The Best Things to Do in Portland Under $20

Libraries across Washington County

“There's a storytime nearly every day at Washington County libraries, so just pick whichever time and branch fits your kid.”

Libraries across Mulnomah County

“Multnomah County libraries run lots of storytime formats, pajama and bilingual included, so it's easy to find one that fits.”

PDX Parent

Moda Center

OMSI

8:30 AM · Hoodland Sport & Fitness

12:00 PM · My Gym SW Portland

“A clean, low-key indoor play session for babies and caregivers to burn energy and meet other parents.”

Foot Traffic on 23rd

McMenamins Kennedy School

1:00 PM · The Shack at Sellwood Park

“Free drop-in tumbling class in the park for kids 7 and up, casual and beginner-friendly.”

3:00 PM · Salt n' Straw

4:00 PM · Rainbow Road Pub

4:00 PM · 21st Avenue between Main Street and College Way

4:00 PM · Portland International Raceway

5:30 PM · Hassalo Plaza

6:00 PM · Nomad Cycles PDX/ Adaptive BikeTown

6:30 PM · B-Side Records & Vintage: Milwaukie

“Casual weekly open mic at a record shop, open to any age or format, from bands to poetry.”

7:00 PM · Star Theater

7:00 PM · Showdown Saloon

“This is for dancers who already know two-step — no beginner review, so it'll feel fast if you're new.”

7:00 PM · The Bye and Bye

“Free trivia at a well-loved Alberta Street vegan bar, reportedly one of the city's best trivia nights.”

7:00 PM · Von Ebert Brewing – Mississippi

“Free weekly trivia at the Mississippi Ave taproom - description's thin but it's a solid free team option.”

7:00 PM · Clinton Street Theater

8:00 PM · Beaverton Transit Center

8:30 PM · Showdown Saloon

Libraries across Washington County

“There's a storytime nearly every day at Washington County libraries, so just pick whichever time and branch fits your kid.”

Libraries across Mulnomah County

“Multnomah County libraries run lots of storytime formats, pajama and bilingual included, so it's easy to find one that fits.”

PDX Parent

OMSI

7:00 AM · PDX Parent

“Not really an event, just free parking at a few regional parks on set days this year, so bring your own plan.”

8:30 AM · Eagle Fern Park

“A moderate trail rehab day building new switchbacks, about a mile in with real digging involved.”

8:30 AM · Sherrard Point

PDX Parent

“Free entry days at regional National Parks - a decent excuse for an outdoor day trip if weather cooperates.”

10:00 AM · Leach Botanical Garden

“Sixteen acres of gardens with an ADA-accessible tree walk, solid for a slow stroll whether you bring the family or go solo.”

10:00 AM · Bridgeport Village

“A weekly outdoor toddler playdate for caregivers to connect while little ones explore, not much here without a kid in tow.”

10:30 AM · Sherwood Library

11:00 AM · Vancouver Mall

“Free library storytime twice a week for kids and caregivers, sweet and reliable but obviously not a solo outing.”

12:00 PM · Lan Su Chinese Garden

“Drop-in calligraphy demo at Lan Su, a quiet twenty-minute cultural detour if you're already at the garden.”

McMenamins Kennedy School

McMenamins Kennedy School

12:30 PM · The Musikry

“Free bonding class for caregivers and babies 3-5 months through music and play, sweet but strictly a parent-and-baby thing.”

3:00 PM · Salt n' Straw

5:00 PM · Orenco Presbyterian Church

“A short, flat 1.5-mile bike ride to Orenco Elementary's open house, low-key if you've got a kid starting school there.”

5:30 PM · Kulfi

6:00 PM · Peninsula Park Rose Gardens- meet near the gazebo

7:00 PM · Salmon Street Springs

“Portland's longest-running weekly social ride — expect a party-paced group, regular stops, and rolling-dive-bar energy.”

7:00 PM · Clinton Street Theater

“Shrektember screening of the weakest sequel, but $10 nostalgia in a dark theater still works fine.”

7:30 PM · Colonel Summers Park

7:45 PM · NoPo

“Easy-paced group bike ride with strangers who become friends, free and no drop.”

8:00 PM · Showdown Saloon

“Beginner line-dance lesson at 9pm, no partner needed, then it rolls straight into social dancing.”

8:00 PM · Keys Lounge

“Free live music every Thursday at Keys Lounge, a low-key rotating residency with no cover.”

Libraries across Washington County

“There's a storytime nearly every day at Washington County libraries, so just pick whichever time and branch fits your kid.”

Libraries across Mulnomah County

“Multnomah County libraries run lots of storytime formats, pajama and bilingual included, so it's easy to find one that fits.”

PDX Parent

9:00 AM · Frog Pond Farm

9:30 AM · Grace City Portland

“Structured mom meetup with childcare handled, good if you want adult conversation without the toddler underfoot.”

10:00 AM · Thunder Elite's Tumble and Learn Preschool

“Padded open gym time to burn off toddler energy, straightforward and no surprises.”

10:00 AM · Leach Botanical Garden

“Sixteen acres of gardens with an ADA-accessible tree walk, solid for a slow stroll whether you bring the family or go solo.”

10:00 AM · Taborspace

“Cheap, silly kids music hour, good if your little one likes singing and dancing.”

10:00 AM · Tryon Creek State Natural Area

11:00 AM · Beaverton Library Murray Scholls

11:00 AM · B-Side Records Vintage

11:00 AM · Lan Su Chinese Garden

“Gentle qigong practice in a beautiful garden, good slow-morning activity if you're already curious about the form.”

12:00 PM · Director Park

“Free picnic tables, lawn games, and chalk at Director Park — a low-key downtown lunch hang, nothing fancy.”

12:00 PM · Lan Su Chinese Garden

“Live erhu and guzheng music while you wander Lan Su Garden — peaceful if traditional Chinese music is your thing.”

Hilton

Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center

Olympic Mills Commerce Center

4:00 PM · Vancouver Elks

5:00 PM · Lake Trillium

5:00 PM · Mississippi Pizza Pub

6:00 PM · Wonderwood Springs

“Free pen-and-paper trivia in a goofy fantasy tavern, low stakes and no cover, good if you've got a team.”

6:30 PM · The Shack at Sellwood Park

“Free local music under old fir trees with a picnic-blanket, neighbors-and-dogs vibe - mellow, not a big production.”

7:00 PM · Ladds Addition

“A fast, mostly-unsupported group ride covering 15-25 miles with real climbing - come ready to keep pace and get yourself home.”

7:00 PM · Clinton Street Theater

“A cult-cinema host riffs live on a genuinely deranged 1985 horror anthology, pure so-bad-it's-good chaos.”

8:00 PM · Yesteryear Farms

9:00 PM · Devils Point

“Karaoke sung alongside the club's dancers at a punk dive - weird and specific, go if that sounds fun not shocking.”

11:55 PM · Dante's

“Cheap night of genre-hopping dance music at Dante's, details are thin so go in without expectations.”

Libraries across Washington County

“There's a storytime nearly every day at Washington County libraries, so just pick whichever time and branch fits your kid.”

Libraries across Mulnomah County

“Multnomah County libraries run lots of storytime formats, pajama and bilingual included, so it's easy to find one that fits.”

PDX Parent