October means it’s time for trick or treating! Portland is no exception, and there are plenty of places to trick or treat with your family. Businesses, zoos, and many other areas offer free special events for families to enjoy, and they are all worth checking out. However, the neighborhoods we’ll mention here are known for three things. A spooky look, a friendly face, and massive amounts of candy! So, let’s check out the neighborhoods that will take your Halloween to the next level!
Mt. Tabor
Mt. Tabor has been on the everyone-must-see list for about five years. They have huge houses and even more giant trees that showcase the neighborhood. The best part? The area is in the shadow of the only volcano in Portland. How often can you go trick-or-treating and say you’ll see an actual volcano? In addition, if you go a little further into nearby areas, you can see a Dia De Los Muertos theme that was Frida Kahlo-inspired.
Eastmoreland
Eastmoreland is incredibly spooky and a fantastic option for Halloween. It’s a historic neighborhood, and several houses along Reed College Place look like they’ve been transported from another time. It’s been said that families love coming here because many homes like giving out full-sized candy bars and treats. People enjoy this area so much because the historic buildings have a creepy vibe that makes you feel like you are inside a movie.
Ladd’s Addition
Well-known and extremely popular during the spooky season, this area is worth a look. We have some tips about the place that might help this season go smoother. It’s a prominent location, so you might lose your sense of direction, but if you do, ask one of the residents to point you to SE Elliot Avenue. For years, one of the residents who works at a Halloween store brings home massive amounts of decorations, and the house always looks amazing!
Our best tip for this neighborhood is to pay attention to your surroundings so you stay aware of your surroundings. Because many houses have a similar architectural structure, people have said it can be confusing to make your way through. However, people stop here because the area is always decorated beautifully, the people are friendly, and the candy score will be huge!
University Park
Think back to when you were a kid at Christmas. Do you remember seeing all the neighborhoods with inflatables and lights? If you loved it, you’d love University Park because it does Halloween the way houses go all out for Christmas. Be on the lookout for inflatable dragons, monsters, and scary surprises. It makes for an incredible time. However, one tip for families is to hit this area early, or college students surround you on their way to a party, and there are usually groups of intoxicated students wandering around as well. If you want to avoid your children being around it, we’d recommend trick or treating here around late afternoon or early evening.
The Wildwood Trail
Both older trick-or-treaters and young ones can enjoy this area, though older trick-or-treaters are recommended. It’s near Forest Park, and you must park near NW Thurman Ave. Take the bridge into the neighborhood, and you can walk around for miles. The treats are significant, the decorations are more prominent, and if you decide to keep going, park near the elementary school, and you can go down two other streets.
Additional Places to Check Out
Other great places to check out are Lake Oswego and the Multnomah Village, to name a couple. We’d also recommend the farmers markets, main street, and the multiple trunks or treat offers that the city has. The zoo also has an event where you can participate in a scavenger hunt, learn healthy habits, and obtain treat bags. The treat bags will cost you, and you must pay ticket admission, but this can still be an excellent event for families to enjoy.
Get Ready to Get Some Candy!
Each neighborhood stands out because they genuinely want the families to have a great time and enjoy their time. Because they go all out, each family has a great time, and the kids walk away with an entire bag full of candy they can trade or keep. Another thing to remember is that some of these areas have hundreds of children because of their popularity. While there are a few less populated areas, most of the areas won’t be. Make sure that you’re safe and have a great experience!
Jenifer Dale is a writer that has a passion for reading and helping others. When she is not writing, she loves cooking, crocheting, and spending time with her family.