What to do in Multnomah County, OR

Watch top sporting action, family shows and concerts by national and international artists at the Moda Center, a multi-purpose arena with a capacity for nearly 20,000 spectators. This popular venue is used for ice shows, rodeos, hockey games, conventions and more. The arena is also the home of the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team and the Portland Winterhawks, a junior ice hockey team.

Multnomah Falls is among the most iconic and picturesque of the many cascades decorating the tributaries that flow into the Columbia River. Icy water drops majestically from its rocky summit, which is 611 feet (186 meters) high. Leave your car in the parking lot beside the highway and walk along the scenic trail for 5 minutes to see the waterfall in all its glory.

In Washington Park, located in the West Hills not too far from Portland, visitors will find a 26-hectare zoo housing animals of all shapes and sizes. It is home to more than 1,955 animals, including 22 endangered species and 37 threatened species. It is the perfect way to spend a rainy day around Portland, as most of the exhibits offer shelter of some sort.

Locals and tourists alike are drawn to Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Stroll along the Willamette River in a serene green space just minutes away from busy downtown Portland. Natives call it simply Waterfront Park, and many of the Rose Festival events take place here. The wide, tree-lined paths burst with colour and flank a well-manicured walkway that cyclists, joggers, and dog walkers all enjoy all year round.

People around the world have heard of Powell’s City of Books in downtown Portland. Initially established in 1971, the store now covers a city block and may be the world’s largest new and used bookstore, with a million volumes. Come to purchase a specific book, wander through its many sections or meet a visiting author.

Enjoy a few exciting hours of thrilling sporting action or musical performances on a visit to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This 12,000-seat multipurpose indoor arena is the home of the Portland WHL Winterhawks ice hockey team and presents a year-round schedule of events that includes pop and rock concerts, stand-up comedy shows, hockey games and festivals.