10 Best Things to Do in Milwaukie, Oregon

By VacationIdea Staff on August 27, 2022 - Updated

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Located on the east side of the Willamette River south of Portland, Milwaukie is an inviting and laid-back former mill town with an abundance of natural beauty, elegant wine bars, and taprooms, and family-friendly attractions. Known as the ‘Dogwood City of the West’ for its spectacular display of dogwood blossoms during the spring, Milwaukie has a charming downtown area with sidewalk cafés, boutique shops, and casual restaurants.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Milwaukie Farmers Market

The Milwaukie Farmers’ Market is a busy community market held in downtown Milwaukie every Sunday morning from May through October. The market features over 80 vendors selling a wide range of fresh farm products such as fruit, vegetables, herbs, plants and flowers, dairy products, fresh meat and eggs, and a variety of home-cooked and freshly prepared foods. The market also sells handmade clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts, and handcrafted décor. Located on the corners of Main and Harrison, the community-focused farmers market is the longest-running market in Oregon.

10723 SE Main St, Milwaukie, OR 97222, Phone: 503-407-0956

2.Mill End Store

The Mill End Store is the largest family-owned textile emporium in Oregon. Established in 1918, the long-running store boasts over 50,000 square feet of space filled with an extensive array of hand-picked fabrics, intricate materials, one-of-a-kind textiles, and other haberdashery items. The company has a vivid history from being the first importer of worsted wool to outfitting soldiers during both the First and Second World Wars. The store also offers expert services in old-fashioned sewing, pattern- and fabric cutting, and other textile-related expertise.

9701 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland, OR 97222, Phone: 503-786-1234

3.Milwaukie Museum

Located in the historic George Wise House and managed by the Milwaukie Historical Society, the Milwaukie Museum is dedicated to the history of Milwaukie and the surrounding area. The house in which the museum is based was built in 1865 on a farm near Lake Road and was later relocated to its present location on Adams Street. The house-museum features several exhibits and historical items, including several Native American Indian artifacts, an old #3 horse-drawn streetcar, a Lewelling Cherry Tree, and the Clair Kuppenbender Research Library. The Milwaukie Museum is open on Saturdays.

3737 SE Adams St, Portland, OR 97222, Phone: 503-659-5780

4.Bob's Red Mill, Milwaukie, Oregon

Bob's Mill Store is a historic mill dating back to the 1970s that produces stone-ground flour from whole grains using old-fashioned grinding and milling techniques. The spacious 325,000 square foot facility is comprised of the manufacturing plant, the laboratory, the company headquarters, and the distribution center, and visitors can enjoy guided tours of the mill and learn more about whole grains and the milling process. The Whole Grain Store & Bakery is the mill’s on-site shop that sells a variety of products made by the mill from whole wheat bread and oatmeal to health bars, and a range of memorabilia and souvenirs. The Whole Grain Store Café serves healthy fare for brunch and lunch.

13521 SE Pheasant Ct, Milwaukie, OR, 97222, Phone: 503-654-3215

5.Wunderland Milwaukie Cinemas

Wunderland Milwaukie Cinemas is a family-owned recreational center with old-fashioned arcade games, jumbo plush crane machines, classic alley games, and discounted cinema shows. The center has something for everyone from challenging racing car games and target and hunting games to bowling games and classic arcade games. The Wunderland cinema features mainstream movies at discounted prices, including 3D movies, and an exciting themed arena offers laser tag with the latest technology.

11011 SE Main St #7684, Milwaukie, OR 97222, Phone: 503-653-2222

6.Things From Another World

Things From Another World is a quirky store selling a wide range of comics and graphic novels, cult toys, and statues, and pop culture objects. Founded in 1979 by Mike Richardson, the comic bookstore has grown from one store to several shops around the country and is now the third-largest comic book retailer in the United States. Collectors, treasure-hunters, and pop-culture aficionados will delight in the wealth of classic comics, one-of-a-kind graphic novels, world-famous toys, and other items such as models, apparel, gifts, and souvenirs.

10977 SE Main St, Milwaukie, OR 97222, Phone: 503-652-2752

7.Roake's, Milwaukie, Oregon

Roake’s is a vintage-style roadside shack that specializes in hot dogs and burgers with signature sauces and toppings and handspun shakes. Founded in 1937 by Roy Dowell, Roake’s has grown into an institution that is famous for serving the best hot dogs in Portland. The family-friendly restaurants have comfortable décor and warm and welcoming staff and serve freshly prepared and hot-off-the-grill hot dogs and burgers, an array of sides, and non-alcoholic beverages.

18109 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Milwaukie, OR 97267, Phone: 503-654-7075

8.Mike's Drive-In, Milwaukie, Oregon

Established in 1971, Mike's Drive-In is a classic burger joint that serves all-American fare in a laid-back, family-friendly setting. Based in a distinctive red-and-white building, the eatery serves a menu of classic comfort food like hearty burgers and fries, fish and chips, fried baskets, hot specialty sandwiches, an array of sides, and fresh salads. Sweet treats range from decadent sundaes, floats, and malts to banana splits and over 30 varieties of milkshakes including Fresh Berry Shakes to Caramel Toffee Crunch Sundaes.

3045 SE Harrison St, Milwaukie, OR 97222, Phone: 503-654-0131

9.Buster's Texas-Style Barbecue, Milwaukie, Oregon

Buster's Texas-Style Barbecue is a local restaurant chain with a rustic, Western-themed that specializes in Texas-style BBQ, homemade chili, and sizzling steaks off the grill. The restaurant has steakhouse-style décor with leather banquette seating, dark wood finishes, Texan-Western accents, and soft lighting, and a separate saloon area with lottery games. The restaurant serves a saloon menu of light bites and small plates such as potato skins, poppers, and onion rings, as well as a full menu of Texas-style BBQ, grilled meats and chicken, and hot chili. A full-service bar offers craft beers by the bottle and on tap, casual wines from around the world, high-end liquors and spirits and classic cocktails, and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

17883 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland, OR 97267, Phone: 503-652-1076

10.Flying Pie Pizzeria, Milwaukie, Oregon

Flying Pie Pizzeria is a casual pizza joint that serves a variety of handmade, wood-fired pizzas and calzones and other traditional Italian favorites in a warm and laid-back setting. The eatery uses fresh, hand-rolled dough prepared with a secret, signature recipe to make each pizza base, along with a secret blend of ingredients form the sun-kissed shores of Italy, such as mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan. Signature toppings include handmade sausage and salami, imported olive oil and freshly grown and hand-picked herbs, and the pizza place also serves craft beers. Flying Pie Pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner, daily.

16691 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Oak Grove, OR 97267, Phone: 503-496-3170