With Kids In Portland, OR

June 23, 2009 11:06 AM

Looking for kid-friendly activities in Portland, OR

We'll be staying in the Pearl District next week with 2 and 5 year-old kids in tow - beyond some of the obvious stops (OMSI, the zoo, Children's Museum, etc) we'd love to hear of any destinations that would make the kids happy (I'll be swimming in Widmer's once the kids go to bed, so I'm less worried about the adult fun). We don't have a car, so mass transit accessible is pretty much required - thanks!

posted by jalexei to travel & transportation (13 comments total)

When I was in that age range, I was fascinated by the robotic trains at the airport in Dallas...I can only imagine how cool I would have thought it was to ride the light rail back and forth thru the hillside on the western leg out to hillsboro, YMMV.

I suspect they might also find it interesting to watch the different types of drawbridges opening/closing, but that's not something you can schedule for.
posted by nomisxid at 11:30 AM on June 23

The CHAP Art Factory is at 10th & Marshall. From noon - 5 on Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays, you pay $5 per hour per kid and they can make art or paint on a little cardboard house, play dress up, etc. Very messy!

I think it's supposed to be pretty warm next week, so maybe bring swimsuits and stop by Jamison Square (pic of tidal pool here).

Union Station is close by if you have tiny railfans. My parents take my son there sometimes, and once he came back with a paper engineer hat - good times.

The always recommended Powells is popular with kids, too. The children's section is huge.
posted by peep at 11:36 AM on June 23

Stop in at Powell's first thing and pick up the Out and About With Kids guide. The rose garden is either a quick bus, short drive or somewhat strenuous walk (for kids) up to Washington Park. It's free and gorgeous. Beyond that is the zoo. You can also easily get to the zoo by taking the Max from downtown -- take streetcar from the Pearl and then grab the Max heading west. I seem to recall the station under the zoo is kind of cool, too.

I don't think 2 and 5 year olds would get much out of the Japanese Garden (which is also near the rose garden) or the Chinese Garden which is in NW in Old Town so I won't recommend them. But, there's a playground on the North park blocks, somewhere around NW 9th and Davis.

Jamison square is awesome - bring towels and a picnic lunch. The Salmon Springs fountain on a hot day is a zoo of children but totally awesome. Your five year old could probably deal with it but the 2-year-old will need your supervision. Also, you will get wet, too, so plan for that!

OMSI is across the river and had some pretty nifty play areas, too.
posted by amanda at 12:08 PM on June 23

Clarify: I mean, obviously, your 2-year-old will be supervised at a fountain but Jamison square is a little more low-key where you can stand in a spot and hold your kid's hand and just get your feet a little wet. Salmon Springs is like a huge, awesome, splashy mess -- it might be a bit much for very little kids though very fun to watch for all ages.
posted by amanda at 12:15 PM on June 23

(And I know you didn't ask but, Widmer? I mean, that's awesome and I love Widmer but that's not going to be too close to where you are staying. Check out the new Deschutes Brewery restaurant right in the Pearl (do not eat the fresh pretzel appetizer -- it is killer delicious and bad for you and you'll crave it for the rest of your life). Check out Portland's oldest craft brewery, Bridgeport Brewing -- don't let their renovation fool you, they've been there for over 30 years. And, if you would like a huge array of good and interesting beers, check out Bailey's taproom, just south of Burnside on Broadway and 2nd.)
posted by amanda at 12:21 PM on June 23

Absolutely go to the Children's Museum. (8 bucks a person) Your kids will love it, and its on the MAX. While you're in Washington Park, you can also go next door to the Zoo or the World Forestry Museum (which is surprisingly really cool), the arboretum, or just take a walk in beautiful Forest Park. Your kids might also love the OHSU Aerial Tram. (2 bucks a person). I'm not sure anything is going on there now, but try to see a show at Do Jump (kids doing acrobatics!) or a show at Oregon Children's Theatre (which is close to the Pearl). The Portland Art Museum has an MC Escher exhibit right now, and, depending on how precocious your children are, they might really love it. A great resource for all things kids in pdx is Urban Mamas.

Portland is a really amazing city, and I highly encourage you to get out of the Pearl. The good eateries and breweries are mostly on the East Side, specifically SE and Nopo. As far as beer goes, try to venture away from Widmer, Bridgeport, Deschutes...while those beers are great, there are many smaller craft breweries that serve better beer and will give you a better flavor of the city. I recommend Hopworks, Amnesia, Lucky Lab, Roots, Old Lompoc.

Feel free to mefi mail me if you want more info.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:55 PM on June 23

sorry my Children's Museum link above is no good. The actual link is: this
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:56 PM on June 23

Oh, and you can get ANYWHERE in pdx on public transportation. The bus lines are pretty great, or you can get a pedicab!
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:58 PM on June 23

I wonder if the kids would like a ride on the aerial tram? If you take the bus to the top of the tram, which is at OHSU Hospital, I believe the ride down is free. From the bottom a streetcar can take you downtown.

And let me second the suggestion for Bailey's Taproom for beer. Love that place. They don't sell food, but there is a taqueria next door where you can place your order and they will bring it to you at Bailey's. You can also bring your own food. Excellent beers on tap, and they rotate at a pretty regular pace.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 1:10 PM on June 23

Thanks to everyone for the great input! As to Widmer's, their Hefewiezen on tap was a favorite of my long-ago days in Eugene. It's made it out east in bottles, but it's a poor substitute for the real thing. Rest assured I'll be hitting as many craft-brew spots as my lovely wife can tolerate.
posted by jalexei at 2:11 PM on June 23

My sister is bring her kids to visit me in about a week and has been sending me lists of things they'd like to do. One of her emails included this list of 50 things to do with your kids in Portland.

We did a lot of them last year but it might give you a few ideas of things to do.

Also, there's a great playground (huge!) just a bit down the road from the Test Rose Garden (you'll see signs for it if you go to the Test Rose Gardens). My cousin's five and two year old seemed to really like it.
posted by ugf at 2:56 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]

oh, good one, ugf! I forgot about the playground. It's the Rose Garden Children's Park within Washington Park.

And you can take the Zoo train from the Oregon Zoo to get there!
posted by peep at 3:38 PM on June 23

The five year old will love Oaks Park

The whole family will enjoy the market.

You should get cupcakes at Saint Cupcake or Cupcake Jones.

I second Powells and the aerial tram.

Have fun!
posted by dchrssyr at 6:32 PM on June 23