The fall season is the perfect time to enjoy Mother Nature’s simple pleasures. From trail exploration to prepping for Halloween, and even firing up the grill for tailgating activities, the season encourages outdoor activities.
In our city, seasonal activities are plentiful. Our golden nature palette is the perfect backdrop for all fun to follow. As the leaves change color, and the flannel is worn in abundance, residents and visitors alike can expect temperatures in the 60s throughout the month.
It’s a prime time to experience the Pacific Northwest. We’ve got you covered; here are the Best 8 Fall Activities In Portland:
Spirit Of Halloweentown
In the historic town of St. Helens, a quick 30 miles from our city, the area is loaded with Legend of Sleepy Hollow like haunts. Each year, the Old Town District remembers their location for Disney’s Halloweentown franchise. Additionally, it was the backdrop of the first Twilight film.
St. Helens is complete with trick-or-treating, costume contests, town tours, and scarecrows in abundance. The celebration extends every weekend in October, beginning with the traditional lighting of the Great Pumpkin in the city plaza. Special guests include actors from Twilight, What We Do In The Shadows, and Pirates of the Caribbean, who will be on hand for meet and greets.
The Corn Maize On Sauvie Island
Fall isn’t the same without a yearly exploration through a corn maize.
Located on Sauvie Island, this festive escape is just 13 miles from downtown. Stretching over eight acres, the Corn Maize is composed of twists and turns, with two 16-foot observation bridges that provide picturesque panoramas, replete with great views of the island and Mount Hood.
For kiddos bored with the winding pathways, there is also a hayride that leads to the nearby pumpkin patch. The seasonal maze will be available through Halloween.
Portland Trail Blazers
Rip City starts their 53rd season at home against the Phoenix Suns on October 21st.
After suffering an ab injury that kept him out of last season, Damian Lillard continues his pursuit of being the greatest Blazer of all-time. As of this writing, he’s behind only Clyde Drexler in win shares.
Lillard still hasn’t taken his team to the NBA Finals, though he’s come close, making the Western Conference Finals in 2019.
The team recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons, with claims of unscrupulous behavior by the owner and front office. A $2 billion bid by the Shoe Dog himself, Nike founder Phil Knight, was rejected, so the Trail Blazers will remain local… for now.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This is one that has Portland written all over it.
Have you ever asked yourself: “do pumpkins float?” Find out at a harvest festival like no other.
Like a skit out of Portlandia, hipsters, sailors, and inventors alike test their boating skills in giant pumpkins at Tualatin Lake of the Commons. Numerous 1,000-pounders grown by the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers are launched in the waters and converted into festive floating vessels.
The event is separated into four different races, including one where participants can actually paddle in a pumpkin. Since 2004, thousands have flocked to Tualatin Lake to partake in this nationally renowned event!
The Fear PDX
The largest and spookiest Halloween event in our city is back with eight haunted houses. Since opening in 2010, the extreme attraction haunts all the thrills in chills in one location. Themes include a house filled with killer clowns, an escape from an abandoned factory, and many more hideouts for roaming ghouls and monsters.
Northwest Hiking
The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its fall sights.
For trekkers that want to get out and see some of the amazing seasonal colors in the area, there are plenty of adventure trails to visit. Chief among them is Cape Horn Loop, Ape Canyon, Opal Creek, and Silver Falls State Park. These outdoor wonders showcase the orange, red, and yellows of color-changing trees, including varieties of deciduous, aspen, and big leaf maples. Best of all: most are within a reasonable distance from our city.
Japanese Garden
Again, this is another one where the leaves are gorgeous this time of year. Of course, the Japanese Gardens is one of our prized gems in our city. Since 1967, five separate gardens have offered a unique environment comprising elements of water, stone, and vegetation.
The elevated location in the West Hills reveals a stunning view of our city, including changing colors in full display. For those who want a photo opportunity, the maple tree is one of our city’s favorite photographic backdrops, especially during the season.
Hood River Apple Picking
Sure, pumpkin spice is the official fall flavor, and gets all the credit for the season, but apples are just as important for the chillier months! A family-friendly activity is heading straight to our favorite orchard over in Hood River. With apples to pick, ciders to drink, and orchards to peruse, there are plenty of outdoor activities in this Northwest destination. Our favorites include Mountain View, Kiyokawa Family, and Mt. Hood Organic. Stop by several wineries and breweries in the area as well.
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