Things To Do in Portland for Families
When we found out that the military was going to station us in Portland, Oregon we were excited. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew it was a large area compared to where we were currently stationed. Although the weather is often unfavorable, this is a must vacation for families. I recommend going sometime between June and October.
Our Portland moms recommend that you set aside some time (2 days) to wander around Portland’s downtown area. Glorious parks, museums, historic districts, outdoor markets and festivals are just a small offering of this great northwest city.
Visitors can cover a large part of the city by using “THE MAX.” Portland’s light rail system with expanded service soon to PDX (Portland International Airport). You can also bike for miles in what Bicycling Magazine’s No. 1 bicycling city in North America.
When in Portland, consider dining a serious endeavor. Portland is naturally associated with great seafood but, do make a trip to the Pearl district downtown to sample the fare of lively brewpubs and some great international cuisine.
In most cities, you’d have to drive hours to reach the great outdoors. Whether it’s snowboarding or fishing, tons of outdoor recreation and beautiful coastline are in Portland’s backyard. 30 pound Sturgeon, big Steelhead and Salmon are found in the Columbia River. Day trips to the beach, along with hiking in the Columbia Gorge are all places to ponder this awe-inspiring place.
15 Fun Things to Do in Portland with Kids
Here are my top things for you and your family to do:
Portland is deemed the “City of Roses” and here’s the reason – within the city’s 37,000 acre park system are three separate, very fragrant, rose gardens. The Classical Chinese Gardens located downtown (N.W. Third Ave and Everett St.) as well as the Japanese Gardens (tranquility) located in Washington Park (611 S. W. Kingston Ave.) are worth a visit.
Oregon Zoo
This zoo is huge and will take up the whole day if you like. It is a beautiful zoo and plenty of places for a picnic so pack a lunch. Keep in mind that you are going to do a lot of walking. The Oregon Zoo sits on 64 acres of unspoiled wilderness and is located five miles from downtown Portland. Transport yourself to the Alaska Tundra or the Peruvian coastline in this magnificent setting. Opens daily at 9 a.m. Admission: $6.50 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children (3-11), free to children 2 and younger.
4001 S.W. Canyon Rd.
503.226.1561
www.oregonzoo.org
OMSI
This science museum has an awesome area for younger kids as well as lots of hands on displays for older kids. We really enjoy the little kid’s areas and the science experiment areas! The ball room is also lots of fun. You can take a picnic here as well. If it is raining one of the days you are there this is the place to go!
OMSI – Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is the nation’s fifth largest science museum. Includes a five-story OMNIMAX theater and a very hands-on science museum that lets you experience man made earthquakes measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale.
1945 S.E. Water Ave.
503.797.4000
www.omsi.edu
Multnomah Falls
Plan at least a half day on Historical Columbia Highway. Get on the historic highway in Troutdale, OR and then take that up to Crown Point. After enjoying the phenomenal lookout continue on the road hitting one waterfall after other. I believe they start with Latourell Falls which is extremely easy to get to, just a short walk. The next it Bridal Veil which is a short hike but is steep. There are about five water falls that are very easy to get to if you just keeping going down the road. The last one is Horsetail falls. http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/recreation/waterfalls.shtml
Rose Garden
Portland has a massive international rose garden. It has open spaces for the kids to play and occasional concerts. This garden is free.
Powell’s City of Books
If You are a book worm, you must visit this book store. The worlds largest independently owned book store covers and entire city block.
Blue Lake Park
This easily became one of my favorite places. You have to pay around $4 a car to get in. There is a beach area with a roped off area for the kids to swim in. There is a large splash pad biking trails and more. http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=149
Jamison Square Park
In the middle of the Pearl district is a great spot when it is warm. There is a water area where kids can play for free. The water builds up slowly through a waterfall system and then drains before it gets too deep. Take a lawn chair or blanket. There is plenty of shade and the coffee shop across the street Sip and Kranz has a little playroom for kids!
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Do you want to be surrounded by sharks and rays? Experience the beauty of the ocean at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Walk through a 200-foot submerged acrylic tunnel for a spectacular 360 degree view of aquatic mass.
2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Road
541.867.3474
Portland Art Museum
Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest and came into existence in 1892.
1219 SW Park Avenue
503.226.2811
Portland Saturday Market
Portland Saturday Market is an open-air market for handcrafted goods. Open every weekend from March through December with more than 250 craft booths, international food and entertainment.
108 W. Burnside St.
503.823.2227
The Grotto
The Grotto is a beautiful 62 acre Catholic Shrine and botanical garden. The Grotto, opened in 1924 and was dedicated by Archbishop Alexander Christieis is an internationally renowned Catholic sanctuary offering a place of quiet reflection for all people of the Earth.
N.W. 85th Ave at Sandy Blvd.
503.254.7371
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Pioneer Courthouse Square located in the heart of downtown Portland is a bustling place where you can watch the Weather Machine predict the weather each day at noon.
Where to Eat in Portland
Let’s leave the chain restaurants that dot urban sidewalks and malls alone for a moment and talk about what is unique to Portland dining. Most of Portland’s restaurants, coffee houses, and cafes are concentrated Downtown and in Nob Hill. Seafood is prominent, with salmon a popular, expensive, choice. Portland has a reasonably wide number of popular ethnic food choices, with Italian places being the most common. Microbreweries are also popular which go hand-in-hand with Portland’s long brewing traditions.
More Information
POPULATION: 1.8 million within the metro area; 509,610 within the city limits.
AREA 130 square miles.
ELEVATION 173 feet above sea level. LONGITUDE: 40 miles east of the 122nd meridian west. LATITUDE: 30 miles north of the 45th parallel north.
DISTANCE TO THE AIRPORT: From downtown-20 minutes.
MILES TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN: 78.
MILES TO A GLACIER: 65 (Mount Hood)
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES: 33.5Á (January); 79.5Á (July)
AVERAGE PRECIPITATION: 37″ (less than Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston or Seattle – and without that nasty humidity.)
ACRES OF PARKS IN METRO AREA: 37,000, including the 5,000-acre Forest Park.
PORTLAND’S METRO AREA is situated between the Columbia and the Willamette Rivers.
WEATHER INFORMATION: 503.275.9792 or 503.225.5555, access code 8051
ROAD CONDITIONS: 503.222.6721
