Portland Living on the Cheap

Your local guide to the best of what's affordable in Portland, Oregon.

Attractions & Museums

2022 Helvetia Lavender Festival

Wander through the lavender fields, cut your own flower bundles, and take in stunning views of the Willamette Valley during the 2022 Helvetia Lavender Festival. Helvetia Lavender Farm is a short drive from Portland and showcases 60 different varieties of lavender. During the annual festival, … [Read more...] about 2022 Helvetia Lavender Festival

7 Great Portland Picnic Parks

By Marie Sherlock The idea of a meal shared al fresco in a lovely natural setting has been around for a very long time—perhaps since Adam and Eve and that apple. So while picnics don't really represent an up and coming trend, they do rank very high as a budget-friendly way to see the city … [Read more...] about 7 Great Portland Picnic Parks

Get $10 Tickets to The Tesla City Stories Live Vintage Radio Theater Onstage

Sponsored post Get a special discount on tickets to this one-of-a-kind Portland theater experience, The Tesla City Stories Live Vintage Radio Theater Onstage. Have you ever wondered what storytelling was like before modern technology? See it come to life right before your eyes at The Tesla … [Read more...] about Get $10 Tickets to The Tesla City Stories Live Vintage Radio Theater Onstage

Pay What You Will: Rent at Portland Center Stage

Want to see shows at Portland Center Stage for cheap? Pay as little as a dollar and some change during pay what you will ticket specials.  Portland Center Stage is the largest theater company in Portland. This theater, located in a historic armory, hosts incredible shows throughout the … [Read more...] about Pay What You Will: Rent at Portland Center Stage

2022 Troutdale Arts Festival

Connect with your community and support regional artists, studios, workshops, and galleries at the Troutdale Arts Festival at Glenn Otto Park along the Sandy River. Hosted by Cascadia Arts Association, the festival features more than 75 art vendors. Art forms include mixed media, jewelry, … [Read more...] about 2022 Troutdale Arts Festival

Farm Walk About at Frog Pond Farm

Get up close with farm animals and enjoy family-friendly activities during a Farm Walk About. Every spring and summer, Frog Pond Farm invites the public to spend the day enjoying life on the 40-acre property. On the weekend, bring your family to explore the farmyard by feeding animals and playing … [Read more...] about Farm Walk About at Frog Pond Farm

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden: Southeast Portland’s Botanical Oasis

Nestled between Reed College and the Eastmoreland Golf Course is an urban oasis called Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. On the 9-acre property grows a collection of rare species and hybrid rhododendrons, azaleas, shrubs, companion plants and unusual trees. The garden blends water and land as … [Read more...] about Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden: Southeast Portland’s Botanical Oasis

Free and Cheap Events this Week in Portland

Never Miss Out on Frugal Fun in Portland There are so many ways you can participate in fun activities in Portland without breaking your budget. Use this list of free and cheap events this week as your guide to having frugal fun throughout the metro area.  To stay up to date on all the … [Read more...] about Free and Cheap Events this Week in Portland

Maizee Mae’s Vintage and Collectible Market

Find one-of-a-kind treasures at Maizee Mae's Vintage and Collectible Market. If you love browsing unique goods and filling your home with unique items, this is the event for you. The market brings together the best of our community's treasure hunters to display vintage, collectible and specialty … [Read more...] about Maizee Mae’s Vintage and Collectible Market

Ride the Free Shuttle at Washington Park

Washington Park is the keeper of Portland's best attractions. The International Rose Test Garden, Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, and more dazzling sights are all housed within the 410-acre property. The best way to access the attractions at Washington Park is on the free shuttle. The Washington Park … [Read more...] about Ride the Free Shuttle at Washington Park

Portland Rose Festival Free and Cheap Events

For more than 100 years, the Portland Rose Festival has been a beloved celebration of our beautiful city. It takes place every year from the end of May through June. This citywide celebration is inclusive of everyone with many free and cheap events for everyone to enjoy.  The 2022 Rose … [Read more...] about Portland Rose Festival Free and Cheap Events

50+ Portland Area Thrift and Consignment Stores

Portlanders love thrift and consignment stores. Thankfully, our city caters to this affinity and is chock full of places where bargain hunters thrive. Whether your style is a pair of Levi's jeans and a secondhand flannel or a vintage dress with like new Dr. Martens or Frye's, you'll find it at these … [Read more...] about 50+ Portland Area Thrift and Consignment Stores

Dozer Day at Clark County Event Center

Dozer Day lets your kids and kids at heart get behind the wheel with construction professionals. The annual event aims to educate people of all ages about building sustainable communities, industry opportunities and public safety. Your family can get up close with heavy construction equipment, … [Read more...] about Dozer Day at Clark County Event Center

Cultural Heritage Immersion Day Free Admission and Activities

On Saturday, celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with free community performances, activities and admission to Portland cultural institutions. Cultural Heritage Immersion Day is hosted by Oregon Rises Above Hate and honors our Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and … [Read more...] about Cultural Heritage Immersion Day Free Admission and Activities

APPI Heritage Month Free Film Screenings

The West Linn-Wilsonville School District invites the community to free film screenings celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.  Throughout the month of May, the school district is hosting three film screenings with brief discussions afterward. Here is the … [Read more...] about APPI Heritage Month Free Film Screenings

Top 5 Multnomah County Library Card Perks You Need to Know About

The the library is one of the last remaining places where you can access resources and services at no cost. From classes to skills training to e-catalogues, libraries have become a resource hub for communities across the Portland area. The best part is all of these services are completely free to … [Read more...] about Top 5 Multnomah County Library Card Perks You Need to Know About

Free Carousel and Train Rides at Oaks Park

Oaks Amusement Park invites the community to enjoy two vintage pieces of Portland's history free of charge.  Portland's very own amusement park has been bringing joy to the young and young at heart since 1905. In fact, it is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the … [Read more...] about Free Carousel and Train Rides at Oaks Park

Free Play at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade

Calling all retro gamers! Ground Kontrol is Portland's classic arcade destination, plugged in to all your golden age classics to new favorites. More than 100 classic video games and pinball machines surround two full service bars serving tasty and cheap food and drinks. Featuring low prices and … [Read more...] about Free Play at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade

Ride Oregon Pacific Railroad’s Train Through Portland

Want to see Portland by train?Looking for a unique activity in Portland? Climb aboard Oregon Pacific Railroad's train for a special ride around Portland. The Oregon Pacific Railroad is a family owned and operated freight railroad company. The company operates a special passenger train along the … [Read more...] about Ride Oregon Pacific Railroad’s Train Through Portland

2022 McMenamins UFO Fest

McMenamins is hosting its annual festival for believers and skeptics alike. Head to the 22nd annual UFO Fest this May. The festival is inspired by the 1950 UFO sighting on a farm outside McMinnville. The story goes that around 7:30 p.m. at night on Thursday, May 11, 1950, Evelyn Trent went out to … [Read more...] about 2022 McMenamins UFO Fest

2022 Museums on Us: Free Museum Admission This Weekend

Bank of America's Museums On Us program lets customers visit Portland museums for free the first weekend of the month. More than 220 museums and attractions participate in the Bank of America free museum days in cities across the United States. In Portland, we're lucky enough to have three of the … [Read more...] about 2022 Museums on Us: Free Museum Admission This Weekend

Portland Indigenous Marketplace

Explore creations from indigenous artists and entrepreneurs at the Portland Indigenous Marketplace. The monthly event supports indigenous creators by providing barrier-free, culturally respectful spaces to grow their small businesses and educate the public about their ancestry. Save the date … [Read more...] about Portland Indigenous Marketplace

Member of the Living on the Cheap Network

lotc_logo_100_gray_bgPortland Living on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.
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