Portland, Oregon
With its walkable downtown and great (indoor and outdoor) activities for kids, portland is a great destination for a few days with the kids.
Baby Gear rentals are available from Babies on the Go
Jump to kid-friendly activities, hotels, shopping, restaurants, and hospitals.
½ Day Family Itineraries
Activities
Children's Museum
Address 4015 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221, Tel (503) 223-6500, Hours at this writing, Mon-Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 11am–5pm; hours change seasonally, so please call to confirm Website
While the children's museum is a bit old, there's plenty of fun, indoor play for kids. We loved the garage (ages 5 and over) where older kids can drill, glue, draw and build their own creations. The water works is a great attraction for all ages (bring a ...
Jamison Square
Address 810 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97255, Hours 5am to midnight, Notes Swim diapers available at Posh Baby Website
This fantastic public wading pool is fed by a waterfall that can be climbed on even by early walkers. We've spent hours here, romping in the water and having the kind of loud, giggly fun that brings back fond memories of my own summer vacations as a child.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Address 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214-3354, Tel 503.797.6674, Hours At least 9am-7pm daily, check website or call for additional hours, Costs Adults $9 Youth (3-13) and Seniors $7 plus extra charges for many areas of the museum. Tickets available online Website
The science museum includes a planetarium, omnimax, a submarine tour, laser shows, and lots of hands-on exhibits for older kids. The science playground (ages 6 and younger) is a great place for young kids to play on a rainy day.
Oregon Zoo
Address 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221-9704, Tel 503-226-1561, Hours 8am-6pm Summer (Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day), 9am-6pm April 15-Sept 15 (except Summer), Cost Adults (12-64) $9.75, Seniors (65 and over) $8.25, Children (3-11) $6.75, Infants (2 and under) Free Website
This huge zoo has a variety of different natural habitats for its animals to live in. Highlights include the Great Northwest Exhibit which features native animals and Packy the baby Asian elephant. There are also three trains (including a steam train!) to carry you around the zoo.
Trimet Free Ride Area
Busses, MAX (the lightrail system) and the Portland streetcar make up Portland's excellent public transit system. It's easy to get to most popular destinations from downtown, and it will save you from packing everyone in and out of the car, navigating, and finding parking at each site.
Washington Park
Address 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221, Hours 5am-10pm. Closed to vehicles at 10pm. SW Washington Way closed Mon-Thu, Notes Washington Park has its own MAX Light Rail stop which lets you off right at the Zoo entrance. Trains run from downtown and stop approximately every 10 minutes. Bus #63 is slower, but more scenic than MAX and lets you off at any one of several locations in the park. There is a free shuttle to transport you around the park. Website
This huge park is a great place for a picnic and has a slew of activities that are fun for kids.
Hotels
Ace Hotel
Address 1022 SW Stark St., Portland, OR 97205, Tel (503) 228-2277, Notes Baby cots available Website
This modern hotel is at the edge of downtown, just adjacent to the Pearl district. That location also places it close to Powells books, and whole foods. Rooms are decorated using military surplus and have fun touches like record players. There is also an excellent coffeeshop in the lobby. Room ...
Hotel Monaco
Address 506 SW Washington St., Portland OR 97204, Tel 503-222-0001, Notes Baby cots available, Rooms have minibars, Adjoining rooms and suites available Website
This hotel has colorful decor that kids (and design savvy grownups) will love. The hotel also allows dogs, and you'll often see them in the lobby or on the way into or out of the hotel. Standard rooms can be small, but we were able to upgrade to a ...
Medical
Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital
Address 2801 N Gantenbein Avenue. Portland, Oregon 97227, Tel 503-413-2200, Notes Emergency entrance is at the west side of the hospital off N. Kerby Website
This hospital has a pediatric area designed especially for children and staffed by doctors who are board-certified in Pediatric Medicine.
Restaurants
Clyde Common
Address 1014 SW Stark St., Portland, OR 97205, Tel (503) 228-3333, Hours Lunch daily from 12n-3pm, happy hour 3pm-6pm, dinner Mon-Thu 5pm-“late”, Fri-Sat 5pm-“later”, Sun 5pm-"late", Notes All seating at communal tables Website
One of the hottest restaurants in Portland right now, Clyde Common is loud enough to bring well-behaved children, but with communal tables & some of the most interesting people in Portland at them, you might want to hire a sitter and enjoy some grown up conversation!
Cupcake Jones
Address 307 NW 10th Ave, Portland OR 97209, Tel 503-222-4404, Hours Mon-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 12n-6pm Website
This cupcake bakery sells delicious filled cupcakes (and mini-cupcakes) to take away. The menu changes monthly to keep things interesting, and there is a different selection each day of the week. Some recent choices included a Mimosa Cupcake: an orange yogurt cake filled with orange champagne pastry cream and iced ...
Hotlips Pizza
Address 721 NW 9th Ave # 150 Portland, OR 97209, Tel (503) 595-2342, Hours Sun-Th 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm Website
With a location close to Jamison Park, this is a great place to stop in for a bite after splashing in the wading pool.
Mother’s Bar and Bistro
Address 212 SW Stark St, Portland, OR 97204, Tel 503-464-1122, Hours Tue-Thu 7am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9pm, Fri 7am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm, Sat 9am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm, Sun 9am-2:30pm Website
The casual atmosphere and comfort food served up at this downtown bistro have made it a favorite, especially for brunch, for years. I especially love the traditional eggs benedict. Kids will appreciate the familiar food and you will appreciate family friendly service, reasonable prices, and fresh ingredients. Call ahead to ...
Oba!
Address 555 NW 12th Ave Portland, OR 97209, Tel 503-228-6161, Hours Bar opens at 4pm, dinner service begins at 5pm. Open 7 Days, Notes Outdoor seating available during summer Website
This Latino restaurant has creative and delicious food for adults, and great choices for kids. We love the Crispy Coconut Prawns and the Roasted Butternut Squash Enchiladas. Kids choices include tacos, quesidillas, and coconut jasmine rice with beans (my son's favorite). For babies, you can ask for an order ...
Pearl Bakery
Address 102 NW 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97209, Tel 503-827-0910, Hours Weekdays 6am-6pm; Sat 7am-5pm; Sun 8am-2pm Website
Known as the best bread bakery in Portland, and I have to say that I agree. Not only are the fresh breads delicious, but they also have excellent pastry and takaway sandwiches. On a recent trip we picked up Peanut Butter and Jelly for my son, yougurt for the baby ...
Sip and Kranz
Address 901 NW 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97253, Tel (503) 336-1335, Website
Located next to the excellent Jamison Square, this is the perfect place to stop in for a bite after your children have worn themselves out in the wading pool. The adult menu features fresh salads and sandwiches, while the kids menu has classic items like PB&J and mac & cheese ...
Whole Foods
Address 1210 NW Couch St., Portland, OR 97209, Tel (503) 525-4343, Hours 8am-10pm everyday Website
Whole foods is a great place to stock up on snacks, pick up milk, or grab some food for a quick breakfast in your hotel room. There is also a buffet area and fresh pizza.
Shopping
Green Frog Toys
Address 1031 NW 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97209, Tel (503) 222-2646, Hours Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm Website
This upscale toystore has a great selection of toys from companies like Haba, Selecta, and Plan Toys. There's also, (as you might expect) a great selection of frog stuffed animals!
Posh Baby
Address 809 NW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR, Tel 503.478.7674, Tip Sells swim diapers for use in the wading pool Website
Posh Baby sells adorable clothing (much of it designed by the owner) for babies, toddlers and mommas. We loved their fashionable burp cloths when our kids were little (because burp cloths are really mom's accessory, not baby's), and we're hooked on their comfortable and cool looking scrub ...
