55 Summer Activities in Portland, Oregon

I won’t even pretend that I am sad to see this school year end. I am thrilled out of my mind not to have to deal with school. With three kids in three different schools, I’m over it. I was over it way back in September. So with that said bring on SUMMER!

Portland, Oregon, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a plethora of summer activities to keep everyone entertained. From exploring the lush parks and gardens to visiting the numerous Portland skateparks, there’s something for every adventurer in the family.

This is a list of 55 Summer Activities In Portland, Oregon, including lots of free activities. Keep reading 55 things to do in Portland and plan a fun filled summer in the Pacific Northwest!

Before you head out on your summer adventures download our Kid’s Summer Journal and Fun Guide.

This Summer Journal & Fun Guide will give your kid motivation for filling their summer with new activities and ways to challenge themselves. It also serves as a keepsake journal to help them record their favorite memories with their own drawings, photos, and writing.

In this journal there are 22 pages of summer bucket lists, reading scavenger hunts and reading logs, reward charts, summer fun challenges, calendars, journal pages, and more!  If you need a  dedicated travel journal for kids or tweens check out our free printable travel journals. 

55 Summer Activities in Portland, Oregon

Popular Portland Summer Activities & Attractions

Oaks Park offers reduced admission on selected days as well as buy 1 get 1 admission days, see their website for a list of discounted days.

Oregon Museum of Sciene and Industry – Better known as OMSI this massive science museum is only $2 per person on the first Sunday of the month. Depending on the ages of your kids you can easily spend a full day at the Oregon Museum of Science. Be sure to go outside during your visit to see great views of the Willamette River.

Oregon Zoo is only $4 on the second Tuesday of each month.

Oregon Historical Society Museum is free for Multnomah County residents.

Historic Belmont Firehouse offers free tours every Wednesday from 9-3, and the second Saturday of every month for “Safety Saturday” from 9-3.

Portland Art Museum is free each 4th Friday of the month from 5-8 PM.

World Forestry Center offers $3 admission on the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Powell’s Books – Get your kids reading all summer long with used books from Powell’s. Take in some books to sell and leave with some new ones!

Enjoy Live Music In Portland, Oregon

Pioneer Square offers free live music at their Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series on Tuesdays in July and August. From Noon-1:00pm.

Attend a concert –  for free in the evening. There are free outdoor concerts throughout Portland everyday of the week all summer long from July 6th – August 24th. To see a complete list, check out their website.

Indoor Summer Activities In Portland, Oregon

Ice Skating at the Lloyd Center – For less than $15 you can ice skate and get rentals. Lloyd Center Ice Rink coupon!

JJ Jump – JJ Jump is a bounce house place. They have a room for toddlers, one for kids, and one for older kids. Cost is $8 a kid.

Lumberyard Indoor Bike Park – there are a lot of outdoor skate and bike parks around the area, but this one is indoors and they offer lessons.

Monkey King an indoor play park with slides and more. $8 weekdays and $10 on the weekends

Multnomah County Libraries offer free events for kids are their various locations all summer long. This includes magicians, jugglers  and Summer Reading Program for kids.

Playdate PDX offers free admission every last Wednesday of the month to anyone who brings two cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank.

Play ping-pong at Pips and Bounce – Only in Portland can you take you children to a hip place to play ping-pong and enjoy beer and food. Prices start out at $8 a table.

Ultrazone Laser Tag – Over in Milwaukee is a large indoor laser tag place with an arcade.

Portland Rock Gym – An indoor rock climbing gym with drop in times, classes, and after school programs.

Glowing Greens – an indoor putt putt place lit with black lights.

Vine Gogh Artist Bar and Studio – Take your kids painting!

Visit An Arcade In Portland, Oregon

Ground Kontrol – This is an arcade/nighttime hangout located in downtown Portland, but during the day you are allowed to bring your kids.

Dave and Busters – Portland has a Dave and Busters out on the Eastside of town in Clackamas. It’s a restaurant and an arcade. On Sundays and Mondays they offer $5 appetizers.

Wunderland Cinema & Nickel Games – All locations include a nickel arcade. Some locations include a movie theater and laser tag. Most games are a nickel and laser tag is $4. Sign up for their email list to have them email you the deals.

Watch a Movie In Portland, Oregon

Top Down: Rooftop Cinema plays great old movies, has live music, sells snacks and beer. Plus there are outstanding views of the city. Doors open at 7 p.m., live music begins at 8 p.m. and the film begins a little after dusk each Thursday during late July and August. It’s held atop a five-story parking garage at the Hotel deLuxe. 

$1 Movies at Regal theaters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 AM

Movies in the Park – Starting June 28th – September 13 on movies are shown at various parks throughout the city on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for free.

Go Bowling As A Fun Summer Activities Idea In Portland, Oregon

Free Bowling for kids – sign your kids up for 2 free games of bowling everyday this summer, you only have to pay for shoes

Grand Central Bowling – This is a really nice place to go bowling and play arcade games. It’s a little spendy, so check for coupons or for a Groupon. Thursdays are a little cheaper too.

Punch Bowl Social – An upscale bowling alley with kid’s bowl free deals, food, arcade games, and more.

Special Portland Summer Activities

Alpenrose Dairyville – Dairyville is free to the public and open every Sunday afternoon beginning June 2nd through August 25th from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

Physical Summer Activities In Portland, Oregon

Run a 5K – This summer, through the Portland Parks and Rec Program there will be a series of $5 5k runs that are family friendly. All participants are winners and are eligible for the after-event raffle. 5k races begin at 9:00 AM with the kids fun run beginning at 8:45 AM. On site will be a 1K for kids 8 and under, 40 ft rock wall, music, kid’s activities, and vendors.

Forest park encompasses more than 5000 acres full of dense trees, rivers, waterfalls, and bridges. It has more than 40 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails for free.

Pedalpalooza family events –  3 weeks of bike fun. With 291 different events, most organized by individuals, bikers of all persuasions are likely to find many events of interest. Nearly all events are free.

The Springwater Corridor is a free multiuse trail that runs from SE Ivan St. in Portland all the way to Boring, OR. The trail is currently 14.2 miles one way. This is a great place to go biking, walking, or roller blading.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park – Have a picnic here while enjoying views of the Willamette, take the kids to splash in the fountain, or on a Saturday hit up the Portland Saturday Market.

Experience Nature In Portland, Oregon

Go Hiking!

Thanks to Mount Hood and the scenic Columbia gorge there are tons of places to go hiking.

• Bridal Veil falls only 30 minutes from Portland
• Latourell Falls only 35 minutes from Portland.
• Ponytail Falls only 45 minutes from downtown Portland.
• Punchbowl Falls and go cliff jumping only an hour from downtown Portland
• Wahclella Falls
• 14 Kid Friendly Water Fall Hikes in the Columbia Gorge

Visit a Garden in Portland

Leah Botanical Garden the Gardener/Curator give a free tour on the 1st Saturday of each month (March through December) for her seasonal exploration of the garden.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a $4 fee between 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday, March through Labor Day. Admission is free for children under 12

Tryon Creek Nature Center offers a FREE Story and Stroll program integrates nature exploration, art, literature, movement, and outdoor play.  It is geared toward families with young children (preferably ages 2-6) but all are welcome.

Portland International Test Rose Garden is always free and blooming throughout the summer with epic views of Mt. Hood. I feel like the International Rose Test Garden is a must see. The Rose Garden is situated inside the Washington Park where you will also find an excellent playground! Across the street from the rose garden is the Japanese gardens and Pittock Mansion is close by. They are both fun places to visit as well.

Lan Su Chinese Garden is another beautiful garden worth visiting. They have interesting things for kids to do. Plus, it’s near Voodoo doughnuts, where you should definitely grab a snack!

Where to Go swimming In Portland Oregon

There are 8 community pools in Portland offering free swimming this summer. To see if there is one near you and for times checkout their website.

Mt. Hood Aquatic Center and Rock Climbing – out in Gresham is a fun place to swim and rock climb for cheap.

East Portland Community Center – Here there is an Indoor park and fantastic indoor swimming pool. This is just one of these types of facilities that are part of the Portland Parks and Rec system. Because it is a community center it is super cheap.

Mt Scott Community Center and Pool – Another great community center with an indoor pool and roller skating rink.

Blue Lake Park – admission is cheap just $5 per car. There is a lake to swim in, playground, and splash pad.

Play in Keller Fountain –  Always free and nice on a hot day.

Jamison Square – another free play fountain.

McCoy park has splash pad and playground for free.

North Clackamas Aquatic Center is an indoor swimming pool with a slide. Here’s a quick video of what it looks like.

Float the Sandy River

Do you know of other summer activities in Portland, Oregon that should be included in this list? Please leave a comment and I will be sure to add them.