Top 20 Things To Do In Gresham, Oregon

things to do in gresham oregon
Rachelle Anne
Rachelle Anne 
Published
| 9 min read

Gresham is known as one of the largest cities in Oregon. It’s full of diverse and unique attractions. For example, Downtown Gresham has many quirky museums and establishments, which are rich with history. You can learn about this fascinating city while having some fun. Visit several public art installments and appreciate the works of Gresham’s creative minds. Hike on trails, such as Springwater Trail, and develop a newfound appreciation for nature. Enjoy some wine and dine at one of the lovely wineries scattered across the city. Engage in some outdoor activities with family in Sandy River. Read on for more details about the top things to do in Gresham, Oregon.

1. Enjoy bird-watching at Bella Vista Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Bella Vista Park is one of the local neighborhood parks, which is perfect for spending fun times with your kids. Park-goers can plan a picnic with some friends or do some peaceful bird-watching alone. There are a lot of places to explore across the 8.1-acre (3.3-hectare) park. You can play ball in the half-court basketball area or go for a quick jog on the paved path. Bring your kids out to the playground or tot lot. Read a good book on the lawn or have lunch with family at the picnic table.

Bella Vista Park

Address: 401 NW Bella Vista Dr, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Bella Vista Park

Opening hours: April 1 - Sept. 30: 5am - 10pm (daily); Oct. 1 to March 31: 6am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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2. Take a leisurely stroll along Nadaka Loop Trail

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Nadaka Nature Park on Friday, October 11, 2019

Nadaka Nature Park used to be a former Camp Fire Girl’s Nature Day Camp. Now, it’s a 10-acre (4-hectare) property with play areas, public art, and community gardens. It also has a path for walking or jogging, a forest, and a lawn. It takes up a total of 12 acres (4.9 hectares) of land and hosts free community events, such as nature walks, bird walks, and clean-up drives. Within the Nadaka Nature Park is Nadaka Loop Trail, which is a .5-mile (.8-kilometer) trail. This soft-surfaced trail is one of the best areas in the community where you can appreciate the simplicity of nature.

Nadaka Loop Trail

Address: 17550 NE Pacific St., Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Nadaka Loop Trail

Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free

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3. Watch a soccer game at Gradin Community Sports Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re the sporty kind, Gradin Community Sports Park is the place for you. This sports park with trees features two soccer fields and two softball fields. Not only do park-goers get to play sports here but also marvel at spectacular views of the buttes in Mt. Hood National Forest. The master plan of the park consists of a 35,000-square foot (3251.6-square meter) community building, along with two new half-court basketball courts and a skate park. For now, park-goers can take an afternoon stroll along the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) path, which is surrounded by a variety of trees, or watch a community soccer game.

Gradin Community Sports Park

Address: 2303 SE Palmquist Rd, Gresham, OR 97080, USA

Website: Gradin Community Sports Park

Opening hours: 8am - 10:10pm (daily)

Price: Free

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4. Appreciate nature at Butler Creek Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Butler Creek Trail is the perfect trail for those who want to admire the beauty of nature up close. This trail can be found in Butler Creek Park, a 4-acre (1.6-hectare) community park with tot lots, barbecue grills, and basketball courts. It links Binford Lake and Springwater Trail together. It’s 1.4 miles (2.3 kilometers) long. It allows people to go on a hike along the route of Butler Creek, which features dense forests, Binford Lake, and a footbridge over Johnson Creek. At 6pm every day, tourists are encouraged to meet at the picnic tables by Binford Lake for a 90-minute tour program along the trail.

Butler Creek Trail

Address: Butler Creek Park, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Butler Creek Trail

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

Price: Free

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5. Buy fresh produce at Gresham Farmers’ Market

Gresham Farmers' Market
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jeff Muceus used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Agriculture is deeply rooted in Gresham’s history. In fact, the city used to have vast areas just for farming a multitude of berries. Gresham Farmers’ Market is filled with vendors that sell homemade goods, handmade crafts, and fresh produce. It provides the opportunity for consumers to buy directly from producers themselves and boost the local economy. Visitors can purchase tokens and have transactions at ATMs at the market information booth. The market is only open on Saturdays, from May to October, so plan your visits accordingly to enjoy fresh food and live music.

Gresham Farmers' Market

Address: NW 3rd St, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Gresham Farmers’ Market

Opening hours: May 1 - Oct. 30: Sat: 8:30am - 2pm

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6. Attend a star show at Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Explore the wonders of space from the comforts of Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium Sky Theater. With new shows every season, visitors can experience breathtaking star shows or eye-opening night sky lectures. Planetarium Sky Theater can host up to 70 people and is also handicap-accessible. Admission comes at a rate of $5 for adults and $2 for anyone 17 years old or younger, but visitors can also reserve private shows for groups with prior notice.

Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium

Address: 26000 SE Stark St, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Mt. Hood Community College Planetarium

Price: 5 USD (general public)/2 USD (17 and younger)

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7. View the Downtown Gresham Memory Mural

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The 60-foot (18.3-meter) long Downtown Gresham Memory Mural was painted from 2016 to 2017 by artist Lee Lauritzen. This memory wall depicts the personal history, culture, and life of the people in Gresham. Both new and old settings, such as Tsuru Island’s Japanese garden and berry-picking fields, were painted with vibrant colors and amazing detail. In fact, the Gresham community had over 200 images portrayed in the mural, making it quite a trip down memory lane for anyone who passes by.

Downtown Gresham Memory Mural

Address: 301 NE Roberts Ave, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Downtown Gresham Memory Mural

Price: Free

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8. Splash around at Children’s Fountain

Children’s Fountain
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Another Believer used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you’re looking for a place where you can have fun with your kids, then check out Children’s Fountain at Gresham Arts Plaza. Gresham Arts Plaza is open to the public. Visitors can bike around or admire some public art at this plaza. Out of all the family-friendly amenities at Gresham Arts Plaza, it’s safe to say that Children’s Fountain is the most popular. The plaza has two fountains for toddlers and older kids. Both these fountains make use of clean chlorinated water, which is completely safe for kids to splash around in.

Gresham Arts Plaza

Address: 401 NE 2nd St, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Gresham Arts Plaza

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)

Price: Free

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9. Kayak at Oxbow Regional Park

Oxbow Regional Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Emilia12345 used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

While there are several parks worth a visit in Gresham, Oxbow Regional Park is for those who want to see the breathtaking Sandy River Gorge. Visitors can choose to swim, kayak, raft, or fish in Sandy River. If water sports aren’t your style, you can go for a hike on several trails and explore the forests. If you want something more calming, take outdoor classes to learn about local forest species and how to track wildlife. After a day of connecting with nature, visitors can opt to dine al fresco in group shelters or camp in the woods.

Oxbow Regional Park

Address: 3010 SE Oxbow Pkwy, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Oxbow Regional Park

Opening hours: 6:30am - 7pm (daily)

Price: Free

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10. Skate at Main City Park

Main City Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SkateOregon used under CC BY 2.0

Gresham’s Main City Park cuts through Springwater Trail and covers almost 22 acres (8.9 hectares) of land. Enjoy some fresh air on several ledges, ramps, banks, and other skate course features. The park has several other amenities, such as a baseball field, horseshoe pits, off-leash dog areas, and barbecue grills. Visitors can also visit Gresham Heroes Memorial, explore the Tsuru Island (Japanese Garden), or watch a little league game.

Main City Park

Address: 219 S Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Gresham Main City Park

Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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11. Have a picnic at Hogan Butte Nature Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Hogan Butte Nature Park on Tuesday, July 30, 2019

No matter which season you choose to visit, Hogan Butte Nature Park promises amazing views of mountains and a calming environment. Right on top of Hogan Butte, the nature park has views like no other. Visitors can go on picnics or strolls while marveling at staggering views of Cascade Mountain Range. The nature park also has a paved interpretive loop trail for biking or jogging, which is ADA-accessible. Visitors can also familiarize themselves with the flora and fauna with the help of educational signages, which are available in English, Spanish and Russian.

Hogan Butte Nature Park

Address: 757 SE Gabbert Rd, Gresham, OR 97080, USA

Website: Hogan Butte Nature Park

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

Price: Free

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12. Get adventurous at House of Shadows

Posted by The House Of Shadows on Tuesday, October 22, 2019

House of Shadows is definitely not for kids or the faint-hearted. This full-contact haunted house has visitors running away from crazy hillbillies and nightmare scarecrows. Visitors may find themselves in a casket or splattered with fake blood. With the attraction’s several indoor and outdoor events, you can get the fright of your life running through cornfields or navigating houses in the dark with nothing but a glow stick. For less petrifying attractions, visitors can head to neighboring attractions such as the child-friendly Hollow Vista Cemetery.

House of Shadows

Address: 2925 NW Division St, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 7pm - 11pm; Sun - Thu: 7pm - 10pm

Price: 30 USD

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13. See a movie at Mt. Hood Theatre

Mt. Hood Theater
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Drown Soda used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Catch the latest movies and grab some gourmet popcorn at Mt. Hood Theatre. Even though the theatre is a bit rundown and only shows one movie at a time, it’s one of the town’s beloved places. It has served the people of Gresham since 1949. It is famous for its drive-up concession items. Moviegoers can purchase interesting items, such as fudge puppies, gift cards, popcorn buckets, and pineapple dole whips for $20 and below.

Mt. Hood Theatre

Address: 401 Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Mt. Hood Theatre

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 4pm - 7pm; Sat: 2pm - 7pm; Sun: 2pm - 5pm (closed on Mon & Wed)

Price: 7 USD

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14. Check out artifacts at Zimmerman House Museum

Zimmerman House Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Finetooth used under CC BY-SA 3.0

When visiting Zimmerman House Museum, there are several ways to immerse yourself in the past. View living history presentations, join educational programs, browse through exhibits, and participate in activities with family and friends. As one of the rarest historical house museums throughout the country, Zimmerman House Museum features an enormous collection of historical artifacts that have been preserved for over 120 years. While visiting the museum, feel free to roam around Zimmerman Heritage Farm. You can also explore Zimmerman Heritage Garden to learn about Zimmerman’s life.

Zimmerman House Museum

Address: 17111 NE Sandy Boulevard, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Zimmerman House Museum

Opening hours: September - June, 3rd Saturday every month: 12pm - 4pm; July - August, every Saturday: 12pm - 4pm

Price: Free

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15. Bike at Gresham-Fairview Trail

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Bike through the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) Gresham-Fairview Trail and stop by one of the urban wetlands for some fresh air. This trail is connected to Springwater Trail, which runs over Powell Boulevard, with a newly constructed 177-foot (53.9-meter) pedestrian bridge. Those that choose to travel along the trail will get the chance to pass by Johnson Creek, Fairview Creek, Columbia River, and Columbia Slough. Visitors can access the asphalt trail through Northeast Halsey Street at 201st Avenue or through Springwater Trail at SW 10th Avenue.

Gresham-Fairview Trail

Address: Gresham-Fairview Trail, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Gresham-Fairview Trail

Price: Free

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16. Explore Gresham History Museum

Gresham History Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Visitor7 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Gresham History Museum is a historic building that hosts exhibits and lectures. Other than walking around the museum and checking out artifacts, visitors can explore Carl & Ada Zimmerman’s Research Room. This room holds a non-circulating special collection of books and archives. To top it all off, visitors can get copies of the collection for $1 each and can take photos for a $10 permission fee.

Gresham History Museum

Address: 410 N Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Gresham History Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 10pm - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: Free

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17. Hike the Springwater Trail

Springwater Trail
Source: Photo by Flickr user brx0 used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Springwater Trail is one of the largest trails in Gresham. Visitors can do more than just biking at this trail. In fact, Springwater Trail is the only trail that allows horse-back riding. Other recreational activities you can do here include inline skating and cross-country skiing. Moreover, the 21.5 mile (34.6-kilometer) trail is home to a variety of plants and wildlife. Seeing different kinds of plants and animals will make hiking and cycling even more fun. Visitors can access the trail from Main City Park, Linnemann Station, and Hogan Road Trailhead.

Springwater Trail

Address: Springwater Corridor Trail, Gresham, OR, USA

Website: Springwater Trail

Price: Free

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18. Grill barbecue at Red Sunset Park

Red Sunset Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Another Believer used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Red Sunset Park is a 14-acre (5.7-hectare) community park, which has two group picnic shelters. These group picnic shelters are available for events and parties. The park is a lovely place where you can spend the day with family. Kids will have fun in the playgrounds, softball field, or soccer field. Send your kids for summer youth recreational lessons from June to August and let them grab some free lunch at the park every day. In addition to this, Red Sunset Park is one of the few parks with barbecue grills, so it is one of the best spots for a barbecue party with family on the weekend.

Red Sunset Park

Address: 2403 NE Red Sunset Dr, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Red Sunset Park

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

Price: Free

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19. Relish some cocktails at Spinella's

Posted by Spinella's on Friday, April 3, 2020

If you’re looking for some classy cocktails, then Spinella’s is worth checking out. This restaurant has several specialties that are now available for takeout. While there are definitely plenty of distinct restaurants and cafes to dine at in Gresham, Spinella’s is a must. The gourmet restaurant is known for its homey vibe and mouthwatering dishes and desserts. It also offers live music, karaoke nights, and Paint Nites on Fridays. It even has a full-service bar available to keep the fun going all night.

Spinella's

Address: 436 N Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Spinella’s

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 3pm - 9pm; Sat: 1pm - 9pm; Sun: 1pm - 8pm

Price: 11 - 16 USD

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20. Relish kebabs at Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine

Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Another Believer used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine has been owned and branched out by the same family for more than 30 years. Starting off as a retirement investment, the establishment has since then grown into a well-known and well-loved chain of restaurants that serve authentic home-cooked Lebanese food. It is best known for using black ovens to prepare oven-baked bread, pizzas, and calzones. It also offers kabob bowls, half wraps, and mezze, all spiced perfectly to capture genuine Middle Eastern flavor.

Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine

Address: 323 N Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97030, USA

Website: Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm

Price: 11 - 30 USD

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Have fun in Gresham

Gresham is a wonderful city in Oregon where you can spend your next vacation with family. You will enjoy exploring nature parks, trails, creeks, and rivers. If you want to get away from life for a bit and connect with the beauty of nature, a trip to Gresham may be exactly what you need. Plan your getaway with this list of the top things to do in the city.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Rachelle Anne is a person who takes pleasure in acquiring knowledge across various domains. During her leisure time, she engages in reading or listening to podcasts, accompanied by a cup of dark...Read more

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