So you want to come visit Portland? You’re not alone. In 2015 8.9 million people visited! While we lack the exorbitant prices that can be seen traveling to Paris, Singapore, or New York City it can be pricier than many smaller cities in the US if you don’t know where to look.
Check out the following tips to stretch your dollars the farthest- besides saving on our lack of sales tax.
Research
No need to pay for a guidebook to Portland, there is plenty of free information to be found using my blog as well as other publications. Willamette Weekly and Portland Mercury have concert, art, and entertainment listings and also (typically colorful) commentary and opinion pieces. You can either pick them up most anywhere around Portland or visit their websites. PDX Monthly is another good source although I’ve noticed their recommendations sometimes are more geared to visitors who like fine dining rather than where locals actually go out to eat. PDX Eater is an amazing food blog that has everything food related, and is an excellent source of finding places by location with their guides to essential restaurants and new-and-hot restaurants as well.
Food & Drink
In Portland, we have Happy Hour at any given day of the week between 7 AM and 1 AM. Don’t simply take my word for it, check out Willamette Week’s Happy Hour Guide. Also, you can check Yelp and select “Happy Hour” and you’ll receive a list of places that have that going on when you’re looking for it.
Our favorite HH items for food are burgers, nachos (or totchos), chicken wings, and pizza. The cheapest favorite HH beers are, of course, Pabst and Rainier. Breweries that serve food tend to be hit-or-miss for happy hour and some places will require a drink purchased with ordering food items on the happy hour menu. As always, make sure to tip accordingly and on non-happy hour prices.
Food cart pods and dining halls are also an excellent way to save money and support local businesses, and there are no shortage of food carts here. Czech, Scandinavian, Malaysian, and even Mauritian food can be eaten as well as everything in between.
Accommodations
For affordable local options besides Couchsurfing and AirBnB, check out the below local lodging (prices not including tax)
McMenamins Edgefield- women and men hostels at $30 a night, also private rooms starting at $60. Its location in Troutdale makes it convenient for Columbia Gorge hiking and only a 20 minute drive without traffic to downtown Portland.
McMenamins White Eagle- Bunk beds and full room with common bathrooms starting at $65. It’s conveniently located centrally in North Portland walking distance from the MAX, Moda Center, and Mississippi Street area and 5-10 minutes drive from NW and downtown.
Hostelling International Hawthorne- Starting at $34 a night for a bunk, $74 for private rooms. There are plenty of local spots and endless options walking distance on Belmont, Hawthorne, and Division. This area is also very bike friendly making it convenient for bikers, walkers, and exploring the eastside.
Hostelling International Northwest- Starting at $31 a night for a bunk co-ed dorm, $67 for private rooms. It’s walking distance from Nob Hill, Pearl District, Providence Park, and downtown making it convenient for those who want to spend a lot of time on the westside and avoid having to rent a car.
Entertainment
$5 and under see a movie at one of the below local theaters:
Cinemagic Theater (before 5:45 PM price only)
Moreland Theater (before 6 PM price only)
Walk around one of the following gardens:
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden Free Monday and Tuesday, $4 other days March-September
One of our three free Rose Gardens
Leach Botanical Garden Free, open Tues-Sat 9 AM-4 PM and Sunday 1 PM- 4 PM
Free Markets and Vendor Shopping events
Check out the Portland Saturday Market, also open on Sundays
Night Market
Events at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Wander around Powell’s City of Books, the largest used & new bookstore in the world. Open every day 9 AM-11 PM and even on holidays (hours may vary) you can spend hours in the store and read books. They also purchase and sell used books and have readings from authors. Notable authors that have recently graced Powell’s Books are Anna Kendrick, Bernie Sanders, Bruce Springsteen, and Pulitzer prize winning Michael Chabon.
Last Thursday on NE Alberta held the last Thursday every month year round but really pops off during the summer when it’s open 6:00-9:30 May-September and runs from 15th to 30th Avenues
For Art Lovers
Portland Art Museum has free hours on the first Thursday of every month from 5 PM – 8 PM and also during all hours the first full weekend of the month lets anyone with a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card in free.
First Thursday in the Pearl District and NW area is an art gallery open house with more than 30 galleries participating, held the first Thursdays of every month
Activities
Walking Tours
Hiking- Columbia Gorge, Forest Park, Tryon and many more
Urban hiking- There are plenty of Portland parks with easy hiking such as Oaks Bottom, Mt Tabor, Rocky Butte, and Powell Butte.
Floating- People get creative with their floating tools- air bed and tire to nicer swan and Seadoo floats down one of the close by rivers during a sunny summer day. If it pops, hitch a ride with another crew.
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