Top 10 Most Romantic Things To Do in Portland, Oregon

When around Portland, Oregon, you might find it difficult to find places for a good date. Amid the pandemic, a lot of places have closed with events canceled, so things are rather restrictive. No more concerts or cozy nooks from bars, and while the cinemas are slowly opening, why not go for something more than the usual?

Portland is a great place to explore, and even during this pandemic, you can still enjoy a dating life and make new memories with people around the area. As long as you are safe and healthy, try any of these romantic things to do in Portland, Oregon!

Romantic Things to Do in Portland

If you’re out of ideas on what to do when dating in Portland, try any of these suggestions:

Hike in Forest Park

Parks are the typical date idea these days, as you are outdoors with the ability to socially distance. Plus, you get some exercise with fresh air, which can make a positive environment with a date.

Portland is home to some of the largest parks in the country, so head on out and enjoy a slow stroll, intense run, or a hike? Forest Park is the best place to go, as it covers almost 5,160 acres with up to 80 miles of trails, so you’ll never run out of places to explore!

Enjoy the thick canopy of trees that will keep you warm even as it rains, and maybe grab a bite to eat after, having much more to talk about? You can even go fishing in some parks and enjoy the water life!

Have dinner in a food cart pod

Speaking of grabbing a bite to eat, you’re probably wondering where! Portland is home to amazing restaurants and local food places, so the choices are endless.

One of the things that make Portland’s culinary scene so popular is the smorgasbord of food cart options around the area. You’ll find neighborhoods with at least one food cart, which are usually organized into pods. No need to worry about having different cravings with your date, since you can find different cuisines (like delicious salmon) that suit those taste buds.

Take advantage of happy hour

If you and your date want a drink to loosen up for deeper conversations and/or more fun, then look for open bars that have happy hour promos! You’ll find a few bars and pubs open with promos and discounts to entice customers back in as restrictions ease. There are great places that have beautiful views and an environment suitable for deep talks and lots of good times.

However, don’t drink too much, especially if you’re the designated driver!

Talk in a café

Don’t like alcohol? No problem!

Cafes are one of the go-to destinations for dates as well, which are a good option if you can only go out during the afternoon. You’ll find a lot of cafes around Portland that serve up specialty coffees, teas, and tasty pastries!

Head to the coast

If you have the whole day to spend with your date, have a road trip and head to the coast! You can head to the beach or other towns such as Seaside and Cannon Beach, where you can rent a fishing charter and make the day out of it with lots of fishing and water activities.

You’ll definitely have a memorable day with tons of photos and fun moments! However, this is more of a third or fourth date idea, not one for first dates, especially if you just met the person!

Have a picnic in the local park

You don’t need to go so far just to have fun on a date. Your local park is a nice place to head to, especially since Portland has a lot of large parks! Washington Park, Cape Arago State Park, The Rose Garden, and Portland Japanese Garden are some of the best parks around the area, to name a few.

You can plan a picnic, either taking out food from a nearby restaurant or doing it old school and packing a picnic basket with the mat and homemade food. Just make sure that you’re well-dressed for the weather and that there’s a plan B just in case it rains!

Explore the city

The city has so much to offer and if you like to stay within the hustle and bustle of it, then there are various sights and memories to experience, such as:

• Portland Brewery Bike Tour for some exercise and exploring with drinks
• Powell’s City of Books for book lovers
• Voodoo Donuts, one of the famous donut shops in Portland for dessert
  

Go to a museum 

If you and your date love art and want to explore the different creative parts of the city, then head to a museum. The Portland Art Museum is a good place to start, being an interactive destination with museum tours, rotating programs, and performances, as well as a photo booth and Art Pub!

Learn about history

Besides art museums, there are also amazing historic attractions where you can learn more about Portland, whether you’re a local or just visiting. Check out the Pittock Mansion, Architectural Heritage Center Tours, the Oregon Symphony, and more!

Relax in a hotel

This isn’t exactly made for the first few dates, but if you’re spending time with a loved one, why not hit up a fancy hotel in Portland and live the luxurious life? It’s relaxing, you get all the getaway you need from work, and you can enjoy every moment of it with your partner in crime!

Wrapping It Up

Stumped about what you and your date can do when in Portland, Oregon? You’ll be surprised with the limitless options there are, from going out to the beautiful parks down to having a bite in delicious restaurants. With good company and fun activities, you’ll probably be getting even more dates with that special someone!

Hopefully, you got ideas from these romantic things to do in Portland. If you’ve got a date coming up, plan ahead and make sure to have a memorable date to remember. Good luck!