The Broke College Student's Guide to Fall Fun

Reported by Emma Bach

Photographed by Samuel Reid

Fall is a season of festivity and cheer, and Portland takes advantage of the fun by providing a variety of activities and events. Unfortunately, many college students — including those at George Fox University (GFU) — deal with financial hardship and can’t afford to splurge on fall outings.

Here’s the good news: there are a lot of fall activities available that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. In fact, there are quite a few that are free!

Portland offers plenty of beautiful hikes and trails. Forest Park is popular and full of different paths; there’s even a trail to Witch’s Castle, an eerie stone house in the forest. Hoyt Arboretum, Opal Creek, Mirror Lake and Tamanawas Falls are other options within two hours. If being immersed in nature isn’t your thing, you can go downtown and visit Mill Ends Park, the world’s smallest park, parked right in the middle of a downtown intersection.

The Portland Art Museum presents several money-saving deals — admission is free from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on First Thursdays and only $5 after 5 p.m. on Fridays. They’re hosting the 42nd Fresh Film Northwest on Saturday, which is a festival featuring aspiring teen filmmakers. Admission is free and doors open at 11:30 a.m.

If you’re a fan of literature or simply have an appreciation for reading, Lit Crawl is a perfect pick: pre-Portland Book Festival, the event features lit-centered activities scheduled throughout the evening like “Storytellers Telling Stories - Live!” and “Literary Bingo.” Each activity takes place in a different location in Portland and is often presented by various authors — it starts at 6 p.m. on Nov. 9 and is completely free.

Looking for something more unique? Take advantage of the first Sunday deal at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) this Sunday and get in for only $2; the current exhibit is The Discovery of King Tut. The Oregon Zoo offers a similar discount on the second Thursday of every month — visit on Nov. 13 for $5 admission.

The Portland Saturday Market, which is free and open on both Saturdays and Sundays, presents a more versatile option. Attendees can enjoy perusing the variety of goods offered by vendors, which range from delicious food to handmade crafts. Live music adds to the experience.

You can still partake in the season’s fun while saving money — grab some friends and enjoy what Portland has to offer this fall. Further details about these events can be found online.