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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Portland

65 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Portland, Oregon

Updated January 12, 2026
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Unusual Attractions in Portland

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See All 65 Things To Do in Portland

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Portland

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See all 8 Places to Eat in Portland
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

A Feminist Road Trip Across the U.S.

Atlas Obscura has a tradition of exploring the stories of women who changed the world, from wildlife biologists and mountain climbers to Civil War spies and tattoo artists. To celebrate these daring women who struck out on their own, we’ve put together a cross-country road trip. Over 12 stops and more than 3,000 miles, this route will give you a front-row seat to women’s history in America.

View Itinerary

Explore Portland, Oregon

Collections 14
Museums 8
Art 7
Statues 6
Shops 6
Travel Portland 5
Plants 5
History 4

Portland Leaderboard

Recent Portland Activity

Stories About Portland

Portland’s mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers make it a paradise for roses.

A Botanical Showdown Planted the Seed for Portland’s International Rose Test Garden

Portland, Oregon is known as the City of Roses, but clinching this title was no easy feat.
Sponsored By Travel Portland
Wagashi are bite-sized treats ranging from jellied to doughy, that compliment earthy Japanese green teas.

The Woman Putting a West-Coast Spin on Japan’s Traditional Tea Sweets

Wagashi is a way to celebrate the beauty of the seasons.
by Roxanne Hoorn

Podcast: Reed College Reactor

For the past 50 years, undergrads at a liberal arts college have had access to a remarkable scientific instrument.
by The Podcast Team

Podcast: The Portland Treasure Map

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
Sponsored By Travel Portland

There Maybe Could Possibly Be a Treasure Buried Under Portland, Oregon

At least according to a hand-drawn map of mysterious origin.
by April White
Spirit Mountain Roasting Company advertises itself as “Indigenous from seed to cup.”

Across the Nation, a Native American Coffee Movement Is Brewing

Beans roasted on reservations are coming to your cup.
by Tsanavi Spoonhunter
Gang’s all here in Bennett’s garage.

Meet the Mastermind Behind the Plywood Cartoons Invading Portland, Oregon

Bigfoot sightings are about to increase dramatically.
by Jessica Leigh Hester
The powerful “Family Reserve” baijiu clocks in at 106 proof.

Five Siblings Run the U.S.'s Only Baijiu Distillery in Their Mom's Backyard

Only in Portland.
by Anne Ewbank

Lists Featuring Portland

Toy horse tied to a sidewalk ring in Portland, Oregon.
USS Blueback in Portland.
Giant Canister Vacs “The Va Cuna”

9 Portland Places That Raise More Questions Than Answers

Sponsored By Travel Portland
9

Including Portland Horse Rings, The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, and USS Blueback

Voodoo Doughnuts
Jason Ogata became the new owner at Ota Tofu in 2019 and spent more than a year working with Ko Ota to learn the ins and outs of the business. Ogata grew up in Portland and remembers eating Ota Tofu as a kid.
Pix-O-matic

6 Unexpected Portland Snacking Experiences

Sponsored By Travel Portland
6

Including Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel, Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, and Ota Tofu

The Paddington Bear statue at Paddington station.
The Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park.
Mrs Mallard and her entire brood.
Dr Seuss, Cat in the Hat, and a book with lines from Oh The Places You’ll Go.

9 Favorite Children's Book Characters, Immortalized in Bronze

Visit Paddington Bear, Ramona Quimby, and other childhood heroes in person.

9

Including Paddington Bear Statue , Alice in Wonderland Statue, and Make Way for Ducklings Statue

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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