19 Fun Indoor Activities in Portland for Rainy Days
I love living in Portland, Oregon, but around its 185th or so rainy day of the year, I do start to get restless. It can be fun spending the day driving out to the desert or even getting soaked on a rainy hike, but sometimes what you want is to get out of the house without donning the rain gear. Here are my suggestions for fun indoor activities in Portland with varying levels of originality and in no particular order. Go ahead and read the whole list. I know it’s raining and you’re bored.
Visit the Lan Su Chinese Garden
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Cost: $14.00 Adult, $13.00 for Seniors/Students, $11.00 for ages 6-18, and free for ages 5 and under
Kid-friendly: Yes
When to visit: Open daily
I know what you’re thinking. The Portland Chinese Garden? That’s outside! And yes, most of it is. Still, its covered walkways and indoor spaces make it possible to explore most of the garden while staying dry. Plus, rain dripping from the roof tiles and sending ripples through the koi pond adds to the garden’s tranquil atmosphere.
Lan Su is modeled after the scholars’ gardens of 16th Century China, reflecting the art, culture, and architecture of the Ming Dynasty. One of Lan Su’s best features, particularly on rainy days, is the teahouse. You can watch the rain fall onto Lake Zither while enjoying a cup of tea that is, unsurprisingly, quite good. The tea menu is long and includes some rare types like Sun Ripened Raw Puer. You can also get enticing snacks like vegetable dumplings, candied mango slices, and braised tofu, as well as wine or sake.
One of the best times to visit Lan Su is just around the corner, the Lunar New Year. From January 21 through February 5, 2023, look for the performances, art installations, and activities to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit.
Teahouse at Lan Su
2. Explore a new neighborhood
Display at Paxton Gate
Cost: Free to visit
Kid-friendly: Yes
One of my favorite things about Portland is how easy it is to find neighborhood centers that have their own character. In some ways, the city feels more like a collection of small towns than an urban whole. I’m suggesting Mississippi Ave as a good choice for walkable rainy-day exploration, although I could have just as easily chosen Alberta, Nob Hill, Belmont, or many others.
The shops on Mississippi Ave have a lot of variety and offer plenty to do indoors. Here are a few places to look for:
Paxton Gate, one of the more unique and interesting stores you can visit in Portland, selling ethically-sourced taxidermy and other intriguing items
Sage Crystals, for all your crystal needs, even if you have a lot of crystal needs
Gifty Kitty, a cat-themed art and gift shop
The Meadow, selling salts, chocolates, bitters, and flowers
Control Voltage, a musical instrument shop that specializes in electronic instruments
Sock Dreams, with as many socks as the name suggests
Flutter, selling vintage and locally-made goods
3. The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum
Alien autopsy at the Peculiarium
Cost: $10/person. $7 on Tuesdays. Free if you wear a good costume.
Kid-friendly: Yes, although some exhibits might be scary for younger children.
When to visit: Open daily
The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum is a classic Portland oddity that is perfectly suited to adding variety to a rainy afternoon. The Peculiarium honors all things bizarre, unlikely, and obscure from a zombie’s brain to a macabre dollhouse to Al Capone’s safe. Many of the exhibits are interactive like the theremin, a no-contact musical instrument known for making eerie sounds in science fiction shows.
There are photo opportunities with museum celebrities like Krampus and Bigfoot. You can get a harrowing photo of yourself falling from a skyscraper or being the subject of an alien autopsy. The exhibits are packed into a small space and display some curiosity whenever you look. I recommend it to anyone bored, especially if you’re looking for a date idea. The inside joke potential is limitless. Plus, it’s one of the few indoor activities in Portland where your dog can come along.
4. Go for a chocolate tasting
Woodblock Chocolate
Cost: $5-30
Kid-friendly: Yes
Bon Amis in Northeast Portland is a tasting room for both Woodblock Chocolates and the Willamette Valley wines of Brooks Winery. You can try a chocolate tasting there that pairs decadent chocolate wafers with wine or beer. I know sweet wine isn’t in vogue these days, but I suggest it for chocolate pairings to get the best out of both the wine and the chocolate.
One of the best things about visiting Bon Amis is the smell of chocolate that reaches you as soon as you walk in the door. The chocolate is manufactured on-site and you can see the equipment from the retail shop. Their cacao beans are sourced from around the world and trying a chocolate tasting is a good way to compare the flavors from different regions.
For more chocolate options, head about a mile down the road to Creo Chocolate, which gives tours of its chocolate-making facility to show every step of the process.
5. Visit Oregon’s Wine Country
Tasting room at Furioso Vineyards
Cost: Usually $15-25 for a tasting
Kid-friendly: Not always, although it depends on the winery. Hawkins Cellars and Aniche Cellars in the Columbia Gorge, Mt Hood Winery near Hood River, Whiskey Hill Winery in the Willamette Valley, and Archer Vineyard in Newberg would be good choices if you’re going with the kids.
It takes a little driving to get out to wine country but is well worth the effort when it’s raining in Portland (or anytime). One of the most relaxing places to watch the rain is from the windows of a tasting room at a vineyard. Winter tends to be a less popular time to visit wine country, so reservations are easier to get, and dropping in becomes possible at more places. Plus, you can’t beat foggy hillsides covered in grape vines for the atmosphere. Go ahead and take your time trying the wines, order some snacks, and enjoy the day.
For more about visiting Oregon Wine Country, check out my detailed guide here.
Or, stay in town and check out one of the best wine bars in Portland.
6. See a live comedy show
Helium Comedy Club
Cost: Free & up
Kid-friendly: Usually not
Seeing live comedy can be a good way to counteract the dreariness of a rainy day. The best way to find shows is by looking at a Portland events calendar, but there are also some good dedicated comedy venues to check out:
Helium Comedy Club is a small and intimate space that has been known to host some big names.
Curious Comedy’s goal is to improve people’s lives through comedy, including many improv performances. They also offer improv classes if you’re interested in trying the performance side of things.
The Funhouse Lounge offers comedy shows including improv and open mic nights if you can stand the density of clown-themed art.
7. Wander around the Portland Art Museum
Portland Art Museum
Cost: $25 Adult, $22 for Seniors/Students, and free for ages 17 and under. Look for free days quarterly.
Kid-friendly: Yes, more for older children.
When to visit: Open Wednesday through Sunday
When the rain has been making you feel stuck indoors, art can be a great way to feel like you are worlds away. The Portland Art Museum downtown offers a little bit of everything in its collections from European religious iconography of the Middle Ages to ceramics of Ancient China to contemporary art. The best time to go is when one of the current exhibitions catches your eye, although there is always a lot of variety to explore in the permanent collections.
8. Visit the Oregon Historical Society
Museum at the Oregon Historical Society
Cost: Free for residents of Multnomah County. Otherwise $10 for Adults, $8 for Seniors/Students/Teachers $8, Seniors (60+), $5 for ages 6 – 18, and free for ages 5 & under
Kid-friendly: Yes
When to visit: Open daily
The Oregon Historical Society is only about a block away from the Portland Art Museum and makes for an easy stop after you’ve finished admiring the art. I recently learned that Multnomah County residents can visit the museum for free and I suspect this includes many of the people looking for rainy-day ideas in Portland.
The museum explores Oregon’s history, casting a wide net. Look for exhibits showing the typical contents of a covered wagon traveling west in the 1800s, Oregon’s sports teams, the history of Vanport, and the Janzen Beach carousel among others. There are also temporary exhibits with other themes, like the current Motown exhibit. Unclear the connection to Oregon specifically, although the costumes on display are a highlight of the visit.
9. Visit a pop-up market
Vegan Night Market
Cost: Free - $10
Kid-friendly: Yes
Portland pop-up markets can be a great way to get to know local vendors while staying dry on a rainy day. The Portland Night Market is held quarterly on Fri & Sat 4 PM - 11 PM in Portland’s Central Eastside District. Look for local food, drinks, products, and performances, including some vendors offering samples of their goods at the market. Although much of the space is indoors or covered, still be sure to dress for the weather since some areas are open air.
You can also find other pop-up markets, especially around the holidays, by searching a Portland events calendar. Shop Small PDX is dedicated to promoting local small businesses and keeps a good calendar of pop-up markets in Portland.
10. Go rock climbing
The Circuit Bouldering Gym
Cost: About $20-25 for a day pass
Kid-friendly: Yes. The Circuit Gym in particular has a dedicated area for younger children with holds closer together. Older children can use the main gym area.
It can be hard to find many indoor activities in Portland that involve exercise. Visiting a bouldering or rock climbing gym can be a challenging workout that is more rewarding than the tedium of a treadmill. You can also drop in whenever the gym is open, which makes it easier to coordinate with friends than, say, a yoga or pilates class.
Most climbing gyms focus on top-roping with an area for bouldering. The Circuit Gym is a dedicated bouldering gym that is a good choice if you aren’t that fresh on how to tie your figure 8 knots. The Portland Rock Gym has a few routes with an auto-belay if you want to try out top-roping before learning belaying technique. It also has a large bouldering area. Movement Portland has yoga classes and conventional gym space in addition to its climbing area.
11. Browse Powell’s Books
Powell’s Books
Cost: Free to visit
Kid-friendly: Yes
When to visit: Open daily
Mountains of books! Forests of books! More than one million books if we’re going to nail it down. Covering a full city block, Powell’s Books is the world’s largest bookstore. For anyone who loves reading, it’s a delight to browse. Books are mingled together whether they are new or used, hardback or paperback, keeping the focus on the book rather than its presentation. There are multiple floors with colored-coded rooms to help you keep your bearings in the stacks. If you haven’t been before, make sure to check out the Rare Book Room upstairs, which houses thousands of old, unusual, and valuable books. If you can’t wait to dive into one of your books, stop by the coffee shop on your way out and get reading.
12. Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar
Arcade games at Ground Kontrol
Cost: Free to enter. Pay per game and for food and drink.
Kid-friendly: All ages allowed before 5 PM, 21+ only after 5 PM
When to visit: Open daily
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar in Old Town has an impressive collection of arcade games from the 1970s through today that you can play with a beer or cocktail. The venue has gone all-in on its theme and the entire space feels like a classic arcade rather than a conventional bar. You can play dozens of different games whether your tastes run more toward Mario Bros., Ms. Pac-Man, or Jurassic Park pinball.
13. Go to the movies in a historic theater
Hollywood Theater
Cost: About $7-15
Kid-friendly: Yes
I love the movie theaters in Portland, which are usually a refreshing change from the generic theater model. Many have been around forever and offer surprisingly good refreshments like pizza by the slice, wine, and beer.
McMenamins operates a movie theater in the Kennedy School as well as the Bagdad Theater on Hawthorne. Both have offbeat and kitschy interiors that make you want to stare at the theater as much as the movie.
The Hollywood Theater is a not-for-profit theater that has been open since 1926. It is also my all-around favorite movie theater. The showy and ornate exterior alone is worth a visit. The theater shows both new and classic films, including some showings in 70mm.
Living Room Theater embraces independent films in a comfortable space that feels like home. You can order food from a full restaurant menu that gets delivered to your seat.
Cinema 21 is an art-house movie theater showing independent, foreign, and classic films.
Open since 1915, the Clinton Street Theater is one of the oldest movie theaters in the United States. Look for cult movies and lively audiences there.
Century 16 in the Eastport Plaza is a large and conventional theater that shows mostly blockbuster movies. Although it lacks the charm of many of the smaller theaters, it has a special place in my heart because of its wonderful reclining armchair seats.
14. Visit a kombucha taproom
SOMA Kombucha Taproom
Cost: About $5
Kid-friendly: Yes
Honestly, I know you’ve already thought of visiting a teahouse or coffee shop on a rainy day in Portland. You weren’t born yesterday. I’m afraid that they’re both on the list anyway. Instead, consider checking out a kombucha taproom, which can be a fun way to catch up with friends or get some work done away from home that makes for a change from your usual spot and probably does something good for your gut health. One thing I enjoy about SOMA Kombucha Taproom on Belmont is that the staff welcomes, nay encourages you to sample all the flavors before committing. Plus, for an extra $0.50 you get a cute mini-growler.
15. Shop for deals at vintage stores
Hollywood Vintage
Cost: Free to visit
Kid-friendly: Yes
I’m not much of a shopper, but Portland’s vintage shops are a good way to find unique products that won’t break the bank. There are also usually enough oddball items in the mix to keep things interesting. Vintage shops can be especially useful for ugly sweater parties, Halloween costumes, white elephant gift exchanges, and finding affordable sweaters with cashmere in them. If you urgently need a pair of salt and pepper shakers that look like frogs getting married, here are some places to look:
Antique Alley provides space for nearly 100 individual vendors selling clothing, jewelry, toys, collectibles, home goods, and other sundries.
Hollywood Vintage is a Portland staple that sells eyeglasses galore, accessories, and clothing spanning decades of styles.
Gem Set Love sells vintage and estate jewelry including wedding rings.
Xtabay sells unique women’s clothing and accessories at a higher price point than most vintage shops. If you want to dress like Betty Draper, look no further.
Antique Alley
16. Shop for interesting imported goods
Display at Cargo
Cost: Free to visit
Kid-friendly: Yes at Cargo. Asia America Furniture has fragile things near ground level and may be stressful with younger children.
Looking for a creative piñata? A storefront sign written in Bengali? A kimono? Ten kimonos? One of Portland’s most interesting shops for browsing is Cargo in the Central Eastside District. Products come from around the world and range from small gift items like soaps, wallets, and greeting cards to elaborate furniture and artwork.
Around the corner, stop by Asia America Furniture to check out the displays. Unlike Cargo, you won’t find anything in the $10 and under category. Although technically a store, it feels more like an art gallery. Go ahead and look around even if, like me, you aren’t a serious shopper. The shop is large, full of unique items, and an easy way to spend time on a rainy day.
While you’re in the area, look for Cowbell, a retail shop that sells the best cheese in Portland, hands down.
For lunch, one of my favorite restaurants for a rainy day is nearby, Produce Row Cafe. The cocktails are great and the back patio is covered with a glass roof where you can hear the rain while staying dry. For other options, grab a burger at Wayfinder Beer or Mediterranean food from Shalom Y’all.
Nope, still in Portland - Asia America Furniture
17. Visit a coffee shop
Coava Coffee
Cost: $5-10
Kid-friendly: Yes
I warned you that visiting a coffee shop would be on the list and here it is. Although it’s not an original suggestion, Portland has great coffee and some cozy places to drink it on a rainy day. It is a topic close to my heart since I cannot and will not face a day without coffee. There are many more shops in Portland than I’ve visited or could review in this wee blurb, but here are some of my opinions regardless:
Stumptown Coffee is probably Portland’s best-known coffee roaster. Their black coffee is good but I’d say that their coffee drinks like lattes are where they shine.
Nossa Familia is my favorite coffee roaster for taste.
Bitter Rose Coffee Bar made me the most beautiful coffee I’ve ever had, a rose latte with a dried rose petal garnish.
Sisters Coffee Co., whose coffee I recommended as part of a one-day itinerary in Sisters, Oregon, has a location in Portland. Excellent black coffee, up there with Nossa Familia.
Coava Coffee Roasters is a Portland staple that shares space with a shop for artisan bamboo products in its Grand Ave location.
For atmosphere, I like Space Monkey in Southeast Portland, Tea Chai Té in Sellwood, Anna Bananna’s in North Portland, and Kopi Coffee between North and Southeast.
For the coolest and quirkiest coffee shops, try Pied Cow, Tov Coffee, or the Rimsky-Korsakoffee House.
18. DIY crafting
Creative Culture
Cost: $10+
Kid-friendly: Yes
If you have a group or a family to amuse on a rainy day, consider trying out one of Portland’s DIY crafting shops.
If you want to drink beer or wine while you’re crafting, check out DIY Bar. Perhaps your drink will not improve the results of your product, although I suspect it will increase the enjoyment of the process.
Creative Culture is a DIY crafting workshop that serves the most over-the-top milkshakes imaginable.
SCRAP is a non-profit that sells donated materials for reuse at a fraction of the retail price. Look for classes (which I’m afraid I must report are called crafternoons) and other events to create things in the shop.
19. Visit The Zymoglyphic Museum
The Zymoglyphic Museum
Cost: Free
Kid-friendly: Potentially, although better for older children due to fragile exhibits in a small space.
When to visit: The second and fourth Sunday of the month, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
The Zymoglyphic Museum in Portland is one of the most unique attractions you can find in any city. The museum is housed above a converted garage in a residential neighborhood. The feeling is that of an art installation, one that is cohesive although difficult to categorize. The themes that emerge are decay, material culture, innovation, and curiosity. The space itself is small and does not take more than about 20 or 30 minutes to explore. You may feel a sense of wonder and inspiration. You may feel intrigued. You may feel simply confused. If you have some free time that aligns with the museum’s hours, it’s worth a visit.
In summary, the 19 fun indoor activities in Portland for rainy days are:
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Explore a new neighborhood
The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum
Go for a chocolate tasting
Visit Oregon Wine Country
See live comedy
Portland Art Museum
Oregon Historical Society
Visit a pop-up market
Go rock climbing
Powell’s Books
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade and Bar
Movie theater
Kombucha taproom
Vintage shops
Shop for interesting imports
Coffee shop
DIY crafting
The Zymoglyphic Museum
Stay dry and enjoy your day!
With love,
Emma
Looking for more things to do around Portland? Check out these activities in and around the city:
