RiverPlace Hotel is an independent, 85-room hotel on the Willamette River in Downtown Portland, Oregon, one block from Tom McCall Waterfront Park. In fall, that address puts you steps from riverfront maples, a short walk from Portland's largest farmers market, and a quick drive from some of the best autumn color in the Pacific Northwest.
Fall is when Portland slows down and gets cozy. The summer crowds thin out, the Japanese maples in Washington Park turn fire-red, and the city's coffee shops, bookstores and restaurants become the main event. Here's how to spend three days making the most of it.
What is the weather like in Portland in the fall?
September still feels like summer, October brings the first real rain, and November is cool and wet. Pack layers and a rain jacket, and plan one indoor anchor for each afternoon.
Month | Avg. high (°F) | Avg. low (°F) | Avg. precipitation (in.) |
|---|---|---|---|
September | 77 | 54 | 1.5 |
October | 64 | 47 | 3.4 |
November | 54 | 41 | 5.5 |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Portland International Airport.
Day 1: Settle in on the river
Check-in starts at 4 PM, which leaves just enough daylight for a first look at the Willamette. Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a three-minute walk from the lobby, and the flat riverside path runs north under the Hawthorne, Morrison and Burnside bridges. Cross the Hawthorne Bridge and loop back along the 1.5-mile Eastbank Esplanade for skyline views across the water, or borrow one of the hotel's complimentary PUBLIC bikes and cover more ground.
For dinner, stay close. RiverPlace Kitchen + Bar serves dinner daily from 5 to 9 PM, with a patio that overlooks the Willamette on the evenings the weather cooperates.
Day 2: Farmers market, maples and a show
Start with complimentary La Colombe coffee in the lobby, then walk eight blocks (about 10 minutes) to the Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University. The Saturday market runs 8:30 AM to 2 PM through October and 9 AM to 2 PM from November, with as many as 100 stalls of Oregon produce, baked goods, flowers and specialty foods. Fall is peak harvest, so come hungry.
In the afternoon, drive 16 minutes (3.3 miles) to the Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park. Its 12 acres span eight garden styles, and autumn is when the maples put on their brightest show. Next door, Hoyt Arboretum is free to explore and its Maple Trail features nearly 130 maple species across 12 miles of trail. The Japanese Garden is closed Tuesdays, so plan around it.
Back downtown, the Keller Auditorium is five blocks (about six minutes on foot) from RiverPlace Hotel for Broadway tours, concerts and comedy.
Day 3: Brunch, markets and a city of books
Brunch at RiverPlace Kitchen + Bar runs daily from 7 AM to 1 PM. Afterward, head 1.1 miles to the Portland Saturday Market, which opens every Saturday and Sunday from March through Christmas Eve and has been running since 1974. It bills itself as the largest continuously operating open-air arts and crafts market in the country.
If the rain rolls in, it's the perfect excuse for Powell's City of Books in the Pearl District. It fills an entire city block with roughly one million new and used books, and it's open daily until 9 PM.
What makes RiverPlace Hotel a good fall base?
Fireplaces are the fall upgrade. The 625-square-foot Mount Hood Suite and the Fireplace Suites have wood-burning fireplaces, and the one- and two-bedroom River View Residences add full kitchens, washers and dryers, and balconies overlooking the marina, the Willamette and Portland's bridges.
Every room includes a yoga mat, and the fitness center is open 24/7 with a Peloton bike. On rainy evenings, borrow from the board game and puzzle library. Dogs of every size and breed are welcome for $35 per night, and Waterfront Park is right outside for the morning walk.
Fall FAQ
How far is RiverPlace Hotel from Tom McCall Waterfront Park? One block, about a three-minute walk.
Does RiverPlace Hotel have rooms with fireplaces? Yes. The Mount Hood Suite, the Fireplace Suites and both River View Residences have fireplaces.
Is RiverPlace Hotel pet-friendly? Yes. Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome for $35 per night.
Is parking available? Valet parking is $60 per night, and complimentary EV charging is available first-come, first-served.