Visiting the city of Portland in Oregon? Here are some free things to do in Portland to help you have better control over your travel budget:
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Free Things to Do in Portland: Admire the Beauty of the International Rose Test Garden
Founded in 1917, the International Rose Test Garden in Portland continues to amaze visitors with manicured displays of more than 10,000 plants.
Amphitheater at the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon – photo by don under CC-BY-2.0
Free Things to Do in Portland: Be Amazed with the “World’s Smallest Park”
More like a collection of garden plants, Mill Ends Park in Portland has been dubbed the smallest in the world.
Autumn at Mill Ends Park – photo by Ian Sane under CC BY 2.0
Free Things to Do in Portland: Enjoy the Outdoors at Forest Park
This wooded area spans more than 5000 acres of land and has trails for biking and hiking. It’s a popular place to watch the birds and enjoy the beauty of nature. You might also want to check out the Witch’s Castle within the park that is rumored to be haunted.
At Forest Park in Portland, Oregon – photo by Tim Hettler under CC BY 2.0
Find Peace at The Grotto
This Catholic sanctuary is renowned for the Pieta replica within it. It also has serene botanical gardens and a grotto. While the upper level gardens require admission, the public is welcome to visit the lower gardens, chapel, grotto, gift shop and visitor center free of charge.
The Grotto in the eastern portion of Portland, Oregon – photo by InSapphoWeTrust under CC BY-SA 2.0
Go on a Brewery Tour
Being a beer town, a visit to Portland would be incomplete without taking a brewery tour. And the good news is there are some breweries in the city that offer tours free of charge (some are even kid-friendly). Hopworks Urban Brewery has free tours that include tastings every Saturday at 3:00pm. McMenamins Crystal Brewery has free tours each day. Breweries that require you to call ahead to schedule a free tour include Ground Breaker Brewing and Gastropub, Ecliptic Brewing, McMenamins Fulton Pub & Brewery, McMenamins Hillsdale Brewery & Public House, McMenamins Oak Hills Brewpub and Kells Brewery.
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Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) – photo by Dan K under CC BY-SA 2.0 
Ecliptic Brewing Samples – photo by Bjorn under CC BY-SA 2.0
Learn More about Locomotives at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center
The Oregon Rail Heritage Center houses historic exhibits, as well as several restored trains. Some of the restored trains are even operational!
The Oregon Rail Heritage Center engine house – photo by Steve Morgan under CC-BY-SA-3.0 and GFDL
Observe the Haggling at Portland Saturday Market
Despite its name, Portland Saturday Market is open each Saturday and Sunday where you can browse through stalls and stalls of crafts, gift items, food and other products.
Some of the stalls at Portland Saturday Market – photo by Steve Morgan under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Relax at the Parks
There are several parks in Portland where you can sit back and watch the activities that take place. Among these are Pioneer Courthouse Square, Jamison Square, Director Park and Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
West half of the Pioneer Courthouse Square – photo by Steve Morgan under CC-BY-SA-3.0 and GFDL 
Jamison Square Park in Portland, Oregon – photo by Ian Poellet under CC-BY-SA-3.0 and GFDL 
Director Park at night – photo by Another Believer under CC-BY-SA-3.0 
Cherry blossoms in Tom McCall Waterfront Park – photo by flickr user atul666 under CC-BY-SA-2.0
See the Splendor of the Urban Waterfalls at Keller Fountain Park
It’s not the regular fountain that you’re thinking… The angular Keller fountain resembles the famed waterfalls of the US Northwest and is truly a sight to see.
The Keller Fountain at its namesake park – photo by Victorcmyk under CC-BY-SA-3.0 and GFDL
Visit The Historic Belmont Firehouse
The Historic Belmont Firehouse holds an open house each Wednesday, from 9:00am until 3:00pm. On the second Saturday of each month, it also hosts “Safety Saturday”, allowing visitors to view the exhibits and learn more about safety.
The Historic Belmont Firehouse in southeast Portland, Oregon – photo by Another Believer under CC-BY-SA-3.0
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