Hood River Fruit Loop
This is about an hour outside of Portland, but it is so worth the trip. It is a 35-mile scenic drive on a loop with a bunch of fruit stands, orchards, farms and more. You can pick your own fruits, drink the freshest possible cider, sample some excellent wines and generally have a great time. Learn more about the Hood River Fruit Loop here.
Enjoy Some Tree Hugging
One of the cool things to do in Portland is to visit the World Forestry Centre. Located in Washington Park, the aim of the centre is to educate visitors about the importance of the forests around the world through exhibitions, talks and interactive activities. Kids will enjoy trying their hand at being a lumberjack, you can all take a wet-free raft ride, and even see the forest from a birds-eye-view. Having visited the Pilke Museum during our time in Rovaniemi, Id be eager to visit this museum if we return to Portland.
Hiking In Forest Park Portland Oregon With Kids
As one of the largest urban parks in the United States, Forest Park offers more than 30 miles of trails with amazing forest scenery. Taking a walk through Forest Park will give you the feeling of walking in the Amazon, making it the perfect urban escape if you are looking to get away from the bustle of Portland.
Access to the park is free of charge, and you will find plenty of trail options without having to walk the same trails twice. One of them is the wild wood trail which leads to an old stone house, also called the witchs castle and sure a fun place to explore with kids.
Other than that, there are endless types of trees and grass as well as wildlife to discover and you might even spot an owl if you look carefully.
Since you could spend hours in Portlands Urban Forest Park make sure to bring enough water and snacks with you. In general, although hilly, the trails are almost perfectly maintained. Though a pair of trail running or hiking shoes with a good grip will help you get through some muddy and rocky sections.
For your orientation you will find maps at most trail heads and at intersections of trails. Its up to you where you want to head to, but there are lots of options with easy, family friendly trails, as well as more challenging trails for those who are looking to get a good workout in. If you need a good carrier for hikes, you can check out the top baby carriers here.
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The Portland Aerial Tram
I have always found that my kids enjoy the day more if we stay on the move . While the Aerial Trams primary use is for commuters, kids will still love the 500 foot ride providing for great views of Portland. At $4.35 per round trip, it is also quite reasonably priced when you compare it to many other childrens attractions.
For more information: see the Portland Aerial Tram website.
Make Your Own Pancakes At Slappy Cakes
For a memorable and joyous meal, thrill the kids with breakfast at Slappy Cakes. At this innovative restaurant, diners play chef by squeezing pancake batter onto hot griddles right at the table. To make the most creative pancake designs, be sure to order two different colored batters. Choices include buttermilk, chocolate, peanut butter, vegan/gluten-free, and seasonal . Fixings like chocolate chips and banana slices add to the funfor an additional charge. You can order other breakfast items, too, like Pork Belly Benedict or Avocado Toast. Plan to come on a weekday to avoid a long wait.
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Things To Do In Portland Or With Kids
Portland – the city referred to as a family paradise. In summer the kids will love the leafy outdoors, and in winter, its puddle-ahoy to splash in.
Summertime is calling! How about enjoying the 400 acres of Washington Park, or getting out on that water to enjoy some Jetboat Excursions?
There are beautiful gardens like the Portland Japanese Garden which just come to life in summer, and theme parks like the Oaks Amusement Park which put the thrills and spills into any family day out.
Winter rolling in? Never fear, Playdate PDX is here! A huge indoor space perfect for kids to use up all that extra energy of theirs , or perhaps they would rather enjoy the Portland Art Museum with its 42,000 objects to learn from.
Portland Childrens Museum is a great way for kids to get out of the rain and spend the day creating and using their imagination, and for those little kids there are fun indoor play centers like Pump It Up and Garden Home Indoor Play Park.
Dont want to go outside because its raining? No excuses any more! Portland has something for everyone, no matter what the weather.
Things To Do With Kids Before They Get Too Old
Changes to Disneys Disability Access Program Make It Easier for All Families to Visit
Portland is one of Oregons most family-friendly cities. With activities ranging from outdoorsy, to artsy, to science-y, there is an endless list of experiences parents should experience with their little ones before they get big. Break out your pen and get ready for the list, we have 100 thing you just have to do with your kiddos before they are all grown up listed below.
SUMMER
1. There’s no better place to camp with kids than the Pacific Northwest. Check out some of our favorite sites for young campers, all located within an hour of Portland.
2. If your kiddo is new to pedaling around, check out these excellent beginner bike paths around town.
3. Take your camping experience to the next level with one of these nearby yurts or cabins.
4. Tour Portlands amazing ice cream scene and stay cool at these local shops.
5. Put down the iPad and video game controllers. Weve found four scenic places to fly a kite
6. Embark on a fun-filled, fruit-picking adventure for the whole family. Do your kiddos love berries? Visit a u-pick berry farm this summer.
7. Saddle up and take your horse-crazy kid for a horseback ride.
8. Suns out? Dive into one of these nearby natural swimming spots.
9. Finding a trail that both you and your youngster will enjoy can be challenging, but these gentle nature trails, perfect for the under-five crowd, will keep everyone entertained.
FALL
WINTER
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Cruise The Willamette River On A Jet Boat Excursion
See the city of Portland from a whole new perspective on the water! Willamette Jet Boat Excursions offers one- and two-hour scenic tours that take guests up and down the river on an open air jet boat. Youll see Portlands famous bridges, historic riverside structures and maybe catch a glimpse of an osprey or bald eagle!
Kids will get a splash out of the educational tour when your pilot shows off the boats speed and maneuverability with some impressive spins! All ages are welcome, and tours leave from the Oregon Science of Museum and Industry.
Where To Stay In Portland With Kids
Kimpton RiverPlace is an ideal place for families to stay in Portland. The suites, Willamette River views, and extra touches make this hotel special. The decor is modern and chic, with a color palette drawn from nature. Families will especially enjoy bedding down in a Bunkalow Suite, which features a king-size bed for parents and bunk beds for the kids. Each evening theres a hosted wine reception, and every morning theres complimentary coffee and tea in the lobby. Kimpton even loans out bicycles to guests to pedal along the river.
You can dine at the onsite King Tide Fish & Shell for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Twenty-four-hour room service is available, too. For variety, a handful of restaurants and shops are within walking distance along the waterfront.
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Quirky And Fun Things To Do In Portland With Kids
When youre planning family travel, I bet youre a bit like me: You probably fall into a bit of a kid-friendly activities rut. You visit a childrens museum and the citys main park and the zoo, which are all wonderfulbut sometimes, you want a family activity that spices up your trip.
Thats why Im sharing these quirky and fun things to do in Portland with kids that are slightly different from the usual family activities you may enjoy!
After all, doing something out of the ordinary makes the experience more fun and memorable, research reveals. One study found that changing things up gives us a surge of the feel-good chemical dopamine. That improves our moodand it also makes us more likely to seek out more new experiences.
So trying something different has a snowball effect, which you can turn into more and more memorable family vacations!
And Im pretty sure your kids are like mine: They like to do things that are unusual, unexpected and totally surprising. If thats the case, here are 13 super fun kids activities in Portland.
If youre planning family travel in Oregon, then, definitely hit the highlights as there are so many awesome family activities to enjoy. But work some unexpected, off-the-beaten-path items into your itinerary, too.
Want some ideas? These quirky things to do in Portland with kids will surprise the whole family!
Not Just For Hipsters: Portland Oregon With Kids
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Famous for its eco-loving hipsters, artisans and third-wave coffee obsessives, Portland, Oregon, has been a tad pigeon-holed as a destination for hip young people. And while it is a rather cool place, that doesnt mean kids and families arent welcome. In fact, the Pacific Northwest city makes for an excellent family vacation.
The outdoors-focused hub is full of kid-friendly activities and attractions from the beautifully landscaped Portland Japanese Garden to the tree-focused World Forestry Center Discovery Museum while the citys reputation for makers of all stripes means funky toy stores and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. And Portlands overall casual vibe means its easy to bring kids to many of the citys renowned restaurants and even breweries. Here are some of our favorite ways to do Portland with kids.
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Eat It All And Even Grab A Drink
Portland is known for its stellar food scene, and just because youve got kids in tow doesnt mean you cant chow down on some of the countrys most innovative cuisine. Thanks to the citys generally relaxed vibe, stuffy dining rooms are rare and kids are easily catered to in most places even at some of the citys hottest spots like Tusk, Nostrana and Hat Yai . Lovelys Fifty-Fifty makes some of citys best pizza and homemade ice cream, while stops at inventive doughnut shops like Blue Star, Pips and the famous Voodoos are fun for the whole family. Plus, the food cart culture is especially strong here, making it easy to grab a tasty, international food-focused lunch on the go.
Because Portland is known for its craft beer scene, it would be a shame to miss out on trying some brews because of your littles. Luckily, there are breweries like the family-owned Hopworks, which happily welcomes kids and even has dedicated play areas sponsored by local toy stores.
Visiting Portland Maine With Kids
Are you looking for fun family vacation ideas on where to travel as a family? Consider visiting Portland, Maine with the kids! There are so many fun places and activities for everyone in the family to enjoy. You literally might have to head back many times just to get it all done! All these activities are kid friendly in Portland, ME.
Make certain to check out our State Unit Studies as well so that you can find out all the other great places in the US to visit with your kids, too.
There are literally so many great places to visit in the US with kids, but Portland Maine has to be one of the best. From the list of fun attractions below, I think youll have to agree. These are our favorite kid friendly activities with kids in Portland Maine.
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Explore Weird And Wonderful Museums In Portland
Some of the best Portland kid activities can be found in Museums across the city, with classic offerings ranging from a childrens museum, art museums, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Portland is also known for wacky museums like the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, the National Hat Museum, Kidds Toy Museum, the Portland Puppet Museum, and the Zymoglyphic Museum.
Bike The Springwater Corridor
This is a trail running from SE Ivan St. in Portland all the way out to Boring, OR. The trail is currently 14.2 miles one way and connects many parks including Tideman Johnson Nature Park, Beggars-tick Wildlife Refuge, the I-205 Bike Path, Leach Botanical Garden, Powell Butte Nature Park, and Greshams Main City Park. The parks are the easiest places to access the trail, especially if you need to park your car. The entire trail is at least 10 feet wide and paved, making it ideal for walkers, bicycles, and strollers.
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Come Out For Kiddie Happy Hour
If youre dying to get out for Happy Hour but you have the kids, Yakuza has you covered. They dont just supply the adults with some deliciously handcrafted drinks and food, they even have their own kid-friendly happy hour menu.
From 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, shrimp or pork katsus are just $3, add a side of rice or noodles for $2 and some edamame for $1 and everyone is happy.
Best Things To Do With Kids In Portlandview All
The best things to do when the whole family comes to Portland include discount tickets to seasonal mazes and paddleboard rentals on the lake. Try these popular deals and some of the best things to do in Portland with kids:
- Race your way out of the Portland Maize corn maze attraction
- Spend an afternoon skating for less with discount skate rental at Lloyd Center Ice Rink
- At the Game Room at Grand Central Bowling Lounge, enjoy classic and contemporary gaming adventure
- Rent a SUPortland paddleboard and surf the waters of Vancouver Lake
- Learn eccentric local history from a hip tour guide on a Portland Hop-on Hop-off tour
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Tubing At Ski Bowl During The Winter
Cosmic Tubing at Mt. Hood Skibowl
The lower area offers at least 6 tube lanes and the upper has at least two lanes. The lower lanes have a conveyor belt that will take you and your tube to the top of the hill. However, those that want to head up even higher will have to walk up but know that it is worth the walk. They are open during the day and have cosmic tubing at night.
Getting Around Portland With Kids
Ive already mentioned the fact you can hire bicycles and this is a great way to get around areas like the Riverfront. Cycling is very popular in Portland and easily done.
However, if you prefer not to cycle yourself there are other options. The TriMet System is Portlands public transportation system offering the MAX light rail service as well as bus and streetcar services. Digital tickets are now in operation with HOP being one of the most popular.
Taxis do operate in the city, as do Uber and Lyft. You can get around the city by car yourself, but be aware that parking can be hard to find in certain areas and you can be almost guaranteed you will need to pay for it. There are large car parks at the Zoo/Childrens Museum, OMSI and in other areas of Washington Park, all payable.
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Have Fun At An Indoor Play Area
Wondering what to do in Portland on a rainy day? Let the kids get out some energy at an indoor play area. Slide, dance, and climb at Playdate PDX. This indoor playground offers a safe toddler area, plus a main area designed for children up to 12 years old.
For a place that older kids will enjoy too, try Sky High Sports trampoline park. Parents may even want to join in for a game of dodgeball.
Have An Ice Cream In Salt & Straw In The Alphabet District
We had a few eateries recommended to us during my research on things to do in Portland Oregon with kids, and while a few donut shops were high on the list, the one thing that caught my attention was one called Salt & Straw. This place was apparently the best place for ice-cream in Portland, and we chose to visit the one in the Alphabet District after our morning shopping Downtown.
We got an Uber there and were lucky to get a table, as there arent many in this little ice-cream store. And holy moly, the list of flavours of ice-cream was as long as my arm. We had no idea what to choose so my husband ordered a tasting tray of four different flavours. Apart from the coffee one they were the best ice-creams Ive ever tasted. My absolute favourite was the salted caramel. And there were a few fights as the ice-creams scoops started disappearing.
You can buy tubs of ice-cream from here, something we didnt do and later regretted in our hotel room after dinner. I can wholeheartedly say you must not visit Portland without visiting Salt & Straw. Hands down one of the top things to do in Portland with kids .
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