Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Portland?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Portland?
Many visitors spend two to three days in Portland during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to go hiking, explore the small town, dance the night away, and take in the beautiful scenery.
Portland is a progressive and eclectic city that is very close to Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge area. The city is filled with forested parks and outdoor areas that you can explore. The gardens are immersive and beautiful, and the bike trails offer easy access to many parts of the city. There are also independent bookshops, farmers markets, and a huge art scene. Visitors enjoy wandering the unique neighborhood's and soaking up the atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind city.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Portland? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Portland?
Three days in Portland is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend two to three days here. This amount of time is perfect if you want to go hiking, explore the small town, dance the night away, and take in the beautiful scenery. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
How to spend 3 days in Portland
Known for it's hiking, Portland sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Hiking Tour ($71)
- Hike and Bike Tour to Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls ($99)
- Forest Park Urban Hiking Tour, Portland ($59)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Power Through Portland Bar Crawl ($12)
Portland is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Portland is Washington Park, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Portland is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Intro to Portland Small Group Walking Tour ($29)
- Makers and Artisans of Portland Walking Tour ($55)
- Macabre Ghost History of Portland, Oregon walking tour ($34)
The public transit in Portland is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.
The small-town atmosphere of Portland is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. While not a small town, Portland has managed to hold on to some of its small town vibe.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Intro to Portland Small Group Walking Tour ($29)
- Portland City Tour: Views and News (Our Best Selling Tour!) ($79)
- Portland Morning City Tour ($85)
Live music is very popular in Portland, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.
Is 4 days enough time in Portland?
With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Portland has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Portland as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the hiking, the small town charm, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Portland, Oregon
How to spend 4 days in Portland
If you have more than 4 days in Portland, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Shopping in Portland is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.
Is 5 days enough time in Portland?
Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Portland, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to go hiking, explore the small town, dance the night away, and take in the beautiful scenery on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Portland as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend 5 days in Portland
Having 5 days in Portland will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
After you've explored most of Portland, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Mt Hood Day Trip from Portland to Multnomah Falls and Hood River ($140)
- Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock ($140)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Portland, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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