Portland, Oregon is one of the best weekend getaway destinations on the west coast! Full of fantastic food, unique adventure, and beautiful parks, the city has plenty to explore. As a former Portland resident, I think the best way to see the sights and experience the city’s downtown is by foot, so in this blog we’re sharing the ultimate FREE self-guided walking tour of Portland, Oregon. This tour hits some of the city’s most iconic sights and neighborhoods, all while providing you with a fun car-free route for exploring Portland. See below for how to spend 24 hours in Portland, Oregon!

Why should you trust us? We used to live in Portland, and we visit frequently to see family and friends. We’ve also done a variation of this self-guided walking tour of Portland dozens of times with out-of-town visitors. I think it’s the perfect way to spend 24 hours in Portland, and I’m excited to share it with you, too!

Looking for a full weekend guide to Portland, Oregon? Check out our guide to 48 hours in Portland, Oregon here.

self-guided walking tour of Portland: 24 hours in Portland

Below you will find our itinerary for the ultimate FREE self-guided walking tour of Portland, Oregon. This tour is perfect for locals and out-of-town visitors alike, and is a fun way to spend 24 hours in Portland. 

A few things to know before diving in to our self-guided walking tour of Portland:

• The tour is organized along a 4.5 mile walking route, but the route can easily be shortened or lengthened.
• Along the route I note some “side quest” locations to consider. These stops are best suited for out of town and first-time visitors.
• Two events included in the tour only occur on Saturdays. However, we provide some alternative activity suggestions in case you want to do this walking tour on a different day of the week.
• If you aren’t up for walking the whole route you can take MAX Light Rail or the street car. Both are part of Portland’s public transportation network, TriMet. 

The ultimate self-guided walking tour of Portland

Below we’re sharing the ultimate FREE self-guided walking tour of Portland, Oregon, including the best places to eat, see, and do in downtown Portland! This tour hits some of the city’s most iconic sights and neighborhoods, all while providing you with a fun car-free route for exploring Portland. We provide a stop-by-stop guide to the best spots in downtown Portland.

Below is a map with key locations along this route pinned! This walking self-guided walking tour of Portland is 4.5 miles. This guide to 24 hours in Portland can easily be shortened or lengthened.

Browse the stalls at the Portland State University Farmers Market

Start your day off by celebrating Oregon agriculture and people watching at one of Portland’s best free events, the Portland State University (PSU) Farmers Market! The PSU Farmers Market is the crown jewel of Portland-area farmers markets, and is a must-visit. Operating on Saturdays year-round, this market boasts over 100 vendors during peak summer season. The market is on the Park Blocks, which is an urban park in the core of downtown Portland, adjacent to Portland State University (my alma mater!). Fun fact: I used to work at the farmers market helping to sell vegetables for a small organic farm. 

The vendors at the PSU Farmers Market represent the best of Pacific Northwest agriculture and artisan food production. The PSU Farmers Market has tons of hot food, agricultural, and ready-to-eat food vendors, as well as stunning floral bouquets. There is a strong focus on locally sourced items, with strict vendor standards. I recommend grabbing breakfast here, or picking up items for a picnic lunch (apples, cheese, salami, and bread/pastries are great lunch options that can be found at the market!). Arrive early for the best selection and smaller crowds.

Pets are not allowed at the market. There are bathrooms available. The market is held on a flat sidewalk that is accessible to walkers, strollers, and wheelchairs. Learn more about PSU Farmers Market market hours, vendors, and seasons here.

Take a stroll along the Portland Waterfront or Eastbank Esplanade

After hitting up the market head east to the Portland Waterfront, which is a vibrant thoroughfare for bikers, walkers, and special events!

To get to the waterfront, I recommend walking along Southwest Market or Clay Street so you can stop by Ira Keller Fountain Park along the way. Completed in the 1970s, this park is evokes the beautiful waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. An astonishing 13,000 gallons of water cascade over the structure every single minute!

Once you get to the waterfront you have two options. You can walk across the Hawthorne Bridge and stroll along the Eastbank Esplanade, which is less busy and offers better views of the city. Or you can stroll along the iconic Waterfront Park Trail on the western side of the river. You really can’t go wrong either way! Both of these routes will take you to the next destination on our self-guided walking tour of Portland.

Visit the Portland Saturday Market

Operating for over 50 years, the Portland Saturday Market is famous for its amazing local arts and crafts! Stroll through the stalls and admire stunning photography, jewelry, ceramics, and art of all mediums. It’s a great place to find holiday gifts or one-of-a-kind vacation souvenirs. You can also find hot food items at this market, as well as flowers. The market is located on the western end of the Burnside Bridge, and stretches for several blocks. 

Get caffeinated at Stumptown Coffee Roasters 

After heading to the market– and taking some optional side quests!– hit up Stumptown Coffee for some caffeine to keep you going! Originating in Portland, Stumptown Coffee Roasters is one of Portland’s most famous brands. And, in a city known for its cafe culture, they still stand out for making a fantastic cup of joe! 

Stumptown makes a wide variety of fantastic drinks, but my top recommendation is to get a seasonal flight. For just $12 you’ll get to try mini visions of their three seasonal drinks, and the servings are generous enough to share (or to enjoy on your own!). For fall 2025 the seasonal drinks included a black sesame matcha, a pumpkin spice latte, and a caramel sea salt latte. I love the flights because they feel like a unique experience, and I think the price point is fantastic. However, if you want to sip your coffee while you walk then I recommend getting a coffee to go. Their pour-overs are also fantastic! 

Browse the shelves at Powell’s City of Books

Next, head a few blocks over to Powell’s City of Books, which is the city’s massive, famous independent bookstore. It’s actually the world’s largest independent bookstore! This is a must-visit stop in the city, and bibliophiles can easily spend many hours here amongst the stacks.

Travel tip: I recommend walking along Oak Street to get to Powells. This route is less busy– and generally more pleasant– than Burnside. 

Enjoy Portland’s urban nature at Tanner Springs Park

One of my favorite urban parks in Portland is Tanner Springs Park, which is located in the heart of the trendy Pearl District. The park is a beautiful oasis in a highly modern urban environment, and makes for a fun pit stop! 

From Powells, I recommend walking up 10th Avenue, where you’ll pass by some of the cute shops and restaurants in the Pearl. The park itself features a pond, art from old railroad tracks, and beautiful lush plantings. The area has a lot of unique and thoughtful design elements that evoke Portland’s history, and contribute to stormwater management. There are educational signs in the park that explain some of these features. 

If you got picnic supplies at the Portland State University Farmers Market, Tanner Springs Park is the perfect place to eat them! I also love Fields Park (2 blocks north) for picnics, but as of 2025 the majority of the park was under construction. 

Browse the shops along Northwest 23rd Ave

From Tanner Springs Park I recommend heading west through the Nob Hill neighborhood to NW 23rd Avenue. NW 23rd Ave is one of Portland’s most vibrant downtown districts for shopping and food, and it’s also a great place for people watching! It’s one of my favorite places in the city to visit. 

The best shops along Northwest 23rd Ave in Portland

While you’re walking along NW 23rd, I recommend visiting the following shops:

• DU/ER Portland: DU/ER is an iconic Canadian jean brand, and in September 2025 they opened up their first storefront location in Portland. They specialize in denim, with particular attention to very comfortable stretchy styles that are perfect for urban adventures and time spent outside.
• Portland Leather Goods: I never really used to be a “purse person,” but Portland Leather Goods converted me! Portland Leather makes stylish, high quality leather bags that come in a wide range of fun colors and classic shapes. We own several of their purses, and they stand out for their quality materials. We always get compliments on our bags when we wear them!
• Salt & Straw: Salt & Straw is an iconic ice cream brand that started in Portland. Salt & Straw is known for innovative and unique flavors and premium local ingredients. The flavors have gotten less radical over the years (they once served an ice cream with sea urchin in it!), but they’re still delicious! You can try as many samples as you’d like.
• The Meadow: The Meadow is a quirky Portland business that specializes in high-end chocolates, bitters, and salts. They have several locations, and we always stop in when we’re on 23rd Ave to try their latest findings.
• Tender Loving Empire: If you’re looking for unique, quintessentially “Portland” items, Tender Loving Empire is the place to go! They sell tons of unique items from local artists.

Enjoy an early dinner and drinks at Takibi

After you finish shopping, head to Takibi for an early dinner and drinks. Named one of the top bars in the entire USA, this innovative Japanese restaurant concept was created by the brand Snow Peak. They offer elevated dining experience, with a strong attention to detail and exceptionally fresh ingredients. We loved the beautiful setting full of wood and organic elements. On a nice day, diners can also sit outside. On weekend I recommend making a reservation if you intend to dine during peak dinner hours.

Highlights of our meal at Takibi included the miso soup (the best I’ve ever had!), sunomono salad (which is served with cucumber, bamboo, and ginger, and is only available during happy hour), and the toro taku maki sushi roll, which included generous portions of fatty tuna. The drinks were also a real standout. I got the Mantis, featuring tequila blanco, cucumber, Japanese melon, aloe, lime. Amiana got the Taiyo, which was a riff on an old fashioned with whiskey, amaro, and chocolate mole.  We make a lot of cocktails at home and can attest to the fact that both drinks were incredibly well executed, and not too sweet!

The restaurant is attached to the Portland Snow Peak store, so you can enjoy shopping before or after your meal.

Dessert at Papa Haydn

After dinner head to Papa Haydn for dessert! Serving Portland since 1978, Papa Haydn is one of the most iconic dining institutions in the city. While they serve a full range of delicious food, they’re probably most well known for their elaborate and decadent desserts, which are a must-try. We enjoyed their New York-style Marionberry cheesecake, which was perfectly decadent and incredibly creamy without being too sweet! Many of their desserts highlight the fresh and flavorful fruits of the Pacific Northwest, and they’re also known for their chocolate confections and treats. Their Triple Chocolate Cake is legendary! 

Catch the sunset at the International Rose Test Garden

End your self-guided walking tour of Portland with a trip to the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. With over 2,000 varieties of roses and 12 miles of trails, there’s a lot to explore here! I find summer and early-mid fall are great times to visit to catch the blooms. The garden is free to explore, and there are plenty of other lovely spots to walk nearby if you want to extend your adventure. There are some beautiful viewpoints overlooking the city, which makes this a great place to catch the sunset! Plus, the flowers are extra beautiful in the late evening light.

If you’re visiting in fall or winter you might consider visiting the International Rose Test Garden before dinner and dessert, as the sunset might be too early.

Final thoughts on how to spend 24 hours in Portland, Oregon

I think the ultimate way to experience Portland is on foot, and I hope you found our FREE self-guided walking tour of Portland helpful! This walking tour takes you to some of my favorite locations and most iconic tourist spots in the city, blending unique local gems with can’t miss attractions in Portland. If you plan a trip using our guide to 24 hours in Portland let us know! We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Looking for a full weekend guide to Portland, Oregon? Check out our guide to 48 hours in Portland, Oregon here.