Breakfast
Doughnuts and coffee
A fresh, fried doughnut with a cup of strong coffee, a local habit and an easy start before a day in the gardens.
Local tip Choose one flavor to share, since the doughnuts are big.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. Portland is easy to walk and to ride, and you only need a car for Days 3 and 4.Details
- Flying in
- Portland International Airport sits northeast of the city, and a light rail line runs from the terminal to downtown. A taxi or a booked ride also works. Landing in daylight makes the first evening easier.
- Car for the Gorge
- Days 1 and 2 work without a car. Collect one on the morning of Day 3 for the Gorge and Mount Hood, and give it back after Day 4. Parking and entry rules at the waterfalls change, so check ahead before you go.
- What to wear
- Rain can come in any season, so pack a light waterproof jacket and shoes with grip for wet stone. On the mountain it is cooler than the city, so bring a warm layer even on a sunny day.
- First evening
- Take a slow walk along the river in the city centre, then eat early. Day 1 starts in Washington Park, on the hill west of downtown.
How much walking? On foot, about 0.6 to 1.4 miles a day, and 94.3 miles by car in all across 4 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Day 1. Roses, a Japanese garden and a mansion
3 stops · 0.7 mi on footA slow first day on the hill of Washington Park, west of downtown. A rose garden on a hillside, a Japanese garden of moss and stone beside it, then a mansion on a ridge above the city. Take your time between the gardens.
If you only have half a dayInternational Rose Test Garden, then Portland Japanese Garden. A hillside of rose beds, then a garden of moss, stone and raked gravel.
- 1Morning
International Rose Test Garden
A hillside garden of rose beds in Washington Park, laid out in terraces above the city. Walk the paths between the beds, and look out over downtown from the top. Check ahead on what is in bloom for your month.
Go when Morning, before the paths fill.
Local tip Walk to the top of the terraces first for the view, then wander down between the beds. What is in bloom depends on your month, so check ahead.
Photo by Richard Hedrick on Unsplash About 3 min walk0.1 mi - 2MiddayBook ahead
Portland Japanese Garden
A Japanese garden on the same hill, a short way up from the roses, made of moss, stone, raked gravel, ponds and a tea house. Move slowly along the paths. There are slopes and steps, and a timed ticket may be needed, so check ahead.
Go when Midday, once you have walked the roses.
Local tip Go slowly and look at the moss, the stones and the raked gravel. There are slopes and steps, so wear shoes with grip, and check ahead on timed tickets.
Photo by Cody Weaver on Unsplash - Lunch
A grilled salmon sandwich
Salmon from the cold rivers and the sea, grilled and served on a roll with greens, a regional dish.
Local tip Ask whether the fish is wild or farmed, and if it came from nearby.
About 12 min walk0.6 mi - 3AfternoonIndoor
Pittock Mansion
A stone mansion of the early 1900s on a ridge above the city, built for the owner of the local newspaper and now a house museum. The grounds look out over the city toward the mountains. Check ahead on the opening and on parking.
Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop.
Local tip The grounds look out over the city and, on a clear day, toward the mountains. Check ahead on the opening and on parking, since the road up is narrow.
Photo by Sean Benesh on Unsplash - Dinner
Dungeness crab cakes
Sweet crab from the Oregon coast, mixed with a little breadcrumb and seared, served with a squeeze of lemon.
Local tip Crab has a season, so ask what is fresh.
If it rains. Washington Park is mostly outdoors, but the paths are easy in a light rain. Go to the Japanese Garden first, since its moss looks richest when wet, and use the mansion as your shelter if the rain sets in.
Day 2. Books, a Chinese garden and the river
4 stops · 1.4 mi on footA flat, easy day downtown on foot or by a short ride. Start in a bookstore that fills a city block, walk to a walled Chinese garden, cross a public square and finish beside the river.
If you only have half a dayPowell's City of Books, then Lan Su Chinese Garden. A bookstore that fills a city block, then a walled garden of pavilions, rocks and a lake.
- Breakfast
A hazelnut roll and coffee
Oregon grows most of the hazelnuts in the country, and a sweet roll with chopped nuts goes well with a strong cup of coffee.
Local tip Ask for a roll still warm from the oven.
- 1MorningIndoor
Powell's City of Books
A bookstore that fills a full city block in the Pearl District, with new and used books on many floors. It is a shop, but also a landmark of the city, and easy to lose an hour in. Check ahead on the opening.
Go when Morning, when the aisles are quieter.
Local tip It is a shop, so pick up a floor map by the door, choose a section and let the rest go. Pack light, since a book is heavy in a bag.
Photo by Cole Keister on Unsplash About 9 min walk0.4 mi - 2Midday
Lan Su Chinese Garden
A walled garden in the style of Suzhou, built in Chinatown by craftsmen from that city, with pavilions, rocks, walkways and a lake. Sit by the water for a while. Check ahead on the opening and on tickets.
Go when Midday, as a calm stop.
Local tip Sit by the lake and watch the light on the pavilions. It is a small garden, so a short visit is enough. Check ahead on the opening and on tickets.
Photo by Peter Chapin on Unsplash - Lunch
A pear and hazelnut salad
Sliced pears from the valley orchards with toasted hazelnuts, greens and a light dressing, a fresh lunch for a walking day.
Local tip Pears are at their sweetest in the fall, so ask what is in season.
About 11 min walk0.6 mi - 3Afternoon
Pioneer Courthouse Square
The public square in the middle of downtown, a brick amphitheater of steps where people sit, talk and watch the city. Take a short rest on the steps, with the light rail passing nearby.
Go when Afternoon, for a rest on the steps.
Local tip Take a seat on the brick steps and watch the square. The light rail passes beside it, so it is also an easy place to meet.
Photo by Sean Benesh on Unsplash About 8 min walk0.4 mi - 4Evening
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
A long park along the Willamette River, with lawns, a path beside the water and views of the bridges. A level walk to end the day, with benches whenever you want to stop.
Go when Evening (about 7:22 PM), along the water.
Local tip Walk the path by the river and look at the bridges. It is flat all the way, and the benches are spread along it, so go as far as you like.
Photo by Richard Hedrick on Unsplash - Dinner
A Dungeness crab roll
Chunks of sweet crab in a soft roll with butter or a light mayonnaise, a simple supper by the river.
Local tip Eat it fresh, with a lemon wedge and a napkin.
If it rains. This is a good day for rain, with the bookstore and the Chinese garden under cover for much of the time. Keep the square and the river park for a dry hour, and a short ride covers the gaps.
Day 3. The old highway and three waterfalls
4 stops · 0.6 mi on foot, 27.2 mi by carA day by car along the Historic Columbia River Highway, east of Portland. A domed viewpoint above the river, then three waterfalls, each a short walk from the road. Check ahead on timed entry or parking rules for the old highway, and on closures after wildfire.
If you only have half a dayVista House, then Multnomah Falls. A domed viewpoint above the river, then a two-step waterfall beside the highway.
- Drive from Tom McCall Waterfront ParkAbout 44 min by car20.8 miWhere Day 2 ended.
- Breakfast
Eggs, potatoes and coffee
A plain plate of eggs, fried potatoes and toast with a mug of coffee, a filling start before a day of walking and driving.
Local tip Eat well, since the Gorge has few places to buy food on the old highway.
- 1MorningBook aheadIndoor
Vista House
A stone viewpoint with a dome, built on top of Crown Point in the early 1900s as a rest stop for travelers on the old highway. Look out over the river and the Gorge from the terrace. It is windy, so bring a layer. Check ahead on the opening.
Go when Morning, before the wind picks up.
Local tip Step out onto the terrace for the view over the river. It is exposed, so bring a layer. Check ahead on the opening and on timed entry for the old highway.
Photo: Josh B, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 9 min by car or transit1.3 mi - 2Midday
Latourell Falls
A waterfall that drops in a single plunge over a cliff of columnar basalt covered in yellow-green lichen. A short paved path leads from the road to a view of it. Wet stone is slick, so keep to the path.
Go when Midday, on the way east.
Local tip The lichen on the cliff is the color to look for. A short path leads to the view, and the stone is slick when wet, so keep to the path.
Photo: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
A picnic of smoked salmon, bread and cheese
A box of flaky smoked salmon with crusty bread and cheese, easy to carry and good by a waterfall.
Local tip Pick it up in the city, and keep it cold in a bag.
About 20 min by car or transit5.0 mi - 3Afternoon
Wahkeena Falls
A tiered waterfall that slips down a steep, mossy slope, a short walk from the highway, with a trail that climbs toward Multnomah Falls. The first view is easy, and the trail above it is steep, so stop wherever you like.
Go when Afternoon, as you work your way east.
Local tip The first view is a short walk, then the trail climbs steeply. Turn around whenever you like. Check ahead on trail closures after wildfire.
Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 12 min walk0.6 mi - 4AfternoonBook ahead
Multnomah Falls
A two-step waterfall in the cliffs above the old highway, said to be the tallest in Oregon, with a stone bridge between the upper and lower falls. It is among the most visited places in the state, so check ahead on timed entry and parking, and on trail closures.
Go when Afternoon, outside the busiest hours.
Local tip Walk to the bridge between the two falls if the path is open, and mind the steep slope. Check ahead on timed entry and parking, which can change from year to year.
Photo by KEVIN COX on Unsplash - Dinner
Marionberry pie
A slice of pie made with the marionberry, a dark, tart berry developed in Oregon, served with a scoop of ice cream after a day on the road.
Local tip Ask for it warm, and share a slice if you are full.
If it rains. Rain makes the waterfalls fuller and the stone slick. Keep to the paths, stay behind the rails, and check ahead on closures and on fog or low cloud at the viewpoint. If the weather is bad, shorten the day to Multnomah Falls.
Day 4. Orchards, a mountain and a lodge
4 stops · 67.2 mi by carA long day by car to the east, with room to stop. A river town among orchards, the volcano that rises above them, a lake in the forest and a lodge on the slope. Check ahead on the road, snow and any permit before you set off, and head back while there is light.
If you only have half a dayHood River, then Mount Hood. A river town among orchards, then the volcano that rises above them.
- Drive from Multnomah FallsAbout 56 min by car30.1 miWhere Day 3 ended.
- Breakfast
An egg sandwich and coffee
A hot egg and cheese sandwich with strong coffee, easy to eat in the car before the road east.
Local tip Fill a water bottle too, since the mountain has few shops.
- 1Morning
Hood River
A small town on the Columbia River where the wind draws windsurfers and kiteboarders, set among orchards of pears and apples. Walk the main streets and the waterfront, and look south for the mountain. Check ahead on the road.
Go when Morning, with a coffee on the waterfront.
Local tip Walk the main streets and the shore, and watch the sails on the river on a windy day. Pears and apples from the valley orchards are sold in season.
Photo by Dale Nibbe on Unsplash About 49 min by car24.7 mi - 2Midday
Mount Hood
The highest peak in Oregon, a volcano with glaciers on its slopes, rising out of Mount Hood National Forest. See it from the road as it comes into view. Clouds can hide it, so treat a clear view as a bonus. Check ahead on snow and permits.
Go when Midday, from the road as it comes into view.
Local tip Clouds can sit on the summit for days, so treat a clear view as a bonus. Check ahead on snow, the road and any permit before you set off.
Photo by Adam Blank on Unsplash - Lunch
Fresh pears from the valley
Hood River is known for its pears and apples, which are sold fresh in season at stands along the roads of the valley.
Local tip Buy one or two to eat on the road, and ask which kind is ripe.
About 28 min by car or transit7.7 mi - 3Afternoon
Trillium Lake
A small lake in the forest at the foot of the mountain, with a flat path around the shore and a view of Mount Hood across the water when the sky is clear. Check ahead on the road, on snow and on any parking or permit rule.
Go when Afternoon, when the water is calm.
Local tip Take the flat path around the shore and look back at the mountain across the water. Check ahead on the road, snow and parking or permit rules.
Photo by Greg Beddor on Unsplash About 19 min by car or transit4.7 mi - 4EveningIndoor
Timberline Lodge
A mountain lodge of stone and heavy timber on the slope of Mount Hood, built by workers in the 1930s and now a national historic landmark. Come to look at the stonework and the carved wood, and the view over the forest. Check ahead on snow and the road.
Go when Late afternoon (about 7:22 PM), as the light softens.
Local tip Walk through the main hall to look at the stonework and the carved timber. It is a working lodge, so be considerate of guests. Check ahead on snow and the road.
Photo: Raven Winters, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
Hazelnut-crusted salmon
A fillet of salmon baked with a crust of ground hazelnuts, a dish from the Pacific Northwest, served with seasonal vegetables.
Local tip It suits a cold evening after a day outdoors.
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If it rains. Low cloud can hide the mountain, and snow can close the road higher up. Check the road and the forecast before you set off. If the weather turns, keep to Hood River and the lodge, and turn back early.
Departure day
After the last day. Leave time for the ride back to the airport.Details
- Leaving town
- The airport is reached by light rail from downtown or by road. If you have a car, fill the tank on the way back from Mount Hood and check the hours of the return desk before you set off.
- Souvenirs
- A book from the shop on Day 2, a jar of hazelnuts or a bag of local coffee beans all pack well. Check the rules on food before you fly.
- If you have a few hours
- Walk the river park once more, or sit with a book on a bench in Pioneer Courthouse Square before the ride out.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Portland?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, May to June and September to October are the most comfortable months for walking around Portland. This plan is built for september to October, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 4 days in Portland, planned for september to October. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
On foot, about 0.6 to 1.4 miles a day, and 94.3 miles by car in all across 4 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Keep exploring
Nearby trips
3 days in SeattleAbout 150 miles awayAn easy add-on
4 days around Olympic National ParkAbout 180 miles away
6 days in VancouverAbout 260 miles awayMore like this
Make this plan yours
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated November 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.