One Day in Portland Itinerary: Best of the City in 24 Hours

Looking to make the most of your day trip to Portland, Oregon, and wondering what to do? 

During my years roaming the West Coast in a van, my Portland experiences consisted mostly of eating at a lot of food trucks and going on day trips along the famous Hood River. It’s a city with a reputation for being laid-back, alternative, and full of good food and coffee.

But with only one day in Portland, it’s better to have a well-planned itinerary to make the most of your visit. I’ve teamed up with Kassidy of The Hiking Helper, who lived just 30 minutes from Portland for 6 months. She’s shown her friends around the city countless times and spends her own time wandering around popular places and hidden gems only known by locals.

From beautiful green spaces to classic downtown city sites, Portland is an exciting place to be. In this post, I’ll give you an itinerary of the best things to do in Portland in one day. Afterward, I’ll pepper in some extra suggestions for those with more time.

Sample One Day in Portland Itinerary

I wanted to make sure that you had everything laid out easily for your trip, so here’s an itinerary for just a single day in Portland. Or if you’re looking for a guided city tour, this excursion below hits almost all the stops on this itinerary.

Morning

• Grab a coffee at Proud Mary Coffee Roastery to fuel up
• Head for a walk at the Portland Japanese Garden
• See the flowers at the International Rose Test Garden

Afternoon

• Wander around Powell’s Books (one of the world’s largest!)
• Take some Instagrammable pictures at the “Keep Portland Weird” sign
• Enjoy a special snack from Voodoo Doughnut
• Lunch at the Food Trucks on Alder Street or join a food tour here!
• Explore the Witch’s Castle and Forest Park

Evening

• Watch the sunset over Mount Hood at Pittock Mansion
• Grab pizza for dinner at one of Portland’s many pizza places
• Alternative: Take a dinner cruise along the Wilamette River
• Stroll along the Willamette River at Tom McCall Waterfront Park after dinner

Recommended Places to Stay in Portland

• 📍Luxury: The Nines
• 📍Mid-Range: Ace Hotel
• 📍Budget: The Society Hotel

Quick Facts to Visiting Portland

You’re about to step into a city where coffee is a culture, and finding a food truck without a queue is like spotting a unicorn. Another fun fact for you: Portland has more breweries per capita than any other city in the world. 

The unofficial motto here is “Keep Portland Weird,” so you’re guaranteed to run into some quirky finds. And if you’re a fan of the great outdoors, the scenery here and nearby is nothing short of breathtaking.

Quick Facts About Portland
Location	Oregon, USA
Best Time to Visit	June to August for warm, dry weather
Where to Stay	Pearl District for art and dining
Best Hotels	📍Luxury: The Nines 📍Mid-Range: Ace Hotel 📍Budget: The Society Hotel
Famous For	Craft breweries, coffeehouses, and arts scene
Population	Approximately 650,000
Time Zone	Pacific Standard Time (PST)
How to Get Around	Public transport (TriMet buses and MAX light rail), biking, walking, car rentals Use DiscoverCars to find rental car deals
City Airports (Distance from Downtown)	Portland International Airport (PDX) – About 12 miles northeast of downtown Use Expedia to find the best flight prices.
Don’t Forget!	If you’re planning to explore the national parks outside the city, a National Park Annual Pass could be a valuable purchase.

What to Do in Portland in One Day

Grab Coffee at Proud Mary Cafe

Portland is home to tons of local and chain coffee shops, but one of my personal favorites is Proud Mary Cafe. Before starting your day, stop at Proud Mary and grab a cup of coffee to fuel up.

There are all sorts of different hot and cold drinks to grab and go to explore the next stop or to relax with for a bit as you wake up.

My favorite drink is the Turmeric Chai Latte, and I always get that without straying. I actually don’t think I tried anything else because I liked it so much!

Go For a Walk at the Portland Japanese Garden

After starting your day with a cozy cup of coffee, your next stop should be the Portland Japanese Garden. Installed within Washington Park, I have always loved visiting the Japanese Garden because it feels so peaceful. 

It spans 5.5 acres with eight distinct garden spaces. A stunning example of Japanese landscaping, its considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.

The garden’s layout has winding paths that lead you through carefully pruned trees, koi ponds, and stone lanterns. My favorite garden is the Strolling Pond Garden as there’s a wonderful waterfall.

It’s really just a great place to start the morning, and if you’re visiting in the fall, you may even get to see the fall foliage, which is really beautiful here!

See the Flowers at the International Rose Test Garden

Just a short walk from the Japanese Garden, this rose garden is the oldest continuously operating public rose test garden in the United States. Portland is often nicknamed the City of Roses, so visiting the Portland Rose Garden seems pretty fitting for your one day visit.

Imagine wandering through over 10,000 rose bushes of approximately 650 varieties. The garden works on growing and testing new varieties of roses, and you can see all of the beautiful flowers they’re growing!

One thing that I noticed during my visit was that it gets really crowded here. We took the free shuttle that runs through Washington Park from March to November.

The garden is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from late May through September, when the roses are in full bloom. Walking through the garden is free.

Wander Around Powell’s City of Books

Spanning an entire city block and housing more than a million books, Powell’s claims the title of the world’s largest used and new bookstore.

The variety is staggering, from rare finds to the latest bestsellers. I always find myself drawn to the rare book room, where you can unearth first editions and signed copies that you won’t find anywhere else. Even if you don’t read, it’s fun to wander through the different themed rooms and see if you can find your way back to the entrance. It’s almost like a maze!

One thing I would recommend is either trying to take public transportation in to Powell’s or park further away because it’s located in Downtown Portland and it’s really hard to find parking nearby.

Powell’s is in the Pearl District, which is packed with great cafes and small galleries. From here, you can walk to the other places on this itinerary.

Visit the Portland Weird Sign

‘Keep Portland Weird’ is a phrase that’s been known around the city for a while, and during your visit, it’s well worth the stop to snap a picture right near the sign.

The sign is just a short walk from Powell’s, making it a great next stop. It’s a quick stop, as long as there aren’t tons of other people there.

The sign is on 3rd Street between Burnside and Ankeny, right behind Dante’s Nightclub. 

Stop By a Few Food Trucks

Aside from pizza and donuts, Portland is known as a big hub for food trucks, and you’ll often find them scattered around.

Roaming the streets of Portland, you’ll stumble upon a few food truck pods, where multiple food trucks are parked in one spot. This is great for grabbing food with friends or family when everyone wants something different.

One notable pod is located at Cartopia on Hawthorne Blvd or the Alder Street Food Cart Pod in downtown.

Some local favorites are Nong’s Khao Man Gai for Thai chicken and rice or Matt’s BBQ for some of the best Texas-style brisket in the Pacific Northwest. But if you can’t decide, I highly recommend joining a food tour.

Enjoy a Snack at Voodoo Doughnuts

Speaking of weird, you must stop at Voodoo Doughnuts during your visit. This makes the perfect snack before heading out of the Downtown area.

Portland is known for having tons of different donut shops, and this is one of the most recommended, especially for tourists.

All of the donuts at Voodoo Doughnuts are made with unique and funny names, plus the flavors are pretty eccentric. It’s just a fun place to go overall.

If you want to try one of Portland’s famous donuts but would rather go to a less touristy place, I recommend Pip’s Original Doughnuts or Blue Star Donuts.

Explore the Witch’s Castle and Forest Park

Now it’s time to head out of downtown to experience some nature. Portland is well known for and lucky to have many green spaces close to the city. It was one of my favorite parts of living there.

Forest Park is one of the very best and actually one of the largest urban forests in the US! This huge park lets you see some of Oregon’s signature outdoors, including the beautiful mossy trees that grow throughout the park.

One of the must-see places within the park is Witch’s Castle. This stone building isn’t exactly a castle, but it has a lot of folklore to it. Originally built as a ranger station in the 1930s, the structure was abandoned after a storm damaged it in the 1960s. Since then, it’s been overtaken by moss and graffiti, and it may have once been home to a young couple who wanted to elope against her father’s wishes.

The trek to the Witch’s Castle is an easy hike, perfect for burning off those Voodoo Doughnuts. To get there, start at the Lower Macleay Trail and follow the signs leading towards the Witch’s Castle, but it does get pretty busy.

Watch the Sunset at Pittock Mansion

I think the best way to end a day is to watch the sunset in Oregon, and what better place than Pittock Mansion, where you can watch the sun go down over Mount Hood?

The Pittock Mansion sits high above the city of Portland on a hill. At sunset, the sky fills with bright pinks and oranges. You can watch the sun sink down over the city and see the colors set in on Mount Hood.

You can also visit the inside of the mansion or wander around the mansion grounds and enjoy the beautiful area.

It’s really one of the most beautiful spots and is a nice, peaceful way to spend the evening after your one day in Portland, Oregon.

Grab Pizza for Dinner

Portland is also known for pizza, so for dinner, I recommend checking out one (or a few) of the many pizza joints around the city!

There are dozens of places to eat around the city, but one of the top options is Ranch PDX. They serve square deep-dish pies that are absolutely to die for. My favorite was always the Supreme Being because it has a little bit of everything on it.

Other good places are Sizzle Pie, Life of Pie, and Ken’s Artisan, one of my personal favorites.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Since I’m not super into the beer scene, I loved ending the day on a leisurely post-dinner walk along the Willamette River riverfront to view the city skyline and bridges. Or you can just go for a dinner cruise on the river for a longer experience.

Follow the Willamette Park Trail for about 2 miles to catch a view of the city, and you can even go out onto the water in the marina area.

Many of the city’s renowned festivals and events, such as the Portland Rose Festival and the Oregon Brewers Festival, are held here, so check for upcoming events during your visit.

Where to Stay in Portland

The best neighborhood I recommend staying in while in Portland is the Pearl District. It’s near most of the best activities and has many restaurants and things to do. 

Meanwhile, Northwest Portland, including the historic Alphabet District, is more residential but still has cafes and boutiques. Otherwise, for a more eclectic and bohemian vibe, Southeast Portland, especially along Hawthorne Boulevard, delivers more of a classic Portland quirkiness.

Best Hotels in Portland

Hotel Name	Benefits
📍Luxury: The Nines	– Timeless luxury in a historic building – Voted one of the best hotels in the Pacific Northwest – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner locally-inspired dining
📍Mid-Range: Ace Hotel	– Heart of Downtown Portland – Edgy Decor and a range of room options – On-site bar, restaurant and Stumptown Coffee Roastery – Bicycle rentals
📍Budget: The Society Hotel	– Boutique hotel located in Old Town, near The Pearl District – Beautiful rooftop terrace – Communal spaces for meeting others – Standard rooms or hostel-style rooms

Other Things to Do in Portland With More Time

If you have some extra time, there are so many other things that you can do around Portland to add to your itinerary! Here are some of my favorites.

Places to Visit with More Time

Other Things to Do in Portland

• OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry): An interactive science museum featuring exhibits on technology, natural sciences, a planetarium and the USS Blueback Submarine.
• Portland Saturday Market: A large outdoor arts and crafts market featuring local vendors, live music, and food stalls.
• Oregon Zoo: Located in Washington Park, the zoo houses many species and is committed to conservation efforts and education.
• Lan Su Chinese Garden: A tranquil oasis in the middle of the city, showcasing Ming Dynasty-style architecture and hundreds of rare plant species.
• Alberta Arts District:  A hip and diverse neighborhood known for its thriving arts scene, with galleries, boutiques, and delicious food options.
• Portland Art Museum: The oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, featuring various collections from ancient to modern times.
• Check Out A McMenamin’s: I visited a few McMenamin’s while living in Portland. These restaurants/stays are in unique buildings, such as old theaters, churches, or schools. My favorite was the McMenamins Kennedy School, which has a pool, movie theater, bars, and a restaurant.
• Hillsboro’s Airplane Home: I went to visit an eccentric man who built a house out of an airplane. He even let us camp at his place overnight!

Day Trips from Portland

• Cannon Beach (1.5 hours): Famous for its iconic Haystack Rock and beautiful sandy shores, it’s great for flying kites or long walks by the seaside.
• Tillamook Cheese Factory (1 hour 45 minutes): Offers tours of the cheese-making process, free cheese samples, and delicious ice cream.
• Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (3 hours): Explore the sights and learn about the 1980 eruption at the visitor center.
• Hood River (1 hour): Scenery and wineries and a haven for windsurfing and kiteboarding
• Oregon Wine Country – Willamette Valley (1 hour): Sip your way through some of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noirs with winetastings like this in the vineyards of the Willamette Valley.
• Crater Lake National Park (3+ hours): Marvel at the deep blue waters of the USA’s deepest lake and enjoy scenic drives and trails.
• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (30 min): I would highly recommend heading into the Columbia River Gorge and stopping by some of the amazing waterfalls right on the roadside. This gorge is home to over 90 waterfalls in just a small distance, and you can see many of them without even a hike. My favorite is Latourell Falls. Other favorites include Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls. The tallest waterfall in Oregon is also found here, Multnomah Falls. (Join a waterfalls tour here)
• Mount Hood (1.5 hours): Take a trip to Mount Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon. My favorite way to spend time on Mount Hood is to go skiing at Timberline Lodge or hiking around the base of the mountain.
• Silver Falls State Park (1.5 hours): Known as the “crown jewel” of Oregon State Parks, and for good reason. The Trail of Ten Falls lets you walk behind waterfalls. Yes, behind them. How cool is that?

Is 1 Day Enough for Portland

Covering Portland in just one day is a challenge given that it is a major city, and the biggest in Oregon at the very least. If you have only 24 hours, focus on highlights and downtown areas and get ready to stuff yourself with food. 

Although I really liked Portland as a city, if you have more time to spare, I highly recommend taking a day trip to the waterfalls along the Colombia River Gorge or hiking at Mt. Hood.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to go to Portland is between June and August. The weather is sunny and warm, perfect for the great outdoors and catching some of the local festivals. But, it gets pretty crowded and prices for hotels can go up because everyone wants to be there in summer.

If you’re not into big crowds and wouldn’t mind cooler weather, think about going in spring (March to May) or fall (September to October). The weather’s still nice, the scenery is amazing with all those colors, and you won’t have to deal with as many people or high prices. Winter gets cold and wet, which can deter many. 

How to Get There

Portland, Oregon, is a major US city, so it’s pretty well-connected. The city’s primary gateway is the Portland International Airport (PDX). Score the best flight prices using Expedia.

By Road: Driving to Portland is scenic, especially if you want to take the long way from the Oregon coast. The city sits at the junction of I-5, the main north-south interstate on the West Coast, and I-84, which stretches eastward. This makes the city easily reachable from urban centers like Seattle (about 3 hours) and trips from San Francisco (about 10 hours). 

Find great rental car deals with DiscoverCars.

Train Travel: Amtrak operates three routes through Portland: the Coast Starlight (running from Seattle to Los Angeles), the Empire Builder (connecting Portland with Chicago), and the Amtrak Cascades (serving the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver, Canada, to Eugene, Oregon).

Bus Travel: Bus services like Greyhound and BoltBus provide affordable options from various locations on the West Coast. Within the city, Portland’s public transit system includes buses, light rail (the MAX), and streetcars.

Final Thoughts: Day Trip to Portland

Despite being a major city, Portland has a smaller city feel. While it may not boast an endless list of activities, its scenic beauty makes it a great place for a short visit, and I was fully stuffed every night in town. 

Curious about what else Oregon has to offer? Jump over to our other travel guides for more experiences around the state.

Don’t close that tab just yet…Where to Next in Oregon?

I’ve vanlifed up, through, and about all of West Oregon three times now. If you’re looking for more information on Oregon, check out these other destination itineraries.

• Perfect One Day In Crater Lake Itinerary For First-Timers
• One Day in Portland Itinerary: Best of the City in 24 Hours

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures.