Portland, Oregon is a beautiful river city known for its aesthetics  and culture.  Its a great place to find outdoor adventure, a thriving arts & music scene, and access to all sorts of eco-friendly experiences.  There is plenty of family fun to be had in the downtown area and the rest of the Willamette Valley.  Trekaroo is proud to be launching Portland this week and looks forward to exploring the rest of the state of Oregon with all of you wonderful members of the Trekaroo community.

So, what have Trekaroo families shared thus far?

• 236 Activities listed in the Portland/Willamette Valley Region alone!  Have you been to any of these kid-friendly places?  If so, add your insight! Did you see something we missed?  Be sure to share your experiences.

• Activities and hotel reviews across the 4 main regions of Oregon: Willamette Valley (Portland), Southern Oregon, Central Oregon, and Mt. Hood / The Gorge

• A list of Kid-friendly hotels in Portland waiting to be rated by parents like you

• Lots of fun lists like:
  • Top Kid Activities in Portland as voted by Trekaroo families
  • 5 Family Activities for $5 or less in Portland
  • Cheap and Fun Eats in Portland!
  • Things to see and do around Portland with Children
  • Favorite kid-friendly restaurants in the Portland Metro Area
  • Favorite Rainy Day Activities in Portland
  • Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in Oregon with Kid Programs
  • Favorite places to walk or hike in Oregon
  • Portland Picks from a Pacific Northwestern in the Know
    

Have you experienced Portland or any other part of the beautiful state of Oregon with your kids?  Tell us all about your experiences – good and bad.  Join now and start writing reviews.  New members get to take advantage of Welcome Rewards.  A gift card to Amazon, Starbucks, or REI was enough to convince me to join way back when!

What location is next? Georgia! Be part of the founding team to help launch Georgia on Trekaroo by sharing about activities you like and the best places to stay.

Special thanks to the 47 families who have collaborated to build a list of fantastic kid-friendly recommendations with their reviews!  In particular, special thanks are due to PDXBloss, pitstopsforkids, bayareababyblog, Beaverton Mama, Living Beaverton, Camillegrimshaw, thriftyportlandmom, Leigh Anne, fani*fam, McPippi, and naturalist who have gone above and beyond to inside scoop and create such helpful lists for Portland and Oregon.

And of course, thanks to team Trekaroo who sacrifice so much to pull it all together.

Put on those rain boots and get out there!

Esther Lee (thelees3) – CEO

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Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

A few weeks ago, we visited the California Academy of Sciences specifically to check out the new Extreme Mammal Exhibit.  Our 7 year old is an “animal expert”, so a visit to the Academy of Sciences is always huge treat.  When we first entered the Academy, we were greeted by the teaser section of the Extreme Mammal exhibit.  It was really neat.  In addition to a HUGE sculpture of the largest mammal, there is also a scale where people can compare their weight to that of other mammals.  That part was fun.  The kids delighted in the hands-on aspect of this portion of the exhibit.

Pangolin at Extreme Mammal Exhibit Photo Credit: AMNH/D. Finnin

Once through the ticket queue, you enter another queue with informational posters. After a moment, the doors to the exhibit were opened for us by a young man.  He explained we were entering a temperature controlled environment and to not take any pictures.  He also said to make sure we did not touch any of the exhibits unless a sign specifically said so. No worries – there is plenty here to see and touch.

Kinkajou Skeleton at Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo by: Woolly Monkey Fossil in the Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo credit: AMNH/R. Mickens

While the exhibits were arranged in an old-school museum style, the flow of the rooms was great.  One topic naturally lead to another.  The information in each section was short and informative.  While my kids rushed through somewhat, there was enough to interest them and get them talking.  My son, Josh, was particularly moved by the section on endangered species and has been studying the causes of extinction since we came home.

Giant Ground Sloth at Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo credit: AMNH/D. Finnin

My only complaint with the exhibit – and it’s a minor one – is that, even though it was a new exhibit, it already had a worn appearance.   Some signage was damaged, ripped, or falling apart, and some interactive materials weren’t working properly.   The condition of the exhibit made me feel as if the exhibit was being neglected.   It did not impact my ability to learn and enjoy the exhibit, just my ability to view the exhibit in a completely positive light.

Ellesmere Island Diorama at the Extreme Mammal Exhibit - Photo credit: AMNH/D. Finnin

All in all, my 7 year old son who’s a huge animal fan was very moved by the extreme mammal exhibit.  My 5 year old daughter was just slight of bored during our 45 minute tour of exhibit.  Definitely visit with your kids 6 and up who can read and digest all the wonderful information, However, you might want to skip over this special exhibit and head straight for the wonderful aquarium with younger kids.

Related:

• Reviews of the California Academy of Sciences
• Activities for Kids in San Francisco
• Kid-friendly Hotels in San Francisco

Disclosure: This review is based on a complimentary visit to Academy of Sciences.  I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view.

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Heather Tanner is a 2010 Trekaroo Superoo who visited the California Academy of Sciences on assignment to check out the Extreme Mammal Exhibit.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Ready for your kids to experience Elvis and the rich culture of country music and rock-n-roll?  Welcome to Tennessee! Trekaroo’s putting on it’s “Blue Suede Shoes” because we “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with Tennessee. Why? Because it’s got a little something for every child, young and old. There’s a rich culture of music to explore, historical landmarks that changed our country and the breath-taking Great Smoky Mountains that provides hours of outdoor adventure for every outdoor enthusiast.

So, what have Trekaroo families shared?

• Close to 700 kid-friendly activities throughout Tennessee
• Activities and hotel reviews across the 4 main regions of Tennessee: Eastern Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains, Nashville and the Heartland, Memphis and the Western Plains, and Central Tennessee
• A list of Kid-friendly hotels in Tennessee waiting to be rated by parents like you
• Lots of fun lists like:
  • Top Fun Activities for Kids In Knoxville, Tennessee – voted by Trekaroo Parents
  • Top 5 Activities for a Toddler / Preschooler in Chattanooga, TN
  • Best Activities for a Toddler / Preschooler in Memphis, TN
  • Top Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers in Nashville, TN

Have you been to Tennessee with your kids, don’t hold back now, y’all. Tell us all about your experiences – good and bad.  Join now and start writing reviews.  New members get to take advantage of Welcome Rewards.

What location is next? We’d like everyone who’s been to Oregon to share about activities they like and the best places to stay

Special thanks to the moms of The Mommies Network in Tennessee, RunnerGrrrl, lldenton412, krisco32, mkmom, knoxvilledoula, Shelby Underhill, cinnamonsugah, ORFamilyof4, Nene. and JanTN and for their love of Tennessee and sharing so many of their adventures with  kids with the Trekaroo community. And of course, thanks to team Trekaroo who sacrifice so much to pull it all together.

Put on those shoes and get out there!

Esther Lee (thelees3) – CEO

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Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Trekaroo parents have been on the streets and in the mountains around Knoxville, Tennessee and we’ve compiled a list of their favorite destinations for their kids.  A simple look at the horizon leaves no doubt that the Great Smokey’s are a near perfect place to explore nature, but parents have also shown that with this unique geography comes unique parks, museums and entertainment.  So take a wander through some of the most visited and enjoyed places in the Knoxville area by parents and their kids.

#1 Kid-friendly Activity and Best Amusement Park for Kids: Dollywood

Parents all around the Smoky’s and beyond loved their family outing to Dollywood.  This southern-styled theme park is a short drive from Knoxville and boasts country music star Dolly Parton as its owner. One Trekaroo parent, Mom Most Traveled, liked the bit of Dolly history found in the park.  ”I particularly enjoyed the veritable shrine to Dolly Parton within the amusement park [...].”   Despite Dolly’s unique story, most kids will be attracted to the  rides.  Krisco32′s kids loved the rides that resulted in a good soaking.  ”The River Battle ride was fun, but really wet; and you are pretty much stuck at the mercy of anyone outside the ride who decides to shoot you.”  For those who can resist the thrill of being targeted by water cannons, there are plenty of water-free rides to fill the day.  Kjsbristol’s family particularly enjoyed their subterranean journey on the “unique vertical climbs and dark tunnels” of the Mystery Mine.  Dollywood makes a great effort in trying to have something for all ages and tastes.  ”For those too small for most of the rides, there are two playgrounds on opposite ends of the park,” said RunnerGrrrl.  On top of the rides and playgrounds, the park also has mkmom’s favorite BBQ and all the frills and thrills of a great tourist stop.

Photo Credit: Trekaroo/kjsbristol

Best Place to Sight the Local Animals: Cade’s Cove

Just a hop and a skip from Dollywood is Cade’s Cove, flaunting nature’s grand display of mountains, forests, and wildlife.  Locals like josalynandpeytonsmom love Cade’s Cove with it’s “waterfalls, trails, and wildlife inside the park for all to enjoy.”  StephanieSays had “never seen so many deer in [her] life” before her visit to Cade’s Cove.  ”There were so many different animals to see and kids can ooh and ahh to their heart’s content.” The area is within the National Park and offers many options for enjoying the scenery, from driving an 11 mile loop to exploring the numerous nature trails that meander through the beautiful mountains.  There are also many different sights to see, “Off the loop are many nature trails, historical cabins and homesteads, and picnic areas,” said knoxvilledoula.  It’s a great area for all styles, whether your want to drive, hike or bike.  Cade’s Cove promises unforgettable sights to the entire family.

Photo Credit: Trekaroo/jenc17

Most Exciting Museum for the Kids: Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge

About 25 miles outside of Knoxville, Trekaroo parents have found a museum that their kids adore.  One Trekaroo parent, going by the moniker Hyperpraise, said, “This museum was so nice that my children ask to go back.”  These repeat customers were drawn to the large-scale doll house, capable of accommodating the munchkins of many sizes, as well as a climbable space ship and castle.  Krisco32 found stumbled upon the museum while searching for a nearby destination, but her family wound up loving this fortunate mistake.  ”It was one of the only times I’ve been lost that actually turned out to be better than what we’d planned,” she said.  Children’s Museum aficionados may find this museum to be similar to many others, but Knoxvilledoula said it best, “So long as the kiddos like it, that’s what is important.”  And the kids have kept their parents going back again and again, which is why the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge tops the list.

Photo Credit: Trekaroo/RunnerGrrrl

Best Place for Kids to Play: World’s Fair Park

Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, this park is a massive stretch of land that includes grass fields, fountains, water falls, and a great playground, but most importantly Trekaroo parents and their kids find it grand!  Kristen, a Trekaroo parent, said the park is a wonderful destination during those hot and humid Tennessee summer days.  Near all the water works is a great playground for kids to climb and swing to their heart’s desire.  More than anything, the World’s Fair Park has a great atmosphere and community.  Lldenton describes the scene, “On a given day, with nice weather, the park is full of children playing on the new playground, college students studying, and many others lounging or passing through.”

Photo Credit: worldsfairpark.org

Most Entertaining Performance for Kids: Dixie Stampede

Pigeon Forge is an entertainment center in the middle of the Smokies, thus it is no surprise that Trekaroo parents would find the most entertaining show for their kids at this locale.  Lemonyemilyo describes it as a “non-stop rodeo theater” and gives an overwhelmingly positive endorsement of the food saying it’s “very yummy”.  With this winning combo of good entertainment and good food, kids can’t help be entertained (and satiated).  Srwstars describes the show like this: “The Dixie Stampede has amazing energy. You can’t help but be excited while watching the amazing show. It’s an interactive show that gets people from the audience to help with skits and playing games.”  All this excitement does cost a pretty penny, but Lemonyemilyo assures us the “experience is worth it.”

Photo Credit: flickr/Jim Moore

Trekaroo families have the inside scoop, and the word on the ‘roo is that the Orlando area has a slew of magical adventures for the little ones. Cities within the city were even specifically built for youngsters (and their wallet-toting parents, of course). Orlando boasts Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, gigantic water parks as well as thematic journeys through Medieval Times and the Holy Land.  Yet, Orlando is not all leg-achingly gigantic parks, it’s a city growing fast in may directions with unique venues for locals and tourists alike. It is also in the midst of vibrant natural areas with diverse wildlife.  Trekaroo parents have given us an inside look to the best of the best in the Orlando area.

#1 Activity and Best Amusement Park for Kids: Disney’s Magic Kingdom

“You can’t skip Disney. You MUST visit Disney at least once in your life.” There’s not much room for disagreement with this imperative from Lilkidthings.  With 73 Trekaroo families giving unanimously positive reviews, it’s clear as the crystal that Disney is an amazing destination. “You don’t go to Dinsey unless you plan to have a fun filled day,” says bukosker. Even a skeptic will believe in magic by trip’s end.  Take bejolly65′s comment: “I was so hesitant and cynical when we decided to go to Disney World. [...] But I guess there is a reason that Disney World is so popular. They really know what they are doing.”  The kids need no such convincing.  Many a trekaroo family speaks of how enchanted their child was seeing Cinderella or taking a magic carpet ride. “The girls loved Magic Kingdom, because as we all know Cinderella’s Castle is there,” says Trekaroo family metro927. While kids will be excited just being in the Kingdom, Trekaroo parents all agree that a day at Disney needs to be planned for maximum magic to occur and they have left a goldmine of suggestions. Keebz, an iPhone equipped mom, downloaded the Disney app and scoped out wait times. Don’t be alarmed if the plan falls apart, it’s only natural as parents and kids alike get lost in the atmosphere. As Travelingmom says, “This place can make an infant out of a grown man!”

Photo Credit: flickr/ninjapoodles

Best Museum for Kids to Explore: Orlando Science Center

From hurricanes to space shuttles, the Central Florida area is one of the most interesting places for science and the Orlando Science Center works hard to capture the creative energy of the area.  Trekaroo family apalanza says that the Science Center is great for all ages, but suggests packing your own lunch to save some cash.  For locals, WE3REEDS suggests the annual membership that allows unlimited access throughout the year. “Imax is included as well as all their special events.”  For denizens of more distant lands, the Orlando Science Center is a great excuse to get away from the parks and explore the town.

Photo Credit: OSC

Best Place to See Animals in Action: Sea World

While Disney may have your kids singing “Under the Sea”, Sea World journeys under and over while riding on the back of an orca whale.  Trekaroo parents concur that Sea World magnifies the wonders of ocean life with spectacular shows.  ”All the shows were great and VERY entertaining,” said akotash.  But it’s not all just high-flying whales, mischievous sea lions and acrobatic dolphins.  ”The last time I was at SeaWorld, we were able to get up close and touch the dolphins as we fed them,” commented Kat569.  Sea World offers many opportunities to get close to the animals and for some extra greenbacks, you can take behind the scenes tours.  Younger kids will certainly be amazed by the high-energy shows and every child will love the massive playground area in Shamu’s Happy Harbor.   What parents love most, though is seeing the look of amazement on their child’s face as the animals show their power.

Photo Credit: flickr/Big C Harvey

Best Natural Experience for Kids: Kelly Park

With an amusement park on nearly every corner, it’s easy to forget that Orlando is set among natural wonders of its own.  Kelly Park is a great place to get away and experience Florida’s abundant flora and fauna without having to drive too far from the city.  Shauna, a Trekaroo mom, commented that Kelly Park is “a great family outing for next to nothing!”  With a cost of ONE dollar, it will be by far the cheapest activity of any Orlando vacation. Shauna also suggests renting a tube and floating down the river as a great way to eco-tour Central Florida.  Even without the aquatic journey, there are plenty of reasons to pay the park a visit.  Volleyball courts, picnic tables, nature trails and even camping make the park a relaxing destination that is close enough to escape to on a whim.

Photo Credit: flickr/systemslibrarian

Wonder what Trekaroo Families voted as the Top Kid-friendly Hotels in Orlando?
Top Kid-friendly Hotels in Orlando, Florida - voted by parents

More Resources for Orlando

• All 71 Activities for Kids in and around Orlando, Florida
• Kid-friendly hotels in and around Orlando, Florida

• More Disney, Less Waiting – A review of RideMax
• 5 Tot-friendly Restaurants Favorites in at Disney
• Disney Hotels for Tween and Teens
• Top 5 “Must Do” Walt Disney World Attractions with Teens
• Free and Low-Cost Activities in Orlando for Preschoolers
• Water Parks in Florida

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Stephen Wanta is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TX | VA | WA