Culture

People flock to Portland for a piece of its vibrant culture. Whether it's for the food and beer, arts, cultural communities, festivals or nightlife, Portland wants you to be a part of it.

Historically an affordable city for the arts, Portland has grown as the visibility of its deep culture has increased. Whether you’re a fan of theater, live music, craft beer, food carts, fine dining, or just enjoying the outdoors, Portland has something for you.

Food & Drink

A chef chops squash in a restaurant kitchen
Chef Arthur Dulin preps vegetables in the kitchen at Gado Gado.

Credit: Jason Hill for better.

Portland is one of the world’s great food cities, boasting incredible food carts, farmers’ markets, specialist grocery stores and a bounty of James Beard Award-winning chefs. With options all over town — from chic cocktail bars to neighborhood watering holes, rowdy taprooms to tropical hideaways — Portland’s bars, wineries, distilleries and cannabis dispensaries are guaranteed to offer a variety of tastes.

Eat & Drink in Portland

From food carts to farmers' markets and award-winning restaurants, Portland is a culinary haven

Food Cart Culture

Portland’s 500+ food carts and food trucks provide visitors and locals with an astonishing array of unforgettable dining options, making it one of the most attractive cities for meeting planners and attendees who seek unique culinary experiences.

James Beard Award-Winning Chefs

With such a highly praised and delicious food scene, it comes as no surprise that Portland chefs have racked up a few James Beard Awards over the years.

Portland Coffee

Explore our comprehensive guide to coffee in Portland, including our rich coffee history, Portland’s impact on the third-wave coffee movement, and coffee shop suggestions by quadrants.

Imbibe in Portland

Take a taste at one fo Portland's bars, wineries, distilleries and cannabis dispensaries.

Arts and Culture

a visitor looks at a large modern art painting in the Portland Art Museum
A visitor looks at Open Country (1968) by Larry Poons at the Portland Art Museum.

Portland has an exciting visual arts scene with everything from large museums to intimate galleries, independent cinemas, live theater and bookstores. PDX is also known for its music scene, from incredible live performances to its legendary karaoke, and there’s plenty to do at night, from late-night dining and dance clubs to a visit to a local arcade or board game bar.

Arts & Culture in Portland

Take in Portland's thriving scene of independent bookstores, cinemas and theaters.

Portland Museums

From the largest museum in the state to mailbox-sized sidewalk galleries, these Portland art collections and exhibitions inspire and entertain.

Portland Theater

Portland has a well-established network of venues and theater companies and an increasingly dynamic and diverse small theater scene.

Visual Arts in Portland

View paintings, sculptures and other visual art in a wide range of galleries, public spaces and unexpected venues.

Music & Nightlife

Music, concerts, dance clubs, karaoke and comedy all come out at night in Portland.

Urban Outdoors & Sports

A family enjoys a bike tour of downtown Portland.
Portland offers plenty of clearly marked and wide bike lanes, perfect for families taking in the downtown sights.

Credit: Nick Mendez, nickmendez.com

Portlanders love the outdoors, from our amazing views of Mount Hood to the scenic hikes around town to our well-marked bike lanes. And in town, from seeing a soccer match with the Timbers Army to rooting for Rip City and the Trail Blazers, Portland loves its sports.

Explore the Outdoors

Portland is the perfect launchpad for outdoor activities and adventure.

Hikes in and Near Portland

With easy access to the great outdoors, Portland is a perfect destination for hikers — explore the city’s urban walks, verdant parks and lush gardens, or escape to the nearby gorge and mountains.

Parks & Gardens

In a city as green as Portland, it’s only fitting that some of the top attractions are spots that appeal to home gardeners and hikers alike. With more than 275 parks and gardens within city limits the urban greens offer a breath of fresh air.

Biking

One of the best ways to explore the Rose City is on two wheels.

Sports in Portland

On the soccer pitch, skating rink and basketball court, Portland athletes dominate the game.

Tax-Free Shopping in Portland

a woman with tattoos and wearing a hat stands in front of a rack of clothing at Wildfang clothing store
Wildfang clothing store specializes in tomboy style and culture.

Credit: NashCO

Portland is known for its independent spirit and myriad small businesses. With our guide to PDX makers, you can shop local for the best unique Portland souvenirs or engage in a little DIY yourself.

Shop Small in PDX

Portland is a bustling hub for artists, entrepreneurs and makers of all stripes.

Portland Streetwear Shops

Portland’s laidback-yet-chic aesthetic makes it an ideal home for streetwear shops — browse small boutiques, world-famous brands, online stores and more.

Vintage Shops in Portland

Vintage shopping in Portland is a delight, with an abundance of top-notch vintage shops and thrift stores offering clothes, accessories, antiques and other treasures.

Portland Bookstores, Beyond Powell’s

Don’t stop with the largest independent bookstore in the world; these seven other shops offer an abundance of literary riches.

Cultural Communities

dancers on stage showcase traditional vibrant dresses while performing
The performances at the Jade International Night Market showcase the rich cultural traditions of the various communities represented.

Credit: Lumae Photography, courtesy of APANO

Every inch of Portland has its own unique history, and every Portlander has their own story. People of every ethnicity and culture can find themselves in the independent and welcoming Rose City.

Meet the People of Portland

Read about Portland’s many cultural communities and find connection when you visit.

Portlanders

Meet some of the people who make the city what it is with this community-based micro-video series.

Black Community in Portland

With a diverse range of organizations and businesses, Portland’s Black community provides visitors with resources and a friendly welcome. Explore the city’s Black history and cultural events, as well as Black-owned businesses and restaurants.

LGBTQ+ Community

Visitors to Portland can experience huge LGBTQ+ Pride parades, drag performances, queer film festivals, dance parties and more.

Keep Portland Weird

a dancer performs with fans and long pieces of cloth in front of a crowd
A mermaid dancer performs for the Portlandia Mermaid Parade.

Credit: Tom Lupton

In Portland, being dubbed “weird” is never an insult — diverse dining options, unique outdoor experiences and unexpected attractions make Portland one of a kind. Do as locals do and embrace the city’s quirky vibes using our guide to Portland’s weird culture.

Embrace the Weird

For a peek into the city's weirdness, explore Portland's many eccentric events and attractions.