Photo by Kevin Bidwell from Pexels
Stay busy on New Year’s Day with these weekend activities.
Welcome to 2024, everyone! January 1 is full for free and cheap activities to get you moving and exploring our wonderful city this year. Whether you like to be indoors or outdoors during the holiday, there is something for you to do.
If you want to ring in the new year out on the town on December 31, I have a list of free and cheap New Year’s Eve events. You can also take the headache out of finding and paying for parking with free Trimet rides starting at 8 p.m.
What to Do in Portland on New Year’s Day
Get Free Entrance to Oregon and Washington State Parks
State parks in Oregon and Washington are encouraging people to get outside on January 1. Some parks are hosting free guided first day hikes, and all Washington park entrance fees are waived.
Also, Tryon Creek Natural Area is hosting free guided hikes throughout the day. You can get free parking at Portland metro parks and throughout Portland’s parking districts.
Go Roller Skating at Oaks Park
The Oaks Park Roller Rink offers year-round fun for Portlanders with skating available seven days a week. This is such a fun, nostalgic activity for your friend group or whole family to enjoy. The roller rink at Oaks Park has open skate from 1-5 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Oaks Park is at 7805 SE Oaks Park Way in Portland.
Visit OMSI
Portland’s science museum is open on Monday, January 1 starting at 9:30 a.m. See a movie, view the latest exhibit or check out the planetarium.
Go to the (Cheap) Movies
Want to see the new Avatar without paying $13+ per person? Check out these 8 movie theaters that sell $7 tickets.
Play Putt Putt at Glowing Greens
Go underground downtown for glow in the dark putt putt golf. Glowing Greens is open from 12-8 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Peruse Powell’s Books
That’s right. Portland’s beloved bookstore is open for your perusing pleasure. The Burnside, Cedar Hills Crossing and Hawthorne locations are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Hours vary at all other locations.
Go Thrifting
Find a memento to decorate your home or an outfit for the new year. Portland has more than 50 thrift and consignment stores filled with treasures. Pick a Portland neighborhood you haven’t spent time in and explore a few shops.
Ride the Free Shuttle at Washington Park
Access all the awesome attractions at Washington Park is on the free shuttle. The shuttle runs on a continuous loop throughout the park, arriving at designated stops every 15 minutes. During the winter, the shuttle is running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See a list of all the stops and attractions.
Get Cheap Admission to Oregon Zoo Lights
If you aren’t ready for the holiday magic to end, visit Oregon Zoo Lights on New Year’s Day and pay only $12 per person. Value Night pricing is also available January 5-7.
For a free light display, take a drive out to Sandy’s holiday lights in Meinig Park. Lights are on through January 2.
Take a Drive to Vista House
Sitting atop Crown Point, Vista House is the crown jewel of the Columbia River Gorge. While the viewpoint is always open, you can go inside Vista House Friday-Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Go Whale Watching
I know this isn’t technically in Portland, but it is whale watching season on the Oregon Coast! Take a spontaneous trip to one of 15 viewing locations along the coastline.
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