11 Once-In-A-Lifetime Adventures You Can Only Have in Portland

Portland is a fast-growing city with a well-known reputation for being weird. It’s no wonder that there are so many once-in-a-lifetime adventure opportunities that make the northwestern city a destination location for so many. While you are here, be sure to make some new memories of your own by embarking on one of these unique adventures.

1. Cruise the Willamette

See the city from the water and get a whole different perspective of downtown. Dinner, lunch, brunch, and many different themed cruises are available for a great adventure for families, couples, and friends.

2. Segway the City

If walking is not your thing, see the city by Segway in one of Portland’s guided Segway tours. Learn about the history of the city, while speeding by everyone in your path and saving your energy for later.

3. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Get a bird’s eye view of the Willamette Valley and have a great adventure while riding in a hot air balloon. Portland Rose Hot Air Balloons will take you on an adventure of a lifetime on the outskirts of the city.

4. Join Bike Culture

Whether in town to visit or stay, you can get in on all the bike riding around town. Rent a bike and participate in wildly popular Sunday Parkways bike rides or even the naked bike ride while you are in town to experience the true Portland vibe.

5. Explore by Pedicab

Again, if walking doesn’t appeal to you, see the city by pedicab for a unique adventure that is true Portland.

6. Take a Brew Tour

With over 80 breweries in the Portland Metro area, there are plenty of options to explore. Whether you spring for a group tour in a bus or hire an Uber to hit several of your favorite breweries, this is a must for beer lovers.

7. Take a Dispensary Tour

With legal marijuana, Portland is a destination location for many. Explore the city’s many open-to-the-public dispensaries, or take part in one of the industry’s spin-off activities such as Puff, Pass, & Paint or Ganja Yoga for a new once-in-a-lifetime experience.

8. Explore Fountain Culture

Portland is known for its fountains, which are situated throughout the city. On a hot day, pack up the family and visit several to give the kids a great Portland memory. Jamison Square and Waterfront Park have must-visit fountains for playing, while Director Park, South Park Blocks, Peninsula Park, and Keller Fountain Park are fun places with kids.

9. Eat The Street Food

Portland has a serious food cart culture. Few others cities allow you to eat such an extensive array of hand-crafted foods on the street as Portland. Spend your whole trip exploring the city’s many different pods of food carts and you probably won’t even get to them all.

10. Explore the Natural Beauty

Whether you explore the city’s expansive Forest Park or one of the smaller city parks, you are bound to marvel at the natural beauty. Hoyt Arboretum, Powell Butte, Washington Park, the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Lan Su Chinese Garden are all picturesque places that are uniquely Portland.

11. Visit Wine Country

While technically you will have to leave Portland, it is hard to overlook the over 200 vineyards that sit directly outside of town in the Willamette Valley. Take the scenic drive one afternoon, or book a whole tour or weekend to really explore the valley and its award-winning wineries.

What are some other adventures to have in Portland? Share your favorites in the comments.