Portland has plenty to offer for anybody traveling on a budget! There’s always something interesting going on somewhere in the city for those adventurous enough to seek it out. Here are some of our favorite go-to spots that offer a couple hours worth of entertainment, and won’t break the bank.
Low Cost Portland To-Do List
Wander the Lan Su Chinese Garden
A Society Hotel favorite, the Lan Su Chinese Gardens up the street is a great place for a date, a solid Instagram photo, or a quiet moment away from the fast-paced bustle of downtown.
Make sure to stop by the tea room for a truly authentic traditional Chinese experience.
Price: $10/adult, $7/student
Open 10am – 7pm Daily
Eat at All the Food Cart Pods
Eating at food Carts is a Portland must, and to top it off they usually come with a beer bus and cheep food! Food cart pods are everywhere you turn and offer a variety of different cuisines. If making decisions is difficult for you it might be hard to choose what to eat, especially when everything smells so delicious! We’ve added 3 of our favorite food cart pods that you can stop at while exploring the city.
Check out Live Music and Comedy Bars
If you are ever wondering what to do on any given day, there is more likely than not a great live show in town for free or under $12. Portland’s music and comedy scenes are fun and diverse. You never know what you are going to get! Check out these spots for your best bet on any night of the week:
Music: Mississippi Studios, Doug Fir Lounge, The 1905, LaurelThirst Public House, Holocene, White Eagle Saloon, & Rontoms Sunday Sessions
Comedy: Kickstand Comedy, Helium Comedy Club, Harvey’s Comedy Club, & Cruzroom
Hike Forest Park
Fun Fact: Forest Park is 5,200 acres and has 80 miles of hiking trails, making it the largest urban forest in the US.
Hiking is the perfect way to experience the PNW without spending a dollar! Not to mention it is right in our Downtown’s backyard. Stop by Pittock Mansion to catch some amazing views of Portland and Mt. Hood, then cross the parking lot and dive deep into a hiking trail. If you have never hiked in Oregon this is a must see!
Ride the Areal Tram
Get a moving panorama of the city from high above on the Portland Aerial Tram. Great for all kinds of weather, the tram takes you from the SW Portland Waterfront to OHSU and back in the most picturesque possible way.
Price: $4.70 round trip
Weekdays: 5:30am to 9:30pm
Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: Closed (Sunday service resumes May 20, 2018)
(Bonus: Check out the 4T trail to make a day of it- Tram, Train, Trail, Trolley)
Cruise Around on a Rental Bike
Renting a car and taking lyfts everywhere can be pricey, and why do that when Portland is so accessible on bike. Let your hair down and feel free while experiencing the city without having to look and pay for parking. While our city is also very walkable, the experience of riding a bike is truly Portland. Most bike rental spots will even set you up on a bike tour. Here are two of our favorite rental locations:
Get a Little Thrifty
Want that cool Portland look like what you see featured in the picture above? All you need is to go out and explore PDX’s favorite thrift stores. Be careful which ones you choose because some boutique vintage shops can be a little pricey, but there are some true gems out there and here is a list of our favorites!
House of Vintage, Hollywood Vintage, Buffalo Exchange, Red Light Clothing Exchange, and Avant Garden Vintage