Summer is my favorite time of the year to visit Portland. The weather is absolutely gorgeous and there are a ton of fun summer events. Portland in summer is the perfect weekend getaway and you will not be sorry if you spend some of your summer vacation in Portland.
US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Portland here. They are very affordable too!
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How to Get to Portland Oregon
If you are visiting from Seattle, the Amtrak is the easiest and most convenient way to get to Portland (unless you drive). From most other places, plan to fly into Portland International Airport (PDX). From California, tickets normally cost a little under $200 round trip. We usually get ours for around $150 round trip!
Transportation for Two Days in Portland
Although Portland does have a light rail and bus system, if you plan on taking any day trips, I recommend renting a car. To rent a car, I recommend using Autoslash to find the best rental car prices. We were able to find a parking garage near our hotel for $7/day.
If you opt to stay in Portland and use public transportation, it costs $2.50/ride and there is no day pass option. Uber and Lyft are also widely available.
Where to Stay in Portland
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Portland hotels here! Also, check out this post with some of my favorite Portland hotels.
Portland has a ton of different areas to explore. If it is your first visit, I recommend staying in the Downtown Portland area near Pioneer Square and the Pearl District for your two days in Portland. This will ensure you are within walking distance of many of the main sites. If it is not your first visit, and are more of a foodie, opt to stay in Eastern Portland in the Moda Center, Lloyd District area. This area has a ton more unique restaurants and bars and is where more of the locals live.
The following are some of the best hotels in Portland. *means it is one of my favorites!
- Hilton Portland Downtown
- The Duniway Portland*
- Hyatt Centric Downtown*
- AC Marriott Portland Downtown*
- Moxy Portland Downtown
- Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
- Home2Suites Portland Airport
- Residence Inn Portland Airport
- Hyatt Place Portland Airport/Cascade Station
- Hampton Inn Portland East
Things to do in Portland in Summer
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
Cost: Free
Month: July
Every summer in Portland, Cathedral Park hosts a free Jazz festival all weekend long! It begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Those who appreciate jazz will enjoy hanging out at the festival.
There are plenty of food trucks and vendors at the festival. You can also bring your own food. Attendees will also want to bring their own chairs or blankets as it is one big lawn where everyone just grabs a spot.
Portland Craft Beer Festival
Cost: $40
Month: July
The Portland Craft Beer Festival is one of the most popular things to do in Portland in Summer. It takes place each July at Fields Park in the Pearl District. They typically have over 20 breweries attend the event.
Your ticket includes a keepsake glass and 10 drink tickets (40 ounces of beer). The ticket gets you in all three days. They also offer a discounted non-drinking ticket. In addition, there will be food trucks.
Concert in the Park
Cost: Free
All across Portland in summer are various free events put on by the city. This includes a ton of free concerts in all different genres. Other events include movies in the park, festivals, and more! Check out the websites to see specific dates of events.
Timbers Game
Cost: $20 and Up
The Timbers are Portland’s male soccer team that plays at Providence Park. Timbers games are a very fun and entertaining experience you will not want to miss in Portland in Summer. Tickets are pretty easy to get, even last minute! Be prepared for a loud and chaotic night, but you will not be sorry watching a match.
Thorns Game
Cost: $15 and Up
The Thorns are Portland’s women’s soccer team that plays at Providence Park. A Thorns game is one of the many fun things to do in Portland in summer and makes for a fun evening out. They play at least once a week but check their schedule online for more information.
Go for a Hike
Cost: Free and Up
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Portland in summer has the best weather for hiking and the area has no shortage of amazing hikes, especially in the Columbia River Gorge. Within Portland are amazing hikes such as the Witch’s Castle and Forest Park. Outside of Portland Latourell Falls and Horsetail Falls are other popular options.
Enjoy a Distillery
Cost: $5 and up
Hours: Varies by Distillery
In Portland, a series of craft distilleries came together to form Distillery Row. They are scattered around the downtown area and are the perfect place to visit in Portland in summer. Straightaway Cocktails has a ton of perfect cocktails to enjoy during the summertime while many of the other distilleries have amazing outdoor spaces to enjoy.
Eat at a Food Truck Pod
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by Pod
Food truck pods are always a fun attraction in Portland. Grabbing a meal at the food truck pods in Portland in summer means perfect weather to chill outdoors, enjoy some delicious food, and enjoy the outdoors. It is even better if you can go with a big group so you can enjoy a smorgasbord of food from different trucks.
View Multnomah Falls
Cost: $2
Hours: 9am-6pm
Multnomah Falls is always one of the best things to do in Portland in summer as you will be able to hike up to the top of the falls! It will take at least an hour to complete this hike, but it will be worth the views. Note that from May 26 to September 4 a permit is required to visit Multnomah Falls.
Stroll through Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Cost: $5
Hours: Thus-Tues: 10:30am-3:30pm, Wed: 1pm-3:30pm
The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is another one of the best things to do in Portland in Summer as many of the flowers will be in the perfect bloom. The gardens have a lot of peaceful areas to walk through and have many spaces to enjoy the scenery.
View the Roses at the International Test Garden
Cost: Free
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Another one of the main things to do in Portland in summer is to visit the roses at the International Test Garden. Typically the roses begin to bloom at the end of May, so they are in full bloom during July and August. This is also a fantastic photo spot. Go right before sunset for the best lighting.
Concert in Pioneer Courthouse Square
Cost: Free and Up
Months: All Summer
Each weekend during summer, Pioneer Courthouse Square hosts a variety of concerts. The genres and groups change each year, but it is a great opportunity to see some amazing groups in an outdoor area. This makes for one of the best things to do in Portland in summer.
Concert at McMenamins
Cost: Free and Up
Mcmenamins has an extensive concert list across their venues that everyone can find a genre they like. Many of them are outside, thus making it the perfect thing to do in Portland in summer as the weather in the evenings will be perfect to enjoy an outdoor concert. Check their website for more information about the concerts.
Go on a Food Tour
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by Company
One of the best things to do in Portland in summer is to go on a food tour. The weather is perfect for walking around and eating outside. Portland has some of the most amazing restaurants, so going on a food tour is a great way to sample as many as possible.
Grab a S’mores from 1927 S’mores Company
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 5pm-11pm, Fri: 3pm-11:30pm, Sat: 2pm-11:30pm, Sun: 2pm-10pm
To me, S’mores are such a summer thing as it brings me back to sitting around a campfire. Therefore, a fun thing to do in Portland in summer is to stop by the 1927 S’mores Company to grab one of their unique s’mores.
Watch a Movie McMenamins Kennedy School
Cost: $6
Hours: Varies
The McMenamins Kennedy School has an amazing movie theater that is the perfect thing to do in Portland in summer. They show some current releases, but in summer, their main focus is family-friendly matinee movies. You will get to relax in comfy armchairs and have the chance to order food and drink if you want snacks as you enjoy the show.
Naked Bike Ride
Cost: Free and Up
Month: July or August
The Naked Bike Ride is an annual event in Portland in summer. It is exactly as it sounds… tons of people riding on bikes naked across the city. The ride takes place as a protest against the dependency on oil as being naked as part of a protest is protected under Oregon state law.
Make sure to be aware of when this event is when visiting Portland in summer as many of the roads close, or if you do not want to see masses of people in their birthday suits.
Drive the Fruit Loop
Cost: Free and Up
The Fruit Loop is located about an hour outside of Portland near Hood River. Along this loop are 28 fruit stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and flower fields. You can easily spend a day or two driving around the area. My favorites include Hope Ranch Lavender, Mt. Hood Winery, and Hood Crest Winery and Distillery.
Final Thoughts on Portland in Summer
There are so many fun things to do in Portland in summer, that you will never be bored. Summer is the perfect time to visit Portland as the weather is absolutely perfect and there are an endless number of activities to keep you busy every day of the week. What are some of your favorite things to do in Portland in summer?
1 thought on “15+ Fun and Exciting Things to Do in Portland in Summer (2025)”
Nice! I wasn’t aware there was so much to do in Portland. I would definitely take that food tour. I’ve never been, but hoping to go soon!