What To Do in Portland This October

Welcome to fall! 🍁 Peak fall foliage in the Portland area starts in the middle of October. Look for brightly colored maple trees at Portland Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum, not to mention a street near you, and, a little later, golden larch trees at Kenilworth Park and further afield.

Here are some more tips and events to enjoy October to the fullest:

Tips for October

💉 Get Your COVID and Flu Shots

Winter is flu season and COVID is here to stay, so it’s time to get your shots. If you’ve had COVID in the last three months, consider waiting for that vaccine. But otherwise roll up your sleeve.

🌧️ Adopt a Storm Drain

The rain starts at the same time as the leaves start falling in droves. That’s a recipe for clogged storm drains and massive puddles. Consider “adopting” your nearest storm drain and cleaning it out for all involved. (Tips to stay safe: Use a rake, never use your hands. And put on a pair of gloves.)

Enjoy the Season

🍏 Visit Your Friendly Apple and Pear Orchards

We are also nearing peak apple and pear season. If you’re looking for a expedition, check out the Fruit Loop near Hood River.

🎃 Watch People Race Giant Gourds

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, on Oct. 20, seems more fiction than fact. But truly, people do in fact grow 1,000-lb. pumpkins and other squash to turn them into boats and race across a lake in Tualatin.

Celebrate Halloween

The month ends with Halloween, though super fans have already decked out their houses.

🧙 Halloweentown

The city of St. Helens, Ore., was the setting for the Disney movie “Halloweentown” in 1998. That was a while ago, but the town still celebrates the holiday each weekend this month with a festival.

👻 Portland’s Halloween Street

Or if you want to stay in town, Montavilla’s answer to Peacock Lane is all-out trick-or-treating extravaganza, complete with haunted house, along Southeast Taylor Street between 76th and 80th Avenues.