Portland trip with family (toddler and prego mom edition)
October 13, 2018 10:03 AM Subscribe
We're taking a car free trip to Portland, OR next weekend. Would like advice on activities and food that can be accessed by public transportation and are good for a 34 weeks pregnant person and toddler.
We're doing a last family trip before baby curls 2 arrives in November and will be staying in downtown Portland (around sw 3rd and sw pine). We're only getting around on foot and public transportation. I have a half mile walking radius for venturing on foot.
I was hoping to go out for dim sum but searching online tells me there aren't (m)any places downtown. We also like Indian food, sushi, and standard fair options. It looks like I'll be close to Voodoo donuts and will go there at least once. What other Portland food should we fit into our Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? Toddler curls isn't a picky eater and is usually happy at any child tolerant restaurant.
I'm also looking for activities we'll enjoy. There are a lot of parks and green spaces but are there some we should try over others? I wouldn't mind doing OMSI or the zoo but feel like I'll pay to sit while my husband and son run around. That'll probably happen wherever we go but it'd be nice to not pay a steep admission fee for our activities this time.
Toddler curls will be 3 next month and still naps after lunch (so we need activities that'll be easy to get to and do in less than half a day).
We're doing a last family trip before baby curls 2 arrives in November and will be staying in downtown Portland (around sw 3rd and sw pine). We're only getting around on foot and public transportation. I have a half mile walking radius for venturing on foot.
I was hoping to go out for dim sum but searching online tells me there aren't (m)any places downtown. We also like Indian food, sushi, and standard fair options. It looks like I'll be close to Voodoo donuts and will go there at least once. What other Portland food should we fit into our Friday, Saturday, and Sunday? Toddler curls isn't a picky eater and is usually happy at any child tolerant restaurant.
I'm also looking for activities we'll enjoy. There are a lot of parks and green spaces but are there some we should try over others? I wouldn't mind doing OMSI or the zoo but feel like I'll pay to sit while my husband and son run around. That'll probably happen wherever we go but it'd be nice to not pay a steep admission fee for our activities this time.
Toddler curls will be 3 next month and still naps after lunch (so we need activities that'll be easy to get to and do in less than half a day).
Best answer: The central library downtown has a fantastic children's room (the Beverly Cleary children's library), plus it's just a beautiful library in general. There's a small shop across SW 10th from the library called Crafty Wonderland where you can buy locally-made artsy stuff, if you want a souvenir.
I highly recommend the Children's Museum for younger kids, and the food there is decent. Washington Park, where the zoo and children's museum are, also has a lovely playground.
At NW Broadway & Couch is Sushi Ichiban. It's not the highest quality sushi -- it's perfectly serviceable -- BUT it comes on an ELECTRIC TOY TRAIN (and it's cheap). My children adore this place. We've been going there since they were infants; my older kid has been requesting "train sushi" for his birthday dinners since his third birthday. It's also not far from the playground on the park blocks. Two small notes about that playground: 1) it's the primary playground for a local charter school, so during the week it can be really busy, and 2) the park blocks host a ton of Portland's homeless population. How you want to handle that is totally up to you, but some folks like to be forewarned.
If you do decide to go to OMSI, the MAX ride from downtown over the new Tilikum Crossing bridge is a nice one.
Pioneer Square and the waterfront are both good places to let a small person run around and get their wiggles out.
posted by linettasky at 11:25 AM on October 13, 2018
I highly recommend the Children's Museum for younger kids, and the food there is decent. Washington Park, where the zoo and children's museum are, also has a lovely playground.
At NW Broadway & Couch is Sushi Ichiban. It's not the highest quality sushi -- it's perfectly serviceable -- BUT it comes on an ELECTRIC TOY TRAIN (and it's cheap). My children adore this place. We've been going there since they were infants; my older kid has been requesting "train sushi" for his birthday dinners since his third birthday. It's also not far from the playground on the park blocks. Two small notes about that playground: 1) it's the primary playground for a local charter school, so during the week it can be really busy, and 2) the park blocks host a ton of Portland's homeless population. How you want to handle that is totally up to you, but some folks like to be forewarned.
If you do decide to go to OMSI, the MAX ride from downtown over the new Tilikum Crossing bridge is a nice one.
Pioneer Square and the waterfront are both good places to let a small person run around and get their wiggles out.
posted by linettasky at 11:25 AM on October 13, 2018
There’s not much (any?) good dim sum in Portland, and the best of what’s there is going to be out on SE 82nd. Not worth the hike on the bus from downtown IMO.
posted by Automocar at 12:53 PM on October 13, 2018
posted by Automocar at 12:53 PM on October 13, 2018
You’ll be staying really close to Pine Street Market, a food hall where a handful of different well-established local food vendors have smaller scale offerings. It’s a great option for you because of the location, and the food is good.
You’ll also be near the Saturday Market (also open on Sundays), which has art vendors and is right on the water. I don’t know if your toddler would like it, but it might be an interesting destination for the one of you with more energy while the toddler naps.
Snobby Portlanders eschew Voodoo Donuts (regarded as being for tourists) in favor of Coco Donuts or Blue Star.
If you do decide to do something with admission, I’d also suggest the Children’s Museum over the zoo for a toddler. OMSI over the zoo as well.
I also want to add to what linettasky said: the area where you’re staying is the southern edge or so of where a lot of houseless folks in Portland spend their time. I feel safe in that area, but it might be jarring if you don’t expect it. Portland also has a much larger visibly homeless population than some other cities.
posted by bluedaisy at 5:45 PM on October 13, 2018
You’ll also be near the Saturday Market (also open on Sundays), which has art vendors and is right on the water. I don’t know if your toddler would like it, but it might be an interesting destination for the one of you with more energy while the toddler naps.
Snobby Portlanders eschew Voodoo Donuts (regarded as being for tourists) in favor of Coco Donuts or Blue Star.
If you do decide to do something with admission, I’d also suggest the Children’s Museum over the zoo for a toddler. OMSI over the zoo as well.
I also want to add to what linettasky said: the area where you’re staying is the southern edge or so of where a lot of houseless folks in Portland spend their time. I feel safe in that area, but it might be jarring if you don’t expect it. Portland also has a much larger visibly homeless population than some other cities.
posted by bluedaisy at 5:45 PM on October 13, 2018
Oh! I read this as you’d be here in November! The weather may be favorable next weekend...if so, definitely head to the parks with fountains - Director’s and Jamison Square (streetcar). Maybe throw in some clothes for the little one that can get wet and dry easily.
posted by amanda at 9:25 PM on October 13, 2018
posted by amanda at 9:25 PM on October 13, 2018
Best answer: Go to Blue Star instead of Voodoo for donuts.
posted by bendy at 12:32 AM on October 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by bendy at 12:32 AM on October 14, 2018 [2 favorites]
My favorite sushi place there is Yama. If lil' curls likes cars or something, they'll love the streetcar.
posted by bendy at 12:33 AM on October 14, 2018
posted by bendy at 12:33 AM on October 14, 2018
If the weather holds, take the streetcar to the Portland Aerial Tram on Friday or Saturday (it’s closed Sundays this time of year) and ride up to the top. The views are great and kids tend to love it. There’s a little play area on one of the terraces at the top if you want to relax up there for a bit.
posted by outfielder at 8:56 AM on October 14, 2018
posted by outfielder at 8:56 AM on October 14, 2018
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Powell's of course, is a great rainy day option. You guys can take turns browsing and hanging with the kid in the kids' book area. Habibi is Lebanese and well-reviewed. I haven't been there in ages but a friend was just telling me that they had been recently and it was still good. Director Park is adjacent to Nordstrom downtown and another great place to run around. There are tables/chairs and a covered area. Nearby Elephants Deli for sandwiches/soup is good. There's also the Children's Museum up by the Zoo. It is very entertaining for 2-6 year olds. I haven't been there for awhile but there was this kind of weird pit of rubber bits with all kinds of Tonka digging trucks and my daughter loved it so much at about age 2/3. There's also a water play area that's fun for everyone. They have a snack bar and snack area, too.
posted by amanda at 10:45 AM on October 13, 2018