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St John's Bridge in Portland, Oregon. Zeb Andrews/Getty Images
Not everybody knows this, but Portland, Oregon, has a hidden spooky side. The largest city in this Pacific Northwest state is a paradise for horror fans and a top spot for a Halloween weekend getaway. We’re not just talking about ghost tours, although these are definitely on the table. Many of the city's shops, bars and lounges embrace all things eerie and macabre, and these aren’t your typical pop-up haunts. These places have a year-round dedication to the dark and mysterious.
Having visited Portland over a long fall weekend, I can promise that three days will barely scratch the surface of what Portland has to offer for things to do – especially if you plan to dive into the city's spookier side.
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To experience Portland’s haunting charm, here’s how to craft a perfect spine-tingling Halloween weekend.
When to arrive: Halloween falls on a Friday in 2025, so check in by Thursday afternoon or evening for your 3-day weekend to make the most of the quirky, haunted and delightfully eerie experiences that await in Portland.
How to get from the airport: From Portland International Airport (PDX), hop on the red line of the MAX Light Rail to Pioneer Courthouse Square. It’s about a 40-minute train ride, with trains running every 15 minutes, and tickets cost less than $3 (one way). As in any large city, pay attention when riding public transit. A rideshare will get you the 12 miles from PDX to Pioneer Courthouse Square for around $40.
Getting around town: Portland is divided into six areas that locals call quadrants; many are wonderfully walkable and easy to get around. You’ll find most spots easy to reach on foot while in a particular neighborhood. But if you need to cross the Willamette River or venture further in any direction, rideshares are fairly inexpensive and quick.
Where to stay: For convenience, staying centrally near Pioneer Courthouse Square is a smart move. The Hampton Inn & Suites Portland-Pearl District is a great mid-range option, with rates around $150 per night. For something a bit more upscale, the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel along the Willamette River offers stays for under $300. If you’re on a budget, the Hotel Rose on SW Morrison St is a solid pick, with rooms for less than $80 per night. On the East Side, try The Jupiter for easy access to SE neighborhoods and the Burnside bridge over to the Downtown and other neighborhoods on the West Side.
What to pack: Portland’s weather can be unpredictable, so pack layers and be ready for anything. The city gets about 36 inches of rain a year, but showers are usually light. Portlanders don’t even bother with umbrellas; just throw on a jacket, and if the rain does start, pop into a cozy coffee shop. Chances are, the rain will have stopped by the time you’ve finished your latte.
Day 1
Assuming you arrived late Thursday afternoon or evening and are traveling during Halloween weekend 2025, you'll wake up to the day itself. It's now time to rise and shine – and explore. But first, breakfast. Head over to The Daily Feast, a hip spot where breakfast and brunch are served until 2pm. Dig into dishes like smoked salmon scramble, fluffy buttermilk pancakes and avocado toast. While it’s not spooky, it’s the perfect fuel for the day ahead.
How to spend the day
After breakfast, it’s time to embrace the odd and unusual. Just two blocks from The Daily Feast, you’ll find The Skeleton Key Odditorium, a treasure trove of curiosities. This quirky shop features gothic art, tarot cards, crystals, collectibles and appropriately unsettling taxidermy. Wander through its 2500 sq ft museum, with exhibits that dive into local legends, vampires and circus sideshows.
Next, make your way 1.4 miles to Paxton Gate on NW 23rd for more peculiar finds. This shop offers hands-on taxidermy workshops where you can learn to prepare, stuff and mount creatures like rats, skunks or even a mythical jackalope.
From here, continue another half-mile to Freakybuttrue Peculiarium – the name alone makes it worth a visit. This anti-museum is filled with wild creations from local artists, all celebrating a passion for urban legends, cryptozoology and weird science. It’s as bizarre as it is fascinating.
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Dinner
No trip to Portland would be complete without eating from a food truck, though in Portland, they're known as food carts. With more than 500 food carts to choose from, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to dinner on the go. For first-timers, Cartopia on SE Hawthorne Blvd offers a good introduction to the scene. This food cart pod and beer garden features eight food carts, including Pyro Pizza for wood-fired pies and BKK Pad Thai for flavorful Thai street food.
After dark
Portland has plenty of themed events for Halloween, but be prepared for weekend crowds everywhere. As night falls, dive into Portland’s creepy bar scene. Naturally, you’ll want to start on the East Side at Creepy’s, where you can sip on cocktails with names such as Ghost Machine and Dark Arts, surrounded by eerie clown paintings, animatronics and dolls that seem to watch your every move. Wrap up your evening a few blocks away at The Coffin Club, a dark and moody nightclub that celebrates all things macabre, as goth, dark wave, post-punk and industrial beats fill the air.
Day 2
Morning
Doughnuts are practically a Portland tradition, so start your day with one of the city’s sweet specialties. If you are staying on the West Side, head to Blue Star Donuts in Goose Hollow or Voodoo Doughnut in Old Town – a local institution that also has a location across the bridge on NE Sandy Blvd. If you are OK traveling a bit, take a rideshare 5 or so miles from Downtown to NE Fremont to visit Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai, where the mini doughnuts and artisan chai are unforgettable. Or try Doe Donuts on NE Sandy for fancy concoctions using Earl Grey glaze or housemade strawberry milk and Mikiko Mochi Donuts a little over a mile away for gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free mochi doughnuts that are chewy and delicious.
How to spend the day
Back on the West Side, a visit to the Shanghai Tunnels – an underground network of passageways with a shadowy past – is an absolute must. Used in the early 1900s for smuggling, gambling and “shanghaiing” – kidnapping unsuspecting, intoxicated men and forcing them into labor on ships – these tunnels are steeped in history and spooky lore. Numerous ghost sightings and paranormal reports have made the tunnels a must-see for those intrigued by Portland’s sinister side. On Saturdays, 90-minute guided tours run between noon and 8pm.
Afterward, refuel and calm your nerves at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, one of Portland’s most infamous haunted spots just above the Shanghai Tunnels. Located in the historic former Merchant Hotel, this taproom is said to be home to a ghost named Nina, who’s been spotted wandering the halls (plus, the pizza is delicious).
Make Glowing Greens your next stop of the day. This indoor blacklight miniature golf course boasts a spooky ghost pirate theme (think skeleton buccaneers, shipwrecks and treasure chests). On-site, you’ll also find Wicked Axe Throwing and Mental Trap Escape Room for more Halloween-appropriate entertainment.
Dinner
Portland is packed with incredible spots to dine, so take your pick based on whatever you’re craving. For Southern comfort food with a twist, head to Screen Door Pearl District. In the mood for Thai? Thai Peacock won’t disappoint.
After dark
Ready for some chills after sundown? End your day in the company of Portland Ghost Tours. These 1-hour walking tours take you through particularly freakish and ghost-infested corners of this town. With tour names like “Portland Ghosts: Poltergeists and Psychopaths” and “Portland Ultimate Dead of Night Tour,” the company offers spine-tingling experiences.
Day 3
Portland’s coffee scene is legendary, so it’s only right to start your day with a cup of something strong. Coffee aficionados have plenty of stellar options to choose from, like Fuller’s Coffee Shop and Caffé Umbria. If you’re up for something out of the ordinary, how about getting your coffee made by a robot? At Artly, located inside the minimalist Japanese clothes and homewares store MUJI on SW 5th Ave, a barista bot brews your morning java. In a city known for offbeat vibes, it seems perfectly at home.
How to spend the day
Head to Portland's West Hills to explore Pittock Mansion and its haunted history. Perched high above the city within Forest Park, this historic home offers sweeping views and eerie overtones. Rumor has it that former owners, Henry and Georgiana Pittock, still roam the halls; visitors have reported all sorts of encounters, from cold spots to unexplained footsteps and moving objects. While the ghost stories give Pittock Mansion an air of mystery, it’s the stunning architecture and panoramic city views that truly make it worth the trip.
Dinner
For dinner, try Nong’s Khao Man Gai, a beloved spot known for the favorite Thai-Chinese dish khao man gai – broth-cooked chicken over rice, drizzled with a tangy chili-and-soybean sauce. Afterward, take a stroll to Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore, and pick out a sinister page-turner for the journey home.
After dark
If you’re still craving a spooky vibe, make Raven’s Manor your next stop. This haunted mansion-themed bar is decked out with spider webs, candelabras and skeletons. Sign up for a 1.5-hour mixology class called Dr Raven’s Elixir Experience to create your own hauntingly delicious cocktails. (Book early – October 2025 slots are already sold out, but a waitlist is available for some dates.)
Cap off the night, and your weekend, with a final stop at Voodoo Doughnut – its Old Town location is just four blocks from Raven’s Manor and stays open until 3am, perfect for a last indulgence before you bed down. Be sure to try their famous Bacon Maple Bar, a maple-frosted doughnut topped with crispy bacon strips.
As your spooky weekend comes to a close, set an alarm to catch your flight out of PDX, or enjoy a leisurely morning before you check out for the drive home. Either way, Portland’s eerie charm will linger long after you’ve said goodbye.
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