Save Money With These Free Activities in Portland, OR
Oregon’s largest city is known for its eco-friendliness, microbreweries, and coffee houses. This Pacific Northwest city is close to many gorgeous hiking trails and natural wonders. If you’re looking to take a laid-back vacation with delicious restaurants and breweries plus gorgeous scenery, Portland is the place to visit.
While the average traveler spends over $125 in Portland, it’s possible to enjoy this city on a shoestring budget and spend much less than that. Especially if you add some of these free things to do in Portland into your itinerary!
These free things to do in Portland will give you a taste of the city’s culture. The city prides itself on its natural beauty, sustainability, and great beverages, and you won’t have to spend a dime to see why. By sticking to free attractions, you can see how the locals keep Portland weird without overspending a dime.
Keep reading for our top 10 list of free activities in Portland!
Portland’s 10 Best FREE Things to Do
Forest Park
Address: Northwest corner of Portland. Various trailheads and parking lots.
This 5,200-acre park includes rivers, waterfalls, and 80 miles of trails in northwest Portland. Despite Forest Park’s size, you can hike here without leaving Portland.
Hiking to the Witch’s Castle, an old stone house, is an especially popular hike in Forest Park; it’s just half a mile on the Lower Macleay Trail. The trailhead is off the Macleay Parking Lot.
Springwater Corridor
Address: Begins at SE Ivon St.
The Springwater Corridor is a gateway to Portland’s parks. Along this 14-mile trail, you’ll find some of Portland’s prettiest scenery. Powell Butte Nature Park, the Leach Botanical Garden, and Beggars Tick Wildlife Refuge are all viewable from the Springwater Corridor.
International Rose Test Garden
Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave.
This botanical garden holds over 10,000 roses of 650 varieties. Every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can take a free guided tour at 1:00pm. The garden is open to the public from 7:30am-9:00pm.
Portland Saturday Market
Address: 2 SW Naito Pkwy.
Creatives from all over the country settle down in Portland. Admire the craft vendors at this popular weekend market, which is open on Saturdays from March through Christmas Eve. The Portland Saturday Market is the largest continuously operated outdoor market in the United States
Though it’s free to walk around, you may want to purchase a souvenir or two. This is also a good place to find a delicious, yet comparatively affordable lunch.
Keller Fountain Park
Address: Intersection of SW 3rd Ave. & SW Clay St.
This manmade urban fountain drops 13,000 gallons of water per minute. Keller Fountain Park’s open space has become a city landmark, and it makes for great photos.
Powell’s City of Books
Address: 1005 E. Burnside St.
Stop by Portland’s bookstore that occupies an entire block! Powell’s City of Books in Portland is the largest independent book store in the world and is home to roughly one million books.
You could spend hours browsing Powell’s wide selection of books, including rare titles in their dedicated room. While it’s free to browse, you may find yourself going home with a couple new titles to read.
Ecliptic Brewing Tour
Address: 825 N. Cook St.
Ecliptic Brewing gives free tours, which not every brewery in Portland offers. Join a walk-in tour on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays at 12:00pm.
Ground Breaker Brewing Tour
Address: 2030 SE 7th Ave.
Here’s another free brewery to tour! Ground Breaker Brewing is 100% gluten-free, as is their gastropub. Ask your server about their free tours or call ahead to arrange one.
Frank Kidd Toy Museum
Address: 1301 SE Grand Ave.
Bring your inner kid to the Frank Kidd Toy Museum. Frank Kidd owns one of the largest collections of antique toys. Every toy on display is an antique, with most of them being made between 1869 and 1939. This is a private collection that is housed next to an auto shop, run by Frank Kidd himself. Hours can be very sporadic.
Stark’s Vacuum Museum
Address: 107 NE Grand Ave.
A vacuum museum?? You may be thinking. Yup, helping to keep Portland weird! But really, Stark’s Vacuum Museum is surprisingly fun. Check out some vintage vacuums at this unique Portland museum. Stark’s has vacuums dating back to the late 1800s. The museum is open during the vacuum store’s normal hours.
Fill your trip itinerary with these free activities in Portland, which are suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers. Plus, when you save on attractions, you can spend more on the Northwest’s famous coffee!