8 Places to visit in Portland
We took our friends’ advice and planned a long weekend getaway to Portland. If you’re planning a visit, here are 8 places we recommend checking out in Portland.
Table of Content:
- Portland Saturday Market
- Pioneer Place
- Portland Oregon White Stag Sign
- Helium Comedy Club
- Washington Square
- Airsoft Challenge
- Woodburn Premium Outlet
- Costco
Hungry? Places to eat in Portland Oregon click here.
Looking for where to buy discount attraction event tickets or hotels? Klook offers great discounts for anywhere in the world.
Portland Saturday Market: Local Charm by the Water
We loved exploring the Portland Saturday Market near the waterfront. It was busy with local artisans and food vendors, making it the perfect spot for unique crafts and delicious snacks. When we visited in August 2023, it was open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. The atmosphere was incredibly lively, filled with live music and street performers — a truly festive experience!
Pioneer Place: Upscale Shopping in Downtown
Our first mall stop in Portland was Pioneer Place, an upscale retail experience in the downtown area. This multi-level mall has all the high-end brands and popular retailers. Its great design and extensive selection create a sophisticated shopping experience.
Portland Oregon White Stag Sign: An Iconic Welcome
We took a walk over the bridge to see the Portland Oregon White Stag Sign – a great sight over the water! Just a heads-up, the downtown area does have many people experiencing homelessness. The sign sits proudly above the Burnside Bridge, welcoming everyone to downtown. We went during the summer, but it would be great to see it ransforms into a festive reindeer with a bright red nose. As this was just a small tourist area, we didn’t find it worth wild.
Helium Comedy Club: Laughs and Meet-and-Greets
We snagged tickets to see Ron Funches at Helium Comedy Club, in Portland’s Pearl District. The club was easy to find with its big green oval sign. Inside, there’s a minimum purchase requirement from their full bar. After the show, we loved being able to buy merchandise directly from the comedian and even got a great signature photo with him!
Washington Square: A Shopper’s Paradise
Washington Square impressed us as one of the nicest malls we’ve seen! It’s one of the largest shopping centers in the Portland area, boasting over 170 stores. It’s a comfortable, family-friendly environment with tons of dining options and even a play area for kids. With its wide selection and amenities, it’s a popular spot for shoppers of all ages.
Airsoft Challenge: A Fun Date (Now Closed)
Inside Washington Square Mall, we tried the Airsoft Challenge shop, which looked like a ton of fun! It offered an exciting and immersive airsoft experience for all skill levels, with various game scenarios. Colin even managed to win us a small prize at the end! It was a great date memory, but sadly, it looks like this location is now permanently closed according to Google.
Woodburn Premium Outlet: Hunting for Deals
Many visitors head to Woodburn Premium Outlet just outside Portland for good deals. We took a stroll, but surprisingly didn’t find much to buy ourselves, only picking up some watch bands from Fossil. Its open-air layout and it definitely attracts shoppers with its promise of savings and a wide variety of stores. As the stores were the same back to Vancouver BC we didn’t take any photos.
Costco: A Familiar Stroll
We always like checking out Costcos in different cities to see what might not be available in Vancouver, BC. Most of everything was the same and didn’t end up buying anything this time. Costco was always a fun stroll for us if we need to either buy groceries or to see what is new.
Conclusion:
Our Portland trip was a fascinating blend of city exploration and retail therapy. Though Airsoft Challenge is now closed, it provided a fun memory. We would definitely come back to Portland one day for more fun.