Yesterday evening I opened my window and was greeted by the unmistakable smell of winter in Portland. Like clockwork, winter’s arrival is marked by shorter days, colder temperatures, and a variety other challenges.
But thankfully, after 30+ years of living in Portland, I’ve learned a trick or two about surviving winter in Portland.
Because let’s get real — grey weather, constant rain, leafless trees, bone aches, and the finger-numbing chill are a lot to handle sometimes!
The following is my personal list of winter survival tips I’ve gleaned over the years along with my favorite things to do here in Portland in the winter.
Hopefully this list is helpful to you as well. To that end, if there’s any Portland winter hack I missed that’s worthy of inclusion on this list please drop me a comment below!
Click for a handy Table of Contents
Table of Contents: Portland in the Winter
- Why trust me about winter in Portland?
- Winter in Portland – The Basics
- 5 Quick Tips for Surviving Winter in Portland
- Things to Do in Portland in Winter
- 1. Pop into some cozy cafes
- 2. Relax at vibey bars & breweries with fire pits
- 3. Stock up on good books
- 4. Have good quality tea at the ready
- 5. Check out some plant shops
- 6. Explore Portland’s Museums
- 7. Tour Pittock Mansion
- 8. Spend at Day at the Kennedy School
- 9. Enjoy a Performance at the Oregon Symphony
- 10. Play Arcade Games at Ground Kontrol
- Winter Activities Near Portland
- If all else fails, escape Portland! (but like for a week, not forever)
- Summary – Winter Survival Tips & Activities in and Around Portland
Why trust me about winter in Portland?
For starters, I’m a lifelong Oregonian! I was raised in Portland and spent most of my adult life exploring this beautiful city.
Since meeting my husband (who’s not from here) I’ve made it a goal to show him all the coolest parts of the city — visiting every brewery, all the parks, and popping into every quaint shop we find.
My husband comes from a sunny state and Portland winters have been quite the adjustment for him! This list is full of the hacks we’ve found together to help us (but mostly him) thrive during winter in Portland.
Winter in Portland – The Basics
Portland’s winter weather typically makes a grand entrance around mid-November and lingers until mid-March (sometimes early April). Some of my friends here argue that winter is a much longer season and basically includes all of the grey weather time from October through April.
Yes, but not every year, average snowfall is 4.3″ per year. In fact, snow happens so infrequently, I never put my money on it. (The exception being February 2021, here’s some photos!)
Oh yes – no need to sugarcoat. Portland averages 154.5 days of rainfall per year and 36″ of rainfall.
The temperatures tend to range between 40 – 60 degrees, chilly enough for a cozy fall sweater and good insulated jacket.
Portland’s winter rain is rarely anything close to a downpour. Typically it’s a light, misty drizzle. Enough to wear you should wear a rain jacket (even though locals typically don’t).
The winter season in Portland is no joke. So many transplants move here and don’t last more than a year because winter (and the grey season more generally) is hard to deal with. I hope you’ll find the tips below helpful.
5 Quick Tips for Surviving Winter in Portland
1. Get a Happy Lamp
After living in Portland for more than 30 years, I’ve found ways around the gloomy and gray winter seasons. My secret? This life-changing lamp that doesn’t leave my side for 8+ months of the year.
Seriously, during the winter months I turn it on first thing in the morning (even before coffee – which tells you everything you need to know) and keep it on until I go to bed.
It was recommended by my therapist who enlightened me that Portland has the third most depressing winters in America.
She told me to pick up a Happy Lamp in a way that seemed non-negotiable and now I can’t remember what I did before it. It’s a lifesaver while living in Portland and I’ve been using mine for the past 10 years.
What is the happy lamp? “A Happy Light brings the daylight indoors by emitting a bright, full spectrum light that safely mimics sunlight but without harmful UV rays. This is particularly powerful on rainy days when there’s not a ray of sunshine in sight.” (source)
2. Wear bright colors
Since the grey weather reigns supreme during Portland winters, I can assure you that we’ve the gray color-scheme covered. And yet, most Portlanders seem to dress in dark colors during the winter season.
I say go against the grain and dress yourself in colorful (dare I say bright) attire!
I purposely buy winter staple items in bold colors because nothing boosts my mood like a colorful insulated jacket or my favorite colorful wool coat – believe me, it makes a difference!
3. Light candles in the evening
From November to January the sky starts to turn dark around 4:30pm which is absolutely brutal.
Luckily, I’ve learned a great Danish trick – light candles, and lots of themevery evening.
The Danes call candles “living light” and consider them a superior alternative to harsh artificial light. Our home is filled with tons of unscented candlesclassic tea light candles and (my personal favorite) grapefruit candles.
Friends always comment on how lovely our home smells and how cozy it feels. It’s the adult-equivalent of a gold star sticker, if you ask me.
If you love floral scents, this made-in-Portland candle is easily one of the best. But it sells out very quickly, so you may need to add yourself to the wait-list.
4. Stock up on the Winter Wardrobe Essentials
Quality over quantity is the name of the game when shopping for winter gear. The five items listed below are a staple in ever Portland resident’s closet.
1. High quality fleece
- Fleece is the most superior layer for staying warm. Here’s the one I’ve been using for the past 4 years (it’s on sale right now) – I practically live in it during Portland winters.
2. High quality insulated jacket
- A good insulated jacket (for women) and (for men) will not be cheap, but it’s worth every penny. I’ve had mine for four years and my husband has had his for five. And considering we wear them daily for 6-8 months out of the year, they have held up very nicely – no complaints.
3. High quality rain jacket
- I have two rain jackets that I love equally and will share the one my husband lives in.
- Rain jacket (women).
4. Good boots
- I own 4 pairs of these classic rain bootsso it goes without saying that I’m committed. These boots typically last 3-4 years even with constant wear, plus the fun colors add a nice pop to my winter wardrobe. I can’t recommend them enough!
- Here’s another fun pair that’s cheaper.
5. Wool socks & a wool beanie
- The best wool socks on the market are easily Smartwool socks (there’s a reason they have a cult-like following). Likewise, a wool beanie keeps your head nice and warm (and your thoughts coherent) during winter months — never underestimate a warm wool cap.
5. Move your body!
This might seem like a counterintuitive winter tip for Portland but bear with me. We all know that exercise is good for your health (and mood).
Start the morning with a quick walk (to your favorite cafe) and/or make time to loop the block during lunch.
And believe me when I tell you that I dread leaving the house for exercise during winter as much as the next guy. My trick? I started to re-think the way I approach exercise.
I now think of these 30 minute spurts as personal time and allow my mind to wander and use it to reflect. Exercising during winter is essential to my mental health – the hardest step is getting out the door.
Things to Do in Portland in Winter
1. Pop into some cozy cafes
Portland is full of cozy cafes. There are dozens of them. It’s all but guaranteed there’s one (or many more) in your neighborhood. As a remote worker (woohoo!), one of my favorite things to do in Portland in the winter is to grab my laptop and head to a cafe to spend the day working from there.
Sometimes I’ll split up my day into two parts and head over to a cafe in the afternoon to dull the effects of the post-lunch blues. Mentally it’s great because the windows in the cafes are generally much bigger than in my home and the stimulation of the activity is enough to keep my productivity (and mood) up.
A couple of my favorite spots:
- Good Coffee (in the Woodlark Hotel downtown)
- Sisters Coffee (the Pearl)
- Saint Simon (Irvington)
- Water Avenue (Buckman)
2. Relax at vibey bars & breweries with fire pits
Another thing Portland has no shortage of is cool bars and great breweries. Many of these also make great remote work spots as well as nice places to relax, cozy up, and socialize with friends.
It’s well-known that winter in Portland is made no less than one thousand times better by spending some time by a crackling fire. Combining a brew or drink with the fire pit? Now we’re cooking with gas.
I try to go once a week or so to one of my favorite spots or switch things up and try some place new to keep Portland winter at bay.
McMenimans does a particularly great job of creating inviting spaces with fire pits which I find are essential to surviving winter in Portland.
Some of my favorite spots:
- Blue Moon (Northwest)
- White Eagle Saloon (Eliot)
- Radio Room (Alberta)
- Chapel Pub (Humboldt)
3. Stock up on good books
Is there a better time than the rainy winter season in Portland to finally tackle the stack of books you’ve been meaning to get to? Well if none of those are suiting your fancy then head over to Powell’s and pick up a few new (or used) books to tide you through winter in Portland.
I love the mental image of being in the comfort of my warm home, covered in an abundance of cozy blanketsand my favorite warm sweater while it pours down rain outside. You have a great book in hand and not a care in the world. What a simple joy – the epitome of freedom!
4. Have good quality tea at the ready
Life is too short to drink bad tea. There’s such a big difference in aroma and taste between Smith Tea (my all time favorite) and the other stuff.
And yes, loose leaf tea does make a difference. Sipping on a hot cup of tasty tea is one of my essential things to do in Portland during the winter. Anytime I need a pick me up I’ll fire up the tea kettle and within minutes I’m feeling brighter.
Local’s Tip: New Seasons has a week-long tea sale towards the end of October where ALL tea is 50% off. I stock up every single year – seriously, I buy 20+ boxes every time.
5. Check out some plant shops
There’s something about the warmth and greenery in nursery that I find delightful. Even on a rainy day in Portlandpopping into a plant shop just for a few minutes tends to brighten my day.
Luckily there’s a multitude of great plant shops in Portland to explore. Even if you don’t end up with a plant it’s nice to just pop in for inspiration.
A couple of my favorites are Solabee on Killingsworth and Pistils Nursery on Mississippi. Trust me, you won’t regret adding plant shops to your list of things to do in Portland during winter!
6. Explore Portland’s Museums
I’m always surprised by how many of my friends have yet to check out any of Portland’s memorable museums. If you’re looking for something to do in Portland in winter then check out the museum scene!
One of my favorite’s is the Portland Historical Society located downtown. The museum’s biggest draw? The 1845 penny used to decide Portland’s name in a coin toss.
That’s right, naming our city boiled down to a coin toss. The founders of Portland, Oregon were two settlers from New England. One from Boston, Massachusetts and the other from Portland, Maine
OMSI is another great addition to your list of things to do in Portland during winter. The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) is a Portland staple.
Most lifelong locals have memories of spending drizzly weekends at OMSI with the family or visiting during field trips. It’s a great place to get your fill of fascinating science exhibits spread across five themed halls.
7. Tour Pittock Mansion
Anyone looking for fun winter activities in Portland would be remiss to skip the Pittock Mansion. This stunning 46-room French Renaissance mansion sits atop the West Hills and spans 16,000 square feet.
The mansion is open to the public and I enjoy visiting. The tours are really cool because you can see the original furniture from the time period and learn more about the family that called it home.
Commissioned by the publisher of the Oregonian, Henry Pittock, no expenses was spared and the house was built so well that even the original elevator is operational to this day.
Touring Pittock Mansion is one of the best things to do with kids during the winter in Portland. It’s fun to play I Spy with the kids while secretly adding up the exorbitant expenses of thing you’re pointing to.
8. Spend at Day at the Kennedy School
The Kennedy School is a beloved Portland institution. This once-abandoned school has been converted into all sorts of fun. The boiler room is now a restaurant, the gym is a movie theater and the detention room is a bar.
This is one of the best Portland winter activities for those that always thought school should be more fun. The Kennedy School is great for dates or catching up with friends. Grab a brew and plan to linger a while, there’s a lot to discover.
Get boozy and slow the evening down with a plate of tempting cajun tots before you make your way over to the movie theater to catch a classic re-run. It’s great fun.
Tip: You can actually stay at McMenamins Kennedy School because the classrooms were converted into hotel rooms. What’s more, guests get access to the soaking pool.
9. Enjoy a Performance at the Oregon Symphony
The Grammy-nominated Oregon Symphony is considered one of the best orchestras in America. Currently led by Music Director David Danzmayr, the Oregon Symphony hosts more than 100 concerts per year and sees more than 235,000 visitors annually.
An evening serenaded by award-winning classical music while the rain patters outside, this is definitely one of the most romantic things to do in Portland during the winter.
There’s no formal dress code, but most folks dress up for the occasion. Everyday attire is completely fine too (this is Portland after all), but if you need an excuse to dress up, this is it.
Fun Fact: The Oregon Symphony is the oldest orchestra west of the Mississippi. To check the roster (or purchase tickets) click here.
10. Play Arcade Games at Ground Kontrol
I’m going to be transparent with you. If given the choice between spending an afternoon playing arcade games in a dark basement or spending the night with a screaming, teething child, I’d pick the kid. Arcade games aren’t my idea of a good time, but my husband loves this Portland winter activity, so I thought I’d share it.
About twice a month he calls a friend over and they head out to Ground Kontrol to drink beer and play arcade games for a few hours. There’s no denying it’s one of the more unique indoor activities in Portland during winter, but hey – to each their own. Minors allowed until 5pm.
And if you need to drop off a screaming toddler before heading over to Ground Kontrol (admittedly one of the most popular things to do in Portland on a winter day), you know where to find me.
Winter Activities Near Portland
For those looking to get a little outside of Portland during winter, here’s a few of my favorite activities.
1. Embrace winter sports at Mt Hood (1 hour)
It took me most of my life to come around to this Portland winter hack that’s been obvious to most folks in my friend circle here for years. Escape to Mt Hood where the bright white snow and crisp mountain air is sure to lift spirits.
The secret to enjoying winter sports is being prepared with proper gear — insulated jackets and snow pants.
Mt Hood is a great place to snowboard, ski, or (my favorite) snowshoe. Pack your friends in a car and head to the mountain – spend the day embracing a true winter wonderland and end your day with hot chocolate at the iconic Timberline Lodge.
2. Escape to Bend for a long weekend (3 hours)
I *love* Bend. If houses weren’t so expensive over there I’d consider moving to Bend. But that doesn’t stop me from visiting to escape Portland in the winter!
Whereas winter in Portland is mostly grey and cloudy, Bend is mostly full of sunshine! It’s definitely colder in Bend than Portland as the temperate blanket that embraces Portland doesn’t make its way over the cascades. But if you’re like me and just jonesing for some of that vitamin D, then it doesn’t matter.
Like Portland, Bend is full of great breweriescharming cafesand all sorts of fun things to do.
3. Head over to the Columbia Gorge (30 minutes)
In terms of best day trips from Portland, it doesn’t get better than a visit to the Columbia Gorge, especially during a rainy day in Portland. The Columbia Gorge is a study in contrast. From alpine meadows and jaw-dropping waterfalls to desert landscapes and tepid rain forests, there are plenty of options.
Best Things to Do in the Columbia River Gorge
- 15 EPIC Hikes in the Columbia Gorge (For All Skill Levels)
- 12 Best Waterfall Hikes Near Multnomah Falls
- 15 Stunning Wildflower Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
If all else fails, escape Portland! (but like for a week, not forever)
Plan a trip to a sunnier place
This is obviously my favorite tip – ha! But every February, like clockwork, we schedule a trip to a sunnier place. We look for cheap flights and don’t feel guilty about leaving town.
Having a trip to look forward to in the dead of winter is so helpful. It doesn’t have to be super expensive either, we often just road trip to California.
And you know what they say – sometimes planning is just as enjoyable as the trip itself. It’s nice to take your mind off the winter weather by picturing a beach full of palm trees – works like a charm!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland worth visiting in winter?
Absolutely. Winter Portland has a cozy, low-key charm that’s totally different from the summer buzz. Hotel prices drop, restaurants are easier to get into, and the city’s coffee shops and breweries feel extra welcoming when it’s gray and drizzly outside.
Does it snow in Portland?
Rarely. Portland might get one or two snow events per winter, and they usually melt within a day or two. When it does snow, the city basically shuts down because Portland is just not equipped for it. Ice storms are actually more common and more disruptive.
What is there to do in Portland when it rains?
So much. Portland was built for rainy days. Spend hours at Powell’s Books, hop between breweries and coffee roasters, explore the Portland Art Museum, or catch a show at one of the city’s many live music venues. Portlanders don’t let rain stop them, and neither should you.
Summary – Winter Survival Tips & Activities in and Around Portland
- Get a Happy Lamp
- Wear bright colors
- Light candles in the evening
- Stock up on the Winter Wardrobe Essentials
- Move your body!
- Pop into some cozy cafes
- Relax at vibey bars & breweries
- Stock up on good books
- Have good quality tea at the ready
- Check out some plant shops
- Explore Portland’s Museums
- Tour Pittock Mansion
- Spend a day at the Kennedy School
- Enjoy a performance at the Oregon Symphony
- Play arcade games at Ground Kontrol
- Embrace winter sports at Mt. Hood (1 hour)
- Escape to Bend for a long weekend (3 hours)
- Head over to the Columbia Gorge (30 minutes)
- Plan a trip to a sunnier place
Winter in Portland isn’t my favorite season, but it’s manageable with the right gear and tools. The danish have a similar climate to ours and they not only accept the gray months, but embrace them.
There’s beauty in everything. The winter seasons are slower, I actively use the time to relax and move slower than usual. Because what’s the rush anyway?
I hope you enjoyed these tips!
Until next time,
Antonina
Planning a trip? Don’t miss our complete guide to the best things to do in Portland, Oregon25+ local-approved activities, insider tips, and a handy map.
