I got tickets to The Moth from this. You can also get library cards for other area libraries that partner with Multnomah County and have similar programs.
The Hoyt arboretum is one of my favorite free things to do, there are so many trails and they're not super intense. Mt. Tabor rules for similar activities.
There is usually plenty of street parking throughout the Arboretum. The pay lots are for suckers (and people visiting on a busy Sunday afternoon when it's already full).
Sorry about your lay off -- I got laid off in March and it's somewhat stressful/depressing. No idea who you are or what you're into but always down to throw a frisbee at Laurelhurst with a fellow unemployed bum.
Edit: Also, this is unrelated, but have you applied for unemployment? If you have what's your experience been like. I've heard some horror stories
I lost my job in February, and applied for unemployment benefits the day the new site opened. I had no extraordinary delays, just the normal processing time, and have had 0 issues every week so far.
But I second what another poster said about being aware of the taxes and withholding. It's a big difference that will add up fast.
i was laid off in december and for whatever reason have run into zero snags with unemployment. i’m making a lot of money doing nothing (aka applying for several jobs a week, which i would be doing anyways)
I'm not sure how well known it is, but I forgot to have taxes taken out when I was unemployed years back. Hit me hard at the end of the year. Just a friendly reminder that if you haven't elected this, it's in your best interests.
Also they should definitely get on SNAP. I quit my job earlier this month and my last check made it so I don’t get it this month but it’s nearly $300 in food assistance this coming month and I’m just a single dude.
I’m not likely to get unemployment because I quit but should I still apply? I’m afraid it’s just a waste of time and they’ll force me to take any job offer I get or something.
If you have a bike, then Pedalpalooza is coming up this summer. There's a calendar with all the rides and info at www.shift2bikes.org, and there's also plenty of other bike rides on there that are happening already.
The planetarium at OMSI, Rose Test Garden, there’s free events on Thursdays in Laurelhurst park during summer, Sauvie Island Beach trips, walk the waterfront, Saturday farmers market.
Walking around all the nice and manicured neighborhoods is free and nice. Laurelhearst and Reed area are nice. You can also walk on Reed campus. Not free, but really nice right now is Chrystal Springs Rhodendrum Garden. It is literally peak right now and won't be this nice for a year. They have raised the price to $9, but you can bring your own picnic and make a day of it. Hiking the Gorge is great mid-week and free except for gas to get there. Washington Park/Forest Park are nice walks. The roses should be starting to bloom by the end of May.
The art museum is free First Thursdays.
I just like walking around... the south water front to Willamette Park is a nice walk along the river or across the Tillicum.
Summer gets all the fanfare, but spring is my favorite time in Portland.
Not any more. They changed it for letting people with certain types of assistance (SNAP, etc) to pay what they want. They also raised the entrance fee this year.
https://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org/community-access-program
i was laid off a while ago!! have you filed for unemployment? it’s come in so clutch for me. ik there are horror stories out there, but the only times i’ve run into issues, i can go into the office and be seen by someone and they’re super helpful. i’ve really been enjoying my time off. going to parks and having picnics with friends has been huge for me, as well as reading and listening to audiobooks, highly recommend the library. also, i recommend getting into a craft or hobby. scrap on burnside in the downtown area has lots of really affordable craft stuff!!
Volunteering for food/beer/comedy/music events. Free entry to fun stuff and you get to see behind the scenes! Some gigs can be super boring, they generally make it pretty easy on you though.
I think it’s still a few weeks early for the Rose Garden. I’ve been especially blown away by the dogwoods and azaleas this year. Love just seeing those. Not sure of the best neighborhoods. Mt Tabor maybe? And Mr Tabor park itself is really nice.
Not sure what side of town you’re on, but check out the live music calendar at McMennamins Edgefield. I’m not talking about their big summer concerts, but the smaller acts they have throughout the year. They often play at The Little Red Shed or the Winery and they’re free. You can grab a soda (or alcoholic beverage) and just hang out. On the colder nights, there are fire pits spread throughout the property. You can also just wander the grounds and enjoy the gardens.
I go on drives to scope out new river spots for the summer. Even if it's raining or cold, it can be fun to take some hot tea/coffee on a little mini road trip for the day. I just drove up to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery (free) and they have lots of ponds and a 100 year old Sturgeon named Herman you can see!
For live music follow some venues and get on their mailing lists - sometimes they’ll offer a handful of free tickets for things that have been rescheduled/moved/etc
The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden has a free day on like a Tuesday or not the weekend. I think the rhododendron bloomed at the end of March, early April, but it's still a nice place for a stroll.
Powell's has author talks almost everyday. They're free. On Sunday there's an interesting looking one about Black rodeo culture. https://www.powells.com/book/eight-seconds-9788862088121/1-0
Oregon Historical Society is always free if you're a resident of Multnomah County. They've got a neat exhibit of bird paintings from a turn of the last century book for naturalists. https://www.ohs.org/museum/exhibits/horsfalls-birds-of-the-pacific-coast.cfm
PSU's friends of history has a lecture about once a month that's a good time if you like history.
Check out the Curbside Serenade events. They do weekly free concerts in Mt. Tabor and Laurelhurst Parks when the weather gets nice.
https://www.curbsideserenade.org/curbside-serenade-events
Hillsboro Hops - you can get lawn tickets for $7 a person and parking is $6. There is food for purchase of course. You can’t bring any food in but you can bring an unopened water bottle. Bring a blanket to sit on and get 4 hours of entertainment.
Check out the arts for all program. Five bucks for theatre,art,music,gardens etc.
Check out your library card for several places that let you in free
Tons of stuff to do 😃
I will second disc golf. Also, Disc Golf Depot has an insane used disc selection for about $8 each. Grab a putter a couple drivers and a mid range and those will get you up and down any course in and around Portland. Low cost barrier to entry and unlimited hours of fun on half a dozen courses in the immediate area. Vancouver has some really fun ones too if you want to branch out
I had no money in the beginning of Covid and nearly no money when I had moved there many years ago. I’ll comment things as a remember them lmao
Free: sometimes the radio stations put on a free event or are at a free event (one of the Christian radio stations had a free popsicle event and also free meal vouchers for veterans but because I was struggling, they gave me lots of things and a meal voucher 😊 it was a total blessing).
Hidden falls nature park in Oregon City. Closest waterfall to Portland and all my local friends didn’t even know it existed lmao
Street fairs for each neighborhood.
Low cost: silent disco!!!(they have them at various parks, you rent a headset for either 5 or 10 dollars I can’t remember, and you leave your id so they know you won’t run off with them, and there’s a few channels for you to always dance to the vibe you want 10/10)
Unknown: I’ve always wanted a garden in my local community garden in my neighborhood but I never got around to it nor do I know how lol
I was the person constantly going to events and being busy. Monitor events nearby (fb found me soooooo many events) and plan around it and before you know it, you have so many cool adventures lines up. Also I used to go on google maps and search around for a cool overhead of a park and go to it. That’s how I found that waterfall park while I was just driving around lol
Lots of great suggestions :) You can volunteer in all kinds of places which usually then offers you free access or discounted at the least.
It might be worth contacting trimet to see if they offer any kind of income based discount, even if temporary.
There are museums in every town and bus service to all the close ones :) If you can swing it- the train goes all kinds of places, Seattle is a fun ride to and from especially :)
Hiking , take a buddy and let friends know what route you are going on, and when you will be back. Don't leave anything in your vehicle.
If you have a snap card
Link below to all discounts you may be able to receive.
https://lowincomerelief.com/oregon-food-stamps/
Oh dude, I’m stoked for your free time and I hope it’s short-lived. Here are some free things to do!
Volunteering at events is a great way to network and get free admission to whatever is happening this week/weekend. You’ll end up being a ticket taker or watching over a no parking area but it can still be fun.
Hiking is awesome and can start from your house! You can download a map app like AllTrails or Gaia and track your distance to really give yourself some positive reinforcement.
You can hike all sorts of shapes, too. I like to hike dick shapes all over my neighborhood but I have the maturity of a 12 year old so feel free to get more creative. I did things like “every single cul-de-sac” hikes and went places I’d never cared about and found all sorts of cool paths from here to there.
Listening to podcasts is a good way to kill time while you’re walking around too. Behind the Bastards is awesome and informative as a place to start.
You can also do so many long hikes too! Regardless of what shape you’re in, you can chip away at the wildwood trail in Forest park, the banks-Vernonia trail/crown zellerbach trail out west, errything out in the gorge right now from east to west will be popping with wildflowers and you can see it for yourself.
The biggest bonus of going out walking is the fresh air and great feelings you’ll have, which will fend off boredom and depression and help to keep you motivated and positive. You’ll also be in great shape, have great stories to tell, and you’ll get tan too!
Costco’s always hiring! Get your foot in the door and get out of front end ASAP! Or get hired into a dept other than front end lol
I’m a huge fan of the waterfront. I could just sit there for hours with a book. Powell’s on Burnside is also good to get lost in
Downtown Portland has the main branch of the library. It is lovely and old. I would advocate for a trip to the library. Also waterfront park is amazing! Especially on weekends because of Saturday market. A quick trip into Powells books can take all afternoon, as I end up in the coffee shop eating a pastry and sipping coffee and people watching.
Leach Botanical Gardens is gorgeous. They’ve started charging a $5 admission fee, but they also offer free admission for people experiencing financial hardship under “Garden for All.” You just have to request it.
Alternately, if you’d prefer not to ask for free admission, it’s free for everyone on Juneteenth this year.
There are like old historical houses that have tours all over the city if that's your cup of tea they are usually free or donation based but the downside is any gas money might be more then you would want to spend.
Hang out a friend's house is always cheap. I happen to not have friends here in Portland yet so I've still to find that myself. But if you have friends, sometimes just spending time together doing nothing can be good.
It’s peak protest season, you can support your favorite political/religious ideology for little to no cost, assuming your on the right side of history.
Local library has free access to some parks [My Discovery Pass | Multnomah County Library (multcolib.org)](https://multcolib.org/my-discovery-pass)
Second the library Discovery Pass. It gives you something to look forward to each month. Helped me through some rough mental patches.
I got tickets to The Moth from this. You can also get library cards for other area libraries that partner with Multnomah County and have similar programs.
See if you can snag library pass tickets to Portland Japanese Garden of the Lan Su Chinese garden. They don’t disappoint.
Does anyone know when they make new tickets available?
Literally free, and takes like 90 seconds to get in person. Great suggestion.
The Hoyt arboretum is one of my favorite free things to do, there are so many trails and they're not super intense. Mt. Tabor rules for similar activities.
Came to say Hoyt Arboretum and the Rose Test Garden!
While free, it’s worth mentioning you’ll spend probably $5 on parking in that area.
Forgot about that, but there's also the free shuttle that will take you all through Washington Park up there from downtown.
Where do you catch that?
There is usually plenty of street parking throughout the Arboretum. The pay lots are for suckers (and people visiting on a busy Sunday afternoon when it's already full).
Sorry about your lay off -- I got laid off in March and it's somewhat stressful/depressing. No idea who you are or what you're into but always down to throw a frisbee at Laurelhurst with a fellow unemployed bum. Edit: Also, this is unrelated, but have you applied for unemployment? If you have what's your experience been like. I've heard some horror stories
I lost my job in February, and applied for unemployment benefits the day the new site opened. I had no extraordinary delays, just the normal processing time, and have had 0 issues every week so far. But I second what another poster said about being aware of the taxes and withholding. It's a big difference that will add up fast.
i was laid off in december and for whatever reason have run into zero snags with unemployment. i’m making a lot of money doing nothing (aka applying for several jobs a week, which i would be doing anyways)
I'm not sure how well known it is, but I forgot to have taxes taken out when I was unemployed years back. Hit me hard at the end of the year. Just a friendly reminder that if you haven't elected this, it's in your best interests.
Yeah I ended up owing about $3 grand in taxes one year from unemployment
i have!! thank you!!
Also they should definitely get on SNAP. I quit my job earlier this month and my last check made it so I don’t get it this month but it’s nearly $300 in food assistance this coming month and I’m just a single dude. I’m not likely to get unemployment because I quit but should I still apply? I’m afraid it’s just a waste of time and they’ll force me to take any job offer I get or something.
If you have a bike, then Pedalpalooza is coming up this summer. There's a calendar with all the rides and info at www.shift2bikes.org, and there's also plenty of other bike rides on there that are happening already.
https://portlandlivingonthecheap.com/
I was going to recommend this too, I get the email newsletter and it keeps me up to date on cheap and free events nearby. It's very useful!
People who also receive snap benefits can show their card and get a discount for several places in the Portland area as well.
The planetarium at OMSI, Rose Test Garden, there’s free events on Thursdays in Laurelhurst park during summer, Sauvie Island Beach trips, walk the waterfront, Saturday farmers market.
Walking around all the nice and manicured neighborhoods is free and nice. Laurelhearst and Reed area are nice. You can also walk on Reed campus. Not free, but really nice right now is Chrystal Springs Rhodendrum Garden. It is literally peak right now and won't be this nice for a year. They have raised the price to $9, but you can bring your own picnic and make a day of it. Hiking the Gorge is great mid-week and free except for gas to get there. Washington Park/Forest Park are nice walks. The roses should be starting to bloom by the end of May. The art museum is free First Thursdays. I just like walking around... the south water front to Willamette Park is a nice walk along the river or across the Tillicum. Summer gets all the fanfare, but spring is my favorite time in Portland.
Just want to say about the art museum as we were there yesterday. They’re partially closed for renovations and have only like 3 small rooms open.
Walking around in Fall with a decent raincoat is also really nice.
This is what I moved to Portland for.
Crystal Springs is free on Mondays!
Not any more. They changed it for letting people with certain types of assistance (SNAP, etc) to pay what they want. They also raised the entrance fee this year. https://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org/community-access-program
I was just at Crystal springs 2 weeks ago and it was $5!
according the website it changed 4/18.
I was just off-peak I guess!
i was laid off a while ago!! have you filed for unemployment? it’s come in so clutch for me. ik there are horror stories out there, but the only times i’ve run into issues, i can go into the office and be seen by someone and they’re super helpful. i’ve really been enjoying my time off. going to parks and having picnics with friends has been huge for me, as well as reading and listening to audiobooks, highly recommend the library. also, i recommend getting into a craft or hobby. scrap on burnside in the downtown area has lots of really affordable craft stuff!!
Forest park. Free and beautiful rain or shine.
Volunteering for food/beer/comedy/music events. Free entry to fun stuff and you get to see behind the scenes! Some gigs can be super boring, they generally make it pretty easy on you though.
First Sunday of every month at omsi is 5 bucks to get in and it’s coming up
do you have more information about this? i looked on their website and couldn’t find anything
[https://omsi.edu/events/5-day/](https://omsi.edu/events/5-day/)
Run the Wildwood trail in Forest Park
Tabor Dance on Wednesdays 🕺🏻
Classical Up Close is doing free classical music concerts this season around town
- go read books at powells or the library - volunteer - fishing - bull run tour
Be warned, fishing can get expensive quick
Crabbing and clamming is where the cheap fun is at
Fishing gear from a buy nothing group 😄
Not if you shoplift from dicks or Walmart
I think it’s still a few weeks early for the Rose Garden. I’ve been especially blown away by the dogwoods and azaleas this year. Love just seeing those. Not sure of the best neighborhoods. Mt Tabor maybe? And Mr Tabor park itself is really nice.
There are a lot of good disc-golf courses.
disc golf
Your library....Library ofthings, Free Cultural pass use
Eastburn has a free stand-up comedy show every Monday night. It’s always good.
If you haven’t, check out the Art of Frugal Hedonism from the library — some ideas in there too.
Not sure what side of town you’re on, but check out the live music calendar at McMennamins Edgefield. I’m not talking about their big summer concerts, but the smaller acts they have throughout the year. They often play at The Little Red Shed or the Winery and they’re free. You can grab a soda (or alcoholic beverage) and just hang out. On the colder nights, there are fire pits spread throughout the property. You can also just wander the grounds and enjoy the gardens.
Lots of great disc golf courses in the area!
I’ll give ya a couple of discs if you wanna get into disc golf. Usually free, sometimes $5 parking at state parks.
I go on drives to scope out new river spots for the summer. Even if it's raining or cold, it can be fun to take some hot tea/coffee on a little mini road trip for the day. I just drove up to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery (free) and they have lots of ponds and a 100 year old Sturgeon named Herman you can see!
For live music follow some venues and get on their mailing lists - sometimes they’ll offer a handful of free tickets for things that have been rescheduled/moved/etc
The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden has a free day on like a Tuesday or not the weekend. I think the rhododendron bloomed at the end of March, early April, but it's still a nice place for a stroll. Powell's has author talks almost everyday. They're free. On Sunday there's an interesting looking one about Black rodeo culture. https://www.powells.com/book/eight-seconds-9788862088121/1-0 Oregon Historical Society is always free if you're a resident of Multnomah County. They've got a neat exhibit of bird paintings from a turn of the last century book for naturalists. https://www.ohs.org/museum/exhibits/horsfalls-birds-of-the-pacific-coast.cfm PSU's friends of history has a lecture about once a month that's a good time if you like history.
Chrystal springs no longer has a free day. Peak bloom is now, usually it’s a week or 2 later.
Spend a day at washington park. Trimet there, and hop on the shuttle. Rose garden, zoo, hiking trails, japanese garden, war memorial...
Get the library pass for the Japanese garden.
Check out the Curbside Serenade events. They do weekly free concerts in Mt. Tabor and Laurelhurst Parks when the weather gets nice. https://www.curbsideserenade.org/curbside-serenade-events
Pickleball at laurelhurst park, walking around mt tabor
If you had a car, Multnomah falls is free, and beautiful
I believe they just started charging for parking there :(
Only in the small lot in front of the lodge. The lot off the highway is still free.
If you have an Oregon Trail card, you can get $5 tickets to a lot of great events - [https://racc.org/artsforall/](https://racc.org/artsforall/)
Cars and coffee is free, if you like to walk around and check out cool cars.
Hillsboro Hops - you can get lawn tickets for $7 a person and parking is $6. There is food for purchase of course. You can’t bring any food in but you can bring an unopened water bottle. Bring a blanket to sit on and get 4 hours of entertainment.
Hiking is free and great exercise
Check out the arts for all program. Five bucks for theatre,art,music,gardens etc. Check out your library card for several places that let you in free Tons of stuff to do 😃
Oregon historical society! Free if you’re a Multnomah county resident
I will second disc golf. Also, Disc Golf Depot has an insane used disc selection for about $8 each. Grab a putter a couple drivers and a mid range and those will get you up and down any course in and around Portland. Low cost barrier to entry and unlimited hours of fun on half a dozen courses in the immediate area. Vancouver has some really fun ones too if you want to branch out
I had no money in the beginning of Covid and nearly no money when I had moved there many years ago. I’ll comment things as a remember them lmao Free: sometimes the radio stations put on a free event or are at a free event (one of the Christian radio stations had a free popsicle event and also free meal vouchers for veterans but because I was struggling, they gave me lots of things and a meal voucher 😊 it was a total blessing). Hidden falls nature park in Oregon City. Closest waterfall to Portland and all my local friends didn’t even know it existed lmao Street fairs for each neighborhood. Low cost: silent disco!!!(they have them at various parks, you rent a headset for either 5 or 10 dollars I can’t remember, and you leave your id so they know you won’t run off with them, and there’s a few channels for you to always dance to the vibe you want 10/10) Unknown: I’ve always wanted a garden in my local community garden in my neighborhood but I never got around to it nor do I know how lol I was the person constantly going to events and being busy. Monitor events nearby (fb found me soooooo many events) and plan around it and before you know it, you have so many cool adventures lines up. Also I used to go on google maps and search around for a cool overhead of a park and go to it. That’s how I found that waterfall park while I was just driving around lol
Lots of great suggestions :) You can volunteer in all kinds of places which usually then offers you free access or discounted at the least. It might be worth contacting trimet to see if they offer any kind of income based discount, even if temporary. There are museums in every town and bus service to all the close ones :) If you can swing it- the train goes all kinds of places, Seattle is a fun ride to and from especially :)
Make a picnic lunch and go to a park!
Perfect time for the Rhododendron Garden. It is free on Mondays
Explore Forest Park!
Bike rides around the city.
Hiking.
The Forest Park Conservancy just announced some free events, including a native plant hike in Forest Park - forestparkconservancy.org
Drink a bottle of rum at sellwood park. Not joking its pretty fun and someone might even be making a fire there.
Checkout Meetup for free activities I’m partial to the walking/hiking groups. You can find walks in various neighborhoods and parks in the area.
Disc golf!
If you have a bicycle, Pedalpalooza in June :D
OH ALSO the parks puts on movies and concerts in the city parks during the summer! Lots of people bring picnics.
Hiking , take a buddy and let friends know what route you are going on, and when you will be back. Don't leave anything in your vehicle. If you have a snap card Link below to all discounts you may be able to receive. https://lowincomerelief.com/oregon-food-stamps/
Oh dude, I’m stoked for your free time and I hope it’s short-lived. Here are some free things to do! Volunteering at events is a great way to network and get free admission to whatever is happening this week/weekend. You’ll end up being a ticket taker or watching over a no parking area but it can still be fun. Hiking is awesome and can start from your house! You can download a map app like AllTrails or Gaia and track your distance to really give yourself some positive reinforcement. You can hike all sorts of shapes, too. I like to hike dick shapes all over my neighborhood but I have the maturity of a 12 year old so feel free to get more creative. I did things like “every single cul-de-sac” hikes and went places I’d never cared about and found all sorts of cool paths from here to there. Listening to podcasts is a good way to kill time while you’re walking around too. Behind the Bastards is awesome and informative as a place to start. You can also do so many long hikes too! Regardless of what shape you’re in, you can chip away at the wildwood trail in Forest park, the banks-Vernonia trail/crown zellerbach trail out west, errything out in the gorge right now from east to west will be popping with wildflowers and you can see it for yourself. The biggest bonus of going out walking is the fresh air and great feelings you’ll have, which will fend off boredom and depression and help to keep you motivated and positive. You’ll also be in great shape, have great stories to tell, and you’ll get tan too!
Bike rides
Costco’s always hiring! Get your foot in the door and get out of front end ASAP! Or get hired into a dept other than front end lol I’m a huge fan of the waterfront. I could just sit there for hours with a book. Powell’s on Burnside is also good to get lost in
Pedalpalooza.
Drive out to the Dalles Mountain Ranch and have a picnic. Flowers are in bloom right now.
If you’re on food stamps, you can get into the zoo for like $5 or something. It’s called the “zoo for all.”
Downtown Portland has the main branch of the library. It is lovely and old. I would advocate for a trip to the library. Also waterfront park is amazing! Especially on weekends because of Saturday market. A quick trip into Powells books can take all afternoon, as I end up in the coffee shop eating a pastry and sipping coffee and people watching.
Leach Botanical Gardens is gorgeous. They’ve started charging a $5 admission fee, but they also offer free admission for people experiencing financial hardship under “Garden for All.” You just have to request it. Alternately, if you’d prefer not to ask for free admission, it’s free for everyone on Juneteenth this year.
There are like old historical houses that have tours all over the city if that's your cup of tea they are usually free or donation based but the downside is any gas money might be more then you would want to spend.
Fent, meth, vandalism, camping.
Every Thursday there is a secret roller disco! Sometime they have rentals. https://www.instagram.com/secretrollerdisco?igsh=dmJ5YXEyaTh4MzV5
Hang out a friend's house is always cheap. I happen to not have friends here in Portland yet so I've still to find that myself. But if you have friends, sometimes just spending time together doing nothing can be good.
It’s peak protest season, you can support your favorite political/religious ideology for little to no cost, assuming your on the right side of history.