This was a find on the way to check out the Wildwood Crows. It's a museum that has interesting…read moreitems and Ouija boards themes. You buy your tickets and wait a few minutes to go behind a door. There was a group in front of us. So we waited a minute. Stepping inside was like another dimension. Everything was supernatural themes items. Clowns, werewolves and others. It was quite fun to explore and read about stuff. The front of the store has a lot of items too. Old couches and knick knacks. Old photos and more items. It's quite fun to have a break from Wildwood Crows hunting to explore this museum.

Stopped by after seeing a post about this place and glad I did--we loved it. Very cool place that…read morewent into history of a lot of the curios they had on display. Definitely worth a visit if you have time!

A beautiful museum in downtown Portland that curates a well-rounded collection from iconic artists,…read moreregional Northwest staples, and contemporary installations. Even for visitors like me who don't particularly gravitate towards modern art, the breadth and depth of the traditional galleries offer hours of exploration. Viewing pieces by iconic figures like Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet up close is awe-inspiring, while the regional galleries featuring Mt. Hood provide a sense of pride for the PNW. The descriptive plaques make navigating the galleries engaging throughout. Logistics Tip: General adult admission is $27.50, though a museum membership pays off quickly if you plan to return or take your time across multiple visits. Street parking is available directly in front via the Parking Kitty app with a maximum of two hours.

The Portland Art Museum sits directly in front of the South Park Blocks, a historic 12-block green…read morespace stretching through downtown Portland. It's a beautiful area within the Cultural District. The museum itself is easy to navigate, it's well-curated, and well-designed. There are several outdoor pavilions - the doors to which are contact free (you just wave to open them). My only complaint is the "All User" bathrooms which lack privacy and feel awkward to use. The Hockey exhibit is worth seeing - as is the Rothko collection, NW, and european collections. The Vancouver Art Museum may want to take note...

We had some time between breakfast and when we had to get to the airport, and had decided to go to…read morethe Chinese Gardens which are located right in downtown. These gardens were an unexpected surprise, beautiful and peaceful. Loved the story of how Chinese artists/landscapers came here to build the gardens. Lots of hidden little areas, loss of koi, and bonsai trees. Beautiful setting. Only downside is that it is in Chinatown/Old Town which has more unhoused than other DT areas. We had gone first thing in the morning, after we ate breakfast. The gardens weren't quite open yet, but the employees saw us standing there and directed us to a coffee shop half a block down. Maybe if you go later in the day, there might be less unhoused. I definitely recommend making this a stop if you're in Portland, and you love gardens!

Lansu Chinese Garden is a Portland treasure. I try to visit for each of their celebrations to take…read morein its beauty and culture. I was just able to visit last week to celebrate Lotus Festival on the final day of guzheng performances by the amazing Lu Wen. I managed to get a Lotus seed bracelet in the gift shop before going in. Seeing the water covered in Lotus and waterlilly blooms as coy are swimming around and dragonflies are dancing through the air was the reset I needed. I was so sad to hear that the teahouse no longer carries the Lotus mooncakes, as I'm that one person who isn't a fan of red bean. I did get a Lotus pie which, the delicious is not quite the same. I am ordering anyone who reads this to get an almond cookie because they're incredible! Unless, of course you have nut allergy... though they are good enough that it might be worth the hospital visit... just saying.... If you are new to this space - make sure you have time to spend. Take a lot of breaks to just sit and look up and around you... there are hidden treasures everywhere from tiny plants to carvings. Soak it all in. There are a lot of activities throughout every year. They're very welcoming to everyone, including those of us who qualify for Arts for All (I just discovered from their staff that AFA folks can get an annual membership for $20!) but entrance is $5 for you. Many times you can bring a friend, sometimes more for very discounted rate - special events are more and sometimes not. Their website usually has really great information or make a phone call. But they are also very accommodating for ADA and are happy to assist with questions or helping out.

OMSI is a museum that is full of natural sciences, physics, and innovation. Though very large with…read morea theater and planetarium, I'd heed the warnings from other Yelp reviews: this museum is for kids!! Not adults!! I truly didn't look at Yelp before buying tickets to the museum and a showing of the planetarium. My fiancé and I finished walking the museum in 30 minutes because it was full of children from camp. We weren't going to play or interact with the museums when children were there and it was sciences we already knew. I was saddened thinking it was a museum for adults. In addition, we absolutely bought the wrong tickets for the planetarium. We ended up at a KPOP Delon Hunters Laser Show. We didn't know what to expect. Whoever made the show did an exceptional job, but we wanted to see something that completely encompasses the entire planetarium. Ultimately, perfect for children. Not adults. The 4 stars is that it is still a great museum.... For children.

I think for the value of the Family Membership, OMSI gets 5 stars. Hot tip, purchase the year-long…read moremembership during Black Friday when it's 20% off and stretch your dollar even further! My kids can spend the whole morning or afternoon here. There's something for everyone, from toddlers to high schoolers, adults and beyond. I always learn something new here too. Bonus, mention that you're a member in the gift shop and get 10% off your purchase.

Fun family activity for a couple hours. Twelve mostly large scale or interactive exhibits that you…read morecan puruse at your leisure. Our family highlights included any dancing videos (of yourself). Unsurprisingly, the kids loved the ball pit and 'trampoline' room, we loved the music and ball light installation as well. As they will remind you of you but tickets ahead of time, remember to bring socks as they are required for a few rooms. Not quite the TeamLab experience, more refined than Meow Wolf, but still a lot of fun.

Super interesting place! While we did have fun, I was a bit underwhelmed. Honestly, I was thinking…read moreit was more a "Meow Wolf" type of place... so I guess I should've just entered the space without any expectations. The bar in the beginning was a nice touch. You can walk around with your drinks and explore the different rooms they had. You can even take a break and grab food- once you get in your time there is unlimited! One of the best rooms was the Secret Garden. This is where you stand under a cloud like dome and hear secrets from people who have recorded them from a month or two ago. They have a recording booth within the room and you sit there and confess things. Then it plays it back after a couple of months to make sure you remain anonymous. The secrets we heard were gnarly... Won't repeat any, just go there and see! That was probably the best room we went into. The other rooms were super cool, which included a ball pit, infinity room/light looking room as well as a semi-bouncy room. Really interactive and creative space. Entrance fee is not bad for the type of space it's in [Around $22ish?]. Just don't be a jerk and be respectful of peoples' spaces. Not that anyone was disrespectful to us, just saying!

When it comes to Keep Portland Weird, this is the place I think of first and a must see if you like…read moreodd things. They have a quirky collection of oddities and I love the interactive pictures you can take. Make sure to look at every corner high and low. It's a fun use of an hour of your time. Free popcorn too while you peruse the displays. Since the last time I was here they changed out a few of their things which is great. Also make sure to check out their gift shop.

IT'S A PORTLAND TREASURE! You could spend as few as 20 minutes or as long as an hour or more if you…read morewant to look at everything & read all the stuff. There's a greatmust-do selfie -- hanging off a building (spoiler: not really ) and lots of other peculiaria. I think they don't charge admission if you show up in costume, but that may no longer be true?

This museum is really a hidden gem. If you have a few hours, it's a great way to learn about the…read morehistory of Chinese Americans in Portland. They have a nice exhibit showing the early immigration of Chinese to Oregon and the evolution of Chinatown. At one time, the Portland Chinese community was one of the largest in the US. At this museum, they do an excellent job of walking through that history. Our family really enjoyed it. If you go, you should check the hours first. They're not open every day.

I felt like PCM was a little secret, just a block from the Lan Su gardens, This small but sweet…read moremuseum is packed with tons of information about Portland Chinatown. Their exhibit on the early immigration of Chinese to Oregon is very well done and shouldn't be missed. At the time of my visit, I was also lucky enough to see the Wing K. Leong exhibit which included beautiful sumi paintings and calligraphy. If you're in the area, this museum should be on your radar.

The cutest little hidden museum right on my dog walk route! Is it a miniature museum or a museum of…read moreminiatures? I'll take either!

I hadn't heard of Respaldiza before. I love the bright colors and use of maps in her work. It's so…read moregood! I'm looking forward to the new exhibit coming to the Portland's Miniature Museum in May.

Pittock Mansion viewpoint is absolutely stunning and a place that makes you just stop and stare for…read morea second (or ten). Perched above Portland, it gives you that sweeping city + mountain view that feels almost unreal on a clear day. Fun fact: the mansion was built in 1914 for Henry and Georgiana Pittock, and it played a big role in Portland's early publishing history. Another fun one... it was nearly destroyed in the 1962 Columbus Day Storm but was fully restored, which feels very fitting for something this iconic. Gorgeous, peaceful, and 100 percent worth the stop.

This place is a MUST SEE when visiting Portland! I was shocked by how special and beautiful the…read moremansion and grounds were. If you are interested in interior decor/architecture/history the self guided tour of the mansion is a must! The spaces were beautiful and I learned so much about Portland. The organization who runs the house has done an amazing job maintaining and displaying this magical home. The grounds are also incredible (and free, although parking is paid), and worth seeing just for the view. The gardens are maintained by UofO gardening students and they have done a great job. All together I think we spent about $60 to see the tour and the gardens and it was well worth it. The staff was knowledgeable and loved talking about the homes and the residents! I also appreciate the tour being self guided so we could go at our pace.

Stunning. It's no wonder this farden is called the most authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan…read morein the world. It is so worth doing the free hour long tour. You get new insights that you just don't get by looking at it or in the brochure. My favorite was the area where the koi pond is. Has a beautiful small waterfall and it was just so tranquil. This was the perfect place to go to after just arriving in Portland that morning. Wear comfy shoes! It's worth the walk and just take your time. I got so lucky with the weather. Was the perfect way to start my trip!

Loved the Portland Japanese Garden! It was really unexpected to see such a gorgeous, authentic…read moreJapanese garden in Portland but this is absolutely a must visit. The grounds are really beautiful and serene. It really feels like an oasis in Washington Park and I enjoyed seeing the history of the gardens as well. They have a small cafe that serves tea and snacks along with a gift shop (of course). It's larger than the other Japanese gardens I've been to in the states so I'd say it's definitely worth visiting. The Rose Garden in the park is also right next door which a great quick step after touring the gardens.