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.
Rose Test Gardens
The rose test gardens are fun to wander (especially in summer when everything is in bloom). Toddlers will love naming all the different colors (and if they're like mine, they'll delight in picking up rocks on the path) and even older children will be amazed at the variety.
Rose Garden Children's Park
Next to the Rose Test Gardens, this playground is tons of fun for all ages. The Children's Park has a sand pit, swings, and slides for all different ages, plus lots of bridges and climbing features.
Japanese Garden
The koi fish always seem to make Japanese Gardens a hit with our kids, and a pleasant relaxing stroll lowers our blood pressure too!
Forest Discovery Museum
The forest discovery museum has lots of hands on exhibits designed to help kids and adults learn about the forest and how its health impacts our every day life. The museum had a $7M renovation in 2005, so exhibits are very new and high tech.