Nearby places

Planning a day around these Portland places

Most of the places on this list sit close enough together that you can link several of them in a single outing. Powell's City of Books, Ground Kontrol and Lan Su Chinese Garden are all on the west side of the Willamette River, in and around the Pearl District and Old Town. Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Portland Art Museum are a short walk south in downtown. Portland Saturday Market sits by the waterfront near the Burnside Bridge, and OMSI is across the river on the east bank. Forest Park is the outlier: it is a large wooded park in the hills northwest of downtown, so plan it as a separate trip with proper shoes and water.

Why a toy studio cares about these spots

Good toy design borrows from everywhere. A bookstore the size of a city block is full of picture books, comics and design references. An arcade of classic cabinets shows how colour, sound and simple shapes keep people playing. A science museum is built around hands-on curiosity, and a craft market is a reminder that small makers can build something lasting one stall at a time. The garden and the forest offer something different: texture, quiet and the shapes of plants and animals that often turn up in character sketches. You can read more about that process in our Studio Notes.

Practical tips

• Check before you go. Opening hours, ticket prices and special exhibitions change, and some venues close on certain days. The official website for each place is the most reliable source.
• Use transit or walk. Downtown parking can be limited. Portland's MAX light rail, streetcar and buses cover most of these stops, and the central venues are easy to walk between.
• Market days matter. Saturday Market is seasonal and runs on set days. Confirm its schedule before you build a weekend around it.
• Dress for the weather. Portland rain is common for much of the year, so a light waterproof layer is useful, especially for Forest Park and the garden.
• Ground Kontrol policies. Age rules at arcade bars can vary by time of day, so check ahead if you are visiting with children.

If you are collecting ideas or souvenirs on your trip, have a look at our limited collections. For more local reading, see the Guides section.