A perfect day in Portland [kayaker travel]
Portland, Oregon is a vibrant and dynamic city located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It’s known for its beautiful nature, unique culture, progressive values, and commitment to sustainability.
And I should know – I live here with my family and am building a kayaking business here– and I absolutely love it. So, if you’ve got one day in Portland, here’s my top picks for kayakers and those looking to enjoy the best our beautiful city has to offer in 2023.
Table of contents for a perfect day in Portland for kayakers
This is a long article with recommendations from a local, so click the links below if you want to jump ahead to a certain section to support your Portland travel planning.
In this article about a perfect day in Portland for flatwater kayakers, we’ll cover:
5 reasons Portland is an incredible place to live and visit,
Why PDX is a great destination for flatwater kayakers planning travel in 2023,
The best places to grab a cup of coffee, snag a sandwich, and have a beer,
Some of my favorite calm water paddling routes near the city, and where to rent a kayak from a local business,
How to spend an open afternoon in Portland based on your interests,
The hottest spots to make a reservation for a delicious dinner after your epic day paddling,
Where to grab a cocktail or night cap after your busy day, and
Quick links to the top-ranked kayaking posts on Flatwater Kayak Club.
I absolutely love Bridge Town, and I can’t wait to share with you my idea of an ideal 24 hours for kayaking fans traveling to our beautiful city…
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5 reasons why Portland, Oregon is an amazing city to live and visit
Here are some of the reasons why Portland is a great city to have on your radar for relocation or tourist travel. These reasons were definitely foundational in why we chose to move our little family here a few years ago. Oregon is incredible!
1. Food and Drink: Portland’s renowned for its incredible gastronomy culture, with a strong focus on local, sustainable, and organic ingredients. It has a thriving coffee, craft beer, and wine scene, as well as creative and delicious food truck options and plentiful farmers markets all around the city’s neighborhoods. PDX is also on the map for being the home of several award-winning talented chefs and their restaurants– more on that later!
2. Arts and Culture: Portland is a hub for artists, musicians, and creatives of all kinds. As a writer, book author, and painter – it’s definitely one of the reasons that the Rose City garnered my attention in first place. This Pacific Northwest city is home to a thriving arts community, with numerous galleries, theaters, indigenous cultural events, and performance spaces showcasing the work of local artists. Literary Arts recently brought in the New York Times best-selling author Anthony Doeer to the Arlene Schnizer Concert Hall, and it was one of the most fascinating creative experiences I’ve enjoyed in the last year in Portland.
3. Sustainability: Portland is a leader in sustainable practices, with a strong commitment to environmental conservation and alternative modes of transportation, such as bike lanes and public transportation. There’s some hilarious comedy on this in the beloved Portlandia television series. And yes, you’ll see electric cars everywhere.
Portland, Oregon has a thriving arts and culture scene, and colorful murals like this one can be viewed on buildings throughout the city.
4. Outdoor recreation: Portland is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including lush forests, mountains, alpine lakes, waterfalls, rivers, making it a great destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, camping, fishing, and kayaking. This city really is an outdoor wonder land – and there are so many beautiful wildlife species in this region of the United States, such as elk, river otters, beavers, bald eagles, and osprey.
5. Unique Culture: The city’s motto is “Keep Portland Weird” after all. PDX is known for its quirky and eclectic culture, with a thriving counterculture scene, independent retailers, and a strong community spirit. This progressive and inclusive city has certainly captured my heart.
Portland, Oregon is an ideal travel destination for flat water kayakers
In the prime season, I try to take my kayak boat out twice a week (at least!) if I can swing it with my work schedule and family time.
Here are some reasons why PDX is such a wonderful place to explore and experience for paddling fans, recreational kayakers, and anyone who loves the Great Outdoors:
Easy and quick access to water: Portland, Oregon is surrounded by several rivers and lakes, including the Willamette River and Tualatin River, making it easy to get on the water and enjoy amazing calm water routes for a short or long paddle.
Scenic beauty: The rivers and waterways around Portland offer breathtaking views of forests, mountains, and wildlife, making kayaking a truly scenic and peaceful experience out in nature. You can see epic mountain views like Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens on clear sky days!
Rentals and guided tours: There are many kayak rental shops and tour operators in Portland that offer kayaks, SUPs, paddles, and gear, as well as expert guided trips on our lakes and rivers for those who want a more personalized experience on the water.
Quiet and peaceful: Flatwater kayaking is a quiet and peaceful way to enjoy the outdoors, and the rivers and lakes around Portland offer plenty of opportunities for a relaxing paddle away from urban life and car, human, and city noise.
Wildlife viewing: The waterways around Portland are home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, beavers, and river otters, making kayaking a great way to observe some really amazing creatures in their native habitats. We’ve seen so many of these animal species on our calm water paddling experiences – even sea lions!
Weather in Portland
Does it rain a lot in Portland? It depends on the season of course, but yes, although it’s not down pouring every day.
You know what people don’t talk about enough?
How the Pacific Northwest misty air feels cool and fresh in your lungs, and invigorates you to get outside more. Portlanders are outdoors all the time, no matter the weather.
How the rain, mist, and fog in the winter months give the towering pine trees a vibrant, green color. There’s SO much greenery here, it’s magical.
And how after a rainstorm, the most glorious and beautiful rainbows will paint across the sky. Seriously – people don’t talk about the Pacific Northwest rainbows enough. They’re some of the most stunning rainbows I’ve ever seen in my life.
Renting a single person kayak on the Tualatin River Trail in Portland, Oregon
For kayakers traveling to our vibrant Oregon city, your prime kayaking travel months will be May, June, July, August, and September.
May and June can be rainy, but July, August, and Summer the cloudy and wet days are fewer and far between. It can be quite hot with long days of full sunshine in August especially (there are also regional wildfire concerns during these summertime months, as a travel FYI).
Dress for kayaking and shifts in weather at any time of year, but as a weather trend for summer PDX kayaking, those have been the trends for Portland outdoor recreation weather considerations.
Kayaking in the Willamette Narrows in Portland, Oregon
A perfect day in Portland, Oregon for kayakers
After a couple years of living in this beautiful city, recreational kayaking for hundreds of hours, dining at some of the hottest and most beloved restaurants, drinking our coffee, wine, and beer, and starting and launching my Flatwater Kayak Club LLC business here – this would be my recommendation for one amazing, full day of travel and tourism in Portland, Oregon.
7:00 AM
Start your day with a delicious coffee at one of Portland's famous coffee shops, like Stumptown Coffee downtown, Proud Mary on Alberta Street, or Prince Coffee on Fremont Street. These spots offer light bites to eat as well, if you need to grab some breakfast.
But honestly, there are SO many amazing local coffee shops, you really can’t go wrong with finding the best cup of java on your way out to kayak.
Pro tip: If you’re looking to pack a lunch for your paddling adventure, order a sandwich or salad ahead on your mobile device from Grand Central Bakery (numerous locations).
They also have great coffee. But their veggie grinder sandwich is incredible and locals swear by their BLT’s as being some of the best out there. It’s a treat to have a delicious sandwich all ready for you when you’re off visiting a park or having a boat picnic during your paddling trip, if you’re wanting a cheaper lunch option then eating out after your kayaking.
Enjoy flat water kayaking after breakfast
10:00 AM
Rent a recreational single or double kayak and spend the next 2-3 hours kayaking at one of our nearby flat water paddling routes, and supporting our fantastic local PDX paddle shop businesses.
BTW: If you don’t want to deal with a kayak rental, or are looking to invest in a convenient folding kayak that’s a great accessory for paddlers on-the-go, I’ve been using the Oru Inlet kayak for several seasons now. We recently wrote up an in-depth, ultimate Oru kayak review with two years of paddling, real life insights, if you want to learn about this unique foldable kayak design and see if it’s the right fit for your needs.
flatwater kayaking at Scappoose Bay, Oregon
Here are some of my favorite routes to explore by boat, and you can plan it based on your location and paddling style preference.
All of these kayaking routes are mostly flat and calm waters that I’ve paddled myself, businesses where I’ve rented a kayak from, and are located within 25 minutes of downtown Portland, Oregon.
Scappoose Bay Paddle Trail: A scenic kayaking experience through wetlands that is one of my favorite go-to spots near Portland. There’s a diverse ecosystem that offers great opportunities for water bird watching, and it’s also a great calm place for beginner kayakers. You also can see great Mt. St. Helens views! If this route sounds good to you, call the Next Adventure Paddling Center and rent a single or double kayak. A bonus for this spot is that the kayak rental is on-water too, so you won’t need to worry about carrying the boat any distance over land.
Tualatin River Water Trail: This is a slow-moving river with several launch points, which makes it ideal for a relaxing kayaking experience. Call Alder Creek at Brown’s Ferry Park to rent your boat, if you need one. On this route, you get a bit of everything –Lovely riverfront homes, nature, a paddle beneath a gritty highway, historic bridges, tons of ducks. You can easily paddle at your own pace so it’s great for beginners. Note that Alder Creek is not right on the water, so you’ll need to carry your boat a very short distance to launch, or just ask them to help you out (like I did).
Willamette River kayaking: Here’s the place to go if you’re wanting to stay near downtown PDX and admire the glittering city lights and iconic bridges, paddle around Ross Island, see incredible floating homes, all with the added chance of observing osprey, eagles, and even river otters. Best for more intermediate kayakers, since there’s a current here and some boat traffic with waves. Rent your boat from Portland Kayak Company. And while it’s not right on-water, they hook you up with a kayak cart to move your boat to the park launch point, and it’s super easy to use and do (I did it by myself).
You can also take an REI guided tour (book in advance, they sell out quickly) to the Willamette Narrows, which is a super cool unique Portland kayaking experience on little channels through basalt rocky formations. For this paddle, you’ll launch from West Linn, which is just south of downtown Portland. I did this a couple of summers ago, and it was a great experience! The expert paddling instructors start the lesson with safety guidelines, paddle stroke lessons and guidance, and then lead the group across the Willamette River and into the Narrows channels.
Kayaking with an REI guided tour experience through the Willamette Narrows in Portland
Where to grab lunch in PDX
1:00 PM
After your great paddle on the river, unless you packed that delicious Grand Central sandwich (trust me on that one if you’re looking for a quick bite on the go), you’re likely ready to eat some lunch.
Here are some tops PDX lunch spots for visiting foodies:
Eem is delicious for Thai cuisines with a focus on wood-fired dishes. This is a pretty popular spot, so you could get a wait, but it’s worth it. I love their curry dishes. Line too long?
Check out Matt’s BBQ on Mississippi, where Eem gets its brisket from. (I don’t personally eat meat, but I’m telling you, everyone in Portland loves this Texas-style food truck spot).
Another great lunch in Portland place is Guero. This is the place to go if you enjoy or want to try delicious tortas. I personally enjoy the Masa y Papa. My friends and I are all obsessed!
How to spend your free afternoon in Portland
3:00 PM
Use this time to cater your afternoon Portland experience based on your travel and tourism interests.
Walking through the peaceful and calm Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland
Multnomah Falls is a short drive outside of Portland, Oregon, and it’s one of the most famous waterfalls in the United States.
If you’re into the craft beer and local whiskey scene, I’d use this time to check out a Portland brewery tour and taste some of local Oregon craft beers at places like Deschutes Brewery or BridgePort Brewing Co. Another favorite local activity is getting a whisky tour, like at Westward Whiskey.
If you’re more into health and wellness experiences, one of my newest favorite activities (a splurge to relieve stress) is going to Knot Springs. You can book a 90-minute reservation and access to sauna, hot tubs, cold plunge pool, and steam room, all with beautiful views of the city. If it’s a nice day out, they’ll open up the balcony spaces too, so you can relax, dry out your suit, and get some sun (yes, the sun comes out in Portland). Make sure to reserve your time slot in advance.
If you still have energy and want to explore more of the outdoors and get some exercise, consider taking a bike tour on one of the many popular Portland routes. The waterfront loop is a local favorite and provides a beautiful Willamette River water front experience and views of our city’s steel bridges. You could also head to Mt. Tabor Park for some light walking and hiking and views of downtown on a clear day, or for a more immersive forest experience and physical challenge, explore one of the many trails throughout nearby Washington Park.
For book lovers, you can’t visit Portland without a trip to Powell’s City of Books downtown. Dubbed the "world’s largest independent book store” this legendary local spot has many floors and nooks and sells new and used books in addition to Portland and Oregon gift items. I could spend hours exploring through this amazing bookstore. It’s worth noting they have a bunch of locations throughout the city, but the downtown location is the largest, oldest, and most famous locale.
For an afternoon rejuvenating in a calm, peaceful, and rejuvenating environment, and with a cup of hot tea, plan your visit to the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Enjoy a nice walk meandering around the garden and sitting in solitude on one of the many benches. Guided tours are also available. This is a lovely little respite in the downtown area of PDX.
For art aficionados, head to the Portland Art Museum for a couple of hours to meander through internationally-renowned art exhibits. It’s the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, and one of the oldest in the nation. We saw an incredible Mexican Modernism exhibit there a few months back with original paintings by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and more. This is a cultural institution gem in our city!
If you want to stop and smell the roses – depending on your season of travel – the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park has over 10,000 incredible blooming roses between May-October in Portland. There’s good reason Portland is called the Rose City!
If your timing lands on a weekend and you want to pick up some delicious local farm foods for your lodging and travels, Portland has some incredible farmer’s markets throughout its eclectic and diverse neighborhoods, each with its own beloved flower, gift, textile, and foodie item booths and local farm stands. My personal favorite is an urban farm in the Northeast Portland neighborhood of Cully, called The Side Yard Farm & Kitchen. And if you plan your trip right against their often-sold-out events calendar, you can even reserve a brunch or dinner at this amazing local farm, which is truly a local dining experience. I’ve done this several times (also enjoyed their bike-in movie night in the summer) and the food by Chef Stacey is sooooo good (you may recognize her name and face from the Food Network show Chopped). Highly recommend.
We’d be remiss to not mention the jaw-dropping beauty of towering waterfalls just a short drive outside of Portland if you’re up for an afternoon car adventure. This scenic drive through the Columbia River Gorge is a breathtaking experience, and in just one hour outside of Portland, you can visit and photograph famed waterfalls such as Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, and Latourell Falls, all of which can be viewed with minimal, if-any hiking (with longer hiking trails for those ready to stretch their legs more). This road trip would be out of the way for anyone kayaking Scappoose Bay in the morning, and would be more suitable if you’re paddling around downtown PDX or even venturing out to Hood River to kayak at the Hook.
Where to have dinner in Portland
7:00 PM
After your busy day exploring and enjoying Portland’s cultural, outdoor, and arts scenes, enjoy dinner at one of Portland's top restaurants, many of which require a reservation in advance – so plan accordingly if you’re hoping to score a table at one of our city’s most popular places to dine.
Spicy collard greens, octopus, and fish at award-winning Kann Restaurant at the pre-opening press party in Portland, Oregon
Kann is not only the hottest place to eat in PDX right now – it’s also one of the most celebrated new restaurants in the entire country, racking up numerous awards from all the top publishers and food magazine editors for being the best new restaurant in Portland, and in the United States. I had the honor of being a plus-one guest to Chef Gregory Gourdet’s pre-opening press party at the restaurant, and ate the most incredible live-fired Haitian food meets Pacific Northwest inspiration. Book your table in advance! I still think about those spicy collard greens in peanut cream.
Another place I’ve been loving these days for dinner on a date or with friends is Old Pal. It’s a newer restaurant, opening within the last year, known for its oysters and local fare. The risotto is my favorite entree, and I love the market radishes with lemon butter.
If Italian food and pasta is your thing, head to Alberta street to Gumba. The menu changes up seasonally, but there are a few staples, so follow them on Instagram for the latest news. This pasta parlor is a favorite for its house made burrata and fry bread, pappardelle with braised beef for the meat-eaters out there, and lasagne rotolo with mushrooms for the vegetarians out there.
Wind down your full day with a Portland night experience
9:30 PM
End your full day with a nightcap at a local bar, like Victoria, Bar Bar, Kask, or one of the nearby spots to your lodging (there are too many to list here!) that suit your palette. If you were lucky enough to eat at Kann for dinner – and even if you weren’t – there’s a gorgeous, moody Caribbean basement bar downstairs called Soulsol where you can relax with a special cocktail.
If you’ve still got energy–and you planned accordingly–check out one of our amazing local music venues like Crystal Ballroom or Revolution Hall for a night with live music!
Hopefully after a busy day, you’re winding down feeling great from traveling around the city, enjoying exercise from recreational kayaking, fueling up on some delicious local food and drink, and soaking in all the nature and tourist sites that Portland has to offer outdoor enthusiasts and travelers.
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