Labor Day weekend is probably the last event of the summer season. It marks the last of the carefree days before heading back to school, but before you start packing lunches and stuffing backpacks, make plans to pack in some family fun. This Labor Day weekend is a perfect time to enjoy one of the many great summertime attractions and activities Portland has to offer. Here are some ideas to get you excited.
1. 2017 Bite of Oregon
This Portland Labor Day Weekend, enjoy food carts, Portland’s finest restaurants, beer, wine, cider, and much more! The Bite of Oregon will be at the Rose Quarter where top chefs and exquisite foods featuring Oregon products throughout the state are being served up on Labor Day weekend — Sept 1-4. From fun and excitement to delicious dishes to sample, the new Bite of Oregon will have you savoring the seven regions of Oregon.
Date & Time: September 1-4 (11 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
Location: 1 N Center Ct St #150, Portland, OR
2. Tour Portland’s Beautiful Bridges with Portland Spirit Explorer
Tour from St. John’s to the Sellwood Bridge while enjoying the colorful history of Portland’s ten landmark crossings — each covering the beautiful Willamette River and a new chapter in bridge engineering and design.
Date & Time: September 2 (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
Location: 1000 SW Naito Pkwy Portland, Oregon
3. Vaux Swifts Watch
Every September, Portlanders gather on the school lawn of Chapman Elementary and in neighboring Wallace Park to observe the natural theatrics of the birds as they whirl into their nest in the chimney.
Date & Time: One hour before sunset, each night in September
Location: 1445 NW 26th Ave Portland, OR
4. Watch Summer Movies in the Parks
Go and have a picnic in the park while watching a movie. Evening after evening, summer nights in Portland parks offer families and friends the perfect backdrop to renew connections for free. This is a better and more affordable way to enjoy a pleasant summer-end evening with family and neighbors.
5. Art in the Pearl
Take your family or friends to see over 100 artists show and sell their work ranging from fine wooden furniture to beautiful paintings to photography, clay, glass, metal, jewelry and so much more. Also, check out the educational pavilion for hands-on activities for kids and adults alike.
Date & Time: September 2-3, 2017 (10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday); September 4, 2017 (10am-5pm on Monday).
Location: The Northwest Park blocks of Portland, OR, between W Davis and NW Flanders at NW 8th Avenue.
6. Track Animals at the Tryon Creek
Try to find some local animals, or just enjoy a leisurely hike through nature before heading back to the grind.
Date & Hours: Thursday, August 31; Friday, September 1; Sunday, September 3 (11 – 12:15 pm)
Location: 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland
7. Volunteer
Northwest Children’s Outreach invites families and kids as young as four to help them in their mission to put together care packages for families in need.
Location: 619 SW 11th Ave. Suite 300, Portland
8. Oregon Zoo
It may be crowded, but here’s a trick: come early in the day, start at the end of the path – in Africa, and work your way back up. Or, just make some new friends.
Location: 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland
9. OMSI’s Weekend Trip to Hancock Station
Create some memories with a residential camp for the whole family. Explore Hancock Field Station for a weekend of wildlife and fossil exploration in the canyons of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Fill your day with a hike and astronomy at night.
Date & Time: Start Date: Sep 1, 2017 6 pm
Location: Camp Hancock, Fossil, Or.
10. Quick Beach Trip
One last soak at the beach is a must! Rockaway Beach is only an hour and 25 minutes. away, and let the pressure of getting ready for fall just float away.
11. Go on a boat!
Why not try kayaking, stand up paddle, or go simple and rent paddle boats at Blue Lake?
12. Chinese Garden
Tour together with your family the Lan Su Chinese Garden and enjoy the beautiful Ming Dynasty gardens and see the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China.
Location: 239 Northwest Everett Street, Portland, Oregon
Do you have any Labor Day ideas or plans? Let Einstein Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling know in the comments!
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