Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Portland?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Portland?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the tree-lined city of Portland, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to go hiking, explore the small town, dance the night away, and take in the beautiful scenery. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Portland below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Portland?

Many visitors spend two to three days in Portland during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to go hiking, explore the small town, dance the night away, and take in the beautiful scenery.

Portland is a progressive and eclectic city that is very close to Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge area. The city is filled with forested parks and outdoor areas that you can explore. The gardens are immersive and beautiful, and the bike trails offer easy access to many parts of the city. There are also independent bookshops, farmers markets, and a huge art scene. Visitors enjoy wandering the unique neighborhood's and soaking up the atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind city.

Do you have one or two days to visit Portland? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Portland?

Portland is a small city that is quite popular with tourists. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Portland such as the hiking, the small town charm, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to three days to fully experience the tree-lined city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Portland

Known for it's hiking, Portland sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

A few tour suggestions include:

Half-Day Columbia River Gorge and Waterfall Hiking Tour ($66)
Hike and Bike Tour to Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls ($99)
Explore Columbia River Gorge Half-Day Small-Group Hiking Tour ($69)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Portland is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Portland?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the tree-lined city of Portland, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to go hiking, explore the small town, dance the night away, and take in the beautiful scenery. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Portland below.

Portland, Oregon

How to spend 2 days in Portland

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Portland, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Perhaps the most famous spot in Portland is Washington Park, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

Portland is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.

A few tour suggestions include:

Intro to Portland Small Group Walking Tour ($29)
Makers and Artisans of Portland Walking Tour ($55)
7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise ($90)

The public transit in Portland is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Portland, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.