Family stays
Families can stay near Washington Park’s zoo and gardens or by OMSI on the eastside. Weigh room space and transit too.
from $59/night644 hotels compared
320 Southwest Harvey Milk Street
8.2Very Good89 reviews
from
$139/night
compared on 5 sites
1001 SW Broadway
8.5Fabulous629 reviews
from
$166/night
compared on 6 sites
750 Southwest Alder Street
8.9Fabulous834 reviews
from
$122/night
compared on 5 sites
515 Southwest Clay Street
8.1Very Good1,267 reviews
from
$132/night
compared on 5 sites
506 Southwest Washington Street
8.6Fabulous822 reviews
from
$138/night
compared on 5 sites
813 Southwest Alder Street
8.5Fabulous238 reviews
from
$210/night
compared on 4 sites
644 hotels compared
Portland sits on the Willamette River between wooded hills and Mount Hood. Downtown and the Pearl District make a practical central base; the eastside puts you near Hawthorne, Alberta and the city’s food carts.
Downtown’s compact blocks connect Pioneer Courthouse Square, the waterfront and the South Park Blocks. Immediately north, the Pearl District mixes former warehouses, galleries, restaurants and Powell’s City of Books. With MAX light rail and streetcars, you can get around these westside districts without a car.
Across the Willamette, the Central Eastside has converted industrial buildings, restaurants and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Farther out, Hawthorne Boulevard is known for vintage shops and cafés, while Alberta Street has galleries and independent businesses. Staying on the eastside usually means a bus or rideshare trip to many downtown sights.
Washington Park in the West Hills contains the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden. Forest Park extends north along the hills, and St. Johns Bridge and Cathedral Park sit in a quieter part of North Portland. Treat these as day outings; don’t expect a Portland hotel to be walkable to all of them.
Summers are usually warm and much drier than winter. Rain returns through fall and spring, so bring a light waterproof layer outside summer. The MAX Red Line links Portland International Airport with downtown. When weighing a central hotel against an outlying one, look at transit access and the parking charge.
Downtown puts you near Pioneer Courthouse Square, the waterfront and Portland Art Museum, with a wide choice of MAX lines. Airport arrivals are easy from the blocks around the transit mall. For quiet evenings, look at the exact block and recent hotel reviews.
Around here: Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland Art Museum, Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Northwest of downtown, former warehouse blocks hold restaurants, galleries and Powell’s City of Books. Streetcar service connects the area to downtown. It works as a walkable restaurant base, and Union Station is close.
Around here: Powell’s City of Books, Jamison Square, Union Station
The NW 23rd Avenue corridor has shops and cafés near the foot of the West Hills. It is close to Washington Park and the Japanese Garden, but the climb up to the gardens is substantial, so transit or a ride may be easier.
Around here: NW 23rd Avenue, Washington Park, Portland Japanese Garden
The Central Eastside puts you near OMSI and converted industrial spaces, with bridges into downtown. Farther east, Hawthorne Boulevard has vintage stores and cafés plus the Bagdad Theater. If your plans cross the river often, expect buses or rideshares.
Around here: OMSI, Hawthorne Bridge, Bagdad Theater
Alberta Street is a neighborhood shopping and arts corridor northeast of the river. Lloyd has the Oregon Convention Center and MAX stops, which makes it more practical for conventions or rail to the airport. Walking distance to the street or station you need varies by hotel.
Around here: Alberta Street, Oregon Convention Center, Lloyd Center
July and August have the fewest rainy days and warm afternoons, which suits parks and bridge walks. In spring the flowers come out and the weather changes often; autumn can be pleasant until the wetter late fall. Winter is milder than in many northern U.S. cities, but often rainy.
Portland International Airport (PDX) is the main air gateway. The MAX Red Line reaches downtown directly; Amtrak serves Union Station north of the Pearl District, and I-5 and I-84 connect the city by road.
9 mi from downtown
The MAX Red Line station is beside the terminal baggage claim area and runs to downtown. Taxis and rideshares serve neighborhoods off the rail network.
Washington Park has the Oregon Zoo and gardens; OMSI is on the east bank of the Willamette. Let the side of the river you will visit most decide where you stay.
Downtown gives easier MAX connections and a broader hotel choice. Northwest and Nob Hill put you nearer the West Hills, though the approach to Washington Park can be steep.
Confirm the bed layout, maximum occupancy and whether parking or breakfast is included. Rooms at one family-friendly hotel can be set up differently.
Get real time price drop alerts, faster results and personalised experience along with exclusive deals.
