If you’re preparing to play host for visiting friends or relatives, you may want to plan some activities to get everyone out of the house — while subtly showing off your home city, of course. Even if the weather is less-than-ideal, we have some ideas on how to wow your out-of-town guests.
Voodoo Doughnut, 22 SW 3rd Ave. | Photo by @travelgal79
When hunger strikes
Among our city’s plethora of eateries are some that have risen to tourism fame, and for good reason. Don’t let your guests go home without experiencing at least one of them.
- Satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth at Voodoo Doughnut (locations in Old Town Chinatown + Northeast Portland ) and take home a pink box full of treats for later. Pro tip: The bacon maple bar + Portland cream are fan-favorites.
- Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen in downtown Portland — we’ll let the 4.5-star Google rating with more than 4,400 reviews speak for itself.
- Did you even go to Portland if you didn’t visit a craft brewery? We don’t have just one brewery to recommend, but many have seasonal winter brews on tap + menus inspired by the Pacific Northwest.
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. | Photo by Powell’s Books
When everyone is stir-crazy
Give your guests an experience they can only have in Portland.
- For panoramic views of the city, take a quick drive to the historic Pittock Mansion .
- A visit to the world’s largest independent bookstore — Powell’s City of Books — will delight bookworms + non-readers alike.
- With a planetarium, a retired Navy submarine, and hands-on exhibits, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a local treasure for all ages. If your group has several hours to spare, this will be a hit.
- Ignite some friendly competition at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar .
- If your visitors came equipped with rain jackets + don’t mind a little mud, a hike on the Wildwood Trail is quintessential Portland. There are several shorter loops to choose from, all nestled within Forest Park.