COOLING CENTERS

MOVIE THEATERS

Academy Theater Like List
This Montavilla movie house has repertory screenings in addition to new releases and serves food from neighbors Flying Pie Pizza and Miyamoto sushi.
Montavilla

Cinema 21
Like List Check out independent, foreign language, documentary, and classic movies at this art house movie theater, which was built in 1926.
Nob Hill

Laurelhurst Theater Like List
Catch Nope, Jordan Peele's dip into sci-fi, or the adorable Marcel the Shell With Shoes On in the comfort of A/C while enjoying pizza, cold beer, and other concessions. 
Kerns

Living Room Theaters Like List
The downtown theater that provides the comfort of a living room, but with air conditioning, is blessedly cooler than your own. Watch the Miranda July-narrated documentary Fire of Love while avoiding the fiery temperatures outside.
West End

Studio One Theaters
Like List Kick back in one of the theater's plush sofas to enjoy new-American cuisine and current flicks like Nope, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Where the Crawdads Sing.
Richmond

SWIMMING POOLS

Portland Parks and Recreation's four indoor pools (East Portland, Matt Dishman, Mt. Scott, and Southwest) and seven outdoors pools (Creston, Grant, Montavilla, Peninsula, Pier, Sellwood, and Wilson) are all open for the season. Check the city's website for individual hours.

MUSEUMS

OMSI Like List
It's the perfect time to explore watery worlds in the James Cameron - Challenging the Deep Past Event Like List exhibit, get hyped for the upcoming Lord of the Rings show by rewatching the movies at the Middle-earth Film Festival Past Event Like List , or come out when the sun goes down for OMSI After Dark: Surf and Sand Past Event Like List .
Central Eastside

Oregon Historical Society
Like List The Beaver State’s documentarians have several exhibitions running to cater to a variety of interests, from A Century of Wonder: 100 Years of Oregon State Parks Past Event Like List to Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit Past Event Like List , which offers a look into the lasting effects of the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. The museum is also running its annual summer sales spectacular starting this week, with $5 book mystery bags and housewares. Multnomah County residents enjoy free admission with valid proof of residency (state-issued ID, driver's license, utility bill, etc.).
Downtown, Open Monday-Sunday

Portland Art Museum
Like List Check out the justice-minded exhibition Perspectives Past Event Like List , which compiles works by local BIPOC photographers who documented the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, or the new exhibition Forces of Nature: Ecology in Japanese Prints Past Event Like List , which opens this weekend.
Downtown, Open Wednesday-Sunday

Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Like List This museum located at Willamette University has nixed their admission fee for this week, inviting folks to come cool down and take in exhibitions like the transportive April Waters: Water-Ice-Sky, Antarctica Past Event Like List .
Salem, Open Tuesday-Saturday

MORE ACTIVITIES

Grand Central Bowl
Like List Grab a lane and some refreshments or hit the arcade (also with some refreshments) at this fun center.
Buckman, Monday-Sunday

Mox Boarding House
Like List Grab a crew of your friends and play your favorite tabletop games in the cool comfort of this cavernous game store and Parisian-inspired restaurant.
Goose Hollow, Monday-Sunday

Multnomah County Library Like List
Take advantage of the library’s A/C while making a dent in your summer reading list. Three libraries will be open extended hours for relief from high temperatures: Central (July 27-30 til 8 pm), Holgate (July 26-30 til 9 pm), and Gresham (July 26-30 til 9 pm).
Various locations

Pioneer Place Like List
It's kinda random, we know, but the downtown mall is playing host to an exhibit right now, and this week seems as good a time as any to check it out. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition Past Event Like List features reproductions of the Italian Renaissance artist's famous frescoes complete with audio narration. 
Downtown

Pips & Bounce
Like List Perfect your ping pong game in an air-conditioned atmosphere while enjoying "pong-tails," daily happy hour, and more.
Buckman, Wednesday-Sunday

Portland Mercury's Summer of Slushies
Past Event Like List Cool off with a frosty drink or three (it's really, really hot, y'all) at bars and restaurants across town for $6 a pop!
Various locations, Monday-Sunday

Portland Rock Gym
Like List Look, the idea of doing any sort of physical activity in these temperatures is so not our jam, but if you're trying to get some circuits in, head to this air-conditioned gym.
Kerns, Monday-Sunday

Powell’s City of Books Like List
Get lost in the towering stacks at the flagship location of Portland’s favorite independent bookseller. 
Pearl District, Monday-Sunday