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Powell's Books

Powell's Books: Our most recommended tours and activities

Discover Portland: Half-Day Small Group City Tour

1. Discover Portland: Half-Day Small Group City Tour

Take a guided tour of Portland in a small group. Throughout the tour, you'll enjoy beautiful vistas as you drive the hills and bridges in a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle. Your guide will pick you up at Director Park, then give you background on the landmarks you pass. Learn the city's history as you wander the neighborhoods of central Portland. Stop at the International Rose Test Garden, where you'll have 20 minutes to walk among the 550 rose varieties. Then, you'll ascend even higher into the hills to Pittock Mansion, which provides the best view of Portland and 5 stratovolcanoes, in clear weather. As you navigate the city, take in views of the parks, gardens, bridges, and trees of this lush city.

Portland: Secret Food Tour with Local Guide

2. Portland: Secret Food Tour with Local Guide

Eat your way through Downtown Portland and the Pearl District on this food tour with a local guide. Sample five dishes, including doughnuts, pretzels, and more, and learn about the city's history as you walk. Start your tour in Pioneer Square where you will stop at a food cart to sample a typical Portland dish. Next, wander around the Pearl District and try a special pretzel and dips. Afterward, discover an eclectic side of Downtown and savor the flavors of tonkatsu ramen. Try a local Simpson donut and learn why the locals gave it its name. Finish your tour with a chat in a historic local café.

Hop-On Hop-Off Gray Line Pink Trolley Tour - 1 Day Ticket

3. Hop-On Hop-Off Gray Line Pink Trolley Tour - 1 Day Ticket

Discover Portland’s many attractions at your own pace with a 1 or 2-day pass for the enchanting sightseeing trolley bus. Take a non-stop narrated tour in 85 minutes, or hop on and off at the attractions of your choice. Drive through Portland’s lively city center, and contrast it with the surrounding natural beauty, from Washington Park and the West Hills to Willamette River and Waterfront Park. Experience all that the "Rose City" has to offer at 13 carefully chosen stops. Jump off at Pioneer Square and discover Portland’s “Living Room.” Enjoy some retail therapy at the 23rd Avenue shopping district, or get a little culture at one of the city’s museums, such as the Portland Art Museum, or the Museum of Contemporary Craft. In addition, a portion of your ticket price goes to support Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. Schedule of Stops: • Pioneer Square • South Park • Washington Park / Japanese Garden and Rose Test Garden • Oregon Zoo / World Forestry Center • Hoyt Arboretum • 23rd Ave. Shopping District • Pearl District / NW 13th Ave. • Pearl District / Powell's Books • Chinese Garden/Oregon Convention Center via MAX • Old Town / Saturday - Weekend Market • Caruthers Park • Aerial Tram and Tilikum Crossing/OMS via MAX • Riverplace

Portland: Smart Phone Scavenger Hunt

4. Portland: Smart Phone Scavenger Hunt

Turn Portland into a giant game board on a smart phone operated scavenger hunt of the city, and discover the sights from a new perspective! The interactive hunt combines all the fun of the “Amazing Race” with a sightseeing tour of some of the city’s most historic areas. Let your smart phone guide you past well-known attractions and overlooked gems, solving clues and completing challenges as you go. Start on Pioneer Courthouse Square and continue to the Arts District. See Art Deco theaters and riverside panoramas as you pass sights such as the Portland Art Museum, statue of Portlandia, Ira Keller Fountain Park, and Powells Books, flagship store of the largest independent bookstore chain in the world! The route covers approximately 2.4 miles, and lets you experience Portland’s famous street cars along the way. You can start when you want, and determine your own pace of play. Stop for lunch, take in the sights, or grab a bite at Voodoo Donuts - “the magic is in the hole!” Tours are set at a fixed price for a group versus per person pricing, so this is the perfect city adventure for groups who want to get the best bang for their buck.

Other Sightseeing Options in Powell's Books

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What people are saying about Powell's Books

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 54 reviews

I am so glad I signed up to join this tour! It’s a great way to see and experience Portland, I have learned so much, and highly recommend this especially if you are traveling solo — great way to sightsee, have some company, and meet new people. Our tour guide, Damon, was the nicest and the best! 100% recommend.

David was very knowledgeable of Portland and it’s history and was a fantastic tour guide. We got to enjoy foods I hadn’t tried before and learned a lot about the cuisine in Portland and enjoyed going to some smaller spots that were not touristy.

Tour started on time. Meeting point was centrally located. Tour took us all over Portland and pointed out all the various sites as well as historical info. about the city.

Very interesting tour and Damain was excellent! Enjoyed the areas he took us too, very knowledgeable and was entertaining.

Tour guide was very knowledgeable and even recommended some good local eats!