Looking out over South Waterfront, the sunet catches Mount Hood.

Credit: Deigo Diaz

Portland Tours

Experience the best Portland has to offer with the help of a local tour guide or one of our self-guided itineraries.

Looking out over South Waterfront, the sunet catches Mount Hood.

Credit: Deigo Diaz

For first-time visitors to Portland — or those who want to discover new parts of the city — these handy tours and itineraries will get you started on planning your next trip to The Rose City. Whether you’re looking to discover the surrounding region, explore the city on two wheels or sample all 75 of the city’s breweries, there’s no shortage of tour offerings in Portland. To find even more things to do and ways to experience Portland, check out our events calendar.

Know Before You Go

The Portland Visitor Center is a great resource for tour planning support. Visitors can call or drop in to speak with a tour specialist for up-to-date advice or general information.

walking toward the sun, three people pass a colorful mural painted on the side of a building

Portland Walking Tours

These tours let you experience a street-level view of supremely walkable Portland.

A hot air balloon floats above a wooded valley.

Portland Aerial Tours

Aerial tours give you a bird’s-eye view of Portland and the surrounding region.

four cruise ships of varying sizes on the Willamette River

Portland Boat Tours

See Portland and the region from the water on boat tours that traverse sights on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

city view on early fall day, tree leaves are changes colors, and there is a light blue sky with passing clouds

Portland City Tours

Great for first-time visitors, city tours offer a comprehensive experience highlighting the best that Portland has to offer.

an ice cream sampler consisting of four small bowls and one sugar cone

Food Tours In and Around Portland

Get a taste of Portland on a variety of food tours focused on specific ingredients, venues or neighborhoods.

four hands raise four pints of Rogue beer in a toast

Portland Beer Tours

Explore “Beervana” with the help of local expert tour guides on these Portland beer tours.

family on bikes stop in green bike lane, one pointing up with building towering behind them in cityscape

Portland Bike Tours

Bike tours let you see Portland like a local, rolling through neighborhoods along this cycling-friendly city’s many bike paths, trails and lanes.

A climber descends from a tree while another person watches.

Portland Outdoor Adventure Tours

Explore the great outdoors in and around Portland in any season with these tour operators.

Local Sightseeing with a Guide

Portland is a beautiful city that takes on new dimensions when experienced on foot. The city’s local tours are quite popular, whether you’re interested in a food tour like Forktown Food Tours, architecture with the Architectural Heritage Center, general sightseeing with Peak Tours, cannabis or even Portland’s haunted Shanghai Tunnels Tour.

We, of course, recommend a guide when enjoying one of Portland’s Aerial Tours. Envi Adventures operates out of Troutdale, with popular small plane tours of Downtown Portland, Multnomah Falls, Mount Hood and other sights. If a beautiful float over wine country is more your speed, check out Vista Balloon Adventures.

Then again, Portland is a city defined by its rivers, so a boat tour might be your favorite option. The Willamette and Columbia rivers divide the city into east and west, and form its northern border, respectively. Portland Spirit tours include downtown sightseeing cruises with city skyline views serving brunch, lunch or dinner. The two-hour Willamette Jet Boats tour includes bridges, wildlife, houseboats and the majestic Willamette Falls in Oregon City.

a Portland Spirit cruise boat on the Willamette River at dusk with the bright lights of downtown Portland in the background — Portland Spirit offers a unique experience on the Willamette River — enjoy a cruise, savor delicious Pacific Northwest fare and take in stunning city views.

small group tour with guide viewing roses — A small group enjoys the beauty and fragrance of Peak Tours' Rows of the Rose tour.

small group tour with guide walking downtown Portland — A small group led by Peak Tours stops to view a landmark in downtown Portland.

A family enjoys a bike tour of downtown Portland. — Portland offers plenty of clearly marked and wide bike lanes, perfect for families taking in the downtown sights.

a tour guide speaking to a group in a distillery — Stop by Freeland Spirits, a woman-owned distillery in Northwest/Nob Hill, for a cocktail and a bottle to go, or take a tour to learn more about their award-winning spirits.

A Peak Tours and Transit van with a friendly driver waving in front of Multnomah Falls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit Portland, Oregon?

The best time of year to visit Portland depends on your preferences, as each season has its own unique weather conditions, events and attractions. You can explore the changing colors of fall, the cultural offerings of winter, the gorgeous blooms of spring and the abundant outdoor adventures of summer.

No matter when you visit, Portland offers tax-free shopping, diverse cultural offerings, live music, award-winning culinary experiences and more. You can also visit our events calendar to discover more things to do and see based on your interests and the dates of your trip.

Is Portland a walkable city?

There are many things to love about Portland that you can only experience by walking the neighborhoods. In addition, most major attractions are easily accessible by public transportation. You can ride MAX Light Rail from the airport straight into downtown. Neighborhoods have frequent bus service, and many have bike-sharing and electric scooters available. Like most cities, Portland is served by local taxi companies and ride-sharing services.

If you want to explore Mount Hood, the Oregon Coast, the Willamette Valley, or other areas outside the city, you may want to rent a car. And if you do, read up on where to park it.

What food should I plan on trying?

Portland is a renowned culinary destination — broadly speaking, it’s a city famous for fresh food featuring local ingredients. You’ll find everything from some of the finest seafood in the world to truly delectable doughnuts. Portland is also known as perhaps the greatest city for food carts. And if you’re looking for outdoor dining, you’re in luck: The number of patio options in Portland is truly impressive.

While Portland doesn’t necessarily have a single iconic food, it does have a number of must-taste specialties. The Maple Bacon Bar at Voodoo Doughnut, the white curry (with brisket burnt ends) at Eem and khao man gai at Nong’s are a few you won’t want to miss. And don’t forget about the beverages for which Portland is most famous: coffee and craft beer. (We’re no slouches when it comes to wine and tea, either.)

Guided Food Tours

Eating and drinking your way around Portland can be a great way to explore. We have a bounty of food tours fit for such a bountiful city and region. There are tours focused on chocolate, coffee, doughnuts, food carts and neighborhoods. We have beer tours and wine tours as well.

Lost Plate PDX offers a morning tour featuring coffee and doughnuts and an afternoon tour of food cart pods and patios. Forktown offers culinary walking tours in several of Portland’s neighborhoods while Third Wave Coffee Tours provides fun and educational tours of some of Portland’s best coffee roasters. If the city is just your starting point, check out First Nature’s Full-Day Oregon Coast tour that includes Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, the Tillamook Cheese Factory Tour and more.

a small group learns about coffee from a barista — A Third Wave Coffee small group tour enjoys discussing coffee with a barista.

a small group watches a barista prepare a coffee pour over — A Sisters Coffee barista demonstrates pour over coffee technique on a Third Wave Coffee Tour.

a small group learns about coffee from their tour guide — Guests enjoy learning about the Coava coffee they taste with Third Wave Coffee Tours.

Wine Tours In and Near Portland

When you’re this close to some of the world’s best wineries, it’s hard to resist the urge to visit. Lucky for us, Portland has a vast selection of wine tour operators on standby to handle the logistics and the driving. In fact, we even have city tour options like the Portland Urban Wine Tasting Tour that allow you to experience the region’s offerings without leaving the city.

Wine Tours Near Portland

Let someone else do the driving while you enjoy wine tasting and vineyard views.

Explore

Discover the Region Around Portland

Portland is the perfect launchpad for adventure, with the vast Oregon Coast, snow-capped Mount Hood, verdant wine country and epic waterfalls all within easy driving distance of the city. Whether your interests are skiing, sipping or just trying something new, the regions outside Portland are all ripe for exploration.

The sun breaks through clouds above a wide river

Columbia River Gorge Tours

Columbia River Gorge tours are an ideal way for visitors to experience the famous Columbia River Gorge National without worrying about traffic or parking. Explore the waterfalls just east of Portland with a guide and driver.

A snow-capped mountain is reflected in a lake with autumn foliage in the foreground

Mount Hood Tours from Portland

Explore Oregon’s highest peak, located 90 minutes from Portland, with these tour operators.

Two people view a waterfall from a wood deck

Waterfalls Near Portland

Some of the most picturesque waterfalls line the Columbia River Gorge, just a short drive from Portland. But these cascading natural wonders are even closer to Portland from the Willamette River to the Cascade Mountain Range.

a Native American woman greeting a farm goat

Farm Loops Near Portland

Only 15–45 minutes from Portland, three self-guided tours let you choose your own farm-to-table adventure amid bucolic gardens, ranches and vineyards.

Skyline view of a mountain with snow beyond large pine trees.

What to Do on Mount Hood

Explore Mt. Hood — the tallest peak in Oregon — with this in-depth guide that covers weather, what to pack, where to stay, outdoor recreation and how to have an unforgettable experience.

a man walking a bike across the street with a trailer with a dog attached, followed by a child on a bike, at a crosswalk with cars waiting

Guide to Gresham

Looking to venture off the beaten path like a Portlander? This neighboring town is where locals go to slow down, stroll through quaint historic architecture and feast on international fare.

view from the sky of the vista house and columbia river gorge

Two Days in the Columbia River Gorge

Savor the views and flavor of Hood River and the scenic gorge with this 48-hour itinerary.

A bearded man smiles as he checks on a grape vine

Wine Tours Near Portland

Let someone else do the driving while you enjoy wine tasting and vineyard views.

people stand on a patio sipping wine with a view of the valley as the sun sets

Wineries Near Portland

Sample excellent wine at Willamette Valley wineries near Portland, where you can enjoy spectacular views, budget-friendly flights and more.

a person gets off the light rail train at the Pioneer Square stop with its iconic red brick walkway

A Car-Free Itinerary in Portland

Skip the car rental and explore Portland the local way. From urban forests to downtown dining, find it all through public transit.

a street sign in the Pearl District showing NW 10th Avenue

48 hours in Portland

A two-day walking tour of Portland includes an indie book mecca, local art, peaceful gardens, craft beer and lots of great food.

portland oregon old town neon sign with white stag in twilight sky

The Perfect First Trip to Portland

Enjoy Portland’s must-sees and must-eats in our itinerary for first-time visitors to the Rose City.

$Fourth-timer\'s guide to Portland$

Fourth Timer’s Guide to Portland

Think you’ve seen all of Portland? Our guide to some of the Rose City’s best-kept secrets might make you guess again.

$A sign reading \"Portland Mercado\" in front of a brightly painted mural showing a Latin American dancer and musician$

Living Latine in Portland

Spend a day enjoying and buying from Latinx-owned businesses all over Portland.

Families gathered on Sauvie Island with blankets spread and picnics at hand as the late summer sun turns golden.

Family Friendly

Discover the best things to do in Portland with toddlers, tweens, and every age in between.

A person walks their dog along a paved path surrounded by grass and trees.

Pet-Friendly Portland

Discover the most pet-friendly places to eat, drink and stay in Portland.

Alberta Arts District

Spend the day exploring Alberta Street’s eclectic shops, numerous art galleries, lively bars and seemingly never-ending food options.

two people browse products inside a shop

Mississippi

Enjoy live music, local shops and popular restaurants and bars on this historic North Portland street.

person sitting on the ground in front of a pond with a bicycle with cityscape in front and a blue sky with white clouds overhead

Pearl District

The chic Pearl District features galleries and cultural institutions, as well as stylish shops and acclaimed eateries on loading docks with cobblestone streets, which hint at this former warehouse district’s past.

groups of people and couples walking on busy tree-lined street filled with storefronts in old Victorian homes

Northwest / Nob Hill

Old Portland charm lives through the repurposed Victorian homes, now boutiques and restaurants which line the streets of Portland's Northwest district with sophisticated shopping, dining, an urban forest and breathtaking views of the city.

Downtown

Explore Portland's Living Room, abundant tax-free shopping for luxury and local goods, beautiful city parks and easy airport access from your downtown hotel.

sunset distant landscape view of the oregon convention center and city lights

Lloyd

Just across the river from downtown, the Lloyd neighborhood in Northeast Portland caters to convention attendees, sports fans and shoppers.

Old Town Chinatown

Today, Portland’s original downtown is a bustling entertainment district, home to Portland's famous Saturday Market, Chinatown Museum and Lan Su Chinese Garden.

a group of four around a wooden table enjoy draft beers and pub food

Slabtown

Northwest Portland's trendy Slabtown neighborhood boasts walkable streets, plentiful shopping, coffee, restaurants and art galleries -everything you need can be found in this lively, friendly neighborhood.

South Portland

South Portland is a slim strip of land on the west side of the Willamette River. This laid-back river community is a perfect 10 for water recreation, low-key urban green spaces and lots of spots to eat, drink & shop.

city streetscape with streetcar and colorful, contemporary building

Central Eastside

Criss-crossed with train tracks and lined with old industrial factories, some of Portland's favorite restaurants, microbreweries, boutiques and events call the Central Eastside home.

Wood-fired seasonal pizzas being prepared at Tastebud.

Multnomah Village

Known as “the village in the heart of Portland,” historic Multnomah Village delivers small town charm mere minutes from the city center.

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