Portland In A Weekend. A Guide to an Accessible Weekend in Portland, Oregon
Multnomah Falls
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Portland, Oregon is a wonderfully weird and beautiful city. It’s quietly one of the best culinary cities in the US and a nature lover’s paradise filled with gorgeous beaches, beautiful forests, peaceful gardens, and majestic waterfalls. It’s also home to the world’s largest bookstore, a friendly herd of urban goats, and more delicious donuts than you could possibly dream of. The best news, it’s a very accessible city with great public transportation and yes, it is possible to see the best of Portland in a Weekend.
If you’re wondering what to do in Portland for a weekend, I’ve got you covered. The 3-day Portland itinerary below will take you through the best of Portland, Oregon, from Downtown Portland and the Pearl District and options for day trips options along the Oregon coast and Columbia River Gorge.
Neon Portland buck sign at night.
How to Get To Portland
Portland International Airport is located just outside the city. Train transportation is available from the airport directly to the Downtown Portland area. Trains are wheelchair accessible and depart every 15 minutes. Tickets are $2.50.
For adventurous types doing a west coast road trip, Portland is a 10-hour drive north of San Francisco.
Boarding our flight to San Francisco at Portland International Airport.
Best Time To Visit Portland
The best time to visit Portland, Oregon is during the summer months, from June to August, when the city experiences warm and dry weather. This is the perfect time to explore the city's numerous outdoor activities, including hiking in Forest Park, visiting the International Rose Test Garden, and enjoying the bustling food cart scene. Additionally, the city comes alive with various festivals and events during the summer, such as the Portland Rose Festival and the Oregon Brewers Festival, offering visitors a chance to experience the vibrant culture of the city. However, for those who prefer milder temperatures and smaller crowds, the shoulder seasons of spring and fall also offer an excellent opportunity to explore Portland's eclectic neighborhoods and natural beauty. There are also plenty of fall festivals in Portland, Oregon to keep you busy and entertained.
Where To Stay In Portland
Budget Hotels
LoLo Pass - LoLo Pass is Portland’s premiere hostel. Offering shared dorms and private rooms Lolo Pass promises to be light on the wallet and heavy on experience. Rooms and common areas are wheelchair accessible and start at only $36/ night.
Mid Range Hotels
Jupiter Hotel - This wheelchair-accessible converted 1960s motor lodge features 81 rooms with on-site access to Portland’s favorite bar, restaurant, and music venue, the Doug Fir. The Jupiter Hotel features in-room murals, mid-century modern furnishings, and chalkboard doors to unleash your inner artist. It’s the perfect quirky hotel for a perfectly quirky city. Rooms start at $169/ night. The clientele skews younger and guests can expect a busy and sometimes noisy atmosphere outside given the proximity to the Doug Fir. But Jupiter is quintessential Portland if you don’t mind the sometimes bustling late-night activity outside your window.
John Lennon mural at the Jupiter Hotel
Luxury Hotels
The Nines - Located in the heart of downtown Portland, near Pioneer Square, The Nines is a stylish luxury hotel with an impressive rooftop restaurant, Departures. The Nines offers wheelchair-accessible rooms, a commissioned art collection by local Portland artists, and rooms literally decorated “to the nines.” I’ve stayed here several times. The location and views from the roof make it an ideal hotel for first-time visitors.
Duniway Hotel - A boutique, luxury hotel located in bustling downtown Portland, just off Pioneer Square. Duniway is my favorite Portland hotel. Named for iconoclastic women's rights advocate Abigail Scott Duniway, this wheelchair-accessible hotel features photographs of women displaying their tattoos and bold individuality. These portraits, created by Kevin Barry Fine Art Associates, honor the history of empowered female figures. And who doesn’t love luxury that celebrates the strength of women?
Duniway Hotel Bar
Dossier Hotel - Located in downtown Portland, Dossier combines a love for Portland’s outdoor culture with artwork from Portland’s finest artists, celebrating the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The Dossier is wheelchair-accessible and pet-friendly. We visited with our French bulldog, Maddie, and hotel employees could not have been nicer, treating her as if she were another human guest in our party.
Miss Madeyln Pew relaxing in a bed at Dossier Hotel, Portland.
How to Get Around Portland
The Portland public transportation system is exceptional, especially for a smaller city. You’ll find buses and trains clean and running on schedule. TriMet manages the city’s public transport system including buses, MAX light rail, and streetcars. Portland is also wonderfully walkable and Lyft and Uber are always good options. There is no need to rent a car.
Every city bus and train has full wheelchair accessibility. Busses come every 15 minutes or less, 7 days a week.
MAX light rail is available from the airport to the city, and yes, it is wheelchair-accessible. It includes more than 90 stations throughout the greater Portland area. Trains run every 15 minutes or less.
Public transportation costs $2.50 to ride for 2 1/2 hours; $5 for a full day pass.
Me (on the right) with friends at Joseph Wood Hill Park overlooking suburban Portland.
3-Day Portland Itinerary
Day 1
VooDoo Doughnuts
Powells City of Books
Portland Art Museum
Lunch at Deschutes Brewery
Pittock Mansion
Tom Mccall Waterfront Park and Drinks at Kimpton River Place
Dinner at Bollywood Theater
Salt & Straw Dessert
Day 2
Fat City Cafe
International Rose Test Garden
Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Saturday Market
Lunch at Kenny and Zukes Delicatessen
Alberta Arts District
Multnomah Falls
Food Truck Dinner
Day 3
Pine State Biscuits Breakfast
Belmont Goats
ONE DAY TRIP: Cannon Beach OR Willamette Valley Winery Tour
“Nice beaver.”
“Thanks. I just had it stuffed.”
Our Portland Weekend Trip Begins with Books, Brews, A Bit of History, Baked Goods & Bollywood
Our first day starts at VooDoo Doughnuts, 22 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR, 97204. VooDoo is a Portland legend. And although places like Blue Star Donuts have gotten a lot of buzz, VooDoo will always be Portland’s OG decadent doughnut shop. (But feel free to do your own donut taste test.) With an amazing array of flavors like Banana Cream Pie, Bacon Maple Bar, Guava Colada, and Chocolate Coconut Cake, VooDoo has something for everyone. Unless of course, you have food allergies like myself. In that case, I recommend you head over to Grits N’ Gravy, one of the amazing black-owned restaurants in Portland. Grits N’ Gravy, located at 215 SW 6th Ave, serves big portions of Southern American comfort foods. And yes, grits are gluten-free!
Seriously tasty VooDoo Doughnuts.
From here we head to Powell’s City of Books, the largest bookstore in the world. 1005 W Burnside St.
Portland, OR 97209.
I’m loath to recommend a retail store as a day-one must-see spot in any city, but Powells really deserves mention. It’s not just a bookstore, it really is a city of books. I could easily get lost inside Powell’s flagship store. In fact, despite being here more than twenty times, I still get lost in Powells. With ten rooms packed with every possible genre, new and used books, small press books, and thousands of unique gift items, even casual readers will love to explore this amazing store.
Powell's City of Books meets the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)'s standards for accessibility. Powell’s is also happy to provide additional support while shopping if desired.
Exterior of Powell’s Books on Burnside and 10th Avenue.
From Powell’s, we head to the Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205. If you haven’t gotten enough art from the Portland art gallery that is your hotel, the Portland museum offers a wide variety of super cool photography, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. Check their site for current and upcoming exhibitions.
The Portland Art Museum is committed to accessibility, offering wheelchair-accessible entrances, restrooms, and facilities. They also rent manual wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches free of charge to guests. Events have real-time captioning, American Sign Language/English Interpreters, and/or Audio Descriptions.
Cheesy garlic fries at Deschutes Brewery.
I hope you’ve worked up an appetite because it’s time for lunch at Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House, 210 NW 11th Ave. Portland, OR 97209. Deschutes has a wide variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options, as well as 26 taps featuring their mainstay beers plus a selection of seasonal and experimental beers developed and brewed on-site. I highly recommend their garlic fries and the hop-dipped gluten-free IPA.
Deschutes is Wheelchair-accessible.
Me (on the right) with my friends at Deschutes Brewery.
Once you’ve finished lunch it’s time to head to Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Drive Portland, OR 97210. This historic house museum tells the story of Portland’s transformation from a Pioneer town to modern industrialized city. Explore early 20th-century heirlooms, furnishings, and other artifacts donated from Portland’s founding families. If you’re interested in architectural history, the history of Portland, or just like snooping around other people’s homes, the Pittock Mansion is a must-see.
Pittock Mansion has a designated accessible entrance and elevator, however, the Gate Lodge is not currently wheelchair accessible. Self-guided tour tickets are $14.50 for adults.
The exterior of Pittock mansion. Wheelchair accessible entrance not visible.
Now that we’ve gotten a bit of Portland history, it’s off to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Naito Parkway between SW Harrison Street and NW Glisan Street Portland, OR 97204. A great place for an easy walk, Tom McCall Park offers beautiful Riverfront views, paved paths, public art displays, a fountain, and bike trails. If you’re traveling with kids, it also has interactive fountains and splash pads. And if you’re fortunate enough to be in town for the 4th of July as I was a few years ago, this is a great spot to watch the fireworks go off.
I really enjoy this waterfront park because of its easy walkability. It gets a nice breeze from the water and all paths are fairly flat and paved. The park also has accessible restrooms.
My frenchie, Maddie, standing in Tom McCall Park along the Willamette River.
If you’d like to stop for some pre-dinner drinks, I recommend nearby Kimpton River Place. Their mixologists whip up some of the best cocktails I’ve ever tasted and each drink is a work of art.
Blood orange and tequila. Yes, it was as delicious as it looks.
Now that we’ve enjoyed a little pre-dinner drinking and burned some calories wandering around the park, it’s time to get dinner. My pick is Bollywood Theater, just across the river at 3010 E. Division Street Portland, OR 97202. Bollywood whips up authentic Indian food in a lively environment with a super cool vibe. When I say authentic, I mean authentic. Bollywood makes ghee-covered paratha, delicious chutney, spicy vindaloo, yummy curries, and real raita, (not just yogurt!)
Restrooms and dining spaces are wheelchair accessible.
The walls inside Bollywood Theater covered in Bollywood movie posters.
If you’ve managed to save some room, I recommend a trip to nearby Salt and Straw, 3345 SE Division Street Portland, OR 97202, for the most delicious ice cream you’ve ever tasted. When they opened their Los Angeles location mere blocks from my home it was simultaneously the best and worst day of my life. If I could eat it for breakfast lunch and dinner without weighing a metric ton, I seriously would. With flavors like carrot cake batter with pralines, hazelnuts, salted malted chocolate chip cookie dough, and honey lavender, Salt and Straw is like no ice cream you’ve tasted before.
Day Two: Roses, Markets, Sandwich Arts, Waterfalls, and Food Trucks
Breakfast with friends at Fat City Cafe.
Our day 2 breakfast is at a little out-of-the-way spot for those in the know, Fat City Cafe. Family-owned and operated since 1976, Fat City Cafe is situated in Multnomah Village, within the heart of Southwest Portland. Known for their giant cinnamon rolls, locally roasted coffee, and delicious scrambles, I promise it’s worth the drive.
Fat City Cinnamon Roll big enough to share with the table.
From here we head to The International Rose Test Garden, or as it’s unofficially known, the Portland Rose Garden. Portland is known as “The City of Roses” because of its ideal climate for growing these beautiful flowers. Located at 400 SW Kingston Avenue Portland, OR 97210 the International Rose Test Garden is home to over 10,000 individual rose bushes, representing 610 different varieties of roses. Entrance to the park is free and group tours are available for a small fee. Paths throughout the park are paved and wheelchair accessible thanks to recent improvements.
Portland, OR City of Roses
While we’re in the mood to appreciate nature, let’s head to the nearby Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205. Portland Japanese Garden is so much more than just a garden space. Their cultural center allows guests to experience traditional Japanese music, a tea ceremony, the art of flower arranging, and a kimono demonstration. Plus, the gardens truly are exquisite.
Admission is $19.95. While most areas of the gardens are accessible, some garden terrain is located on a steep hillside and is not ADA accessible. A free shuttle is available from the Welcome Center to the Cultural Center helping guests avoid long hikes on steeper terrain. The shuttle does allow for wheelchairs.
The exquisite Japanese Garden.
If you’ve planned for a weekend in Portland, Oregon, and day 2 of this itinerary is a Saturday, I highly recommend you spend some time at Portland Saturday Market, 2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204. The Market is open Saturdays from March to just before Christmas in December. It’s the largest continuously operated outdoor market in the United States. Portland Saturday Market vendors sell arts, crafts, food, and other things. Shopping at PSM helps support local Pacific Northwest artisans and it’s a great place to pick up some souvenirs.
Entrance gate to Portland Saturday Market.
Alternatively, if you’re not visiting on a Saturday, you could always pay a visit to the Alberta Arts District one of Portland’s weirder, more artsy areas. Check out Mike Bennett’s Yard Zoo, do some shopping, or grab a beer at Alberta Street Pub.
Now it’s time for lunch! Today I suggest the amazing Kenny & Zuke’s Delicatessen, 1038 SW Harvey Milk St.
Portland, OR 97205. Admittedly, growing up in the New York City area and living in Los Angeles for the last twenty years, I’m a bit of a deli snob. But Kenny & Zuke’s is the real deal. Their pastrami is outstanding. So good, I gleefully pulled it off the bread so as to not aggravate my wheat allergy and STILL loved my “sandwich.”
Not into meat? There are plenty of amazing vegan brunch spots in Portland, Oregon.
The Meshugaletta at Kenny & Zuke’s
After lunch, it’s time to take a trip to Multnomah Falls. Warning, from May to September reservations are required to visit. You can make your reservation on the forest service website above. Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest and it is not to be missed. If you’d like to take a group tour, Check out the Waterfalls Tour From Portland: Multnomah Falls Columbia River Gorge.
There are wheelchair ramps throughout the falls site as well as an elevator by the lodge leading to the main falls viewing area.
The Columbia Gorge Express is the city bus that shuttles riders between Portland, Multnomah Falls, Cascade Locks, Hood River, and The Dalles. One-way trips are $10. Busses are ADA-compliant. The only downside is it takes almost 2 hours to get to the falls by shuttle. Driving yourself or using rideshare takes about 45 minutes. The lodge closes at 6 pm, so it’s important to plan your day accordingly.
If you have more time to spend in the Portland area, there are even more amazing waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge.
By the time you arrive back in Downtown Portland, it will be time for dinner. Tonight we’re going to explore Portland’s legendary food truck scene. Any type of food imaginable, and fusions between, can be found in a truck. Check out this site to find the Portland food truck pods closest to where you’re staying. Some top food cart pods are located at 3rd Avenue and Harvey Milk Street, Piknik Park in Sellwood, and 5th Avenue and Oak Street, but there are many more. Did I mention Portland was a foodie paradise?
Day 3: Gravy, Goats, and Going on an Oregon Road Trip
When you travel to the Pacific Northwest you don’t necessarily think of southern-style biscuits and gravy. But you should. Pine State Biscuits, 1717 NW 23rd Ave. Portland, Or 97210, was started by three guys from North Carolina on a quest to create the perfect flaky biscuit. Lucky for us, the mission was accomplished. Make sure you load up with a delicious brunch because we have a full day of fun ahead.
After breakfast, it’s time for my favorite Portland site… the Belmont Goats! This nonprofit resident herd offers an oasis of rural community amidst the built, urban environment. And best of all, you can pet them! Located in the University Park area of Portland near the corner of Syracuse Street and Macrum Ave, the Belmont Goats are accessible by the 75 and 44 bus lines.
Our final activity is a little Oregon road trip. There are two really great weekend Portland getaways. Option one is Cannon Beach and Northwest Oregon. This tour is wheelchair accessible. I was able to navigate these paths somewhat easily with my cane, but those with more limited mobility may find it somewhat difficult. I know on bad pain days sand is my arch nemesis and an utter nightmare to walk through. Still, there’s plenty to do in Cannon Beach without having to set foot on sand or explore hiking trails.
Option two is a Willamette Valley Winery Tour.
Maddie along the hiking trail to Short Sand Beach
Terran Travels’ tour of Northern Oregon is a nature lovers’ dream. On this trip, you’ll walk beautiful Oregon beaches, hide under centuries-old trees in a primeval forest, and discover technological relics as you drive the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. Your guided tour is made up of no more than 14 people to ensure a more personalized experience.
On this tour, you’ll travel northwest of Portland, through the farmland of Tualatin Valley, an area known for its hazelnuts, Christmas trees, berries, and delicious Pinot Noirs. You'll have the option of making history-related stops near the town of Tillamook or spending time in Cannon Beach to check out majestic Haystack Rock, and the boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, and art galleries in the area. Choosing Cannon Beach gets you about 3 hours of exploration time. More than enough to check out the many shops and galleries, grab a quick lunch, and see the picturesque beach.
This tour is $130 per person.
My sweet service animal, Maddie, appreciating some beach time.
Terran Travels also runs a wine tour of the Willamette Valley, allowing visitors to sample the valley’s world-renowned pinot noir while connecting with the intriguing personalities behind the wine.
Tours are limited to 11 participants. Pick-up is available from your hotel in a Mercedes sprinter van. Guests will enjoy stopping at 3-4 wineries/ vineyards. Lunch is served at the second winery where they are able to accommodate a variety of dietary needs. After your tour of vineyards is over, you’ll wind back through the gorgeous rolling hills of the Willamette Valley and be dropped back at your hotel.
Tours are $160/ per person. You must be over 21 to participate.
Other Things to Do In Portland
If you’d like to swap out some of the above activities here are some bonus recommendations for things to do in Portland, OR.
PSU Farmer’s Market - This is a year-round market on the grounds of Portland State University. The grounds are wheelchair-accessible and the market offers more than 130 vendors each Saturday from 8:30 am to 2 pm.
Multnomah Whiskey Library - A membership-based bar offering an expansive collection of whiskeys and other spirits. If Powells is a city of books, this is a city of booze. Not a member? Guests can buy a hall pass for one-time entrance.
Living Room Theaters - See a movie in a theater built by people who love movies. Relax in this independently owned and operated theater. Enjoy the top-notch sound and video quality as you curl up in the most comfortable recliners in the industry or the theater’s two rows of rocker seats.
Keep Portland Weird.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to a great 3 Day Weekend in Portland.
If you’ve been to Portland, or have a tip of your own, be sure to drop it in the comments below. Thanks for reading and happy travels!
