I had the joy of venturing to Portland, Oregon, for a friend’s bachelorette party in June of 2024, and while it was a quick trip, we managed to see and do quite a bit in the city. While this post is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the amazing things Portland has to offer, it contains some unique ideas on things to do in the city that could make a weekend trip for a celebration all the more fun.
Unique Things To Do in Portland
Boat Day on the Willamette River
While Portland might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of renting a boat, there is actually some incredible boating opportunities here on the Willamette River! You can book sailing tours or pontoon charters and cruise around. It’s popular for fishing too, and there are various inlets and coves to explore. On our 3-hour captained boat trip, we cruised all the way to Willamette Falls, saw cool houseboats, and learned about the history of Portland and the significance of the river in shaping it into the city that it is today. It’s a river you can swim in, but it was a bit too cold the day we visited. Bring your own cooler full of ice and drinks and you’re guaranteed to have a good time cruising the river.
Want to rent a boat in Portland? Check out Getmyboat and book with our awesome boat captain.
Holocene Laffy Taffy Dance Night
This was a super fun dance club with DJ’s who host different theme nights for music. It had a huge bar with very reasonable prices, a photo booth, a large dance floor, and a super fun atmosphere. Holocene is a venue and nightclub that is welcoming to everyone and is a fun place to party. We had a great time dancing to 2000’s and 2010 hit songs and enjoying drinks on the dance floor. I didn’t take many photos while we were here, but I can definitely say it’s a great activity to add to a list for a girl’s trip or bachelorette weekend.
Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience
If you love unique art installations, going to Hopscotch is a must! This immersive art experience hosts various exhibits that combine visual effects, sounds, and other sensory features to make an all-encompassing art experience. Jump on a trampoline as your body’s movements create a custom light show. Create a giant mandala or even jump in a ball pit, and immerse yourself in color therapy rooms. The studio even had a bar that you could bring drinks around to the various showrooms, and it was great for both kids and adults.
Shopping on Hawthorne Street
Cunningham Coffee Roasters
We ducked into this shop to escape a sudden torrential downpour, and were greeted by a friendly woman who poured us some shots of coffee samples! Cunningham Coffee Roasters prides itself on zero-emissions coffee roasting, creating delicious coffee bean varieties in an eco-friendly way. The machine that roasts the beans is interesting to check out, and they have a bunch of free samples all served in reusable ceramic mugs. I bought some Sumatra beans to give my dad as a gift, and he loved it. We enjoyed not only the coffee but the perfect escape it was from the rain for a bit.
The Meadow
Have you ever wondered where you can get artisan chocolates, salt, and other culinary goods all in one place? Me either. That said, I loved stopping into The Meadow to see what it had to offer. It would be the perfect place to stock up on gifts for your friends or family members who love to cook. I snagged a fancy chocolate bar and enjoyed browsing the dozens of fancy salt kits and other offerings at this shop.
Oro Jewelry
This woman-owned jewelry store on Hawthorne Street is a must if you love accessories. They had gorgeous pieces using different stones and crystals, gold and silver pieces, and lots of unique styles to choose from. Oro is a fantastic place to buy yourself a keepsake from a Portland visit, or get a special jewelry piece for a loved one. The prices were also quite reasonable considering everything is handmade — you can even see some of the jewelers working in their studio that is right in the shop.
Powell’s Books
A famous bookstore with a few locations in the city, Powell’s Books is a must visit if you’re having a shopping day. The bookstore is HUGE, it’s the world’s largest independent bookstore, and it has tons of books of all genres, as well as lots of fun gifts and crafty things. We spent well over an hour here and I was able to find quite a few fun things to bring home with me.
Fun Restaurants & Bars in Portland
Tabor Bread
We had the privilege of visiting Tabor Bread with one of the bakers and indulging in a variety of pastries and amazing bagels. This bakery is considered one of the best in Portland, and it’s easy to see why. Everything was delicious and the line was out the door the majority of the time we were there. I loved my bagel and the whiskey donut, and the coffee was great too.
Lulu Bar
I loved this bar. It had everything from the green velour couch to the delicious french fries to an espresso martini topped with a freshly toasted marshmallow. What more could you ask for? Lulu was the perfect pre-dinner stop for a snack and a caffeinated cocktail to get ready for the night. The staff were super approachable despite the more upscale feel to the bar, and we had a great lounging space on the couches near the bar that accommodated our group.
Voysey Speakeasy
Located in the basement of Loyal Legion, this speakeasy-feeling cocktail bar was another great stop before dinner, where we ordered a giant punch bowl cocktail to share. It was very dark with a cool atmosphere, we didn’t order any food here but you can get food both from the downstairs bar and the upstairs bar and restaurant. Voysey was a fun lounge to stop in before we made our way out for dinner.
Shalom Y’all
If you like Mediterranean flavors, stop in at Shalom Y’all in Portland for a meal. The food was so good, I failed to take any photos during the meal. Order the baked hummus and the mint iced tea – you won’t regret it! We shared a bunch of plates which is the best way to enjoy this restaurant, and everything we ate was delicious.
Overall, Portland was a super fun weekend trip, and is a city I hope to return to soon to explore more. I’d love to do more hiking and adventuring in Oregon, as it seems like the Pacific Northwest is home to so many stunning natural gems. The city itself was super fun, with amazing food and really nice people. I think its negative stereotypes aren’t as true as people make it seem, and you can find fun and great experiences to fill a long weekend.