Free Things to Do in Portland: One Day from the Airport Area

A practical route is to travel into Portland City Center first, then choose downtown and waterfront stops before deciding whether to add a garden. Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center is about 20 minutes on foot or 11 minutes by car from Evergreen Inn & Suites Portland Airport. The hotel’s motel rooms are listed online.

TriMet’s MAX Red Line connects Portland International Airport with E/NE Portland and Portland City Center, as well as Beaverton and Hillsboro. Trains run every 15 minutes or less for most of the day, every day.

The airport station and ticket machines are near baggage claim on the lower level, and you can bring luggage aboard. An adult fare for ages 18–64 is $2.80; the fare for Honored Citizens and youth is $1.40.

For a fuller explanation of lines, fares and how to use Portland public transport, plan the transit part of your day around the MAX connection. Once downtown, keep the day flexible: the square and the market are free-to-visit stops, while the gardens have admission charges.

Pioneer Courthouse Square is a central downtown stop with a public plaza, fountain and public art. It sits at SW Broadway and Yamhill Street and is known as Portland’s “Living Room.” The square officially opened on April 6, 1984.

Park hours are 5:00 a.m. to midnight. Facilities include an accessible restroom, Wi-Fi and a fountain; dogs must be leashed. You can make this a brief stop or pause longer in the plaza before continuing through downtown.

If you’re planning your arrival and onward trip separately, the guide to Portland International Airport and the airport area covers that connection.

For a garden visit, choose between Portland Japanese Garden and Lan Su Chinese Garden; both charge admission, and their hours differ.

Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden is at 611 SW Kingston Avenue. Sunday garden hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and guests may remain until 4:30 p.m. Adult admission is $22.50, tickets can be booked up to 10 days in advance, and tours are free with admission.

The garden was founded in 1963 by Portland civic leaders on an abandoned zoo site in Washington Park.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Lan Su Chinese Garden is at NW 3rd Avenue and Everett Street. Chinese artisans from Suzhou built it as a collaboration between Portland and its sister city, Suzhou. It is open daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Adult admission is $18 for ages 19–61; seniors ages 62 and older and students ages 18 and older with ID pay $17. Youth ages 6–18 pay $15, and children age 5 and under enter free.

EBT/WIC cardholders can get $5 admission for up to four people per card by redeeming the offer in person with proof of eligibility. A wheelchair- and stroller-accessible route runs through the garden, almost every area is accessible to visitors using mobility devices, and benches are available throughout.

Pair a riverside break with Portland Saturday Market if your day in the city falls on a Saturday. The market is at 2 SW Naito Parkway and is open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It validates SmartPark garage parking for a $25 purchase from its vendors.

For market-specific location and arrival details, Portland Saturday Market information can help you plan that stop. Tom McCall Waterfront Park offers a riverside path to pair with downtown.

The MAX Red Line connects Portland City Center with Portland International Airport, so you can use it for the return trip toward the airport area. The ride between downtown and the airport takes about 40 minutes. The airport station is near baggage claim on the lower level, with ticket machines nearby.

The first train of the day arrives at Portland International Airport at 4:43 a.m. on weekdays and 4:46 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Check the official site before you go for current schedules and fares.

Is Pioneer Courthouse Square free to visit?

The square is a public plaza with park hours from 5:00 a.m. to midnight. Its features include public art, a fountain and an accessible restroom.

Can you visit Portland Saturday Market on a weekday?

The market operates every Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Are tours included at Portland Japanese Garden?

Yes. Tours are free with admission.

Is Lan Su Chinese Garden accessible?

Lan Su has a wheelchair- and stroller-accessible route, and almost every area is accessible to visitors using mobility devices. Benches are available throughout.