Portland is United State's undisputed Capitol of Weird. From museums dedicated entirely to old ladies' hats to mysterious underground Shanghai tunnels, it's hard to go anywhere in Portland without stumbling across an offbeat travel gem... and lucky for you, we've got the best ones collected right here.
Even if strip clubs aren't your thing, you can at least appreciate the weirdness that is Pirate's Cove. Located at 74th Sandy St, this Portland Landmark has been a must-see spot for the last 80 years! Known as the most friendly strip club in the state, the Pirate's Cove is, in fact, shaped like a giant rum bottle. Yar!
Tip: If you dare to venture inside (the bar alone is worth it), know that it's cash only.
Owned and operated by the creators of Dark Horse Comics, Things from Another World is basically Disneyland for comic book lovers. Serving the nerdy since 1979, Things From Another World has one of the most extensive collections of comics, superhero paraphernalia, and rare collectibles imaginable, and it's all in one place.
Tip: If you can manage it, visit on a Wednesday - new comic book day - and it's basically a party.
With collections that range anywhere from novelty, retro, vintage and international, The Hat Museum has one of the most intensive collections of head-gear accessories in the country. You don't even need to be a hat nerd to appreciate the fashionable collection. One of the most popular exhibits is the 1910 Craftsman-style collection of hats, which is home to vintage Nurse's caps, deerstalkers (the kind of hat Sherlock Holmes wears) and retro Stetsons.
Tip: Thanks to some funky ticket pricing, the Hat Museum is best seen with a group. It'll run you $75 for a group of 1-6, so the more people you can wrangle, the cheaper the overall cost.
Not only has Starks been selling people vacuums since 1932, they also own and curate the Starks Vacuum Museum. The walls of the museum are completely covered with over 300 different vacuums that range anywhere from 19th century models to that space-age cleaner your grandmother used to own in the 1960s.
Tip: The Vacuum Museum is located inside an actual vacuum shop, so don't get scared off if a salesman approaches you. Just tell him what you're looking for and he'll point the way.
Mr. Frank Kidd was a lifetime collector in the field of children's toys. His obsession started off with vehicular toys, and eventually grew into The Kidd Toy Museum.
Today the museum is home to hundreds of still banks, planes, character toys, badges, railroad locks, and even early Oregon memorabilia... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. The toys come from as far back as 1869, and are pretty much guaranteed to grab anyone's curiosity.
Tip: You can't beat the price of the Kidd Toy Museum - it's FREE! Their only request is that you sign their guestbook.
Is it any surprise that something as quirky as the world's smallest park is in Portland, Oregon? The little recreational area known as Mill Ends Park is a minuscule 452 inches square, and it's located on SW Naito Parkway's median strip. Unfortunately, there's enough room in the park for just one visitor at a time.
The tiny little park first sprouted up in 1948-- it was originally intended to be the site of a light pole, but when the pole didn't arrive, the hole dug for it became overgrown with weeds. On St. Patrick's Day in 1948, Reporter Dick Fagan held an official dedication for his new park, which he called "Mill Ends"... he also claimed that it's home to a leprechaun named Patrick O'Toole!
Cargo Imports isn't just an antique store, it's mixture between an art gallery and retail warehouse, where importers from around the world put their uncommon objects on display. The store is stocked floor-to-ceiling with folk art, quirky furniture, handmade jewelry, and pretty much any weird treasure your heart could desire. Just be prepared to leave with a lighter wallet.
Tip: Adding to the magical charm of Cargo Imports is their staff palm reader, just in case you need your fortune read while you browse.
No offbeat road trip to the land of the weird would be complete without a stop at The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium. Not only do they have a 10-foot tall Bigfoot, a zombie brain, and an interactive alien autopsy, they also serve up Bugeaters Delight Sundaes with dried mealworms and scorpions on top. Sounds gross, but if you can down the whole thing in one sitting you're a club member for life!
Tip: Admission is FREE! Be sure to browse the collection of oddities for sale: most of them were locally made!
Cats and people go together like coffee and cream, which might explain why cat cafes have become all the rage. One half of the Purrington's Cat Lounge is cat-free and dedicated to delicious food and beverages, and the other is a cat rescue where you can spend some time with the furry adoptable kitties... and who knows maybe give one a forever home.
Tip: Reservations are encouraged, because seriously, everyone loves kittens. Prices are $5 for half an hour, $8 for an hour.
Voodoo Donuts is world-famous. If you're a fan of donuts, then there's a very good chance you're familiar with this bakery's bright pink box of sugary goodness.
Tips: It's not uncommon for the line at Voodoo Doughnut to wrap around the block, so expect to wait for a bit before you get your grub. It's worth it, though.
The Shanghai Tunnels are rumored to be the most haunted place in America. The basement tunnels were an underground network used by alleged kidnappers known as "shanghaiiers". Often times, people will report hearing the sounds of screaming or moaning coming from the darkness, and even children crying. Tours of the tunnels are sure to terrify!
Tip: If you have respiratory issues, you might want to avoid - this tour puts you down in the dusty tunnels below the city for nearly two hours. Expect to spend about $15 bucks a person.
Now that you're prepared, your trip is guaranteed to be as weird as possible... which lets be honest, isn't too hard when you're in Portland.