Portland Art Museum reopened its transformed campus on 20 November 2025, after a $116 million capital project added 100,000 square feet of new and upgraded space. The centrepiece is the new Mark Rothko Pavilion, named for the artist who grew up in Portland.
This guide was updated in June 2026. Any guide written before late 2025 describes a museum that no longer exists in its old form. You can book through GetYourGuide to secure your ticket before you travel.
Portland Art Museum quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, Oregon 97205 |
| Hours | Tue–Sun 10am–5pm; closed Monday |
| Adult admission | $27.50 |
| Seniors (65+) | $24.50 |
| Students | $22.50 |
| Children 17 and under | Free |
| Nearest transit | Art Museum streetcar stop (NS/A loop), short walk |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours |
Why book Portland Art Museum tickets?
- 🏛️ A $116 million transformation: a new Rothko Pavilion and 100,000 square feet of fresh gallery space, completed in late 2025.
- 🎟️ Free for everyone under 18: children and teens never pay, whatever their residency.
- 🌿 Named for a Portland kid: the new pavilion honours Mark Rothko, who grew up in the city.
- 📜 Free the first Thursday of every month: admission is free from 10am to 7pm.
- 💰 Free for caregivers: companions of disabled visitors are always admitted free.
Portland Art Museum opening hours
Portland Art Museum opens at 10am and closes at 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is closed every Monday. On the first Thursday of each month, it stays open until 7pm and admission is free. The museum occasionally closes for public holidays, including Independence Day, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re visiting around a holiday weekend.
Portland Art Museum ticket prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $27.50 |
| Seniors (65+) | $24.50 |
| Students | $22.50 |
| Children 17 and under | Free |
| Members | Free |
These are the standard admission prices in US dollars. Children 17 and under always enter free, and members never pay. Booking in advance through GetYourGuide is a straightforward way to secure your ticket before you travel. About a third of all visitors see the museum for free or at a reduced price, through programmes including free first Thursdays, a $5 rate for Oregon Trail cardholders, and a Multnomah County Library Discovery Pass offering two free admissions.
5 great Portland experiences to book
- 🌊 See the best beaches and views on a full day Oregon coast tour.
- 🏞️ Get a work out on a half day hiking tour to Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge.
- 🚢 Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Willamette River.
- 👻 Hear ghost stories on an underground tour of the haunted Shanghai tunnels – with beer tastings.
- 🍽️ Taste 6 local and global dishes on a downtown food tour.
Getting to Portland Art Museum
By streetcar: The Art Museum stop (NS and A loop lines) is right outside the entrance.
By bus: The SW 10th and Jefferson stop is served by routes 6, 38, 45, 55, 58 and 68.
By car: Metered accessible parking is available on Park Ave and 10th Ave; a paid lot at Park and Main also has accessible spaces.
Portland Art Museum parking
Portland Art Museum doesn’t have its own car park, since it’s in the heart of downtown. Metered street parking runs along Park Ave and 10th Ave, and a paid lot at the corner of Park and Main is right next to the museum. Public transit is often the simpler option, given how central the location is.
How long to spend at Portland Art Museum
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the museum’s two historic buildings and the new Rothko Pavilion. Allow longer if a major touring exhibition, like the current David Hockney show, is on.
Portland Art Museum accessibility
Portland Art Museum has invested heavily in accessibility as part of its recent transformation. All galleries are reachable by one of four lifts, complimentary manual wheelchairs are available without a reservation, and a dedicated Head of Accessibility is on staff. The museum also offers EnChroma glasses, magnifiers, bone-conduction headphones and iPads loaded with accessibility apps at the admissions desk.
What to see at Portland Art Museum
The Mark Rothko Pavilion: This new glass-fronted wing, completed in 2025, gives the museum a welcoming “front door” onto a public plaza and links the museum’s two historic buildings.
David Hockney: Works from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation: This major touring exhibition, on view through 26 July 2026, spans six decades of Hockney’s prints, photographs and digital paintings.
Native American art: One of the most visited collections in the museum, reached via the Rothko Pavilion’s elevators, this gallery holds an extensive collection from across North America.
Rick Bartow: Storyteller: This exhibition, running through May 2027, traces the Wiyot artist’s self-portraits and depictions of animals across his decades-long career.
Whitsell Family Gallery and PAM CUT: Housed in the new pavilion, this gallery and the museum’s film arm screen works of new media and visual storytelling alongside the permanent collection.
Portland Art Museum practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visit on the first Thursday of the month | Admission is free from 10am to 7pm, though it’s also the busiest time to visit. |
| Book ahead for major exhibitions | Book tickets in advance through GetYourGuide to guarantee entry on a busy day. |
| Bring ID for discounted tickets | Several discount programmes, including the military and Oregon Trail rates, require ID at the box office. |
| Use the elevators, not just the obvious one | Some galleries, including Native American art, are reachable only via specific lifts; ask staff for directions. |
| Check current exhibition dates | Major shows like the Hockney exhibition run on a fixed schedule and won’t be on view indefinitely. |
Portland Art Museum FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the museum newly renovated? | Yes. A $116 million transformation added the Rothko Pavilion and 100,000 square feet of space, completed in November 2025. |
| How much does admission cost? | $27.50 for adults, with reduced rates for seniors and students, and free entry for everyone 17 and under. |
| Is admission ever free? | Yes, from 10am to 7pm on the first Thursday of every month. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | Yes, with elevators throughout, free wheelchairs to borrow, and a dedicated accessibility team. |
| How long should I plan to stay? | Most visitors spend two to three hours, longer with a major touring exhibition on. |
Things to do near Portland Art Museum
South Park Blocks: The tree-lined park stretches right past the museum’s entrance, good for a walk before or after your visit.
Oregon Historical Society Museum: Next door, this museum covers Oregon’s history with free admission to its ground floor.
Pioneer Courthouse Square: A short walk away, this is Portland’s main public square, often called the city’s “living room.”
Powell’s City of Books: A short walk away, this is one of the largest independent bookstores in the world.
Director Park: A short walk away, this small urban park has a fountain and café seating, good for a break.
What to visit tomorrow near Portland Art Museum
A handful of other Pacific Northwest art museums make a good day trip from Portland.
Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem: About 45 minutes’ drive away, this university museum focuses on Pacific Northwest and Native American art.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene: About 1 hour 45 minutes’ drive away, this University of Oregon museum holds a strong collection of Asian and contemporary art.
Maryhill Museum of Art, Goldendale: About 2 hours’ drive away, this museum overlooking the Columbia River has an unexpected collection of Rodin sculptures.
Tacoma Art Museum: A little over 2 hours’ drive away in Washington State, this museum specialises in art of the American West and studio glass.
More Oregon travel
Other Oregon travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Is Portland really full of hipsters?
- A seedy history of Portland on a Shanghai Tunnels tour.
- Plan your visit to Pittock Mansion in Portland.
- Guides to the highlights of Portland’s Washington Park: Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum, the Portland Japanese Garden, World Forestry Center and International Rose Test Garden.
- Guide to the top ten sights along the Columbia River Gorge.
