Portland is a great city any time of year, but in summer, it really shines. Blue skies and plenty of sunshine make it a great time to dig into the outdoors and visit these summer attractions. Be sure to add at least one or two of these to your summer calendar to ensure you have a great summer filled with Portland-style fun.

  1. Rose Festival

Ian Sane / Flickr There is no better start to summer than kicking things off with a trip to the Rose Festival. Enjoy rides, parades, and fireworks at this annual event on the waterfront.

  1. Oregon Brew Fest

Whateverthing / Flickr No Oregon summer is complete without paying homage to one of our favorite things - beer. Attend the Brew Fest on the waterfront this summer and find some new favorites to add to your drinking repertoire.

  1. The Oregon Coast

Liquid Crash / Flickr Summer is not complete without a trip to the Oregon coast. Go on a sweltering day in the city to avoid the heat and escape to a much more moderately cool coastal temperature.

  1. Street Fair

Robin Zebrowski / Flickr Visiting one of Portland’s street fairs this summer is a must. Choose from Good in the Neighborhood, Alberta Street Fair, the Mississippi Street Fair, Hawthorne Street Fair and more.

  1. Mt Hood

Petter Roome / Flickr Summer is the only time you can even think about swimming near Mt Hood, and it is a great escape close to home from Portland. Be sure to spend at least one day soaking up the summer environs on the mountain before summer is over.

  1. Timbers Game

Chris Yunker / Flickr The season starts in early spring, but warmer summer temps make it the best time to catch a Timbers game.

  1. River Swim

GCMenezes / Flickr Be sure to head to a river at least once for a good cool swim on a hot day. The Sandy River, Salmon River, and Columbia River all have some great swimming spots along their banks.

  1. Concert in the Park

K. Kendall / Flickr Pack a picnic and head to a park for a show in the concert series. Washington Park hosts some wonderful larger-scale events, while many other parks have entertainment regularly throughout the summer.

  1. Bite of Oregon

Loren Kerns / Flickr Enjoy some of the best food Oregon has to offer at this culinary food fest spectacular at Waterfront Park.

  1. Oregon State Fair

PhotoAtelier / Flickr Head down to Salem for this annual tradition at the end of summer. Catch a show, enjoy some rides, and devour some classic fair food to complete your summer.

What are your favorite summer destinations in Portland?

Ian Sane / Flickr

There is no better start to summer than kicking things off with a trip to the Rose Festival. Enjoy rides, parades, and fireworks at this annual event on the waterfront.

Whateverthing / Flickr

No Oregon summer is complete without paying homage to one of our favorite things - beer. Attend the Brew Fest on the waterfront this summer and find some new favorites to add to your drinking repertoire.

Liquid Crash / Flickr

Summer is not complete without a trip to the Oregon coast. Go on a sweltering day in the city to avoid the heat and escape to a much more moderately cool coastal temperature.

Robin Zebrowski / Flickr

Visiting one of Portland’s street fairs this summer is a must. Choose from Good in the Neighborhood, Alberta Street Fair, the Mississippi Street Fair, Hawthorne Street Fair and more.

Petter Roome / Flickr

Summer is the only time you can even think about swimming near Mt Hood, and it is a great escape close to home from Portland. Be sure to spend at least one day soaking up the summer environs on the mountain before summer is over.

Chris Yunker / Flickr

The season starts in early spring, but warmer summer temps make it the best time to catch a Timbers game.

GCMenezes / Flickr

Be sure to head to a river at least once for a good cool swim on a hot day. The Sandy River, Salmon River, and Columbia River all have some great swimming spots along their banks.

K. Kendall / Flickr

Pack a picnic and head to a park for a show in the concert series. Washington Park hosts some wonderful larger-scale events, while many other parks have entertainment regularly throughout the summer.

Loren Kerns / Flickr

Enjoy some of the best food Oregon has to offer at this culinary food fest spectacular at Waterfront Park.

PhotoAtelier / Flickr

Head down to Salem for this annual tradition at the end of summer. Catch a show, enjoy some rides, and devour some classic fair food to complete your summer.

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