Portland, Oregon is one of the most beautiful and family friendly cities on the west coast. Whether you have a few hours, a day or a week to explore this famously eco-conscious green city, here are some of the best things to do in Portland.
Family Attractions
There is no shortage of family friendly things to do in Portland. The downtown area is great for walking, but if your kids love to fly then pay a visit to the Portland Aerial Tram. The tram runs from the south waterfront district to the Oregon Health and Science University. Soaring above city, kids can catch great views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, the Willamette River and the downtown skyline.
Washington Park is another must see in Portland. Located a short ten minute train ride from downtown, the huge park features picnic areas, children’s activities, the Rose Test Gardens & Children’s Park, the Japanese Garden, the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Children’s Museum and the Forest Discovery Museum. The park is a bit spread out, but all the major attractions are accessible via the MAX light rail system.
Thrill seekers can spend the day at Oaks Amusement Park, just minutes from downtown Portland. The affordable park specializes in old fashioned family fun and features roller skating, go-karts, rides, picnic areas, a dance pavilion, snack stands and spectacular views of the waterfront.
If you are looking for things to do in Portland on a rainy day, pay a visit to the CHAP Art Factory. This fun destination provides all the paint, glitter, glue, pipe cleaners, crayons, markers and pompoms any kids could want. The best part is that they do all the cleanup.
The Audobon Society Wildlife Care Center is a great destination for those with smaller children. Kids will be enthralled to meet the animals at the care center, see the permanent residents like Julio the great horned owl or go on a kid-friendly hike.
Gardens & Fountains
Portland is well known for their beautiful gardens and fountains. The kids will love the scavenger hunt at the Chinese Garden and the koi fish at the Japanese Garden located in Washington Park.
If you’re trying to beat the heat, try visiting one of Portland’s magnificent fountains. The Jamison Square Fountain, located on the Portland Streetcar line, is perfect for babies and toddlers. Salmon Street Springs overlooks the Willamette River and is best for older toddlers to tweens. If you are downtown, try the Teachers Fountain. The Ira C. Keller Memorial Fountain is perfect for tweens and teens and features a terraced fountain, waterfalls, platforms and pools. Kids can swim under waterfalls, soak in the small pools, climb the huge concrete stairs or jump from stone to stone across the water.
Historical Sites
Portland is chock full of rich history experiences that will delight the whole family. At the top of the list is the turn of the century Pittock Mansion. Once the home of Portland daily newspaper founder Henry Louis Pittock, the mansion houses fabulous seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth century architectural styles, antique furnishings, fine art and spectacular gardens. If you are near Washington Park, stop over and visit the Oregon Holocaust Memorial which offers personal tours.
Skidmore Fountain, modeled after the fountains at the 1878 Paris Exposition, feature Portland’s oldest piece of public art, dating to 1888. Visit on a Saturday and enjoy the street performers who spill over around the fountain from the nearby Saturday Market.
Museums
If your family enjoys museums, Portland has many to choose from. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, located on the banks of the Willamette River, is one of the nation’s leading science museums. The museum has five enormous science halls featuring interactive exhibits and displays, an OMNIMAX Dome Theater, a planetarium and a real submarine to tour. Kids can even take part in a live lab experiment. Also worth a visit are the Portland Children’s Museum, the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, the 3D Center of Art and Photography and the Portland Art Museum. Visit the art museum on Sundays when they feature activities especially for families.
Dining Options
From modern bistros and steakhouses to gourmet food carts and fun family eateries, eating well on a budget is easy in Portland. Vegetarians in a hurry can nosh at The Whole Bowl, a gourmet food cart featuring only one dish: a brown rice, beans, olives, sour cream, cheddar cheese, coriander and secret Tali sauce concoction.
Kids will love a trip to Voodoo Doughnut, but make sure you skip the 3rd Avenue location as it is located next door to a porno theater. If you like sandwiches, a trip to Bunk is a must. You’ll find nothing fancy here, just good old fashioned New York-style sammies and sides.
Shopping
Portland offers some of the most unique places to shop on the west coast. Book lovers shouldn’t miss Powell’s City of Books. The world’s largest independent bookseller, Powell’s stock 1.5 million books in its full city block sized three story facility. The Portland Saturday Market provides free weekend family fun and a one of the most unique shopping experiences in the nation. There are over 350 vendors featuring everything from food and crafts to clothing and two stages with performers and musicians. Make sure you ride the street car to Finnegan’s Toys and see the great classic toys. If quaint one of a kind shops are more your style, opt for Riverplace Esplanade, Pioneer Courthouse Square or the Riverfront area.