When it comes to the Northwest, many think of Portland as a second
city to Seattle and it is, in terms of population. But Portland
holds its own when it comes to parks, public transportation,
museums and other cultural institutions. Here are a few of the best
reasons to encourage clients to make their next family vacation an
urban experience in the City of Roses.
The center of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse
Square (surrounded by SW Yamhill, Morrison, Sixth and
Broadway), also known as Portland’s living room, is a great place
to blow off steam. Kids will love the steps, statues and four-way
continually spouting water fountains. The light rail Metropolitan
Area Express (MAX) stops here too. Kids under 7 don’t need a
ticket, and some of the shorter rides are even free for
grown-ups.
www.pioneercourthousesquare.org
The Oregon Zoo (4001 SW Canyon Road), the
Portland Children’s Museum (4015 SW Canyon Road) and the
World Forestry Center (4033 SW Canyon Road) share
a parking lot in Washington Park. The MAX Light
Rail stops there as well. In fact, the stop (Washington
Park) is less than five minutes from downtown and happens to be in
the deepest underground light rail tunnel in North America and
second deepest in the world. On the elevator ride up, kids can
watch the feet tick off as they climb to the surface. Plus, MAX
riders get a discount on zoo admission.
www.oregonzoo.org
www.portlandcm.org
www.worldforestrycenter.org
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (1945
SE Water Avenue) the locals call it OMSI is on the east bank of the
Willamette River, just south of downtown, five minutes by car (or a
short bus ride). Kids of all ages will love the 219,000 square feet
of brain-powered fun including interactive exhibits and hands-on
demonstrations like an aerodynamic ball room, water play and an
animation studio that even the little ones can understand. There’s
also a big-screen OMNIMAX Theater and the USS Blueback, an actual
decommissioned U.S. Navy submarine. Kids over 3 years who can crawl
through the opening can tour the sub. (Sub tour and OMNIMAX require
additional fee.)
www.omsi.edu
Powell’s City of Books (1005 W. Burnside), the
“world’s largest independent new and used book store,” features
three floors of books and periodicals, with a large children’s
section. You’ll find several kid-sized tables and sun streaming
through the windows on a nice afternoon plus plenty of affordable
reading material. Pearl Bakery (102 NW 9th Avenue)
is a block east, where you can pick up a delicious treat and
continue another block to a shady park and playground.
www.powells.com
www.pearlbakery.com
Finnegan’s Toys (922 SW Yamhill) is the perfect
spot to test out and shop for toys not always found at the
traditional shops. (FAO Schwartz watch out!) Toys on display can be
(gently) played with, including a train table loaded with engines
and a gravity-powered marble tower. It’s on the MAX line, across
the street from the main library.
www.finneganstoys.com
Visitors can experience the charm and excitement of minor league
baseball at PGE Park (1844 SW Morrison), recently
renovated to add state-of-the-art amenities without sacrificing the
stadium’s 1926 design. It’s home to Triple-A baseball’s Portland
Beavers, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Hot dogs are plenty,
even the best seats are less than $15 and nabbing a foul or home
run ball is nowhere near as rare as at a major league stadium. It’s
on the MAX line and the Portland Timbers’ soccer games are played
there as well.
www.pgepark.com
The Central Library (801 SW 10th Avenue), built
in 1913, features a kid-friendly room named for Portland’s most
famous children’s book author Beverly Cleary. While there, pick up
a map to some of the actual locations fictionalized in her beloved
stories about Beezus and her little sister Ramona.
www.multcolib.org
Share-it Square in the Selwood neighborhood (SE
Sherrett and 9th Street), is a grassroots public square created by
the local community. At each of the four corners of this
residential intersection, you’ll find a station created by the
neighborhood and fabricated almost entirely of recycled materials
and natural resources. There’s a Tea Station where free hot tea is
available 24 hours a day; an Information Station; a Produce Station
where people can give away or exchange food or household items; and
a Play Station/clubhouse with a toy kitchen, games, toys and books.
There are also antique shops and cafes nearby.
Portland is one of the country’s most bike-friendly towns. A
number of trails line the Willamette River, plus there are marked
lanes and paths all over the city. To rent mountain bikes try
Fat Tire Farm (2714 NW Thurman) and hit the trails
in Forest Park. For in-town bikes, try Waterfront Bike and Skate
Rental (315 SW Montgomery, Suite 360).
www.fattirefarm.com
