Are you looking for free things to do in Portland? Look no further! We found free museums, events and activities you can do while in the city!
We found free things to do in Portland every day.
The Oregon Historical Society is a great place to start when looking for free things to do in Portland. Not only does the historical society have a museum you can enjoy but they also have the resources to direct you to different areas throughout the city.
The Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts provides a unique look at photographic art you can enjoy while you’re in Portland. While there, you can catch different exhibits by a variety of artists. They also have a collection of permanent photographic art.
The International Rose Test Garden is one of the free things to do in Portland every day. You can visit the garden in Washington Park. The area also has an archery range, picnic spots and an arboretum.
These universities have free things to do in Portland.
The Portland State University Gallery features artwork by students, alumni and even famous artists who attended the school. You can learn more about the artwork and the university in general while you visit!
The Lewis and Clark College Hoffman Gallery is a special example of different things you can check out while you’re visiting Portland. It’s one of the free things to do in Portland that allows you to learn more about the history of the city and Oregon in general. You may also be able to learn more about the expeditions that allowed the country to expand West.
The Reed College Cooley Gallery features the best pieces in the Reed College. The gallery is free to visit, but check before visiting as it isn’t open every day of the week.
The Portland Community College Galleries allow you to look at different examples of art in the city. You can visit the galleries to learn more about the artwork. While there, check out their permanent exhibits as well as changing exhibits by students and alumni.
Here are more free things to do in Portland!
Stark’s Vacuum Museum is one of the most unique free things to do in Portland. While you’re at the museum, you can learn more about vacuums and how they’ve changed throughout the years. You can learn about the different purposes and the evolution of the vacuum as we know it. Also, you can buy a vacuum here if you need it!
The Safety Learning Center and Fire Museum is a great place to go if you’ve got kids! The safety learning center allows you to take your children to learn more about fire safety. When you visit the fire museum, you can even take a ride down a real fire pole!
The Oregon Rail Heritage Center features information on the rail system in Oregon and how it has evolved over the years. You can learn more about Oregon trains and trains in general while there!
Here are free Wednesday museums.
The Historic Belmont Firehouse is open for free on Wednesdays. You can also visit on the second Saturday of each month for free admission. During the free days, the firehouse also offers free activities and information sessions.
We found free things to do in Portland on Thursdays.
The Portland Art Museum is free on the first Thursday of each month. No matter what day it is, kids who are 17 and younger can always get in for free!
You can get free admission on Fridays.
The Portland Children’s Museum is free on the first Friday. You can also get an access pass for $15 if you live within 35 miles and qualify as low-income! Other low-income options are available for families who receive assistance including $2 admission!
Looking for free things to do in Portland on the weekend? Try these!
The Washington County Museum is free on the second Saturday of every month. You can enjoy free admission, free activities and even a free craft for the kids while you visit during the special second Saturday events.
The World Forestry Center offers information on the forests around Portland, Oregon, the United States and the world! You can learn a lot about forests and different things that make a forest what it is. The World Forestry Center offers free admission on the second Saturday of every month!
Get the Discovery Pass and get in for free!
You can get a Discovery Pass from the Multnomah County library! The museum passes are available for families. You can get one pass per venue per year from your library. Families with online access to the libraries can get their passes online!
The Washington County Cultural Pass might also help you explore even more museum options outside of Portland. You may need to visit the library to get your pass.
Looking for more Discovery Passes and other ways to get free things from your Portland-area library? Here’s what we’ve found on benefits you get from Oregon libraries!
These aren’t quite free..but they’re close.
Even if you can’t find free things to do in Portland right now, you might be able to take advantage of these lower-cost options in the city! These aren’t free, but they’re cheap:
- OMSI offers a $2 admission to families who qualify.
- The Oregon Zoo offers $4 admission to families the second Tuesday of each month while they’re open. You can also save another $1.50 if you take public transportation to get to the zoo!
