Top Things to Do in Downtown

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Downtown, Portland

Top Things to Do in Downtown

Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Neighbourhoods
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68 results sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Showing results 1-30 of 68

What travellers are saying

  • JRL
    Mukilteo, WA27 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Taking one's time with any gallery was a given, but with French Impressionists and early Modernists, it takes an early morning to lunchtime session with a vibrant crowd. Lots of landscapes and portraits with sculpture centerpieces. Although, I did not recall seeing a Van Gogh at the time, I inadvertently wore my Van Gogh T-shirt when viewing a Rodin. This caught the eye of a fellow patron who then briefly mentioned it and her love of Rodin when she first saw "Le Penseur" [at the Musée Rodin when bragging about her days in Paris]. The Matisse was a surprise because it reminded me of Cannon Beach from "The Goonies". The mix included other modern, post-modern, and meta-modern pieces.
    Written 12 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • phvi2617
    Anaheim, CA735 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a really nice museum that offers a great overview of Oregon's history, from its natural history to its first peoples to statehood and everything between. The exhibits are very interesting, and they do a good job of exploring the complex history of the state. Admission is very reasonable, and it's a nice way to spend a couple hours.
    Written 8 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • maria m
    Fremont, CA6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Even if Portland is your home and have never been to the visitors center, definitely recommend stopping by. I was greeted right away and was given so many great recommendations with a marked up map! Thank you for the warm welcome to Portland!
    Written 12 June 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, CA19 129 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    During our few days in town, we wandered about quite a bit. One of the places we discovered was this very big and pretty park on the river and near downtown. Lots of people out on a sunny day.
    Written 3 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mostly_happy_camper
    New York City, NY247 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Magnificant place, worth a visit even if you do not want to use the library. The staircase from the first to the second floor alone is worth a stop (Central Library on the streetcar).

    If you actually want to go to a library, you can't do much better than this one. It has loads of periodicals, computer stations on all three floors, an excellent children's reading room, and a choice staff, all of whom seem to me to be happy employees, and they are more than willing and totally competent to help you out.

    Not as iconic as the famous New York City library on 42nd Street, but a landmark building in its own right.
    Written 26 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TOURtheWORLDMexPal
    United States3 600 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very nice to have a lunch from the famous food trucks on site and sits on a sunny day listen to life music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Very safe area.
    Written 3 July 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, CA19 129 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This modern sculpture was featured in our downtown walking tour. In fact, this is where we started. It is downtown and in the middle of the skyscrapers. Curious and big.
    Written 4 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • tmazionsmith
    Saint Paul, MN446 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice fountain area in the midst of the city. It was a nice spot to rest for a bit on a warm day. There are several different levels to explore and that provide different viewing points.
    Written 25 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LostInTime
    Pittsburgh, PA24 798 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a mall in the downtown area. It seems to have been spared a lot of the things you see in other building which I assume was from the riots. Downtown is a little rugged but this mall is nice.
    Written 18 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • YanJing Jiang
    Shanghai, China25 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pioneer Courthouse is one of the oldest buildings in Portland. I am very happy to visit though I am a traveller. The building has many American styles furnitures. The building is very beautiful and light. Though it’s my first time to visit, I am also surprised by its beautiful design. Thank you for letting me visit it.
    Written 12 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GillH50
    Stockport, UK5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We have just come back from a family weekend away for my 60 th birthday in this fantastic property. It is ideal for a family group get together. It’s really spacious and so well stocked with cutlery and crockery etc. It is also in a perfect location to explore portpatrick. We would highly recommend this accommodation.
    Written 29 July 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • netdefender77
    Poughquag, NY204 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is, from what I’ve heard, the worlds smallest park. No bigger than a beach ball. It’s a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live here. As it sits in the middle of a crosswalk. Take a quick photo when traffic is light. Worth the quick visit
    Written 30 August 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Richard E
    Coos Bay, OR329 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is an urban college campus in downtown Portland. Very well maintained and accessible . The library was very impressive and the overall campus is very diverse. Very nice eating area, with lots of on campus and near campus places to have about any kind of food you seek, The easy access to the building was a big plus as well. Very enjoyable day.
    Written 3 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • John H
    Columbus, OH196 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were in Portland as part of a trip to a football game, and one of the sites listed as a must see for tourists is this church. Because we visit every cathedral and Basilica we find in Europe, it was a natural for us to stop by this magnificent structure a few blocks from our hotel. Because of criminal activity in American cities, no church is left unlocked anymore, you have to ring the bell for admittance, but once inside, you are free to wander to the sanctuary. The view is breathtaking; an all wood interior, with beautiful carvings. I did not ask the capacity, but with the balcony seating my estimate would be in excess of five hundred, easily. The beautiful interior and the very impressive organ make this one of the most interesting venues in Portland. I hope that they find multiple uses for the space, such as lectures and concerts, because the weekly attendance is down to 150 worshippers.
    Written 14 October 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • minimize940314
    Los Angeles, CA3 536 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is one of the bridges that open for water traffic, but I did not have a chance to see it open. However, the bridge itself is looking interesting, and you should be able to see this from distance if you are hanging along the river parks.
    Written 30 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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