Looking for something fun to do, but don’t want to spend a lot of money?
The local adventurer.com has a great list of 25 fun things to do that won’t cost you any cash, but are sure to give you priceless memories.
The following are ten highlights from the list that are sure to be open this winter, weather permitting of course.
Oregon Historical Society
1200 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
If you’re a history buff, you can check out the history of our city and state, which will just so happen to celebrate its 158 birthday on or near Valentines Day this year. Free for all residents of Multnomah County.
Craft Brewery Tour
It’s no secret that Portland is a beer town. Though not every brewery in Portland has free brewery tours, there are a few that do: Ecliptic Brewery, Ground Breaker Brewing and Hopworks Urban Brewery.
Visit the Witches Castle
Lower Macleay Trail, Portland, OR 97210
Who knew that Forest Park was so spooky? If you head up Northwest Portland’s Lower Macleay Trail you can take a short hike to what is known as the Witches Castle and find out for yourself (also it doubles as a great place to recreate your favorite scenes from “Grimm”). It’s just one of the many surprises, spooky or otherwise, you will find within the largest metropolitan park in the United States.
Visit the Simpsons Streets
NW Portland – NW 2nd to NW 24th St
Did you know that “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening is from Portland? And did you know that he named some of the Simpsons characters after Portland streets including Flanders, Lovejoy, Quimby, & Kearney? Well, know you do.
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
511 NW Couch St, Portland, OR 97209
Classic arcades are hard to find nowadays, but Portland is home to one that has all your favorites. It’s free entry unless it’s a special event, and you must be 21 or over after 4:30 PM.
Paul Bunyan Statue
8433 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97217
The “lumberjack” is everywhere in Portland. Take a photo with the biggest of them all located in North Portland’s Kenton neighborhood at the intersection of North Interstate Avenue and Denver Street. This particular Paul Bunyan statue was commissioned by the Kenton Businessmen’s Club for the Oregon Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair in 1959, and it needs a paint job! See the above link tto learn how you can help brighten up the big guy.
If you were a fan of author Beverly Cleary, then you probably are familiar with Ramona Quimby. Although the characters are fictional, the streets and landmarks are real.
Historic Belmont Firehouse
900 SE 35th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Recently celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Belmont Firehouse is a beloved landmark to locals. You can get your photo sliding down a fire pole, and kids can spray water out of a fire hose. I wonder if they’ll let me do that!
Hoyt Arboretum
4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221
There are over 2000 species of trees and plants at the Hoyt Arboretum and tons of trails to walk. The Maple Trail is especially beautiful.