Activities and Events
For example, you can take in the permanent collections and rotating exhibitions at the Portland Art Museum, the oldest art museum on the West Coast. Then meander along the winding paths and ornate architecture of the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Or get your culture al fresco during Pioneer Courthouse Square events, from concerts to flower festivals.
If you prefer your activities more electronic, fill your pockets with quarters and head to Ground Kontrol. This pinball and classic video games arcade is open to all ages until 5 p.m. Then plug in and sing your heart out Punch Bowl Social’s karaoke. (If you’re not a natural singer, you can regain your bragging rights by beating everyone else at darts, foosball or bowling.) And if you want to watch the latest releases on the big screen, you have your choice of movie theaters: Fox Tower, Pioneer Place and Living Room theaters are all downtown.
Two of Portland’s most iconic ongoing events, the Portland Farmer’s Market and Portland Saturday Market, also make their home downtown. The Portland Farmer’s Market on the Portland State University campus brings the freshest goods from local farmers, bakers and beekeepers. And the Saturday Market (which is also open on Sunday) features gifts, clothes, art and more along the waterfront.
How to Get There
If you’re driving in, the five SmartPark garages are an affordable way to stash your car while you walk throughout the neighborhood. (Plus, more than 375 businesses downtown validate your parking, so ask when you shop, eat and explore!) You can also park streetside by paying at a machine on the sidewalk or using the parking app ParkingKitty.
Downtown is also served by Portland’s public transportation. All five lines of the city light rail connect downtown, making it an easy hub to travel to from nearly anywhere in the Portland metro area. TriMet buses also run throughout downtown.
If you prefer your transportation two-wheeled, zip around on the electronic scooters you’ll find throughout downtown. Or rent one of the orange bikes you’ll see on sidewalks across the city.
No matter how you get to Downtown Portland, you’ll be glad you came.
Supporting Downtown Portland
We know everyone is doing their part to stay safe. Following recommendations and updates on COVID-19 (coronavirus) from government officials, we want to remind you of the many businesses in our downtown core that are impacted during these difficult times.
