Fun things to do in Portland with kids?
November 30, 2015 12:25 AM Subscribe
What are some fun things to do with kids in Portland?
My kids and I are headed to Portland this weekend, where my brother is on business (with a suite!) for a couple of weeks. He doesn't know the area and neither do we. What are some fun things we can do with kids in tow? Note: my kids have some special needs, so nothing that involves much in the way of patience, line-ups, boredom or noise overload, please. Kids are in grade school. If there is somewhere my brother and I can sample some awesome food and craft beer - while still having the kids with us - we are all ears. We will have one car, but my older son gets car sick easily and just driving down to Portland in the first place will be an ordeal, so I am hoping we can stick around downtown or similar. Thanks in advance.
My kids and I are headed to Portland this weekend, where my brother is on business (with a suite!) for a couple of weeks. He doesn't know the area and neither do we. What are some fun things we can do with kids in tow? Note: my kids have some special needs, so nothing that involves much in the way of patience, line-ups, boredom or noise overload, please. Kids are in grade school. If there is somewhere my brother and I can sample some awesome food and craft beer - while still having the kids with us - we are all ears. We will have one car, but my older son gets car sick easily and just driving down to Portland in the first place will be an ordeal, so I am hoping we can stick around downtown or similar. Thanks in advance.
OMSI is a good choice. They have a decent restaurant with a bar inside as well.
Children's Museum and the Zoo (Zoo lights is going on right now) are easily accessible from downtown by the train.
Holiday Express train is going on right now.
posted by teamnap at 5:42 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Children's Museum and the Zoo (Zoo lights is going on right now) are easily accessible from downtown by the train.
Holiday Express train is going on right now.
posted by teamnap at 5:42 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
A lot depends on the weather this time of year. There are tons of outdoor playgrounds, like the big one near the Rose Garden. If it's sunny out, you can go for a short hike in Forest Park (Lower MacLeay trail starting at the end of NW Upshur is nice and leads to a cool little mossy stone building to explore). Or check out the critters and short trails that start at the Audubon wildlife rehab center.
Not sure if Powell's bookstore qualifies as overload, but their kids section is huge and there's plenty for Mom and Dad there too. Just bopping around downtown is fun at this time of year, starting at Pioneer Courthouse Square and just wandering, maybe catch a streetcar, grab some hot chocolate or ice cream...
For some indoor activity, OMSI is good for kids (and the current music exhibit is interesting for adults), and there's an IMAX theater with kids selections playing regularly. Our 3-year-old loves The Playground Gym and the "bubbly pool" (i.e. warm outdoor soaking tub) at the Kennedy School, although that isn't downtown.
posted by gottabefunky at 7:27 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Not sure if Powell's bookstore qualifies as overload, but their kids section is huge and there's plenty for Mom and Dad there too. Just bopping around downtown is fun at this time of year, starting at Pioneer Courthouse Square and just wandering, maybe catch a streetcar, grab some hot chocolate or ice cream...
For some indoor activity, OMSI is good for kids (and the current music exhibit is interesting for adults), and there's an IMAX theater with kids selections playing regularly. Our 3-year-old loves The Playground Gym and the "bubbly pool" (i.e. warm outdoor soaking tub) at the Kennedy School, although that isn't downtown.
posted by gottabefunky at 7:27 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
I worked at a bike rental and tour shop in Portland. People would rent bikes for the whole family and then ride on the waterfront, which is car-free. Most families seemed to have a lot of fun.
There's also Spinlister in Portland, which is the "sharing economy" for bikes.
posted by aniola at 9:40 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's also Spinlister in Portland, which is the "sharing economy" for bikes.
posted by aniola at 9:40 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Portland also has an extensive collection of public parks and food carts.
posted by aniola at 9:42 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by aniola at 9:42 AM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Laurelwood is a brewpub with a play area for kids. I have only ever been to the one on NE Sandy but Yelp reviews say the one in SE has a play area, as well.
posted by ainsley at 2:28 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ainsley at 2:28 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
The above suggestions are good. If the weather's not ideal for being outside, there's also Playdate PDX, which is a big indoor play/climbing space in the NW industrial part of town, best for kids in about the 4-10 range. It has a cafe and many tables for adults to sit and hang out. It can get a bit noisy though.
Right now the Portland Art Museum (which is free for kids under 18) has a fun exhibit by Kenny Scharf called Cosmic Cavern, a room he built filled with neon-painted '80s detritus.
posted by lisa g at 2:40 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Right now the Portland Art Museum (which is free for kids under 18) has a fun exhibit by Kenny Scharf called Cosmic Cavern, a room he built filled with neon-painted '80s detritus.
posted by lisa g at 2:40 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks. These are awesome recommendations!
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 12:55 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 12:55 PM on December 1, 2015
Adding my voice to the OMSI chorus.
Also a couple of smaller/stranger attractions: the Faux Museum and the Peculiarium. Two weird little museums that appeal to kids and adults alike.
If your kids like wildlife and can handle short hikes, I strongly second the Audubon Society recommendation! The trails are beautiful, the birds are cool, and the gift shop is swell, too.
posted by adastra at 11:20 PM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also a couple of smaller/stranger attractions: the Faux Museum and the Peculiarium. Two weird little museums that appeal to kids and adults alike.
If your kids like wildlife and can handle short hikes, I strongly second the Audubon Society recommendation! The trails are beautiful, the birds are cool, and the gift shop is swell, too.
posted by adastra at 11:20 PM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's too late for you, but future readers may be interested to know about Purrington's Cat Cafe
posted by aniola at 9:13 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by aniola at 9:13 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Awesome! No best answer - lots of great things here!
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 3:29 PM on December 30, 2015
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 3:29 PM on December 30, 2015
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posted by toomanycurls at 2:23 AM on November 30, 2015 [2 favorites]