Things to do in Portland this weekend
A locals-first shortlist of what's worth your time in Portland this weekend — from outdoor escapes to standout food and live music.
Top spots in Portland
Powell's City of Books
CulturePearl District
The largest independent bookstore in the world — a full city block, plan an afternoon.
Forest Park
OutdoorsNorthwest
5,200 acres of urban old-growth — Wildwood Trail runs 30 miles.
Portland Japanese Garden
CultureWashington Park
Among the most authentic Japanese gardens outside Japan.
Alberta Arts District
Food & DrinkNortheast
Walkable strip of food carts, taprooms and the Last Thursday street fair.
Mississippi Avenue
NightlifeNorth Portland
Indie venues, natural-wine bars and the Mississippi Studios courtyard.
Multnomah Falls Day Trip
OutdoorsColumbia Gorge
620-foot waterfall 30 minutes east — pair with Hood River wineries.
Where to eat
Pok Pok
$$$Thai · Division
Andy Ricker's Northern Thai — get the fish sauce wings, lines move.
Le Pigeon
$$$$French · Lower Burnside
Counter dining, brave menu — foie gras profiteroles are legendary.
Salt & Straw
$Ice cream · Multiple
Pear-and-blue-cheese ice cream made it nationally famous — the line is the experience.
Nong's Khao Man Gai
$Thai chicken & rice · Multiple
One menu item, perfectly executed — the ginger sauce is everything.
Apizza Scholls
$$Pizza · Hawthorne
Arrive early — they cap dough daily and walk-ins disappear.
Live & on stage
Waterfront Blues Festival
Tom McCall Waterfront Park · Jul 3–6 · Blues
Pickathon
Pendarvis Farm · Aug 1–3 · Indie / Folk
Mississippi Studios
N. Mississippi Ave · Year-round · Indie / Mixed
Frequently asked
- Locals' favourites right now: Powell's City of Books, Forest Park, Portland Japanese Garden. The full list is curated weekly and balances outdoor, food, culture and live music picks.