10 Fun Solo Activities in Portland
Some things to do in Portland are better with a group. Karaoke comes to mind. My singing is such that no one but loyal friends would cheer me on. For other activities, flying solo is just as fun. I’ve lived in Portland for years and write a blog about things to do here. Sometimes, I bring friends. Other times, I check things out by myself first. Visitors, new arrivals, last-minute planners, introverts, and people with weird schedules, here are the best solo activities in Portland.
1. Go for a hike
Redwood deck at Hoyt Arboretum
One of my favorite things about living in Portland is how easy it is to get to the woods. Portland’s best parks feel like nature rather than the city. Forest Park is the largest of them, with over 80 miles of hiking trails through a forest of towering Doug fir, cedar, and big-leaf maple trees. One of the best introductions to Portland is the 4T Trail, a unique tour of the city via hiking trails, public transit, and aerial tram. It’s a fun day when you’re flying solo, one that feels like a rewarding scavenger hunt. Washington Park, Powell Butte, and Mt Tabor are also great choices for urban hikes.
2. Browse the books at Powell’s
Displays at Powell’s
Powell’s Books is the world’s largest new and used bookstore. It contains over a million books and fills a city block in northwest Portland. I’ve been many times. The experience is similar whether or not I’m by myself. As soon as I’m inside, the wonderland of books hypnotizes me. Time and companions long forgotten, I become increasingly laden with books I did not plan on buying. One of my favorite finds is a novel about a man who has so many books that he dreams about getting crushed by them in his sleep. My fictional soulmate. Enter with caution, especially alone. You will probably leave with a new and intense interest, like, say, Mongolian history.
3. Read books at the Rose City Book Pub
Here I am reading the book about the man with too many books at the Rose City Book Pub
Powell’s has a cafe inside the store, but it gets crowded and can be pretty loud. A better place to read books is at the Rose City Book Pub in northeast Portland. This cozy cafe is full of tucked-away corners, overflowing bookshelves, and embroidered cushions straight from grandma’s house. Plenty of the patrons will be alone behind their novels or laptop screens. The food at the Rose City Book Pub is snacks and sandwiches. Drinks are coffee, tea, cocoa, sodas, beer, wine, and cocktails made with local spirits. Prices are unusually reasonable. You can get a decent glass of wine for $5 or splurge on the $8 “fancy glass.” Check out the calendar for events like live music, poetry readings, and chess night.
4. Visit the International Rose Test Garden
International Rose Test Garden
Portland’s International Rose Test Garden pops up on just about every list of things to do in the city, and with good reason. It’s that cool. Always a beautiful place to visit, the garden is nothing short of extraordinary from May through October when the roses bloom. You can see flowers on over 10,000 rose bushes in June during the peak season. Besides the roses, the garden has views of Portland’s skyline and Mt Hood on a clear day. Don’t hesitate to go by yourself. The roses will be just as beautiful. Hiking trails beginning at the garden explore the forests of Washington Park. Across the street is another one of Portland’s best solo activities, the Portland Japanese Garden.
The International Rose Test Garden is free to visit. Parking is metered at about $2/hour.
5. Visit the Portland Japanese Garden
Japanese maples in early November
The Portland Japanese Garden blurs the line between nature and art. Tranquil paths explore multiple styles of Japanese Gardens, all maintained with exceptional skill and care. The atmosphere is perfect for a solitary stroll. Look for koi ponds, an art gallery, sand gardens, reflecting pools, and a small waterfall. In fall, the colorful leaves of the many Japanese maples are stunning. In early spring, the cherry blossoms dazzle. Stop by the Umami Cafe inside the garden for an excellent pot of tea and snacks. It’s a peaceful place to enjoy when you’re having a day on your own.
Adult admission to the Portland Japanese Garden is $22.
6. See the Portland Saturday Market
Portland Saturday Market
If you’re visiting or new to Portland, the Saturday Market is a great introduction to the city. On weekends from March through December, vendor booths fill part of the waterfront park, offering locally made products like art, clothing, jewelry, and cut flower bouquets. One row is devoted to food carts. If you visit in the summer, you’ll see kids playing in the fountain next to the market. A small stage features live music performances. After seeing the booths, you can stroll along the waterfront and admire the Willamette River. Visit alone or with a group. It’s a fun time either way.
Visiting the Portland Saturday Market is free. Parking nearby is metered and can be hard to find. Use public transit if you can.
7. Relax in a soaking pool
Everett House has a beautiful soaking pool. You’ll have to take my word for it since it’s full of naked people.
One of my favorite things to do in Portland is visit a soaking pool. With so many cold, drizzly days, it’s a rare way to spend time outside without risking a chill. It also does wonders for my muscle stiffness. The soaking pool at the Kennedy School is a social environment (although I still enjoy going by myself). The others are more like spas, peaceful and meditative. Many offer other services perfect for solo days, like massage and saunas. The best values are the community pools: Everett House and Common Ground (both clothing-optional). For more of a splurge, check out Knot Springs, Santé, or Cascada.
8. Portland Art Museum
Portland Art Museum
Art appreciation is a personal experience, as much a dialog between you and the artwork as anyone with you. The Portland Art Museum is a great destination when you’re flying solo. The collection is more about variety than a single focus. Feel encouraged to wander, spending time in the rooms that speak to you. The museum has rotating exhibitions in addition to the permanent collection. If a temporary exhibit catches your eye, don’t hesitate to go by yourself. Also, stay tuned. The Portland Art Museum is undergoing renovations. Look for new and updated exhibit spaces at the end of 2025.
Adult admission to the Portland Art Museum is $25. Kids 17 and under can visit for free. Admission is free for everyone on the first Thursday of the month.
9. Visit the Chinese Garden
Lake Zither at Lan Su Chinese Garden
The Lan Su Chinese Garden is unique among Portland’s gardens for being a good rainy day escape. Covered walkways and indoor spaces keep you dry as you explore. More tranquil than festive, Lan Su seems almost designed for solo visits. Lines of poetry decorate walls, engravings, and plaques. Elegant paths, bridges, and pavilions surround peaceful Lake Zither in an architectural style with 2,000 years of history. After wandering through the garden, stop by the Yun Shui teahouse for delicious tea and snacks.
Adult admission to the Chinese Garden is $16.
10. Drive out to the Columbia Gorge
Multnomah Falls
The Columbia Gorge is extraordinary in any season and in any company. A lush, waterfall-rich temperate rainforest covers the slopes alongside the Columbia River. Its most popular attraction, Multnomah Falls, is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Portland. I go as often as I can, often alone. Whether you go for a hike or just want to see beautiful waterfalls, the Columbia Gorge is a wonderful place to spend time by yourself. For suggestions on hikes and attractions, check out some of my articles on the area:
Views of the Columbia Gorge from Angel’s Rest
Best solo activities in Portland, the summary:
Go for a hike
Browse the books at Powell’s
Read books at the Rose City Book Pub
International Rose Test Garden
Portland Japanese Garden
See the Portland Saturday Market
Relax in a soaking pool
Portland Art Museum
Visit the Chinese Garden
Drive out to the Columbia Gorge
Enjoy your solo day in Portland!
With love,
Emma
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