Portland
2 hostels · dorms from $35
A creative city known for food carts, coffee and beer.
Points of interest
- Powell's City of Books
- Forest Park
- Food carts
- Washington Park
State guide
Things to do in Oregon
Portland's food carts, coffee and craft beer, a wild coastline of sea stacks and dunes, the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge, Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the USA, and no sales tax.
5
Hostels across its 4 main cities
9.2
Average, from 6,214 reviews
5–7
Days to do it properly
Wild coast, waterfalls and Portland
Oregon sits between California and Washington, and it has a bit of both: a rugged Pacific coast, volcanic mountains, forests, high desert and a quirky, creative biggest city. It is a great road-trip state, and it has no sales tax, so prices are what you see.
Portland is famous for its food carts, coffee, breweries and independent spirit, with Powell's, one of the biggest bookshops in the world, and a huge forest park inside the city. East of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge has dozens of waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls. The coast is public all the way along, with sea stacks at Cannon Beach, huge sand dunes near Florence and lighthouses on the cliffs. In the south, Crater Lake fills the crater of a collapsed volcano with water of an extraordinary blue, and Bend, in the sunny high desert, is an outdoor sports capital.
Give Oregon five days to a week: Portland, the Gorge, a stretch of coast and Crater Lake or Bend. July to September is the driest and best time.
Where to base yourself
Portland for the north, Bend for the high desert, and coast towns in between.
Bend
1 hostel · dorms from $39
An outdoor sports town in the sunny high desert.
Points of interest
- Smith Rock
- Mount Bachelor
- Deschutes River
- Breweries
Seaside
1 hostel · dorms from $45
A classic beach town on the north coast.
Points of interest
- Promenade
- Cannon Beach nearby
- Tillamook Head
Ashland
1 hostel · dorms from $37
A theatre town near Crater Lake.
Points of interest
- Oregon Shakespeare Festival
- Lithia Park
- Crater Lake nearby
Regions of Oregon
Portland in the north, the coast in the west, mountains down the middle and high desert to the east.
Portland and the Willamette Valley
City, food, winePortland and the wine country to the south.
Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood
Waterfalls, skiingWaterfalls, hiking and Oregon's highest mountain.
The Oregon Coast
Beaches, sea stacks, dunesA public coastline from Astoria to the California border.
Central Oregon
Bend, outdoor sportsSunny high desert with mountains, rivers and Smith Rock.
Southern Oregon
Crater Lake, ShakespeareCrater Lake and the town of Ashland.
Eastern Oregon
High desert, Painted HillsEmpty desert, canyons and the Painted Hills.
Things to do
Things to do in Oregon
In Portland, eat at the food cart pods, browse Powell's City of Books, hike in Forest Park, visit the International Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden in Washington Park, and tour the breweries.
Drive the Historic Columbia River Highway past Multnomah Falls and other waterfalls, and hike in the Gorge. On the coast, see Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, walk the Oregon Dunes near Florence, visit the Heceta Head Lighthouse, and watch for grey whales, especially during the winter and spring migrations.
Crater Lake National Park has a rim drive (open in summer), trails and boat trips on the lake. Around Bend, go mountain biking, rafting, climbing at Smith Rock and skiing on Mount Bachelor. Mount Hood has skiing almost all year.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Oregon's entire coastline is public, and the beaches are free. Portland's Forest Park, the waterfront and the Rose Test Garden are free.
Multnomah Falls is free to visit, though a summer timed permit has at times been needed on the Historic Columbia River Highway, so check before you go.
Crater Lake and some state parks charge entry or parking.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Portland's food cart pods serve food from all over the world, cheaply, and the city has a famous doughnut scene and some of the best coffee in the country. Oregon has more breweries per person than almost anywhere, and the Willamette Valley makes excellent Pinot Noir.
On the coast, try Dungeness crab, clam chowder and oysters. Marionberries, a local blackberry, appear in pies and jams.
With no sales tax, prices are what you see, plus tips.
Nightlife
Going out
Portland has a relaxed, varied nightlife, with breweries, dive bars, live music venues and clubs, especially in the Pearl District, Southeast Portland and along Alberta and Mississippi Streets.
Bend has a lively brewery scene. Elsewhere, evenings are quiet.
Bars close at 2am.
Getting around
Getting around
Portland has the MAX light rail, including to the airport, streetcars and buses, and it is very bike-friendly. Amtrak runs north to Seattle and south to California.
To explore the coast, the Gorge, Crater Lake and Bend, a car is best. Some buses and shuttles run to the coast and the Gorge.
Crater Lake's rim drive usually opens fully only in summer because of snow.
Costs
What Oregon costs
Oregon has no sales tax, which helps. Portland is cheaper than Seattle or San Francisco, with dorm beds from around $35 to $55, and food carts are excellent value.
There are some local taxes on lodging. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Crater Lake charges entry, and car hire is the main extra.
Safety
Safety and scams
Portland's tourist areas are generally safe, though downtown has visible homelessness; take normal care at night and do not leave valuables in cars.
On the coast, sneaker waves can sweep people off beaches and rocks without warning; never turn your back on the ocean, and keep off logs in the surf. Check tide tables before walking around headlands.
Wildfires can close roads and parks in late summer. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Roses, beer and Shakespeare.
Staff pick
27 Nov – 31 Dec
Winter Wonderland
Portland
Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway is a long-standing family tradition, featuring dazzling holiday lights for over 30 years. Visitors can enjoy the display…
Staff pick
6–8 November
Portland Holiday Market
Portland
Experience the magic of the season at the Portland Holiday Market, held at the Portland Expo Center. This festive event gathers local artisans, specialty…
Staff pick
12–15 November
Fall Portland Metro Dealers RV Show
Portland
Explore the world of recreational vehicles at the Portland Metro Dealers RV Show, held at the Portland Expo Center. This long-running event brings together…
Staff pick
4–5 December
Portland Holiday Brew Fest
Portland
Portland Holiday Brew Fest transformsthe city into a festive gathering spot for craft beer and cider lovers each winter. Attendees can sample a wide…
Staff pick
23 Sep – 18 Nov
Portland Latin American Film Festival
Portland
The Portland Latin American Film Festival is dedicated to featuring perspectives of Latin American culture by increasing the visibility of Latin American cinema locally.…
Staff pick
26 Sep – 31 Oct
Bottom View Farm Fall Festival
Portland
Celebrate the spirit of autumn at this family-friendly festival in Portland, Tennessee, where visitors can pick their own pumpkins straight from the patch and…
Staff pick
24 October
Portland Fall Festival
Portland
The Portland Fall Festival in Portland, Tennessee, is a lively community celebration that brings residents and visitors together for a weekend of fun and…
Staff pick
7–8 November
Portland Oddities and Curiosities Expo
Portland
The Oddities and Curiosities Expo at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, invites attendees to explore a fascinating world of unusual art, taxidermy,…
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels across Oregon's main towns, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Ashland Commons Hostel
Ashland
Dorms from $37 a night
See dates and book
Northwest Portland Hostel
Portland
Dorms from $35 a night
See dates and book
KEX
Portland
Dorms from $53 a night
See dates and book
Seaside International Lodge & Hostel
Seaside OR
Dorms from $45 a night
See dates and book
Bunk+Brew Historic Lucas House
Bend
Dorms from $39 a night
See dates and book
When to go
July to September is dry and sunny, the best time for the coast and Crater Lake. The rest of the year is mild but rainy west of the mountains, with snow in the Cascades. The high desert around Bend is sunny much of the year.
Jan
Rainy
Feb
Rainy
Mar
Rainy, whales migrate
Apr
Showers
May
Drier
Jun
Rose Festival
Jul
Dry, peak season
Aug
Dry, wildfire risk
Sep
Dry, quieter
Oct
Rains return
Nov
Rainy
Dec
Rainy, whales migrate
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Portland, rounded.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Portland prices.
Treat these as a guide. Car hire and park fees cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Oregon questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is there sales tax in Oregon?
No. Oregon has no sales tax, though some places tax lodging.
How many days do you need in Oregon?
Five days to a week for Portland, the Gorge, the coast and Crater Lake.
When is Crater Lake open?
The park is open all year, but the rim drive and many trails are usually only fully open in summer because of snow.
Do I need a car in Oregon?
For the coast and parks, yes. Portland is easy without one.
Are Oregon's beaches public?
Yes, the whole coastline is public.
When is the best time to visit Oregon?
July to September, when it is dry.
What are sneaker waves?
Sudden large waves that surge up the beach. Never turn your back on the ocean.
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