Been asked numerous times for things to do in Portland, so here’s a list..

1. Hiking and Waterfalls

Columbia River Gorge. Take a drive on 84 to Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway. Some of the popular places that people like to stop over for photos are Latourell Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls and Vista Point.

These are a couple more in the same loop but some hiking would be involved.

Ponytail Falls (0.8 miles roundtrip with 360 ft elevation gain. Pretty easy hike with some elevation gain. You would start at Horsetail Falls Trailhead)

Fairy Falls (2 miles roundtrip with 800 ft elevation gain. Slightly strenuous hike. You would start at Wahkeena Trailhead. There is 3 trails there and its the right most trail when you face Wahkeena from the parking. You have to walk past the small wooden bridge. Theres been a sign that says its closed for a long time but the closure is past fairy falls, so you can still take the trail up to Fairy Falls. )

Oneonta Gorge (1 mile roundtrip. This is a popular one in the summer but it involves some log climbing and you will get wet. Probably not kid friendly as well. You would start at Oneonta Gorge Trailhead)

Elowah Falls (1.4 mile roundtrip. Easy hike. You would start at Elowah Falls Trailhead)

2. Portland Waterfront

3. Shopping. TAX FREE shopping..

Pioneer Square for some tax free shopping pretty big mall in downtown Portland.
Theres another big mall, Washington Square in Tigard.
For outlets the best one would be, Woodburn Premium Outlets. Its nothing like the Premium Outlets in California but its tax free. :)

4. Powell’s Books (popular gigantic bookstore)

5. Pittock Mansion has a good view of Downtown Portland and Mount Hood.

6. Food Cart are like everywhere in Portland and heres a few that I like.

Nong’s Khao Man Gai (Thai styled Chicken and Rice. My Thai friends love this place!)
E-San Thai Cart (I really like the Pad Gai from here)
Chicken and Guns
Brunch Box
Thai Kee Mao (I really like the Pad Ban Mee from here)
Straits Kitchen (Kinda new Malaysian/Singaporean cart in Sellwood)

7. Brunch and Eats

Below are a few famous ones for brunch but I personally like Broders and Tasty n Sons.

Broders (Scandinavian)
Screen Door (Their Chicken and Waffles only available at brunch is awesome)
Mothers Bistro
Tasty n Sons, Tasty n Alder
Pine Street Market

Other Eats...

Salt and Straw (famous Portlandia flavored icecream)
Pok Pok (famous Thai food, expect a 1-2 hour wait)
Pine State Biscuits
The Waffle Window
Andina (personally love this place)
Lechon (pretty new place and a couple of my friends love this place)
Toro Bravo, Pollo Bravo, Tasty and Sons, Tasty and Alder (they are the same chain of restaurant and they are all good. I like Toro Bravo for dinner and the any of the Tasty for Brunch)
Pambiche (Cuban Food)
Blue Star Donuts
Le Pigeon
Voodoo Donuts (famous donuts and they are open 24 hours, ridiculous lines all day and way overated but still gonna leave it here anyways)

Finally Asian Fix...

Bubble N Tea. (Hands down best boba in Portland. Thai owned, their Lychee Thai Tea and Strawberry Matcha is Legendary)
Kizuki Ramen formerly Kukai Ramen (awesome Ramen in Beaverton, OR)
Kenny's Noodle House (legit HK Noodles, like I really meant legit. Whenever I bring HK friends there, they are always a little doubtful till they walk into the restaurant.)
Yama Sushi and Izakaya
Mee Sen Thai Eatery (hipster Thai)

8. Coffee scene. Portland has a huge coffee scene, theres like cafes everywhere. Heres my personal favorites

Stumptown Coffee
Coava Coffee
Cup & Bar (Formerly Trailhead Coffee Roasters / Accidental Cafe)

9. Happy Hour and Breweries. Both places have a good view of the city.

Happy Hour at Portland City Grill
Happy Hour at Departure Restaurant + Lounge (has outdoor seating with heaters kinda nice for summer nights)

Some Popular Breweries

Henry’s 12th Street Tavern
Deschutes Brewery & Public House
Hopworks

10. Mount Hood Area. If you still have time, heres some places with good views of Mount Hood, all pretty accessible with a car and basically awesome views with no hiking involved.

Trillium Lake, Lost Lake and Larch Mountain in the summer
Timberline Lodge in the winter

11. Oregon Coast Area. If you still even more time, here's some worthy places to stopover along the Oregon Coast.

Cannon Beach
Seaside
Astoria
Cape Kiwanda
Thor's Well (look this up its really cool and also slightly dangerous)

12. Painted Hills. A really far drive from Oregon but this place has gotten really popular over the years and I got a couple groups of friends visiting from Singapore and Hong Kong that made their way there.

13. Bend, Oregon Area. Some stuff worth checking out around Bend.

Proxy Falls
Smith Rock
Sparks Lake
Toketee Falls (Iceland looking falls)

14. Crater Lake. Finally the furthest away from Portland but totally worth a visit.