Winter is such a fun time in our incredible city.  The tourists are mostly gone, so everything is a little bit quieter, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of things to do! We’re going to let you in on some of the must know and must do things in Portland this winter, including:

Ready? Okay, let’s go!

Portland gets chilly in the winter – we don’t get a lot of snow, but it certainly isn’t shorts and tank top weather, either.  Weather-and-climate.com says that the average high temperature in December is about 44 degrees and the lows at night can get down to about freezing. 

If you’ll be out and about on a winter day in Portland, you should always have a warm waterproof rain jacket since chances are it will rain at some point during the day. You should also have a beanie, gloves, and other warm winter clothes. Portland is pretty casual, so don’t worry about dressing to the nines, just be comfortable and stay dry. 

As you well know, we like to keep it local and sustainable, whenever possible. If you are on the hunt for a new winter jacket, swing by the Portland Patagonia for their Worn Wear selection of jackets or Next Adventure’s Bargain Basement.

Expect rain all winter. A bright sunny day during the winter is pretty rare. Honestly, the dark gloomy days can seem to drag on and on – but not if you have fun activities planned!  Let’s talk about some of the must-do activities during winter in Portland.

Do you prefer to stay inside and out of the cold? Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. These are some of our favorite indoor activities:

McMenamins hotels & soaking pools – There is no better way to relax than by soaking in one of their salt water pools.  Your body will feel refreshed, and your skin will look amazing afterward!

Cheer on the Blazers – If you’re a basketball fan, you can take the family out to watch the Blazers. They’re pretty good this year!

See a show at the Keller – Is there anything more wintery than the Nutcracker? You can catch a performance of Oregon Ballet Theater performing the winter classic in December. If you prefer a musical, the Keller has a nice repertoire to choose from, with a new show every few weeks. 

Book stores – You can never go wrong spending the afternoon browsing a bookstore. One of our favorites is Powell's, a locally owned bookstore that has new and used books to choose from.  They've been around for 50 years and believe me, you can spend an entire afternoon in the store!

Tis the season for some amazing food and drink and Portland will not let you down.  Some of our winter must eats are: 

Seasonal bevs at breweries – Portland is known for its breweries and they pull out some of the best seasonal brews in the winter. Pretty much every brewery will have some sort of winter ale perfect for a cold day.  The very popular Deschutes Brewery is bringing back its fan favorite Jubelale and you need to try it if you haven’t already!

Seasonal coffees at cafes – The breweries aren’t the only ones with seasonal drinks.  You can beat your winter blues by meeting up with a friend at Jim and Patty's for a warm cup of their freshly brewed coffee. 

The cooler weather makes it the perfect time to enjoy a seasonal event – and there are plenty to choose from in Portland. Events like the Portland Winter Light Festival are fun for the whole family and a great excuse to get out of the house.  There are also tons of neighborhood farmer’s markets to check out as well.  

Whatever you do, don’t just spend your winter locked up inside your home waiting for a sunny day! There are still so many things to do and see in our beautiful city during the winter months. 

Head over to the Piece of PDX blog page for more tips on home maintenance, selling your home for top dollar, design inspiration, community engagement, and MORE! Thinking about moving to our beautiful city? Or, moving to a new Portland neighborhood? Check out all of our featured community blogs and find the perfect Portland neighborhood for you! Last but not least, REACH OUT! We can't wait to chat.