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The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
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All the United States Oregon Portland

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Portland

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

Updated November 12, 2024

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Unusual Attractions in Portland

April 2022

Portland, Oregon

The Witch's Castle

These old stone ruins in the Oregon wilderness were once bathrooms and are steeped in legends of murder.
Boots taken from victims to prevent them running away. Copyright Michael P. Jones/Cascade Geographic Society 2010.

Portland, Oregon

Portland's Shanghai Tunnels

The seamy, underground secrets of Portland's criminal past.

Portland, Oregon

The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium

An emporium for the weird, creepy, rare, and just plain gross.

Portland, Oregon

The Grotto

A beautiful 62-acre Catholic shrine and botanical garden.
Cathedral Park

Portland, Oregon

Cathedral Park

A heavenly experience, right here on Terra Firma.

Portland, Oregon

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House

Featuring a casually threatening atmosphere along with dessert and coffee to die for.
Voodoo Doughnuts

Portland, Oregon

Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel

The magic's in the hole!

Portland, Oregon

The Zymoglyphic Museum

Private collection of art inspired by cabinets of curiosity.
See All 62 Things To Do in Portland

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Portland

Voodoo Doughnuts

Portland, Oregon

Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel

The magic's in the hole!
Exterior of Casa Diablo

Portland, Oregon

Casa Diablo Vegan Strip Club

Is this the most Portland place ever?

Portland, Oregon

Ota Tofu

The oldest tofu shop in the United States is a firm favorite with locals.
Pix-O-matic

Portland, Oregon

Pix-O-Matic

On East Burnside, a 24-hour vending machine distributes world-class pastries.
See all 8 Places to Eat in Portland
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

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

A
62
Collections 14
Museums 8
Art 7
Statues 6
Shops 6
Travel Portland 5
Plants 5
Parks 4
Outsider Art 4
Animals 4
History 4
Unique Restaurants & Bars 3

Portland Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. jamesb
    6
  2. littlebrumble
    5
  3. Tony Dunnell
    2
  4. dgwhite
    1
  5. dklimke
    1

Places Edited

  1. ski queen
    8
  2. Rachel
    7
  3. cait7911
    7
  4. ccesare
    7
  5. Qlyss
    7
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Jeff B
    50
  2. DallasKarhu
    49
  3. brianmilanek
    44
  4. grimmalkin
    43
  5. Anna Minster
    42

Recent Portland Activity

  • pdxgreg62

    has been to The Grotto

    about 13 hours ago
  • Californiametal

    wants to go to Bison Coffeehouse

    about 13 hours ago
  • Californiametal

    wants to go to Paul Bunyan Statue

    about 13 hours ago
  • Californiametal

    wants to go to Cathedral Park

    about 13 hours ago
  • jensmith98

    has been to Hollywood Theater

    about 13 hours ago

Stories About 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
December 11, 2023

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
June 14, 2023

Podcast: The Portland Treasure Map

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
October 5, 2022

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
August 11, 2022
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
March 23, 2021
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
June 3, 2019
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
December 17, 2018
An exhibit showing a replica of contaminated meat.

See a Collection of Sickening Objects at Portland's Outbreak Museum

From canned beets to milk jugs, each exhibit relates to a wave of deadly disease.
by Emily E. Smith
November 30, 2018

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
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

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