Back to Portland, Oregon with Kids
About Me
I'm Debbie, mother of two delicious kids,
and I write about traveling with little kids. That's
my 6-month old son in Paris on Halloween.
More About Me
Activities in Portland
Children's Museum
Address 4015 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221 Map, Tel (503) 223-6500 Call, 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 change of clothes). Toddlers will love the Dig Pit. The Dig Pit is filled with rubber "gravel," plus plenty of buckets, shovels, dump trucks and a conveyor belt more
Jamison Square
Address 810 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97255 Map, 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 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. more
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
Address 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214-3354 Map, Tel 503.797.6674 Call, Hours Vary, but 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. Even early walkers can enjoy the main museum (with some help from mom and dad), and older kids will get a lot out of the hands-on-exhibits and the opportunity to do experiments in a real chemistry lab. more
Oregon Zoo
Address 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221-9704 Map, Tel 503-226-1561 Call, 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. more
Powell's Book Store
Address 1005 W Burnside 97209 Map, Tel 503-228-4651 Call, Website
Powell's has been one of my favorite Portland destinations since long before I had children. The huge bookstore has a diverse collection of new, used, and out of print books. The children's section is no exception, and this is a wonderful place to pick up unusual books on a topic your chid is particularly interested in. Small tables in the children's section provide a spot to read when your child needs a little break from sightseeing and the staff is welcoming and helpful if you are looking for something unusual. more
Skiing on Mt. Hood
Address 10755 Cooper Spur Road, Mt. Hood, OR 97041 Map, Tel 503-222-2211 Call, Website
Mt Hood is a ski area for all levels of ski skills or snow boarding. It is easily accessible from Portland and surrounding Oregon, Washington areas. It is open for many months of the winter and spring ski season. Our family budgets our ski weekends for ultimate pleasure and exercise at this most beautiful, friendly ski mountain. more
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. more
Washington Park
Address 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221 Map, 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 many fun activities for kids, including the Rose Test Gardens, the Rose Garden Children's Park, the Zoo and Children's Museum. more
Reader Favorites
Audobon Society Care Center
Address 5151 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97210 Map, Tel Wildlife Care Center: 503.292.0304 (Mon-Sun 9-5) Call, Website
We took our thirteen-month-old to the Audubon Society Wildlife Care Center not too long ago, and she loved it! Not only can you meet their educational birds, including Julio the Great Horned Owl, but there are walking trails in the surrounding sanctuary that are perfect for taking little ones on a "hike." I have a friend who is coming to visit from Arkansas, and I plan to take her and her little ones there. There is truly something for all ages, including mom and dad. It's right in town, but feels like you're getting away since it's right up against Forest Park. more
Audubon Society Wildlife Care Center
Address 5151 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97210 Map, Website
Kids and parents can go and meet the animals who are recuperating and/or permanent residents in the care center, and then go on a beautiful, very kid-friendly walk/hike on the adjoining trails. It's right in town and a fantastic outing for residents and visitors alike. more
Chinese Garden
Address NW 3rd and Everett, Portland, OR Map, Website
We spent a recent sunny afternoon at the garden. The staff has prepared a nice scavenger hunt to help families enjoy the garden. There is also a nice self-guided tour with staff wandering around answering questions as needed. I find this much nicer than a guided tour when traveling with small children. more
Eastbank Esplanade
Great walking / biking / stroller-ing along the river in downtown Portland. Path makes a big loop between the Hawthorne and Steel bridges. Water views, no traffic and a great leisurely way to see the city. There are sculptures and even a floating section of the walkway on the east side of the river. The west side is all along Waterfront Park. Plus, you can walk to OMSI on the Esplanade! more
Finnegans Toys & Gifts
Address 922 SW Yamhill, portland or, 97205 Map, Tel 503.221.0306 Call, Website
No trip to Portland is complete without riding the street car to Finnegans! This is a fabulous toy store -- definately not the R Us variety. There's a train table (of course) along with various wind up toys to browse through. Yes it's technically a store, but my 3 yr old is happy to spend his time browsing and looking at all the great things they have. more
Keller Fountain Park
Address SW 3rd Ave & Clay St, Portland, OR Map, Website
A beautiful and very fun fountain across the street from the Keller Auditorium. It was designed after the northwest's waterfalls. Kids can play in the little pools, climb on the huge concrete stairs as water cascades down them, swim under the waterfalls, and jump from stone to stone above the water. If you're taking a younger kid, you will have to monitor them constantly as there are lots of climbing areas and they could get hurt. more
Löyly
Address 2713 SE 21st Ave. Portland, OR. 97202 Map, Tel 503.236.6850 Call, Website
Leave your kids with your spouse or a sitter and head to Löyly for a spa getaway that won't break the bank. For as low as $15 you can purchase a basic entry to a communal sauna and steam room but you'll probably want to splurge on a massage. This low key Scandinavian spa is spotless and friendly. more
Northwest Children's Theate
Address 1819 NW Everett St., Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel (503) 222-2190 Call, Website
Not only does the NW Children's Theater have great original play productions, they also have classes and summer camps for children. They have put on great plays like "Go Dog Go!" Their productions and classes are a great positive outlet for children in the metro Portland area. more
Peninsula Park & Rose Garden
Address 700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR 97217 Map, Tel 503-823-3620 Call, Website
There is a new fountain/water area, two playgrounds and fields for the kids and a huge, beautiful rose garden with a fountain in the center for the adults to explore. Lots of trees and picnic tables. The community center at the park has an outdoor heated pool for use. more
Portland Farmer's Market at Portland State University
Address SW Park Avenue and SW Montgomery St, Portland, OR 97201 Map, Website
PSU has a phenomenal farmer's market...the BIGGEST, FRESHEST and most INTERESTING for our kids! (Keep in mind there are 6 other farmer's markets too in Portland...) more
Portland Parks
Address 6000 SE Salmon St Portland, OR 97215 Map, Website
Portlanders love our parks! Three that are very kid friendly are Mt. Tabor (trails for bikes and a big play area, plus how many other parks are on top of volcanoes?), Laurelhurst (separate playground and pond areas, with lots of room to run around), and Grant Park (in the summer check out the Beverly Cleary fountain with sculptures of Ramona et al that kids can touch, play with, etc). Lots of city parks have wading pools open in the summer. Perfect for a little break with hot and tired little travelers. more
Portland Saturday Market
Address 108 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel (503) 222-6072 Call, Website
Our kids loved the variety of items being sold: hip children's clothing in fabulous materials, beautiful stained glass for indoor/outdoor use, stylish teacup and saucer bird feeders, etc. more
The Bishop's Close
Address 11800 SW Military Lane Portland, Oregon 97219-8436 Map, Tel 8004522562 Call, Website
For older toddlers and kids of all ages the Bishop's Close is a memorable place to visit. The north end of the garden has more manicured paths, but the south end has a path that goes along the river (in fact, watch kiddos because of a drop-off which is protected by low-boulders), where you can find a goldfish pond stocked with newts! It's a beautiful, unique place in SW Portland. more
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