There are many fantastic hotels in Portland which makes you trip planning easy and there are also many more incredible things to see and do in the city. If you crave something sweet, but out of the ordinary, Voodoo Doughnut is the answer. This quirky breakfast stop is not just your average doughnut joint. It has been featured on various travel shows and offers not simply a doughnut, but an experience. Doughnuts have crazy combinations and names such as the Voodoo Doll and if you have ever had a maple bacon bar, you can thank Voodoo Doughnut for the invention. While eating your doughnuts, if you choose to tie the knot, Voodoo Doughnut offers a licensed minister to get that done for you as well.
The Children’s Museum
Museums are not always fun for kids, but in Portland, The Children’s Museum is designed specifically for little hands. The museum features a myriad of activities for kids of all ages to enjoy. Children can learn about construction at the Building Bridgetown and get hands on in the kitchen at the Bistro. With an artistic area such as Portland, teaching kids young about arts and viable trades is essential to the future of the city, so take a break from the adult museums and let the kids have a little fun in their own full scale children’s museum.
The Portland Penny
Pennies are not thought of to be worth more than their monetary value, but in Portland, they view one penny a little differently. The Oregon Historic Museum is full of Portland’s illustrious history with various exhibits to enjoy, but they have also decided to show off the city’s namesake as well. It was the Portland Penny that decided on the city’s name as the powers that be of the time were stuck between calling the city Portland or Boston. Thankfully, Portland won out and you can see the actual penny on display at the Oregon Historic Museum.
Portland International Raceway
Racing fast cars is a thing that Americans take great pride in and if you believe the east coast is the only place to feel the adrenaline rush of the race track, you would be wrong. Portland has its own international raceway with over 550 events held at the facility each year. This 1.97 mile track enjoys a rich history of drag racing, motorcycle racing, auto racing, and even hosts its share of walking and running events designed to get Portland’s natives out of the house for some physical activity while raising money for various charities.
Visit A Submarine
We are not talking about a sandwich, but rather an actual submarine, The USS Blueback was in service from 1950 until 1990 and was the last, non-nuclear sub to join up with the US Navy. Tours of the sub happen throughout the day and allow guests to see what living on a submarine was actually like. Guests enjoy touring the radio room, peering through the periscope, and have the opportunity to touch an actual torpedo. For history buffs the USS Blueback tour is exceptional.
Powell’s City of Books
In a digital world, it is easy to get lost and forget actual books exist, but at Powell’s City of Books in Portland, you will enjoy the smell and the fun of books once again. Powell’s City of Books is not just an average book store, but the largest independently owned books store in the world. There 5 locations in Portland, but at 10005 Burnside St., you will find the original and largest of the stores. Upon arriving, your will be given a map of the interior of the store as the various genres of books are divided among many rooms, not just by shelves. It is a big store!
Freakybuttrue Peculiarium
Yes, that is the name of the place. It is a museum and store dedicated to the notion of keeping Portland weird. If you want an odd gift to bring back for family and friends or just want to see what all the fuss is about, the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is the place to go. The store is free for visitors to browse, but the museum does charge a nominal $5 per person to look. It is full of lots of oddities and weird things that are well worth the $5 entry fee.
The Shanghai Tunnels
Portland, Oregon was not always known for being the fun, hip city it is today. Actually, between the years of1850 and 1941 it was a pretty rough place to go and was known as, “The Forbidden City of the West.” Part of the folklore behind Portland’s seedy past comes from the Shanghai Tunnels. The term getting, “Shanghaied,” comes from the city. Tunnels beneath the city were designed to link hotel basements with shipments coming from the sea. These tunnels are still being discovered today and have many stories about men and women being taken and sold into slavery from this underground world. Today, however, the tunnels are used to draw in tourists with various tours, so learn a bit about the notorious history of Portland, Oregon and the Shanghai Tunnels.
Portland Aerial Tram
Sightseeing is essential in a beautiful city such as Portland, but it can be difficult to do everything you desire. However, the Portland Aerial Tram system provides a complete 360 degree view of the city and is said to be the best view there is. Locals take the tram as it is part of the city’s public commuter system, but visitors love to simply get on the tram and see the city from the top of the world. This is the ideal location to get breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and the Willamette River. You will also be riding on one of two remaining tramway systems like this in the United States, so it is truly something that should not be missed. The tram also only travels at 22 miles per hour so there is no worry about speeding past anything you want to see.
For more ideas, check out https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g52024-Activities-Portland_Oregon.html.