There is a huge number of things to do in and around Portland, Oregon, but only if the weather cooperates. And, as most everyone knows, the weather in Portland is rarely good: the rainfall averages an equivalent 37.5 inches (950 mm) per year in downtown Portland, spread over 155 days a year (doesn't include the days it's too foggy to see anything past a block).

Portlandiers smirk and claim that the rain is gentle and short-lived - hogwash! They will also say, "Oh, it's not that bad hiking in the rain," but the rest of us know that hiking in the rain is no fun - there's no views, and even the smallest of hills become treacherous.

There are endless numbers of web sites and books that provide tips on what to do in Portland, but most, if not all of the suggestions, require the weather to be dry - and in some cases, to be clear as well (foggy days in rose gardens that supposedly have amazing views are no fun - trust me).

I made my own list of things to do in and around Portland, Oregon when it rains because my German in-laws have visited us twice in three years -- we live South of Portland -- and finding things to do when it rains, which is most of the time, has been a huge struggle. We're limited not only by language, but their rather limited interests in things like going to the movies, art museums or history museums (they aren't really interested in American history - and certainly not interested in museums where everything is in English-only). Most of the web sites I did find for things to do in Portland when it rains were focused on kids, or places to eat. This list doesn't either (here are many, many web sites with food suggestions already, and a restaurant takes care of 60 - 90 minutes - and a day has a lot more minutes than that. Food is always easy to find).

Suggestions for more things to do are welcomed!

Activity ideas for rainy days with adults in and around Portland

• Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (Spruce Goose)
  & McMinnville
  This is an all-day experience, thank goodness! Perfect for a rainy/super-foggy day. In addition to the airplanes and space craft, there's also an iMax theater that's always showing something worth watching. My in-laws loved it - even the iMax movie, which was in English only. This remains the best thing they've done in the area. (For the kids, there's a waterpark - not something most adults without kids are into). Nearby is the city of McMinnville, which has an historic downtown that is a good place to eat, get ice cream, or get coffee - and if the weather isn't too dreadful, for a short walk around.

• Woodburn outlet. This is a huge shopping complex South of Portland. Actually, maybe this is the highlight of my in-laws visits to the area, as they've been three times.

• The Aurora Colony antique shops and the Pacific Hazelnut Factory. The museum in the historic district is also worth visiting if you are interested in history or want to see the coolest - and I mean the coolest - music box you will ever see in your life. The antique shops are open Sundays, and many are open Monday as well; some are right downtown, but there are a few a bit South on 99, towards the hazelnut factory.

• Visit Canby: St. Joseph's Winery is scenic even on a rainy day - the tasting room is lovely. Canby also has two specialty chocolate shops, LadyBug and Puddin' River, the latter of which is also a restaurant. Note: Canby and Aurora are right next to each other.

• Portland Brew Bus Last I looked, it departs at 1:30 pm from the lobby of the DoubleTree Hotel at Lloyd Center, 1000 NE Multnomah Boulevard, Portland, just south of Lloyd Center. Only problem - someone has to NOT drink, so that person can drive everyone home after the tour (unless you are staying downtown and can walk).

• Powell's Books - This is a great half-day experience if your parents or other adult visitor's speak English and love books. But you will need something else to do in Portland to fill your day - and I don't mean just eating. So you could try...

• Historic Belmont Firehouse - This is in downtown Portland. Come on - who doesn't like to look at historic fire equipment?!

• Ballroom dancing, country dancing, any dancing in Portland - this web site says it lists all such partner dancing in Portland.
  

• Pearson Air Museum, Vancouver, Washington - this is the oldest operating air field in the West. This small museum displays vintage aircraft. Tiny compared to Evergreen, but gets descent reviews on TripAdvisor and Yelp. Check for the days it's open (it's not open every day). It's near Fort Vancouver.
  

• Portland Trail Blazers - professional basketball. If you can get tickets, if you like basketball, and if there's a game, here ya go.

• Portland Winterhawks. Portland's minor league hockey team, part of the Western Hockey League.

• Visiting Broadway and other tours, including Cirque du Soleil. Also see the Keller Auditorium | Portland Center for the Performing Arts web site.

• There are also a lot of colleges or universities in the area that have sporting events, theater performances, dance performances, etc. It will take some research on your part to find what's going on when.
  

• There are a fair number of concerts and tours in the area. See pollstar.com for bands and individual performers playing in the Portland area for any given time.

• Look at the web sites for city libraries throughout the area - Oregon City, Beaverton, Wilsonville, West Lynn, Canby, Newberg, etc. Often, they will have a musical performance that might be worth looking into.

• There's the Oregon Symphony (based in Portland), the Portland Baroque Orchestra, and oh so many more classical music groups in the area. Lewis and Clark College has a terrific, comprehensive list of such.

• Portland Ballet

• Portland Center Stage (live theater)

• Rose City Rollers - Portland's flat track roller derby league team. "The league’s goals are to serve our community by empowering women and girls, providing entertainment for our fans and supporting charitable causes." It's guaranteed to be a lively event.

• Oaks Park Skating Rink (Roller Skating)

• Spa day (massage, manicure, pedicure). There are many options in the area for this.

• Portland Zoo. I know, should be an outdoor activity, but several reviews on Yelp say that, if the rain isn't too bad, it's still a good thing to do.

• World Forestry Center - this doesn't get stellar reviews on yelp. But it is entirely in-doors, which means it's always dry!

• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Can be overwhelming when lots of kids are there, but does have some nice exhibits of interest to adults. Exhibits change regularly.
  

• Portland Art Museum, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, and oh-so-many art galleries.
  

• Oregon Historical Society and the Oregon History Museum. This Portland museum is really only for die-hard history fans, though check the web site for a current temporary exhibit that might be of interest.
  

• Oregon City: there's the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, the Museum of the Oregon Territory and the Oregon City Municipal Elevator. I suggest these only if you have done absolutely everything else and really are completely out of ideas - the museums don't get must-see reviews on Yelp.

• Oregon Maritime Museum

• See if there is something interesting at the Portland Convention Center.

• Lincoln City Cultural Center. This is out on the coast, so it's an all-day trip there and back. There is an in-door farmer's market/crafts market. Sometimes has concerts as well. It's an hour away from Tillamook (see next item). Check the schedule online before schlepping out there.
  

• Tillamook Cheese factory. This is all day trip from Portland out to the coast and back. You will have to leave super early from Portland to get there and back. It's an hour away from Lincoln City (see previous item). Call ahead to make sure its open and you can tour.
  

• Bonneville Dam - I could not find any official information about visiting the Dam. I did find this  information on an unofficial site: When visiting Bonneville Dam, you have three touring options:
  1) Explore the facilities on your own (self-guided)
, 2) Join in on an interpretive program or 
3) Schedule an interpretive program for your group.
 Phone 541-374-8820 for information on these tour options or to schedule a reservation. Supposedly, it's worth visiting even if it's raining. Here's the Yelp review of a dam visit.
  

• Go to the movies. There are iMax theaters, historic movie houses, art houses, and traditional mega cinemas showing a variety of current and classic movies throughout the Portland area.

• Churches, temples and mosques in the area have performances and open houses. It will take a lot of research on your part to find out what public events are happening at various houses of worship.
• Pubs with a British, Irish or Scottish theme will have World Cup soccer games in 2014, Euro games in 2016, summer Olympic games in 2012, winter Olympic games in 2014, and so forth. Watching international matches in such a pub, such as the Highland Still House in Oregon City (largest selection of single malt scotches in the Portland area), is a very lively 2 - 3 hour experience! Call first to make sure they will be showing the international game of your choice. Throw in a game of darts before or after the game, and a meal, and you've knocked out half a day.
  
• Find a bar that has pool, darts, table shuffleboard, or even better, a snooker table. Call first to make sure whatever table the Internet says a bar has is still there (and, indeed, to make sure a particular bar or pub is still open!)
  
• And your last option: Buy a wii, buy some beer, stay home and enjoy your living room.
  

Also see these travel resources (in a different section of my web site):

• Tips for women novice travelers - not Portland, Oregon-focused, though there are some Portland, Oregon resources there.
• for women who travel by motorcycle (or want to). Includes information on packing and accommodations.
• transire benefaciendo: "to travel along while doing good." Advice for those wanting to make their travel more than sight-seeing and shopping, whether in your own country or abroad.
• helpful hints for camping with your dogs in the USA.
• Saving Money with Park Passes in the USA (includes a caution for motorcycle riders regarding state parks.
• Using the Internet to Share Your Adventure During Your Adventure, advice on blogging, photo-sharing, tweeting, etc.

The rest of this section of my web site is focused mostly on community service, volunteering, etc. - not Portland specific:

Finding Community Service and Volunteering for Teens

How to Find Volunteering Opportunities, a resource for adults who want to volunteer

Advice for volunteering as a group / volunteering in a group

Volunteering with Seniors

Family Volunteer - Volunteering by Families with Children

You are NOT too young to volunteer! Ways you can volunteer, no matter how young you are

Advice for Finding Volunteer Activities During the Holidays

Using Your Business Skills for Good - Volunteering Your Business Management Skills, to help people starting or running small businesses / micro enterprises, to help people building businesses in high-poverty areas, and to help people entering or re-entering the work force.

Volunteering In Pursuit of a Medical, Veterinary or Social Work degree / career

Fund Raising For a Cause or Organization

Creating or Holding a Successful Community Event or Fund Raising Event.

Volunteering To Help After Major Disasters.

How to Make a Difference Internationally/Globally/in Another Country Without Going Abroad

Donating Things Instead of Cash or Time (In-Kind Contributions)

Details on how to quickly fill a community service obligation from a court or school.

Group Volunteering for Atheist and Secular Volunteers

Ideas for Funding Your Volunteering Abroad Trip.

Details on volunteering abroad (volunteering internationally).

Ideas for Leadership Volunteering Activities
These are more than just do-it-yourself volunteering - these are ideas to create or lead a sustainable, lasting benefit to a community, recruiting others to help and to have a leadership role as a volunteer. These can also be activities for the Girl Scouts Gold Award, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (U.K.), a mitzvah project, or even scholarship consideration.

Ideas for Creating Your Own Volunteering Activity.

Careers Working With Animals (for the benefit of animals)

Helping People Address Their Problems with Plastic
How to mobilize a community to clean up plastic bottles, plastic bags and other plastic waste from their environment, and how to reduce their use of such items in the future