20 Fun Things to Do in Portland in the Spring
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After months of steady drizzle and gray skies, spring in Portland has a special charm as flowers open and the clouds become less impenetrable. As early as February, the first camellia and daphne blooms signal the end of winter’s dormancy. Soon after, cherry and magnolia trees blossom along the streets while daffodils and tulips pop up in front yards. Whether you’re visiting the city or live here and are eager to enjoy the season, here are the best things to do in Portland, Oregon, in springtime.
1. See the cherry blossoms
Cherry blossoms at Tom McCall Waterfront Park
When to go: Usually mid-March until early April
Cherry blossom season in Portland is breathtaking but short-lived. For a few weeks each year, pale pink blooms appear throughout the city in parks, neighborhoods, and along streets just before the first leaves appear. The blossoms start to fall as the season progresses, sending down clouds of pink petals that blanket the sidewalks and parked cars. The best cherry blossoms are downtown at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, where they add a fragile prettiness to the industrial-looking bridges and skyscrapers. Look for them between the Burnside Bridge and the Steel Bridge on the west side of the Willamette River. It is free to visit, but parking in the area is metered.
2. Visit the Saturday Market
Portland Saturday Market
When to go: Saturdays and Sundays in March through December
After a winter hiatus, the Portland Saturday Market reopens for the year in March. This large open-air market on the waterfront has rows of tents with goods from local vendors. Expect variety when you visit. You can find a little of everything from snacks to clothing to fine art. On warm days, children play in the fountain next to the market. On drizzly ones, live music helps lighten the mood. After browsing the tents, take a stroll along the Willamette River. Look carefully at the water as you walk. I’ve seen sea lions in the river before.
3. See the Hoyt Arboretum magnolias
Magnolias blooming in the Hoyt Arboretum
When to go: Around April
While you can find some excellent cherry blossoms in the Hoyt Arboretum, the magnolias are at least as stunning. Having lived briefly in Tennessee, I got used to seeing showy white magnolia flowers everywhere and thought that visiting Portland’s Hoyt Arboretum would be nostalgic. Instead, I Ieft with a new appreciation for the wide variety of magnolias there are out there. The trees along Hoyt’s Magnolia Trail have flowers ranging in color from white to fuchsia and in size from small to dinner plate. Like the cherry blossoms, the magnolia species bloom at staggered times, making it easy to catch something flowering during the spring. Since the Hoyt Arboretum is up in the hills, both cherry and magnolia trees here bloom a little later than those at lower elevations. If you miss the waterfront cherry blossoms, the arboretum is a good bet for flowering trees.
Visiting the Hoyt Arboretum is free, but parking in the area is metered.
4. Look for trillium at Tryon Creek
Trillium in Tryon Creek State Natural Area
When to go: Usually late March through May for trillium
Trillium is one of my favorite wildflowers because it blooms early. When its three white petals start appearing in the undergrowth, the coldest and shortest days of winter are over. As spring progresses, its petals become mottled with pale pink that darkens with time. By the end of spring, they turn purple. Trillium is common and easy to find growing naturally in Portland’s parks. Unlike many wildflowers, it prefers shady forests to meadows. One of the most reliable places to find it is at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. The flowers are so abundant here that Tryon Creek hosts an annual Trillium Festival at the beginning of April. Whether you go for the festival or on a less crowded day for the 8 miles of hiking trails, the early-blooming flowers here are a treat. Visiting is free.
For details and more destinations, check out my article on the best places to find trillium in Portland.
5. Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
When to go: Usually late March through April
Each year in spring, 40 glorious acres of tulips bloom at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, one of Oregon’s most spectacular flower farms. Because of its popularity, visitors must purchase tickets online before arriving at the farm. The cost varies based on type and day but adult tickets range from about $15-20. You can buy tickets same day but know that weekends often sell out. While you’re at the farm, check out the gift shop, food trucks, and games for the kids. Wander through fields with over 50 varieties of tulips and then buy some fresh-cut flowers to take home. If the weather is good, you may see colorful hot air balloons flying over the tulip fields. On a clear day, Mt Hood makes a gorgeous backdrop for the flowers. Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is in Woodburn, about 30 miles outside of Portland.
Find details and photos galore in my article on visiting the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival.
6. Waterfall hikes
Elowah Falls
When to go: Anytime
The waterfall hikes near Portland are great year-round, but the falls look most impressive in the spring when melting high-elevation snow and frequent rain mean more falling water. As a bonus, early-blooming wildflowers start appearing in the forests of the Columbia Gorge around April. Some of the best wildflower displays are in areas that experienced burns in the past, like the hike to Angel’s Rest. Best of all, hiking trails tend to be less crowded in spring than in summer. If you’re visiting Multnomah Falls, you don’t need to worry about a permit until Memorial Day but know that the parking lot fills up on beautiful spring weekends.
For some inspiration, check out my waterfall hiking suggestions:
7. Wildflower hikes
Lupines on the Tom McCall Trail
When to go: Late April through May for peak Columbia Gorge wildflower season
While the waterfalls are looking their best in the western Columbia Gorge, wildflowers are the stars if you head farther east. Around Hood River, the Doug fir and hemlock forests disappear, replaced by grassy hills dotted with ponderosa pines. This more arid side of the Gorge is a perfect environment for stunning spring wildflower displays. Look for yellow sunflower-like balsam root, tall purple lupines, and bright red paintbrush among the showiest blooms. The sparser tree cover also opens up some phenomenal views of the Columbia River and its surrounding bluffs.
For details, check out my article on the best Columbia Gorge wildflower hikes.
Or, stay closer to town and try out the best wildflower hikes in Portland.
8. Watch for whales on the coast
Whale sightings are common on the coast during spring
When to go: Late March through May
While you might see whales on the Oregon Coast at any time of year, the odds are best during gray whale migrations. During the spring migration, about 20,000 gray whales pass by Oregon as they travel north to Alaska. This migrating group dwarves Oregon’s resident population of about 200 gray whales. If you visit the coast during the last week of March, volunteers at whale-watching hotspots along the coast can help you see them. Some of the best whale-watching spots near Portland are Ecola State Park, Neahkahnie Mountain, Cape Meares, and Cape Lookout.
To learn more, check out my article on the wildlife of the Oregon Coast.
9. Look for puffins at Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach
When to go: April through early July
Tufted puffins spend most of their lives at sea and return to shore to nest. One of their favorite nesting spots is 90 minutes from Portland at Haystack Rock, a 235-foot monolith in Cannon Beach. Haystack Rock is close enough to shore that you can reach its base at low tide, along with the tidepools there. The rocks are protected nesting seabird habitat, so bring good binoculars to admire the birds from shore. Your best chance of spotting puffins is early in the morning before they go out to sea to hunt. During nesting season in the spring, their bills will be bright orange and their faces white. Their underbellies are black, which makes them easy to distinguish from the Oregon Coast’s other football-shaped bird, the common murre.
10. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Mallards swim at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
When to go: Around May for peak rhododendron bloom
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is one of Portland’s most underrated attractions. The best time to visit is in April and May when the park’s hundreds of rhododendron bushes are blooming. Easy trails meander through the garden, taking you past a couple of small waterfalls, lakes, bridges, and flowers galore. Crystal Springs is also a great place for birdwatching. Keep an eye out for ducks, geese, songbirds, and bald eagles while you’re there. Garden admission is $9.
For details, check out my guide to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
11. Portland Rose Garden
International Rose Test Garden
When to go: The roses start blooming around May, with peak bloom in June.
Beginning in late spring, the first buds start opening in Portland’s International Rose Test Garden. Soon after, roses of every size, shape, and color bloom in neat rows and along trellises. With over 10,000 rose bushes, Portland’s rose garden is an unforgettable sight during peak bloom. Perched up in the city’s west hills, you can see views of downtown as you stroll, as well as Mt Hood on a clear day. If you visit before the roses bloom, look for the cherry blossoms that surround the parking lot and some earlier bloomers like wisteria and rhododendron. Visiting is free but parking is metered at about $2/hour or $8/day. The garden is crowded when the roses are blooming. Arrive early in the morning if you want time there without the masses.
For details, check out my article on Portland’s Rose Garden.
12. Duniway Park Lilac Gardens
Duniway Lilac Garden
When to go: May and June
The Duniway Park Lilac Garden is in a tucked-away and often overlooked corner of southwest Portland. Once the site of a garbage dump, the park today bears no traces of its earlier life. It’s now a peaceful place where gentle trails wind through grassy fields under the branches of mature trees. The stars of Duniway are its lilacs, making spring the best time to visit. Lush bushes of different species bloom at staggered times in May and June, filling the air with a delicate fragrance. Bring a book and a picnic for a relaxing time with the flowers. Visiting is free. Parking is also free but kind of weird. There isn’t parking right by the garden, so just find it where you can close by and walk there.
13. Wine tasting
I love the views at Aniche Cellars
When to go: Anytime
Springtime in Portland usually means breaks in the rain. Sure, there will still be drizzle and fog and, sometimes, hail, but the cloud cover becomes a little less constant. When a beautiful day arrives, I start longing for a sunny patio. These days are the perfect time to sample some world-class Pacific Northwest wines next to the vineyard. For Oregon’s famous pinot noir, head to the tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley. For a more laidback (and less expensive) wine tasting, try out the excellent wineries in the Columbia Gorge, possibly after a waterfall hike. You can still find some pinots here, but between the microclimates and grapes from the Columbia Valley, expect more variety and some fuller-bodied reds. Whenever you go, it won’t be hard to find an incredible view.
For details, check out my guide to Oregon wine tasting.
14. Winter sports on Mt Hood
Tamanawas Falls in April
When to go: March and April
Even as the weather starts warming up in Portland, there will still be plenty of snow on Mt Hood in early spring. March and April are good times to try out winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, or my favorite, snowshoeing. You can hit the ski slopes and then have hot chocolate by the fire at Timberline Lodge. For a quieter time in nature, avoid the ski crowds and try out a snowshoeing trail in the Mt Hood National Forest. Here are a few beginner-friendly trails that I love:
Be prepared for winter driving conditions when you visit Mt Hood. Chains or traction tires are required until around May. Lighted signs on Highway 26 will tell you when you need them. Parking at most places on Mt Hood requires a Sno-Park Pass through April 30th, which is about $4/day. You can pick one up at outdoor rental stores or gas stations on your way to the mountain.
15. Rose Festival
When to go: late May to mid-June
The Rose Festival is one of Portland’s biggest parties. Every year at the end of spring, the city hosts parades, carnival rides, dragon boat races, fireworks, and live music in downtown Portland. The festival lasts for several weeks and coincides with when the city’s roses bloom. If you visit the waterfront during Fleet Week, you’ll see visiting US Navy, US Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy ships filing the Willamette River. For a full list of events, check out the Rose Festival website.
16. Leach Botanical Garden
Pollinator garden at the Leach Botanical Garden
When to go: Anytime
Southeast Portland’s Leach Botanical Garden is a hidden gem. Botanist Lilla Leach began the garden decades ago when she lived on the property with her husband, John. Today, volunteers and staff maintain the Leach’s former home and have expanded the garden. As you wander along the trails, you’ll see both native species and rare plants that Lilla brought in from around the world. One of the garden’s newest highlights is the tree walk, where you can stroll through the forest at canopy level. With so many types of plants, it’s easy to find flowers blooming throughout the spring and summer. It not only has trillium but multiple trillium species among the first blooms. As the season progresses, look for a wildflower bonanza in the pollinator garden. Admission is $5.
17. Relax on a rooftop patio
The patio at Departure has views of downtown
When to go: Later spring is a better bet to find patios open
As spring progresses, Portland starts having more beautiful days that make patios irresistible. Later sunsets also mean more daylight hours to spend outdoors with your friends. Some of the most interesting patio spaces are on Portland’s rooftops where you can find excellent views to enjoy along with your IPA or craft cocktail. For great beer and pub food, try out 10 Barrel Brewing. For classic cocktails and unbeatable downtown scenery, head to Departure. For the best wine on a rooftop patio, go to Noble Rot. For phenomenal views of the east side of town, try Revolution Hall.
18. Schreiner’s Iris Garden
Display garden
When to go: May
With around 150 acres of fields, Schreiner’s Iris Garden is the largest iris farm in the US and one of the best late spring destinations near Portland. For about three weeks in May, you can visit the 10-acre display garden and see hundreds of iris varieties in every imaginable color. Photographers, go ahead and try to get a bad picture here. I’m not sure it’s possible. Look for food trucks on the weekends and an art fair during several days of the bloom season. Visiting the display garden costs $5-8. You can stop by the gift shop and buy cut flowers without paying for garden admission. Schreiner’s Iris Garden is just north of Salem, about 45 minutes south of Portland.
For a bonus garden, drive five minutes down the road and stop at Adelman Peony Garden. It’s free to visit and has extraordinary blooms.
Adelman Peony Garden
19. Ride the aerial tram
Aerial tram and Mt Hood
When to go: Any day but Sunday (the tram is closed). Avoid rush hour on weekdays when the tram is most crowded (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM).
On a clear day, a fun way to see Portland is on OHSU’s aerial tram, which travels between the south waterfront and the hospital up on the hill. From the tram windows, you’ll see downtown Portland, the Willamette River, and the distant peaks of Mount St Helens and Mount Hood, still snow-capped in spring. After admiring the views, you can stroll along the south waterfront and have lunch by the river. For a more active day, try out the 4T Trail, a unique urban hike that makes a loop through the city using trails and public transit. Part of the trail has been closed after storm damage in January 2024, but I expect it will reopen soon. In the meantime, you can still hike up to Council Crest from OHSU or take the streetcar downtown from the south waterfront. A roundtrip ticket on the tram costs $8. One-way fares are not offered.
20. Escape the rain
Lan Su Chinese Garden has covered walkways that keep you dry as you explore
When to go: The inevitable rainy days of Portland spring
I’ve been writing a lot about outdoor activities but the truth is that springtime in Portland has a lot of rainy days. While a little drizzle might not spoil your hike or garden visit, sometimes it’s better to stay dry by exploring Portland’s museums, theaters, restaurants, and neighborhood centers. For ideas, check out my article on the best indoor activities in Portland.
What to bring to Portland in the spring
Sunscreen, whether or not the sun makes an appearance.
Camera
Bring a raincoat. It’s usually not very cold but still rains often in Portland during the spring. A lightweight waterproof women’s or men’s rain jacket would be a good choice.
Hiking boots to try out the trails in and around town. Portland is close to some world-class hikes. I love these hiking boots for women. There is a similar pair for men.
Mallards hang out under the cherry blossoms at Tom McCall Park
In summary, the best things to do in Portland in the spring are:
See the cherry blossoms
Visit the Saturday Market
See the Hoyt Arboretum magnolias
Trillium at Tryon Creek
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Waterfall hikes
Wildflower hikes
Watch for whales on the coast
Look for puffins at Haystack Rock
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Portland Rose Garden
Duniway Park Lilac Gardens
Wine tasting
Winter sports on Mt Hood
Portland Rose Festival
Leach Botanical Garden
Visit a rooftop patio
Schreiner’s Iris Garden
Take the aerial tram
Escape the rain
Enjoy the springtime in Portland!
With love,
Emma
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