Outdoors
Portland is surrounded by national forests and parkland, perfect for a family hike and exploring the natural world. The urban center itself also has plenty of spaces for kids to run around in and expend their energy. International Rose Test Garden
Portland's nickname is the City of Roses, with the sunny days and plentiful rainfall creating the perfect conditions for these blooms to grow. At the International Rose Test Garden you can wander a fantasy realm filled with thousands of types of roses. Entry is free, and kids will love running around under rose-covered archways and discovering all the unusual and pretty colors.
400 Southwest Kingston Avenue, Portland OR 97205. Portland Aerial Tram
Taking commuters from the South Waterfront area and up Marquam Hill, the Portland Aerial Tram takes you high above the city, with views of the sites of Portland and far beyond. Once at the top, you can stop to take photographs, or enjoy a wander around the neighborhood.
3303 Southwest Bond Avenue, Portland OR 97239.
Museums
There are many museums in Portland which are aimed at the family market. Whether it's learning about Oregon's pioneer past, or finding out more about the natural world, kids are bound to learn something new and exciting. Oregon Museum of Science & Industry
This ultra-modern, industrial-style museum will let kids make their very own flubber and gawp in amazement at a show at the planetarium. One highlight no family should miss out on is the chance to tour a real, actual military submarine, the USS Blueback, which has featured in numerous movies and TV shows over the years.
1945 Southeast Water Avenue, Portland OR 97214.
Portland Children's Museum
Portland Children's Museum is aimed at the often neglected under 12s age group, with opportunities to explore, play, and learn. Exhibits include a child-sized hedge maze, construction projects, a pet hospital where kids can play vet, and all sorts of other ways to learn about the world.
4015 Southwest Canyon Road, Portland OR 97221.
Family dining
Downtown Portland is an excellent location for family dining, with lots of small and independent cafés, restaurants, and eateries where you can grab a bite with the kids. Jam On Hawthorne
Offering a massive selection of breakfast foods, from wraps to waffles, Jam On Hawthorne is open until late afternoon for leisurely brunches and lunches too. There's a kids’ menu with small portions for small tummies, and a play area where children can let off steam while they wait for their food to arrive. Parents can sip mimosas and enjoy some quiet time.
2239 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland OR 97214.
Little Big Burger
This small Portland chain has several branches throughout the city, with the Pearl District branch particularly well placed for tourists. Little Big Burger has a short menu full of perfectly prepared classics, from quarter pounders to truffle fries, washed down with ice cream floats for the kids, or microbrew beers for the grown ups.
122 NW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209.
