Top Five Fall Activities In Portland

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Contrary to popular belief, fall is not the time to be stuck indoors. There are still plenty of great activities to make the transition between summer and winter fun, exciting, and filled with all the great charm and wonder Portland is known for.

1. GO SOAK!

Cooler temperatures mean it is a great time to relax and enjoy the healing qualities of a good natural soak. No matter what your tastes, the Portland area has the right atmosphere for you to rejuvenate and unwind.

If the outdoors are your thing, try heading over to Breitenbush HotSprings out near the Mt. Hood National Forest. If the indoors are more your flavor Portland has you covered on that front as well. Knot Springs is located on the fifth floor of the new Yards building on the east end of the Burnside Bridge. Or you can head over to the tried and true Soaking Pool at the Kennedy School in Northeast Portland.

2. VISIT THE PORTLAND ART MUSEUM

The Portland Art Museum is cool. The Portland Art Museum has always been cool. In October, the Portland Art Museum becomes incredibly cool. To start the fall season off right the Portland Art Museum will first feature a show called The Wyeths: Three Generations which will house a revealing survey of works by N.C. Wyeth, one of America’s finest illustrators; his son Andrew, an important realist painter; Andrew’s son Jamie, a popular portraitist; and members of the extended family. If you have never seen the work of any of these iconic American artists I strongly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity.

But hey, if that isn’t cool enough for you, the Portland Art Museum will also be holding a show titled Animating Life: The Art, Science, and Wonder of LAIKA. Are you a fan of films like Coraline or Kubo and the Two Strings? If so, don’t miss this opportunity to get a backstage look into one of today’s most successful and unique animation studios.  

3. PORTLAND COSTUME SHOPS

Need a good costume for Halloween? Are you the kind of person who is determined not to go generic and wants to put a little effort into your disguise? Then don’t forget to spend a little time this fall shopping for that truly unique costume idea at one of Portland’s many vintage clothing shops, thrift stores, and flea markets.

It’s the perfect way to spend a little time with friends, family, while also supporting local Portland businesses. I personally recommend starting your costume search at Hollywood Vintage.

4. RACE YOUR FRIENDS ON A PUMPKIN!

Yes yes, we all know Portland is weird. However, did you know it was this weird!!?. the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta has been running since 2004 and returns Oct. 21, 2017 to the Tualatin Commons.

This annual October series of races is exactly what it sounds like, consisting of paddlers piloting on top of ginormous gourds through a water course on Tualatin Commons lake. The event kicks off with a giant pumpkin parade and weigh-off, followed by a full day of costumed contestants plying the shallow lake in 1,000-pound pumpkin boats.

5. FALL HIKES!

Oregon is well known across the world for its wonderful summer outdoor activities. However, local residents know that fall is perhaps the best time to experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All the wild green foliage in the area quickly turns into golds and reds that mimic the early morning sun. Meanwhile, wild critters in water and on land are easily spotted through the thinning flora as they prepare for winter.

Hiking is one of the best ways to drink in the region’s beauty and there is a wealth of options within an hour’s drive from downtown Portland.

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Alexis Kennedy

My name is Alexis Kennedy, welcome to my site! I have a passion for making images wherever and whenever I can. I seek to capture humanity and the world around me with a focus on the figure. Film, digital, pinhole, and instant photography are all fair game for me.


I grew up in the California Bay Area and started taking photography seriously in High School. I was one of the lucky few who had a chance to go to a high school with a working darkroom and a teacher who understood that making images was an art form – care and patience was a necessity in the image making process from start to finish.


Later in life I attended the University of California in Santa Cruz where I received a Bachelors Degree in the History of Art and Visual Culture. After having my fill of the California sunshine I packed up my life and moved to the Pacific Northwest. I quickly found the overcast skies, lush forests, cooler temperatures, and creative communities to be a perfect match for my work.


Over the years I have exhibited my photographs in several galleries and art shows including the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival and Cascade AIDS Project. I’ve published a few books and taught workshops up and down the west coast of the United States. Through this site I’m hoping to share my work and perhaps inspire others along the way.