10 Things To Do In Portland For Under $10

Bored over the weekend? Spent the last of your dollars on prom preparation? Here’s a quick list of 10 things to do in Portland that will cost you less than $10.

1. Visit the Saturday Market – Every Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 24, Portland vendors set up shop in the Old Town/Chinatown area by the Skidmore Fountain. The Market features live music, food, and inexpensive “Portland” goods such as homemade soaps, roasted nuts, and self-designed t-shirts.

2. Buy a book at Powell’s – the Portland bookstore is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Located in the heart of the Pearl District, used books especially have low prices and a cafe located inside the store offers a perfect place to work, study, or read.

3. Catch a movie at a McMenamins theater- Including the Bagdad, Edgefield, Kennedy School, and several others, all the theaters feature comfortable couches and chairs for seating, delicious pizza, and tickets ranging $3-$9 for all ages.

4. Hang out at the beach on Sauvie’s – Daily parking permits are only $7.

5. Go for a bike ride – Portland is a beautiful green city with well-marked bike paths and safe neighborhoods. There are also many large forested parks in and around Portland with quiet bike trails to observe nature.

6. Take a relaxing afternoon in the Japanese Gardens – Adult tickets cost $9.50 and the prices go down from there. A beautiful authentic garden.

7. Go vintage shopping downtown- Downtown Portland has a vast array of cheap vintage stores, especially down Morrison and close to Lincoln, such as Buffalo Exchange on W. Burnside, Magpie on S.W. 9th, and Decades Vintage on SW Stark.

8. People-watch in Pioneer Square- grab some food cart food and sit down in the Square; between all of the picketers, tourists, and the many Portlanders, you’ll have plenty to watch.

9. Take a tour of the Pittock Mansion – Built in 1914, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the one-time house of an Oregonian newspaper publisher. Tickets cost $9.50 for adults. The mansion is located at 3229 NW Pittock Drive.

10. Get a donut from Blue Star – With lines much shorter than those you’ll find at Voodoo, Blue Star also has similarly flavored, delicious, cheap donuts that you can enjoy on the rest of your Portland adventures.