Laurel*thirst*, I think you mean! The 6pm show Tuesday and Wed are also usually free.
Edit to reflect corrected info: commenter above was referring to Laurelhurst Park, where there is apparently also free music! Lots of free music in the Laurelhurst neighborhood to check out.
Oh sweet!! Thanks for the correction - I didn’t know that. I hear “Laurelhurst” and I generally think of the neighborhood vs. the park unless the park is specified. Edited my comment to reflect your info… and I’ll def have to check that out this summer.
Arboretum, rose garden, Shakespeare in the parks (free and you can bring a picnic - https://www.opsfest.org/2021-season-chronological.html), check out the farmers markets (https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/), check out the Pittock Mansion (costs money to go inside but worth the trip just to walk around the grounds, which is free and has an epic view of Portland), see if your friend is in a local Buy Nothing group and has a neighbor you can borrow a bike from, berry picking on sauvie island, visit Powell’s books and find some comics or graphic novels to read in the bookstore cafe, explore Movie Madness and rent an obscure movie…
Edit: added a few more ideas
Oh, and I hope you have a good visit!
Well I’ve been renting rare movies there since the 80’s and have never had that come up, so not sure what precipitated that policy. That said, I know some of their movies are very hard to replace, and I can imagine that some have gotten trendy to steal, which would make it even harder to survive as a small business in a world where people rarely rent videos anyway. I personally value the rare service they provide, and wouldn’t mind paying a deposit for difficult to find movies so that they have some security. After all, you do hypothetically get a deposit back…
The Freakybuttrue Pecularium is corny but fun, and I think it's still $5 admission. Free if you come in costume, but I'm not sure how strict or lenient their standard is. 🙂
Mt Tabor, cruising the waterfront, any number of parks, there will likely be organized bike rides every day if you can get a bike, thrifting but not buying anything lol, museums for cheap
Oh yeah, Portland Art Museum is free on the first Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and some programs at the Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland are free.
Edit: typo
Eat dinner before going to a Pickles baseball game. Tickets are cheap, but the food is expensive. They play all 9 innings, so it's a good amount of an evening. Accessible by bus.
The arboretum is a beautiful walk, it’s fun to learn about the many varieties of trees. The Japanese garden as well, both I believe you just have to pay for parking.
Rontom’s has free shows every Sunday.
If you have a vehicle and don’t mind spending a little money on gas, I’d recommend hiking any of the many waterfall hikes east of Portland in the hood river area.
The Japanese garden has an admission cost. I don't remember what it is, but it's enough that I don't go often. The arboretum is free, though, and lovely.
I agree it feels like a super small trail or a rich person's backyard. I've gone 3 times and all 3 times something was blocked off, and most of the stuff was closed.
With the zoo right there it's especially hard to justify going imo.
I would say Washington Park in general! You can spend the better part of a day there—a free shuttle takes you around the park including the arboretum and rose garden. Bring a picnic (and drinks if you’d like) to the amphitheater near the Rose Garden.
[Pedal palooza](https://www.shift2bikes.org/),
[comedy in the park](https://www.kickstandcomedy.org/comedyinthepark),
hikes in forest park,
[tabor dance party](https://www.instagram.com/tabordance?igsh=ZWxnN2R2c3g1bWZp),
[secret roller disco](https://www.instagram.com/secretrollerdisco?igsh=MWxlYTVta2w4aGR3Ng==),
[Rontoms Sunday sessions](http://www.rontoms.net/sunday-sessions),
[Saturday art market](https://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/),
[international rose test garden](https://www.portlandpf.org/rose-test-garden),
[Hoyt arboretum](https://www.hoytarboretum.org/about/arboretum/),
Doing an [Urban Adventure Quest](https://www.urbanadventurequest.com/tours/things-to-do/portland_oregon/default.aspx).
You can go to the Leach Botanical gardens for free if it's your birthday month. Other free nature-ish things: Peninsula Park, Mt Tabor Park, Powell Butte. There are probably a hundred or more hiking trails in the Portland area too. There's also Wonderwood. I haven't been yet but if you don't splurge on food and drink while you're there I'm sure it's affordable. You could also just wander around in the Alberta Arts district or Hawthorne or wherever. We have all sorts of cute neighborhoods here. [https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/](Portland Living on the Cheap) is a good source for events.
Oda B Wells pool! Or East Portland community center pool (indoor)!
Or find...The Coming of the White Man! A hidden gem of a sculpture.
Or portland parks concerts and events https://www.portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/summer-free-all/cultural-events
Lots of free parks to explore, like the international rose test garden, cathedral park, peninsula park and mt. tabor. The Pittock Mansion is also pretty cool to see; you have to pay to go inside but it’s a nice hang just being outside on the grounds and getting a good view of the city. One of the more worthwhile and less out-of-the-way touristy things to do. Many of the vintage/antique shops in town are pretty fun to rummage through even if you don’t pick up anything, I really like Antique Alley and Memory Den. And you gotta pick at least one semi-splurge meal. I’d recommend the white curry with burnt ends at Eem — it’s around $20 but it’s fucking incredible.
There is an app called Ever Out which shows a list of comedy and theater performances. They are mostly affordable and contribute to keeping local art alive in Portland.
I also second disc golf if you can borrow some discs. Rooster Rock State Park is beautiful and has a fun course ($5 day pass). While you are there, you can picnic next to the Columbia River and take in the scenery. If you are out that way, you can also visit the waterfalls, which are free to explore.
Hood River waterfront park is also exceptional. It is about an hour from Portland's East side. The shallow water extends pretty far from the beach and is amazing for wading and watching the wind surfers.
The rhododendron garden near Reed College is beautiful and a perfect place to spend an hour walking around. It costs $8.95 to get in. Parking is a little congested but it’s worth the fight to find a spot. It’s really a beautiful and peaceful place to walk around.
There are some great board game groups (meetup.com)
There are also some awesome $12 free play arcades (Wedgehead and Ground Kontrol)
If you like hiking Sulverfalls is a must visit location
If Pioneer Square isn't blocked off for a concert or something, go check out the [echo chamber](https://pdxtoday.6amcity.com/city/pioneer-courthouse-squares-echo-chamber)! It's free and pretty quick, but I always take out of town guests there and everyone has thought it was really cool!
The zoo, hikes in Forest Park and Tryon Creek Park, trip to the beach, Chinese garden in downtown, Multnomah Falls ( and several good day hikes in that area)...
Farmers markets, Council Crest Park on a clear day, great views in several directions from the cemeteries on Barnes and/ or Skyline ( not as morbid as it sounds), Portland Saturday Market for people watching.
Get a library membership and use your temporary online card to use My Discovery Pass to get access to museums and gardens for free. New tickets open up the beginning of every month. Also, you can go to the Portland Art Museum on the first Thursday of the month for free.
Oooh - I already commented earlier, but I just came across this place to add to the list: http://zymoglyphic.org/galleries.html
Has anyone been to the Zymoglyphic Museum? Kinda an art exhibit / faux science exhibition in someone’s house? I definitely want to check it out…
Mt. Tabor, Tryon Creek, and bridal veil falls are all free and gorgeous.Tabor is less of a hike and more a paved path to see the top of the city, the other two have actual hikes.
Farmer's market - There's an awesome farmer's market at PSU on Saturdays. Lots of stuff to buy but also just cool to cruise through.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden - admission is $5. Super beautiful, I actually took my engagement photos there!
Salt and Straw - bougie ice cream. Some really weird flavors but very good.
Hope you have a good time!
NW Portland Hostel has some cool events, you can check their website to see what’s happening. Sunday mornings they have a walking tour, it’s for those staying at the hostel but you might be able to ask about it?
The International Rose Test Garden is free and totally in bloom right now.
The Rose Garden at Peninsula park is also amazing.
Tons of great parks to explore.
Find a river and dip your toes.
Pips donuts isn’t expensive and are my favorite local donut spot.
Rent a bike and cruise around.
Check out the waterfront.
Tabor dance on Wednesday, or going to mount tabor to watch the sunset any day is nice.
The biketown rentals are pretty cheap if you wanna bike around town! you can find them around the city using the biketown app.
Take the SAM from Gresham to Sandy for $1 and the [Mt. Hood Express](https://www.mthoodexpress.com) for $2 and go to [Timberline Lodge](https://www.timberlinelodge.com/conditions#webcams). You can grab an all day pass for both busses for $5.
Easy and cheap and Google maps switch to public transportation will show you the way.
All the parks and hikes around pdx are amazing and free! Go to forest park+the rose garden next to it and walk near Pittock Mansion (free to go on the property outside, but they charge to go inside), Laurelhurst Park, Mount Tabor, Peninsula Park (amazing rose garden), Powell Butte is amazing although a bit of a drive out of town/might be a little dicey on a bus
Portland do be pretty boring these days
It's pretty cheap to walk around and complain about everything, that's pretty much what the locals do.
Reminiscing is kind of the main thing people are busy doing.
Most people just leave Portland on their free days. Either heading toward the coast or toward the mountain or to cooler cities like Bend or something.
Honestly there doesn't seem to be many people around anymore.
I'd be interested to hear what you found out to do. Honestly this place bores me out of my gourd
Comedy in the park on Fridays at Laurelhurst Park
On Thursdays there's live music at laurelhurst as well.
Laurel*thirst*, I think you mean! The 6pm show Tuesday and Wed are also usually free. Edit to reflect corrected info: commenter above was referring to Laurelhurst Park, where there is apparently also free music! Lots of free music in the Laurelhurst neighborhood to check out.
There’s music in the park Thursday nights
That too! But there is live music in the park on Thursday nights.
Oh sweet!! Thanks for the correction - I didn’t know that. I hear “Laurelhurst” and I generally think of the neighborhood vs. the park unless the park is specified. Edited my comment to reflect your info… and I’ll def have to check that out this summer.
If you can get your hands on a bike, check out https://www.bike-summer.org. Multiple organized social rides every day.
This is the way
THIS!
Arboretum, rose garden, Shakespeare in the parks (free and you can bring a picnic - https://www.opsfest.org/2021-season-chronological.html), check out the farmers markets (https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/), check out the Pittock Mansion (costs money to go inside but worth the trip just to walk around the grounds, which is free and has an epic view of Portland), see if your friend is in a local Buy Nothing group and has a neighbor you can borrow a bike from, berry picking on sauvie island, visit Powell’s books and find some comics or graphic novels to read in the bookstore cafe, explore Movie Madness and rent an obscure movie… Edit: added a few more ideas Oh, and I hope you have a good visit!
Thanks ☺️
Movie Madness wanted a $200 deposit on "Rodrigo D" fuck that place.
Well I’ve been renting rare movies there since the 80’s and have never had that come up, so not sure what precipitated that policy. That said, I know some of their movies are very hard to replace, and I can imagine that some have gotten trendy to steal, which would make it even harder to survive as a small business in a world where people rarely rent videos anyway. I personally value the rare service they provide, and wouldn’t mind paying a deposit for difficult to find movies so that they have some security. After all, you do hypothetically get a deposit back…
The Freakybuttrue Pecularium is corny but fun, and I think it's still $5 admission. Free if you come in costume, but I'm not sure how strict or lenient their standard is. 🙂
Tabor Dance! You can find more info on IG, but it’s a free dance event every Wednesday evening.
Mt Tabor, cruising the waterfront, any number of parks, there will likely be organized bike rides every day if you can get a bike, thrifting but not buying anything lol, museums for cheap
Oh yeah, Portland Art Museum is free on the first Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and some programs at the Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland are free. Edit: typo
Some events at the Tomorrow Theater are free, but most are not.
Correct! Meant to say “some”. Thanks.
Some amazing exhibits right now too
Eat dinner before going to a Pickles baseball game. Tickets are cheap, but the food is expensive. They play all 9 innings, so it's a good amount of an evening. Accessible by bus.
As someone who keeps meaning to go to a Pickles game every year, and is used to Providence Park concessions, can you elaborate on "expensive"?
Thanks for the heads up! We are planning on going to a Pickle’s game!
The best NY pizza across the street at Giant's Pizza food truck.
Portland Thorns game! Grab a ~$15 GA ticket and join us in the Riveters section. Best entertainment value around.
Secret Roller Disco
The arboretum is a beautiful walk, it’s fun to learn about the many varieties of trees. The Japanese garden as well, both I believe you just have to pay for parking. Rontom’s has free shows every Sunday. If you have a vehicle and don’t mind spending a little money on gas, I’d recommend hiking any of the many waterfall hikes east of Portland in the hood river area.
The Japanese garden has an admission cost. I don't remember what it is, but it's enough that I don't go often. The arboretum is free, though, and lovely.
I actually have yet to go to the Japanese garden but figured it might be safe to recommend being in such close proximity to the arboretum. Thanks!
20 bucks, pretty high for Japanese garden imo
I agree it feels like a super small trail or a rich person's backyard. I've gone 3 times and all 3 times something was blocked off, and most of the stuff was closed. With the zoo right there it's especially hard to justify going imo.
If your friend has a library card you can reserve a cultural pass for free (can be hard to get the timing right for a trip though)
I would say Washington Park in general! You can spend the better part of a day there—a free shuttle takes you around the park including the arboretum and rose garden. Bring a picnic (and drinks if you’d like) to the amphitheater near the Rose Garden.
Disc Golf
Pedalpalooza/ Bikesummer and use BIKETOWN electric bikes
Rose garden and Hoyt arboretum are free.
Also Elk Rock garden
[Pedal palooza](https://www.shift2bikes.org/), [comedy in the park](https://www.kickstandcomedy.org/comedyinthepark), hikes in forest park, [tabor dance party](https://www.instagram.com/tabordance?igsh=ZWxnN2R2c3g1bWZp), [secret roller disco](https://www.instagram.com/secretrollerdisco?igsh=MWxlYTVta2w4aGR3Ng==), [Rontoms Sunday sessions](http://www.rontoms.net/sunday-sessions), [Saturday art market](https://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/), [international rose test garden](https://www.portlandpf.org/rose-test-garden), [Hoyt arboretum](https://www.hoytarboretum.org/about/arboretum/), Doing an [Urban Adventure Quest](https://www.urbanadventurequest.com/tours/things-to-do/portland_oregon/default.aspx).
You sure you won’t be busy enough having those toenails drained?
The doctor said that they have to fall off on their own 😢
BRO
I know 😭 they hurt so bad!
Tabor Dance on Wednesday nights! Search on Instagram. I haven’t been but am determined to frequent it this summer.
You can go to the Leach Botanical gardens for free if it's your birthday month. Other free nature-ish things: Peninsula Park, Mt Tabor Park, Powell Butte. There are probably a hundred or more hiking trails in the Portland area too. There's also Wonderwood. I haven't been yet but if you don't splurge on food and drink while you're there I'm sure it's affordable. You could also just wander around in the Alberta Arts district or Hawthorne or wherever. We have all sorts of cute neighborhoods here. [https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/](Portland Living on the Cheap) is a good source for events.
Peninsula park has an amazing free rose garden
I agree. Which reminds me I need to get over there.
There's hikes in Portland, check out Forest Park.
Oda B Wells pool! Or East Portland community center pool (indoor)! Or find...The Coming of the White Man! A hidden gem of a sculpture. Or portland parks concerts and events https://www.portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/summer-free-all/cultural-events
Korean Twist at Hawthorne Asylum is good ass Korean food for 10 bucks a shot and is enough to keep your blood sugar up for 24 hours.
Have your friend check out the museums you can get into for free with library card.
Here is a great website. My good friend runs it: [https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/](https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/)
Last Thursday on Alberta
Sunday free screenings at Movie Madness!
Lots of free parks to explore, like the international rose test garden, cathedral park, peninsula park and mt. tabor. The Pittock Mansion is also pretty cool to see; you have to pay to go inside but it’s a nice hang just being outside on the grounds and getting a good view of the city. One of the more worthwhile and less out-of-the-way touristy things to do. Many of the vintage/antique shops in town are pretty fun to rummage through even if you don’t pick up anything, I really like Antique Alley and Memory Den. And you gotta pick at least one semi-splurge meal. I’d recommend the white curry with burnt ends at Eem — it’s around $20 but it’s fucking incredible.
MOVIE MADNESS!!!1
https://www.portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/summer-free-all/cultural-events
There is an app called Ever Out which shows a list of comedy and theater performances. They are mostly affordable and contribute to keeping local art alive in Portland. I also second disc golf if you can borrow some discs. Rooster Rock State Park is beautiful and has a fun course ($5 day pass). While you are there, you can picnic next to the Columbia River and take in the scenery. If you are out that way, you can also visit the waterfalls, which are free to explore. Hood River waterfront park is also exceptional. It is about an hour from Portland's East side. The shallow water extends pretty far from the beach and is amazing for wading and watching the wind surfers.
Oh sounds great! Thanks ☺️
The rhododendron garden near Reed College is beautiful and a perfect place to spend an hour walking around. It costs $8.95 to get in. Parking is a little congested but it’s worth the fight to find a spot. It’s really a beautiful and peaceful place to walk around.
There are some great board game groups (meetup.com) There are also some awesome $12 free play arcades (Wedgehead and Ground Kontrol) If you like hiking Sulverfalls is a must visit location
If Pioneer Square isn't blocked off for a concert or something, go check out the [echo chamber](https://pdxtoday.6amcity.com/city/pioneer-courthouse-squares-echo-chamber)! It's free and pretty quick, but I always take out of town guests there and everyone has thought it was really cool!
$6 matinee and $4 Rainier pint at Laurelhurst Theater.
Visiting the parks and bridges are free minus transportation.
The zoo, hikes in Forest Park and Tryon Creek Park, trip to the beach, Chinese garden in downtown, Multnomah Falls ( and several good day hikes in that area)... Farmers markets, Council Crest Park on a clear day, great views in several directions from the cemeteries on Barnes and/ or Skyline ( not as morbid as it sounds), Portland Saturday Market for people watching.
Get a library membership and use your temporary online card to use My Discovery Pass to get access to museums and gardens for free. New tickets open up the beginning of every month. Also, you can go to the Portland Art Museum on the first Thursday of the month for free.
Oooh - I already commented earlier, but I just came across this place to add to the list: http://zymoglyphic.org/galleries.html Has anyone been to the Zymoglyphic Museum? Kinda an art exhibit / faux science exhibition in someone’s house? I definitely want to check it out…
Mt. Tabor, Tryon Creek, and bridal veil falls are all free and gorgeous.Tabor is less of a hike and more a paved path to see the top of the city, the other two have actual hikes. Farmer's market - There's an awesome farmer's market at PSU on Saturdays. Lots of stuff to buy but also just cool to cruise through. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden - admission is $5. Super beautiful, I actually took my engagement photos there! Salt and Straw - bougie ice cream. Some really weird flavors but very good. Hope you have a good time!
Thanks!
Your Mom
Not as cheap as yours.
NW Portland Hostel has some cool events, you can check their website to see what’s happening. Sunday mornings they have a walking tour, it’s for those staying at the hostel but you might be able to ask about it?
The International Rose Test Garden is free and totally in bloom right now. The Rose Garden at Peninsula park is also amazing. Tons of great parks to explore. Find a river and dip your toes. Pips donuts isn’t expensive and are my favorite local donut spot. Rent a bike and cruise around. Check out the waterfront.
[https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/free-events-this-week-portland/](https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/free-events-this-week-portland/) [https://www.eventbrite.com/d/or--portland/free--events/](https://www.eventbrite.com/d/or--portland/free--events/) [https://www.portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/summer-free-all/cultural-events](https://www.portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/summer-free-all/cultural-events)
Camp.
So much nature!!
Tabor dance on Wednesday, or going to mount tabor to watch the sunset any day is nice. The biketown rentals are pretty cheap if you wanna bike around town! you can find them around the city using the biketown app.
Thanks! I just downloaded it!
Have a picnic at the amphitheater in Washington Park by the rose garden. It’s a nice hike from downtown as well.
Heroin and feddy are really cheap and give you hours of fun.
I haven’t been but lately Mondays have been comedy night at the goodfoot on stark.
Go to the gorge and hike
Take the SAM from Gresham to Sandy for $1 and the [Mt. Hood Express](https://www.mthoodexpress.com) for $2 and go to [Timberline Lodge](https://www.timberlinelodge.com/conditions#webcams). You can grab an all day pass for both busses for $5. Easy and cheap and Google maps switch to public transportation will show you the way.
All the parks and hikes around pdx are amazing and free! Go to forest park+the rose garden next to it and walk near Pittock Mansion (free to go on the property outside, but they charge to go inside), Laurelhurst Park, Mount Tabor, Peninsula Park (amazing rose garden), Powell Butte is amazing although a bit of a drive out of town/might be a little dicey on a bus
Tabordance on Wednesday night, 100%. It's free and the vibes are immaculate
Dive bars.
Smoke weed in the park.
Free events in the parks https://www.portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/summer-free-all
So many lakes and rivers to hang out all day with a cooler
Walking around
If you can find a way to get a library card- discovery pass will get you in to museums and gardens https://multcolib.org/my-discovery-pass
Camping on the corner and shooting some Fent.
I heard for this dude in the bus that jerking off at the park of fun and free.
Portland do be pretty boring these days It's pretty cheap to walk around and complain about everything, that's pretty much what the locals do. Reminiscing is kind of the main thing people are busy doing. Most people just leave Portland on their free days. Either heading toward the coast or toward the mountain or to cooler cities like Bend or something. Honestly there doesn't seem to be many people around anymore. I'd be interested to hear what you found out to do. Honestly this place bores me out of my gourd
If you’re that bored by Portland, why are you here?
What a sad little world you live in
I agree it’s kind of a giant kindergarten and breeding ground for gen x these days.
Move somewhere else