Where Can i Have Fun When Its Raining in Portland
As you’re probably aware, Portland is famously known for having rainy weather. But this doesn’t have to stop you from having plenty of fun in the city, whether you’re a visitor or a permanent resident. Portland has plenty of fun options that will allow you to spend all day inside, warm and dry. Read on below to find out where you can go to have fun when it’s raining in Portland.
See a Movie
Going to the movies is a classic thing to do on a rainy day. And the Portland area has some unique theaters to choose from. For instance, the historic Hollywood Theatre, which first opened in 1926. Thanks to restorations, it still has the feel of an old Hollywood movie theater now. Today, the theater shows both new releases and classic films, as well as hosting special guests and film series. And you can also have pizza and drinks while watching a movie!
Other options include the art house Living Room Theater, which plays indie and foreign films, and Laurel Hurst Theater, which has been a part of Portland since 1923. Both Living Room and Laurel Hurst Theaters offer dining and drink options as well.
Visit a Museum
There are a number of fun and informative museums in the city. Some options include the Portland Art Museum and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (also known as OMSI). The oldest museum in the Northwest, Portland Art Museum has special exhibits throughout the year, in addition to the expansive permanent collection. There are many different types of art from different cultures, including Native American and Asian art. There’s both historical and modern art as well. You could spend an entire rainy day there! Also, children under 17 years old get in for free any day, and there’s free admission for everyone on the first Thursday of each month.
OMSI is one of the top science centers in the country and offers a planetarium, hands-on exhibits, and tours. The museum also has special events throughout the year. These include science-fiction film festival movie screenings, Meet a Scientist, Science Pub, and more. Once a month, OMSI also has an After Dark series for those over 21. These events can be very popular, so if you see a rainy day coming up, try to purchase tickets ahead of time.
Need a fun rainy-day activity for the whole family? Worried that young kids may not love or might even be bored by an art or science museum? Try the Portland Children’s Museum. This isn’t your typical museum—it’s very interactive, so kids can have tons of fun while learning. There are studios, like the clay studio, where kids can make something to take home. Plus, the make-believe grocery store and veterinarian office are amongst the other interactive, informative attractions.
Or check out the Oregon Historical Society museum, located in the Cultural District of downtown Portland, which is open seven days a week. The Historical Society has fun, interesting temporary and permanent exhibits. Check out the collection of artifacts and the hands-on displays. There’s also the expansive Davies Family research library, which has the world’s largest collection of Oregon-related materials including books, photographs, and more. And you can also stop by the gift shop for souvenirs.
And that’s not all! There’s also Portland’s historic Pittock Mansion or the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville. Try a different one on each rainy day!
Roller Skating Rink
Give roller skating a try at Oaks Park Roller Rink. Oaks Amusement Park has been located near downtown Portland since 1905, and the indoor rink is a popular spot for people of all ages to have fun. It’s open Tuesdays through Sundays throughout the year.
Not an experienced roller skater? Don’t fret; they even have classes for beginners. And they also have a number of other classes for different skill and experience levels, including roller derby, dance skating, and speed skating. Plus, roller skating is a nostalgic, family favorite activity, and the whole family can take certain classes together if you think you need it or want to try something a little different.
Langer’s Entertainment Center
Some of the most popular rainy-day activities include going to an arcade or bowling. You can find both—and so much more—at the brand-new Langer’s Entertainment Center in Sherwood. Our arcade has over 50 games, and the bowling alley has 22 lanes. You can also redeem points from the arcade for different prizes for people of all ages.
There’s hours of fun for the whole family at this Portland entertainment center. And all the attractions are inside, so you won’t need your raincoat. You can spend an entire rainy day here! In addition to the arcade and bowling lanes, some of our other indoor options for fun on rainy Portland days include laser tag, high ropes courses, a rock-climbing wall, and a soft play area for little ones. We have attractions that adults and kids will have fun doing.
We also have plenty of food and drink options. And you can try something hot from our Thunder Mountain Cabin café or a cold one from the Tack Room bar. If you try us on a rainy day and want to throw a party here, we have event spaces you can reserve too. You can find more information on our website.
Langer’s Entertainment Center is tied in with Portland-area history. The Langer family has resided in Sherwood since 1879. And for the past 140 years, the family has owned and operated Langer Farm, which has received Century Farm status from Oregon’s Department of Agriculture. This new entertainment center, located at the intersection of Langer Farms Parkway and Century Avenue, is our way of giving back and bringing fun to the community our family has loved being part of for so many years.
These are just a few ideas that you can try. Other options include the Portland Ballet and Portland Center Stage at The Armory. In fact, there are so many options that you won’t have to worry about filling the many possible rainy days! So don’t worry about the weather preventing you from having fun in Portland.
