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Sight Downtown Portland

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

A sight in Downtown Portland, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Night.

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Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Downtown Portland
Photo: Taken by User:Cacophony. · CC BY-SA 2.5 · license

Why go

The riverside park along the Willamette, with the downtown skyline on one side and lit bridges on the other.

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Downtown Portland, alongside 3 places to eat, 2 bars & cafés and 1 activity. 5 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Huber's Cafe and Departure. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
Downtown
Price
Free
Time needed
45 min
Best time
Night

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Downtown Portland. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Huber's Cafe

    Portland's oldest restaurant, founded in 1879, known for roast turkey and Spanish coffee flamed at the table.

    Food · 0.3 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Departure

    Rooftop restaurant and lounge atop The Nines, with covered, heated terraces over downtown; it typically throws a NYE party.

    Drinks · 0.3 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    The Nines

    Hotel in the upper floors of the 1909 Meier & Frank Building, directly across from Pioneer Courthouse Square.

    Stay · 0.3 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    NYE drone show at Pioneer Courthouse Square

    The city's free NYE party fills 'Portland's Living Room' with a DJ, a 9 pm family drone show and a midnight countdown show.

    Activity · 0.4 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Eastbank Esplanade

    Riverside path on the east bank with the best straight-on view of the downtown skyline over the water.

    Sight · 0.6 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Multnomah Whiskey Library

    Leather-and-wood whiskey bar with 1,500+ bottles and a rolling cart service.

    Drinks · Portland · 0.6 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a stop on our Portland New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Downtown Portland

Tom McCall Waterfront Park is our only sight pick in Downtown Portland; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Downtown Portland guide.

When to go: weather by month, based on Portland

Our climate figures for Downtown Portland come from nearby Portland. Average daily highs in Portland run from 45°F in December to 84°F in August; December is usually the wettest month. For Tom McCall Waterfront Park itself, we suggest: Night.

Modelled monthly averages for Portland from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Portland weather by month (covers Downtown Portland).

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Tom McCall Waterfront Park, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
45.51600, -122.67260
Destination
Downtown Portland, Oregon

Tom McCall Waterfront Park: quick answers

How much time do you need at Tom McCall Waterfront Park?

Plan on about 45 minutes at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Tom McCall Waterfront Park?

Our pick: Night. Insider tip: Walk it at night between dinner and the Square.

Is Tom McCall Waterfront Park free?

Yes, we list Tom McCall Waterfront Park as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Tom McCall Waterfront Park?

Tom McCall Waterfront Park appears on Portland New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Tom McCall Waterfront Park to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Downtown Portland.

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Lists & regions

Also in Downtown Portland

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.