Things to Do in Portland Oregon in August 2023
If Portland, Oregon is known for anything it is it’s beautiful natural scenery, best food carts on the west coast, and let us not forget the coffee. Downtown Portland especially has lots to offer especially as the summer comes to an end & fall season starts to kick off. Check out this list of FREE (or close to free) things to do in Portland, Oregon this August!
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August Weather in Portland, Oregon
Needless to say, the climate in Portland has changed over the years. But, one thing has stayed fairly consistent and that is that August is still a warm month, and could arguably be the warmest month of the year (at least historically speaking sans the Heat Dome of 2020). The weather forecast average temperatures from last year according to the Farmer’s Almanac (link) was around 80 degrees! So make sure to pack the sunscreen, have a plan for hydration, and most importantly, dress for the occasion.
Family-Friendly Event Planning
Not everything on this list will be family friendly. However, much of what is included will be! Nothing is better than getting the kids out of the house as summer comes to and end and getting some fresh air with the entire family. There are many nature parks to visit, free museum days, OMSI and much more that will be included on this list. Wether you need indoor or outdoor activities, all ages will be included.
Live Performances
Portland has many Jazz type festivals such as the notorious Blues Festival that takes place every summer (this year in July) offering live music and community. Not only are there Jazz bars, but there is also the Vanport Jazz festival, which I will get into more detail below. There is also Portland’s Hip Hop week, Comedy in the Park, Outdoor Markets where live entertainment can always be found, & much more!
Farmers Markets
Portland has one of the best Saturday Markets that offers a diverse collection of craft vendors, food vendors, other local artists, and lots of activities for all to indulge in! The Portland Saturday Farmers Markets typically starts sometime in March and goes all the way through December depending on the weather. August is the best time to go in my opinion because the weather is perfect, the city of Portland comes together and shares all of their best, and it is really just a great vibe.
Things to Do in Portland in August 2023
1. Pickathon
This is hands down probably the coolest sounding event on this list. If you know me, you know I love the outdoors (I will be writing more about my adventures soon!). But to combine music AND nature? That sounds like more than a great time, but a potentially life changing experience. During the month of August from August 3rd to the 6th, Pickathon holds an experiential music event out in nature where you can reconnect with others as well as the trees. To learn more you can click here to visit their website!
2. The Bridge Pedal
Portland’s Bridge Pedal is an annual event that is perfect for everybody. It takes place over multiple locations but all are part of Portland’s car-free streets, so rest assured you won’t be worrying about the crazy Portland traffic to battle through. Prices vary per person, but you can check out those rates here.
3. World Naked Bike Ride
Every year, this notorious bike riding event takes place in the weirdest city in America. The World Naked Bike Ride is free admission to all and symbolizes the protest against our dependency on oil as a human race. You can learn more about the event including the upcoming location here.
4. Vanport Jazz Festival
I wanted to start this one off with a little history off of Vanport Jazz’s website: “At its height, nearly 40,000 people lived in Vanport, including 6,000 African Americans. Vanport was then the nation’s largest public housing project and the second-largest city in Oregon…But Vanport wasn’t built to last. On Memorial Day, 1948, the Columbia River broke through the nearby levees, unleashing a historic flood that displaced 18,000 people from their homes—a quarter of whom were African American. The Vanport Flood was, in the words of a former resident, the Hurricane Katrina of its time.” The Vanport Jazz Festival isn’t just any music event. It is symbolic of those that came to this great state looking for better opportunity and sharing their art with the community. This event is taking place August 4-5 and tickets are on sale now! You can learn more and buy tickets here.
5. Portland Hip Hop Week
Founded in 2015, this event takes place for an entire week at the end of August! To see when this event will be in full swing, check out their website!
Some Other Events for You to Explore
6. Pioneer Courthouse Square Events
- Chinese Festival
7. Portland Markets
-Kenton Farmers Market
-Shemanski Park
-Portland State University
-Tom McCall Waterfront
-Unique Markets (Veterans Memorial Collesium)
-Rocky Butte
– Lent’s International Farmers Market
-Woodstock Farmers Market
-Come Thru: Black & Indigenous Market
8. William Byrd Festival
9. Zoo Nights
10. McMenamins Edfield Concerts on the Lawn
11. Chinese Festival
12. St. John’s Art Walk
13. India Festival
14. Elephant Garlic Festival (Fun Stinks)
15. Portland Hot Sauce Expo
16. Festa Italiana
17. Portland Burger Week
18. Hood to Coast
19. Portland Middle East Festival
20. Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfall Tours
21. Free Yoga in the Park
You can find these and other monthly updates at Travel Portland’s Website!
Local Finds
So you may be thinking, “But Chandra, I am an introvert. I don’t enjoy big crowds and like a good, quiet atmosphere”. I have you covered! I too am an introvert and because of my PTSD I really dislike large crowds unless I prepare myself weeks ahead. So, to help you out, I am going to give you my personal favorites list of places I love that are in the Portland and extended areas! These places (and some events) I have found have been great to still get out of the house without becoming over stimulated. I also will be sharing my top fav’s where it is family friendly and accessible!
Washington County Cooperative Libraries
If you follow me on Instagram then you know that I basically live at the library (ok not literally). But, the library has so much to offer. Aside from a wide array of books with tons of new and old coming in all the time, they also have events and other activities that take place year round. I always recommend when you move to a new area to find the local library. Chances are there will be programs, events, and other information you can get to help you settle in to your new home. Below is the list of Washington County Cooperative Libraries, but there are many more to choose from through out the whole of Portland!
- Aloha Community Library
- Banks Public Library
- Beaverton City Library (Main)
- Beaverton City Library Murray Scholls
- Bethany Library
- Cedar Mill Library
- Cornelius Public Library
- Forest Grove City Library
- Garden Home Community Library
- Hillsboro Public Library, Brookwood
- Hillsboro Public Library, Shute Park
- North Plains Public Library
- Sherwood Public Library
- Tigard Public Library
- Tualatin Public Library
- West Slope Community Library
Beaverton Farmers Market
Aside from the Portland Farmers (Saturday) Market, one of my other favorites to attend is the Beaverton Farmers Market. Located just near the Main Beaverton City Library, this farmers market is packet with the best produce, plants, artisans & more! I always enjoy coming here during the spring and summer months because the community is amazing. Also, the produce they offer is always of fantastic quality, great pricing, and some are HUGE! I mean it. Onions the size of your head. You have to go and see it to believe it. Another thing I like about this market is it is busy, but it isn’t too packed. There is plenty of walking space wether you have a wagon or stroller for your littles, and people are generally very courteous. Since August has average highs in the mid 70’s to 90’s depending on the day, a huge perk of this location is its splash pad. It spans a pretty significant bit of space so there is plenty of room for all to enjoy and cool off. Another perk that I love is there is always awesome live performances. Music lovers can enjoy the tunes while perusing the aisles of the local market. One draw back of this particular market is that is does not have easy access. You will more than likely have to park fairly far away and walk (there is no designated parking lot), so if you are not into that i highly recommend getting there 20-30 minutes before the market officially begins!
Local Splash Pads
On days where its hot but not too hot, we like to hit some of our local splash pads. These are great as I have found if you forget say sunscreen or need a baby wipe, people are obliged to help. The community feeling is always a wonderful surprise, even when going to a new location. Everyone gets to enjoy the laughs and giggles of the kids while sitting in peace with friends or alone in the nice weather. If you are going in August, do remember to lather up. The UV levels are typically highest between 10am-4/5pm, but it is often recommended to be covered before and after those times. Also don’t forget water. I am finding more and more often at may of the places we visit from parks to splash pads that they are either replacing water fountains or they are out of order. So don’t rely on this when getting ready to go; also remember snacks as this is just as important for hydration. Most importantly- have fun!
- 53rd Ave Park
- Magnolia Park
- Cedar Hills Crossing Splash Pad
- Elizabeth Caruthers Park
- Kʰunamokwst Park
- Bill Naito Legacy Fountain
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Powell’s Books- Cedar Hills (& Portland Location)
Powell’s is probably my favorite on this list. I can’t always go because believe it or not, it is one of the biggest independent new and used book store in the world. You read that right. The Cedar Hills location as well as the Portland location are packed wall to wall with tons of good reads! You are guaranteed to find something you like even on a bad day. When I am feeling up to it, I like to peruse the aisles in the horror section as well as the other literature based sections. I am finding more and more that no matter how many times I visit, there is still much to uncover in this historical place. Powell’s, like the library, also holds little activities and bits of information that are beneficial to newcomers in the community. Wether you are a book lover or just new to the area, I highly recommend coming here as one of your first destinations. You will not only have copious amounts of books to look at, but they also have wonderful sections on the PNW, Portland, the community, and much much more!
The Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo will always be a favorite of mine, but it is kind of pricey. They still operate under timed slots, but you will have plenty of space to explore and visit the animals.
Defy
Defy is a new one to me; we recently went and absolutely loved it! It is also another one of those pricey events though, so if you are planning on going I would recommend checking groupon as well as any specials that they have for larger groups.
Nature Parks
One thing that is beneficial about living in the PNW, is there is no lack of nature parks! One thing I really enjoy in the summer is perusing the local scenery because often times it is much cooler within the trails due to all the trees and other shrubs blocking out the sun.
Pittock Mansion
The Pittock Mansion is great wether you are going to visit inside the mansion or are just going to visit and take photos outside. I have been inside a few times and is is kind of spooky in some areas, but other than that, it is just an old building with an impressive history. I like to visit here late in August as well as during the fall, as the fog and mist tend to settle over the area, and you get a peek at the city below with a fantastic view from the Pittock Mansion’s hill.
Top Golf
Although I probably won’t go back to Top Golf after their controversy over the years, I did want to include it on the list. It is a fun place to be even though you are timed, only get a certain amount of swings, and it’s pricey. But if you are going with a group of friends, it can be a blast!
Color Me Mine
I started painting pottery with my mom when I was about 11 years old. The rest if history. One of my favorite locations is Color Me Mine (located in the Streets of Tanasbourne) where you pay a small studio fee to help with paint and other supply replenishment as well as your chosen piece. The turn around time after you submit your painted piece is about a week so they are able to bake it in the kiln and you are left with a beautiful, customized piece of pottery! I always loved painting pottery because you get to release you creativity while also doing something you may not normally do. In the past I have enjoyed painting characters as well as animals, and even my own Tim Burton themed tea pot.
Hiking
Now I haven’t been hiking in a good minute, but it can be a low cost alternative to traveling while still getting the outdoors into your life. Here are some of my favorites from the past that I hope to go on again once the weather cools off a little more!
Wakeena Falls, Ecola Falls and Multnomah Falls Loop
This is a beautiful hike, but be prepared, there are some major HILLS. By the end of it, even with my better quality hiking boots my toes were finished.
Silver Falls
This is an absolute favorite of mine. The last time I went it was a very rainy day and I was cold af, but I cannot say enough about this hiking experience. You have the option to keep the hike short or go all the way around as it is a loop. One thing I recommend during the rainy season is having hiking poles or high tread trail runners or hiking boots!
Iron Mountain Trail
This is a really cool trail out in Lake Oswego that is totally customizable. You can go on a very short excursion or explore the entire forest in the area. There is no lack of options and you won’t ever get bored if you return multiple times. I highly recommend this if you are new to hiking and are looking for a more secure location. There is a ranger station here where they have clean bathrooms, lots of parking, and information for all to access! It is also dog friendly (on leash) but beware- if you have to use the bathroom, you can’t take your pooch with you.
This is only my top 3 but if you would like to learn more, I have more on my Hiking and Camping section in the blog! (coming soon)
Forest Heights
Ah yes. Forest Heights- the notorious rich kid neighborhood. There is nothing wrong with this, on the contrary. I love to drive up here because for one, the housing scene is STUNNING. But there is one particular hill in the neighborhood where if you park just right you can see the entire city. On clear nights, it is the place to be if you are looking to get away and have some peace and quiet & beautiful city scape views.
Streets of Tanasbourne
The Streets are awesome as there is lots of window shopping you can do and some of my favorite eats! When we can, we like to hit up The Rock- a classic/modern rock bar and restaurant that offers pizza, wings, salads, burgers and more! My son absolutely loves it and they offer some dough for the kids to play with to keep them busy. One other local eatery we like to indulge in from time to time is Killer Burger. If you are looking for big portions and juicy bites (and killer fries) I can’t urge you to try them enough!
Cedar Hills Shopping Center
I will admit, the parking here is wild and kind of sucks depending on the day. But the opportunities are endless. You can also hit up across the way or along the Cedar Hills strip and find many unique local businesses. When I am in the area, I like to hit up Powell’s as well as Blick’s Art Supply, a local art supplier that beats out Michael’s or Joanns any day of the week.
Sauvie’s Island
Sauvie’s Island is the beach near home. It is a man made beach with a narrow road leading out to it. It is the perfect getaway without having to drive as far as the coast, but beware you need a parking pass. Don’t make the same mistakes I did and think you will get away scott free without it. You will get ticketed.
Thank you for reading and I hope you will get to enjoy some of these activities around the local area! Know of other activities? Let me know in the comments below!! I always like to try new things and find new comfort spots.
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