Yep, it can rain in Portland, and sometimes it just doesn’t rain but it pours. Although this shouldn’t spot you enjoying this awesome city as there are plenty of fun or relaxing indoor activities to choose from.
From high octaine to something more sedate, here are some of the best things to do in Portland, Oregon when it rains…
1. Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink – a family-friendly indoor activity perfect for those rainy days
Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink is a roller rink in Oaks Amusement Park, an urban park located a few miles south of downtown Portland. It is the oldest and one of the largest skating establishments in the United States.
It is famous as the “skaters’ paradise” all over the country and attracts locals and visitors alike.
If you are looking for an exciting indoor activity on a rainy day in Portland, you can go skating in Oaks Park Roller Skating Rink. The rink is available to the public Tuesdays through Sundays at different timings, mostly between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Address: 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202, United States
Phone: +1 503-233-5777
2. Watch a movie at Cinemagic Theater – a cozy idea to spend a drizzly night indoors
Cinemagic Theater is a single-screen movie theater on Hawthorne Boulevard in Southeast Portland. The theater features a wide range of films, from current to second-run to classics.
If you want to have a peaceful time indoors on a rainy day in Portland, you should watch a movie at Cinemagic Theater. The indie cinema features comfortable seats and has a cozy ambience. They also have a great selection of food and craft beers.
Address: 2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214, United States
Phone: +1 971-420-9350
3. Soak in hot pools – a great relaxation option to explore on a wet day
Portland is home to a large number of indoor hot pools. No matter where you are staying in Portland, you’ll always find a hot pool nearby.
From hotels to health clubs to amusement parks, there are hot pools available almost everywhere in the city.
Soaking in hot pools is one of the best things to do on a cool rainy day. Some of the best hot pools in Portland include McMenamins Crystal Hotel Soaking Pool, Mt Scott Community Center & Indoor Pool, Columbia Swimming Pool, and Knot Springs. Many of these also feature private jacuzzis.
4. Enjoy a brunch/coffee – the best combination for a rainy day in Portland
There is nothing you can want more on a rainy morning than a deliciously-flavored cup of coffee. If you are looking for pleasurable and relaxing indoor activities to do in Portland on a rainy day, you should consider having brunch at a classy restaurant.
Portland is home to a myriad of cozy cafes and restaurants offering diverse cuisine.
Some of the best restaurants to have brunch in Portland include Hunny Milk, The Hazel Room, Besaws, The Mont, The Waffle Window, Gravy, and Mother’s Bistro and Bar.
5. Go Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley – a place where you can try the best wines in Oregon whilst admiring the rain
The Willamette Valley is home to over 500 vineyards and wine tasting rooms. If you are a wine connoisseur, the best thing to do on a rainy day in Portland is to go wine tasting in the Willamette Valley.
The 150-mile long valley features 3,430,400 acres of wine-growing region. You can have an exceptional wine tasting experience here.
Some of the best wine tasting rooms in the region include Bergström Wines, Colene Clemens Vineyards, Brooks Vineyard and Winery, Domaine Drouhin, Saffron Fields, and Youngberg Hill.
6. Take a Cooking Class – one of the best adult (and kid) indoor activity when it’s raining
Portland is home to some of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest. If you want to engage in a productive indoor activity on a rainy day, taking a cooking class or attending a culinary workshop may be the best thing to do.
From personalized in-home cooking workshops to hands-on gourmet cooking classes, there are a variety of programs you can get enrolled in. These programs are offered by culinary schools, restaurants, and private workshops.
While some cooking classes focus on diverse cuisine, some teach a specific cuisine, such as Ethiopian, Indian, and Moroccan. The best cooking classes you can attend in Portland are fuAsian, fuAsian, Napoli, That’s Amore, Nuestra Cocina, and Priscilla’s Kitchen among others.
7. Go Bowling at Punch Bowl Social – a funky place to meet up with friends and family on a rainy day
Punch Bowl Social is a recreational spot offering a broad array of games for both children and adults. If you are visiting the city with kids, you may want to bring them here on a rainy day. Bowling is one of the most thrilling indoor activities you can engage in on a rainy day.
Punch Bowl Social is located in Pioneer Place mall in downtown Portland. It has a ritzy bar specializing in gastropub fare. You can have excellent food and craft beers while bowling here.
The place is open from Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. On weekends, they stay open till 1 a.m. You can also enjoy happy hours at the Punch Bowl Social bar between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day except Sunday.
Address: 340 SW Morrison St #4305, Portland, OR 97204, United States
Phone: +1 503-334-0360
8. Go Skydiving Indoors – who said you can’t skydive on rainy days?
As Portland is known for its outdoor recreations, rainy days can really dampen the spirits of both locals and visitors. If you miss Portlandian outdoor thrill on a rainy day, you should consider going indoor skydiving at iFly.
Located on Greenburg Road in Southwest Portland, iFLY is a skydiving center offering an incredible indoor skydiving experience in a safe and fun setting.
It is open Mondays through Sundays at different timings, mostly between 11 a.m and 6 p.m.
Address: 10645 SW Greenburg Rd, Portland, OR 97223, United States
Phone: +1 971-803-4359
9. Play at Escape Games PDX – a place where you can spend hours playing whilst it’s pouring down with rain outside
Escape Games PDX is a large escape room center featuring a great selection of escape games that will utterly engross you.
The center features 5 playrooms with unique escape games, including Virtual Sasquatch, Prison Heist, The Hour Before Christmas, Amnesia, Film Noir, and Portlandia.
The escape game center caters to people of all ages, ranging from children to adults. It is one of the most thrilling indoor activities you can indulge in on a rainy day in Portland. You can spend an entire afternoon here, discovering clues, solving puzzles, and accomplishing complex tasks.
Escape Games PDX is open Mondays through Fridays at different timings, mostly between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. On weekends, the place only stays open in the evening.
Address: 2636 NW 26th Ave #2, Portland, OR 97210, United States
Phone: +1 503-208-7353
10. Sing at The Alibi Tiki Lounge – a place where you can feel tropical either on a sunny or rainy day
The Alibi Tiki Lounge is a karaoke bar on Interstate Avenue in North Portland. The tiki bar features island-themed murals and has a lively karaoke floor. If you want to spend a rainy evening doing something joyful, you should sing at The Alibi Tiki Lounge.
The Alibi Tiki Lounge is open Mondays through Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. You can also enjoy eclectic pub fare at the bar.
Address: 4024 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227, United States
Phone: +1 503-287-5335
11. Enjoy the fireplace at The Fireside – a restaurant that will warm up your belly on a wet day
The Fireside is a ritzy American restaurant specializing in gastropub fare. The restaurant features dual fireplaces and has a warm ambience.
On a cool rainy day, you can sit beside the fireplace and decompress at The Fireside.
They have a sizable menu of craft cocktails, fine wines, and pub appetizers. The Fireside is open every day between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Address: 801 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210, United States
Phone: +1 503-477-9505
12. Visit Powell’s City of Books – the best place to read a book while listening to the sound of the rain
Powell’s City of Books is the largest independently-owned bookstore in the world that showcases both new and used books. On a rainy day, you may want to get lost browsing the impressive selection of books at Powell’s City of Books.
The bookstore has nine color-coded rooms with 3,500 different sections, each dedicated to a specific niche. The store showcases books belonging to all genres, ranging from history and literature to science fiction and romance.
If you are an avid reader, you must spend an entire afternoon exploring the amazing book collection housed there. Powell’s City of Books is open daily between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. The bookstore also features a coffee shop and gift shop.
Address: 1005 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209, United States
Phone: +1 800-878-7323
13. Visit Pittock Mansion – an exquisite historic museum where you can stay indoors in a wet weather
Pittock Mansion is a Renaissance-style mansion located high in the West Hills. The chateau features 23 well-appointed rooms and exquisite botanical gardens. It was once a private home for Henry Pittock, a recognized Oregonian publisher.
The French-style chateau features Jacobethan library, Turkish smoking room, French-style drawing room, and an Edwardian dining room.
The mansion has an aesthetic interior and showcases beautiful historic art of the 19th century.
It is open to the public every day between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you want to explore the ancient Portlandian art combined with French touches, you may want to spend an entire evening here on a rainy day.
Address: 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210, United States
Phone: +1 503-823-3623
14. Go Vintage/thrift or boutique shopping – an all-in-one pastime option that offers shops, restaurants and a cinema if you don’t fancy the rain
Portland is home to a wide range of vintage boutiques featuring an excellent collection of jewelry and clothes. Whether you have a small budget or plenty of money to spend, you can easily quench your shopping appetite here.
The best shopping destinations in Portland include Pioneer Place, Union Way, Lloyd Center, and Jantzen Beach Center among others.
15. Visit the Portland Art Museum – one of the top choices for those who want to run away from the rainy days
Portland Art Museum is a landmark destination on the West Coast of Portland. It features a massive selection of American and Asian art.
It is one of the oldest museums in the United States boasting a diverse collection of artworks from both native and global craftsmen and artists.
The museum also features a film theater that shows historical documentaries. If you are an art connoisseur or history buff, you may want to visit this artistic destination on a rainy day.
Exploring the diverse art housed in the museum is as thrilling as the famous outdoor recreations of Portland. The museum is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205, United States
Phone: +1 503-226-2811
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Born and raised in Brazil, Gaby has always had a taste for the intriguing, the off-beat and the far flung. After travelling around most of South America, living in Spain and Italy and then moving to England, her feet have stayed continually twitchy. Studying for a degree in Spanish translation and then learning five more languages only poured more fuel onto her travelling ardor.
Gaby likes nothing better than discovering new destinations and meeting the locals, tasting the cuisine and hearing about the local stories. Her other indulgences include French cinema, boxing, photography, colourful manicures and soaking up the rays on a sun-infused beach. She counts Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon and Cornwall as her most favourite places in the world.