spend some time in each section, and you’ll understand why this is often the first location people point to as a must-see in Portland.

5. The Old Town Entertainment District, for quality nightlife

Historical Landmark

Neon sign for Old Town, Portland, Oregon, US

Whether you’re looking to cap off a full day of activity or you’re just in Rose City for one night, hit the town at the city’s most popular bars and nightclubs in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood in the central west side. Party with Portlanders at places such as The Barrel Room piano bar and historical gay bar CC Slaughters, or dance the night away at the Dirty Nightclub, which are all within a few blocks of one another.

6. Voodoo Doughnut, for a sweet retreat

Dessert Shop, Bakery, American, Dessert

Voodoo Doughnuts store, Portland, Oregon, USA. Image shot 10/2012. Exact date unknown.

Portland’s infatuation with doughnuts is well documented, but Voodoo Doughnut stands as the face of the doughnut revolution in Stumptown. At the shop’s most popular location just south of Burnside Street on SW 3rd Avenue, visitors can expect a host of unique flavors, including the eponymous Voodoo doughnut, in the shape of a voodoo doll complete with jelly-filling blood. Anticipate a line during peak hours, but plan ahead and snag a half-dozen during your night out in Old Town before their 9pm closing time.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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