WordCamp US 2025: Code, Community, and Coffee in Portland

Attending WordCamps is always a dual experience. You’re there for the incredible WordPress community. But let’s be honest, you’re also excited to explore a new city. 

And this year, WordPress US is taking us to Portland, the beautiful city of roses. However, planning the trip might feel overwhelming with only a few days on hand.

That’s why we’ve put together a list covering everything from can’t-miss sessions and keynotes to the best local eats and attractions that make Portland so special. Not to forget what to pack and how to get around the city. 

Excited? Let’s start planning an unforgettable week.

Event details: mark your calendar

WordCamp US 2025 starts with Contributor Day on Tuesday, August 26, followed by the main conference from Wednesday, August 27, to Friday, August 29.

The event is happening at the spacious Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97232), a modern venue perfect for innovation and collaboration. It’s only 8 miles from the Portland International Airport (15 minutes via car, 30 minutes via MAX Red Line). Parking and directions information is available on the convention center’s website.

Tickets (and what they include)

WCUS 2025 tickets are still available, but they’re going fast! If you don’t have a ticket yet, grab yours before they’re all sold out. Here’s a list of the different ticket categories (you need a valid student ID for the student tickets).

Accommodation

The WordCamp US team has secured a hotel block at the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center (375 NE Holladay Street, Portland, Oregon, 97232 United States) with a special rate of $194.00+ per night. The hotel amenities include:

• Free Internet Access
• Electric Vehicle Charging
• On-Site Restaurant
• Fitness Center
• Pet Friendly
• Digital Key & Check-In
• In-Room Chromecast
• Business Services
• Meeting Facilities

Besides, the hotel is only a 4-minute walk from the event halls and in the perfect location to explore the city’s various neighborhoods. You can book a room of your choice while purchasing your WCUS 2025 ticket.

Session highlights

WordCamp US 2025 is packed with keynote speeches and sessions covering AI, skill development, technical WordPress, and more. We’ll list some of the must-attend sessions here for your convenience. But before that, here’s a floor plan of the venue so you can easily find your way around the sessions.

1. The Tech That Comes Next: How Changemakers, Philanthropists, and Technologists Can Build an Equitable World
   
   Technology is inseparable from our world, but also from its inequalities, like accessibility gaps, AI bias, or uneven training. Amy will be sharing a roadmap for building a better, more equitable future together with the tech that comes next.
   
   Presented by Amy Sample Ward
   Wednesday 9:15 AM PDT
   Location: Mt Hood (Oregon Ballroom)
   Topic: Keynote
   
   
2. Improving WordPress Multisite: Simplifying Features and Enhancing the User Experience
   
   WordPress Multisite is a powerful way to run many sites from one install, but its complexity can be intimidating. This session breaks down the barriers, offering practical ways to simplify its features and improve the user experience for everyone, along with what’s changing in core and key plugins.
   
   Presented by Dennis Ploetner
   Wednesday 2:15 PM PDT
   Location: Mt Hood (Oregon Ballroom)
   Topic: Technical WordPress

3. Core AI: What We’re Building
   
   A group presentation from the Core AI team on the team’s progress since formation, next steps, implementation examples, and an open Q&A.
   
   Presented by James LePage, Felix Arntz, and Jeffrey Paul
   Thursday 10:30 AM PDT
   Location: Mt Hood (Oregon Ballroom)
   Topic: AI

4. A New Era of Experiential Medicine – AI and the Brain
   
   Dr. Gazzaley pioneers medicine that doesn’t come in a pill but as an experience. He’ll share his journey creating the first FDA-approved video game treatment for the mind and reveal how AI and immersive tech are shaping the next bounds of cognitive enhancement.
   
   Presented by Adam Gazzaley
   Thursday 4:45 PM PDT
   Location: Mt Hood (Oregon Ballroom)
   Topic: Keynote

5. From Storefront to Strategy: What Happens When AI Shops for Your Customers?
   
   What if your next customer never actually visits your WooCommerce store? This session explores the quiet revolution of AI shopping assistants, who will soon research and buy products for users without ever seeing your site. You’ll learn the practical, non-technical steps to prepare for this future where your data and authority matter more than your design.
   
   Presented by Sonja Ibele
   Friday 1:45 PM PDT
   Location: Stumptown (B113 – B116)
   Topic: AI

Aside from these, you can’t miss the Keynote and Q&A with Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress. It’s scheduled on Friday at 4:00 PM PDT (Mt Hood). Besides, you can visit the official WordCamp US schedule and note down the other sessions that interest you.

Now that you’re quite informed on the event, let’s move on to the other fun part of the WordCamp that happens outside the venue halls and get familiar with what to expect.

Beyond the conference walls: exploring Portland

Here comes the part you’ve been waiting for: what new experiences the host city has to offer. In the following sections, we’ll cover what’s waiting for you in the beautiful city of Portland.

Getting around the city

Portland has an excellent public transit system (TriMet MAX light rail and buses). However, for shorter distances, you might consider the BIKETOWN bike-share program or walking. Ride-sharing services are also available. Moreover, the MAX Red Line is a super easy and cost-effective way (USD 2.50) to get from the airport (PDX) right into downtown.

Weather & packing

Even in sunny weather, evenings can be cool in Portland. A waterproof jacket is always a good idea, in case it rains. Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable, especially if you’re planning to hike through Forest Park or walk down the beach. You can always carry a refillable water bottle since you’ll find a lot of fountains around.

Now that you’re updated on the essentials, let’s plan our exploration. Here’s a list of the most popular tourist attractions in Portland, Oregon.

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls is the postcard image & the highest waterfall (620 feet) in Oregon. It’s about 30 miles east of Portland  (30-40 minute drive) in the Columbia River Gorge. You’ll need to book your Timed-Use Permit for the “Waterfall Corridor” (Historic Highway 30) to drive to and park at the falls. 

Once you arrive, walk to the lower viewing platform for the magnificent view of the two-tiered waterfall. Then, you can hike the short path to the Benson Bridge, which spans the falls for a classic photo. The path can be wet and slippery from the constant mist, so wear sturdy shoes.

You can also take the Columbia Gorge Express shuttle from Gateway Transit Center (TriMet MAX to Gateway).

If you want to cover nearby spots, Latourell, Wahkeena, Bridal Veil, Horsetail Falls, and Vista House at Crown Point are worth giving a thought.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is where the green forests of Oregon meet the powerful, moody Pacific Ocean. It’s a small, artsy city about 80 miles west of Portland on the Northern Oregon Coast (90 minutes from Portland) and home to the iconic Haystack Rock.

If you can walk right up to the Haystack Rock during low tide, you’ll discover colorful sea stars, green anemones, crabs, and other marine creatures in the tide pools. The best viewing is an hour or two before the day’s lowest tide.

The beach itself is wide, sandy, and perfect for a long walk. Besides, the village of Cannon Beach is incredibly charming, filled with art galleries showcasing local work, independent boutiques, and cozy cafes.

Washington Park

Washington Park is a hilltop park just west of downtown. You can go there by the MAX Light Rail (take the Blue or Red Line to Washington Park station). From there, walk or use the free park shuttle. Inside, you can enjoy attractions like:

International Rose Test Garden

It’s a spectacular, multi-tiered garden (free of cost) with over 10,000 rose bushes representing more than 650 varieties. The sights and smells are intoxicating, especially from late May through September. On a clear day, the view from the garden looking out over the city with Mount Hood in the background is one of the most iconic photos of Portland.

Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden is considered one of the most authentic and beautiful Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It features eight distinct garden styles (Strolling Pond, Tea Garden, Sand & Stone), a beautiful café, and an art gallery. You can get the timed-entry tickets to the garden.

Oregon Zoo

It’s a 64-acre zoo renowned for its Pacific Northwest exhibits (Black Bears, Cougars, Condors) and highly successful Asian elephant breeding program.

This attraction is family-friendly, with a strong focus on conservation and animal welfare. The layout takes you on a journey through different ecosystems, from the African savanna to the Alaskan tundra. There is an admission fee; you can book tickets online in advance. 

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

It’s an interactive museum located right across from the Oregon Zoo. The exhibits are designed to educate visitors about the importance of forests and sustainable forestry around the world. You can “ride” a simulated whitewater raft, “climb” a tree, and learn to identify different types of wood. There is an admission fee.

Hoyt Arboretum

It’s a “living museum” of trees. This 190-acre section of Washington Park is home to over 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents. 

It’s a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. You can wander through 12 miles of trails, including a beautiful Redwood grove and a collection of stunning magnolia trees. It’s also the most “natural” and least crowded part of the main park, and completely free of charge.

Around the Washington Park: Forest Park

It’s one of the largest urban forests in the United States, covering more than 5,200 acres. It begins where Washington Park and the Hoyt Arboretum end, stretching for miles along the Tualatin Mountains.

While Washington Park has manicured gardens, Forest Park is a dense, wild, and mossy temperate rainforest. It’s a heaven for immersive hiking and trail running. Its most famous trail, the Wildwood Trail, runs for 30 miles and connects to Washington Park’s trail system via the Barbara Walker Crossing over West Burnside.

Downtown attractions

Downtown Portland is a short drive or MAX ride away from Washington Park. It’s the historic and commercial heart of the city.

It’s also a place of fascinating contrasts, where sleek modern office buildings stand next to historic brick structures and high-end boutiques are a short walk from legendary food carts. Here are some attractions in Downtown Portland:

Powell’s City of Books

It’s the world’s largest independent new and used bookstore at 1005 W Burnside St. Occupying a full city block, it contains over a million books across nine color-coded rooms and 3,500 different sections.

Grabbing a map at the entrance and getting lost in the stacks is a typical Portland experience. It’s a must-visit for any book lover, or frankly, anyone visiting the city.

Portland Art Museum

Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, with a diverse collection ranging from Native American art to contemporary masterpieces.

Voodoo Doughnut

The downtown Voodoo Doughnut (officially Voodoo Doughnut ONE) is the original location that started it all. Located in Old Town Portland, it’s a tiny, quirky, punk-rock-meets-bake-sale shop that became famous for its bizarre doughnut creations and iconic pink boxes. Don’t be too intimidated by the line when you get there!

The must-try classics:

1. The Voodoo Doll: This is their signature. A doll-shaped yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jelly “blood,” topped with chocolate frosting, and stabbed through the heart with a pretzel stake. It’s the one you have to get for the photo.
2. Bacon Maple Ale Bar: This is the doughnut that put them on the national map. It’s a long bar doughnut with maple frosting and two strips of crispy bacon on top. The sweet and salty combination is legendary.
3. Captain My Captain: A yeast doughnut topped with vanilla frosting and a blanket of Cap’n Crunch cereal. It’s pure childhood nostalgia.
4. The Loop: Similar to the Captain, but with Froot Loops.
5. Portland Cream: The official doughnut of the City of Portland. It’s a Bavarian cream-filled doughnut topped with chocolate and two “eyeballs,” representing the “vigilant and enlightened” citizens of the city.

They also have a huge menu of other creations and a great selection of vegan doughnuts. 

And yes, they have a velvet-lined coffin where you can get married! Voodoo Doughnut is also a legally recognized wedding chapel.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

It occupies an entire city block in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood (239 Northwest Everett Street) and is one of Portland’s most cherished and unexpected treasures. Visiting it is like stepping through a portal into a different time and place.

Its name translates to “Garden of Awakening Orchid,” a name that honors both Portland (the “City of Roses,” which can also be a type of orchid in Chinese) and its sister city, Suzhou, China.

What makes it so special is its authenticity. This isn’t a Chinese-themed garden; it’s a true Ming Dynasty-style scholar’s garden. It was built by 65 artisans from Suzhou, using traditional methods and materials, much of which was shipped directly from China.

The Portland Saturday Market

Despite its name, the Portland Saturday Market is open on both Saturday and Sunday. It’s the largest continuously operated outdoor arts and crafts market in the United States. The market is held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Old Town, right under the west side of the Burnside Bridge.

Its golden rule, and what makes it so special, is that all items sold must be handmade by the craftsperson selling them. This ensures that everything you see is authentic, local, and unique. There’s live music and the air is filled with the aroma of an international food court.

The market’s food court offers a huge variety of delicious and affordable street food. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch. Classic offerings include Elephant Ears (The market treat: A huge, flat piece of fried dough covered in butter and cinnamon sugar), Gyros and Falafel, Polish Sausages, Wood-fired Pizza, Thai Noodles and Curries, Kettle Corn, Lemonade, and so much more.

And the crafts section is the perfect treasure hunt. With hundreds of vendors, you can find almost any kind of handmade good imaginable. It is hands-down the best place in Portland for authentic souvenirs and gifts. Here, you’ll find:

• Art & Photography: Beautiful prints, paintings, and photos capturing Pacific Northwest landscapes and Portland’s quirky culture.
• Jewelry: Everything from delicate silverwork to bold, handcrafted statement pieces.
• Clothing & Accessories: Tie-dyed everything, screen-printed t-shirts with unique designs, leather goods, and hand-knitted hats and scarves.
• Pottery & Glassware: Mugs, bowls, vases, and stunning hand-blown glass creations.
• Home Goods & Woodcraft: Intricate cutting boards, handcrafted furniture, garden art, and candles.
• The Weird & Wonderful: This is Portland, after all. You’ll find handmade puppets, hand-painted playing cards, custom pet accessories, magic supplies, and countless other things you never knew you needed.

The Portland Saturday Market is the living, breathing soul of the city’s creative community. It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours and find a one-of-a-kind treasure.

Are you intrigued by the energy and the diverse culture Portland has to offer? If you are, let’s have a good laugh over a coffee somewhere near the OCC.

Let’s keep it weird together in Portland

While the sessions are the heart of the schedule, the real magic of WordCamp happens in the hallways, at lunch, and while exploring the city together.

We hope this guide helps you plan your schedule, discover exciting sessions, and get ready to explore everything Portland has to offer. Although ultimately, WordCamp is about the connections we make, so don’t forget to let the people you meet shape your WordCamp adventure. 

So, pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and get ready for an incredible week in the City of Roses to learn, grow, and be inspired by the amazing WordPress community!

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