With a slogan like “Keep Portland Weird,” you can bet there are lots of cool things to do in Portland with kids. Where else can you visit the world’s smallest park and eat a voodoo doll doughnut on the same day? Or tour a submerged submarine after hiking through the forest? Portland is known for funky neighborhoods, great foodie culture, and ample green spaces.
The city is easily explored by bike or foot, and the rain that it’s known for shouldn’t get in the way of your travel plans. But don’t expect to see very many umbrellas- Portlanders prefer to just pull up the hoods on their rain jackets and carry on.
So layer up and head out to explore one of our favorite cities on the West Coast!
Things to do in Portland with Kids on a Family Vacation
Tips for Your Visit to Portland
The ideal time to visit Portland is from May through September, when you are almost guaranteed warm weather and little rain, however it is also the peak tourist season. That being said, Portland is a four season destination and the weather here rarely slows the town down.
The Portland International Airport offers 400 flights daily. There are a few ways to get from the airport to downtown Portland. The MAX light rail Red Line is a great way to make the trip since it only takes a little over 30 minutes.
In addition, they offer low fares and it is easy to roll your luggage or stroller onto the train. Taxis are available and a one-way trip into Portland takes 20 to 40 minutes, or you can grab an Uber or Lyft, which may be your cheapest option.
It is not necessary to rent a car during your visit to Portland. The city is very walkable and you can take taxis or Uber everywhere.
Oregon Zoo
Located on 64 lush, green acres in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo is definitely a highlight for families visiting Portland. It is home to 1,800 animals representing 230 species including Asian elephants, Amur tigers, polar bears, lemurs, red pandas.
The zoo also does a great job of showcasing some of the wild animals living in the Pacific Northwest including black bears, mountain lions, bald eagles, and gray wolves.
Young kids will enjoy the Discovery Zone which has farm animals, an insect zoo, a nature play area and interactive play exhibits. There is also a train and carousel.
Trekaroo tip: Book timed entry tickets online in advance, especially during busy holiday or summer periods.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
a planetarium, giant-screen theater, submarine, and various exhibits and events.
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OSMI) is a truly remarkable museum, with tons of kid-friendly and hands-on activities for the entire family. The museum is huge, with five unique halls including Turbine Hall, Life Sciences Hall, and Earth Hall, as well as a Science Playground and rotating exhibits.
Around every corner is another way to play and learn at the same time. Where else can a toddler play in a huge kids’ area while others in the family tour an attack submarine (USS Blueback) parked right outside? There’s also an Imax-style theater and planetarium for even more fun.
The World Forestry Center
Located in Washington Park just across from the Oregon Zoo, the World Forestry Center teaches families about trees and their place in our world.
There are exhibits on different types of wood, logging, “riding” through rapids in a big raft, and trying to land a parachute in the smoke jumper display.
There is also an exhibit about forests around the world. In this exhibit you sit on a train in Russia, ride in a jeep in South Africa, a boat in China and a canopy crane in the jungle! You can even walk through a cross-section of a giant log.
Trekaroo tip: This museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It is open 10 – 4 daily the rest of the week.
Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Gardens
Portland is home to many impressive gardens and green spaces but two of the most famous are the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden, which are located next to each other in Washington Park.
The International Rose Test Garden is made up of rows and rows of all different types of roses and is free to visit. Feel free to wander the paths between the rows of 10,000 bushesand yes, stop and smell the roses. Do keep in mind that rose blooms are seasonal and they are best enjoyed from May through September.
The Portland Japanese Garden does have a fee to enter but this 12-acre garden is definitely worth the price of admission. Kids will love spying koi fish in the ponds, the moon bridge, and winding their way through the paths inside the garden. There is a kid-friendly map and scavenger hunt that you can pick up at the entrance to help keep younger children entertained.
Trekaroo tip: After you visit the gardens, head into the Umami Cafe and order a Mochi Ice Cream flight to share!
The Grotto
Another unique garden to visit is The Grotto, officially known as the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother. Explore 62 acres of treed gardens that were constructed in 1924 as an outdoor Roman Catholic sanctuary. The lower level is free to visit and includes the famous rock-carved Grotto that is set into a 110-foot cliffside with a statue of Mary.
The Upper Gardens are $10 for adults to visit ($5 for kids 6 – 11) and are accessed via an outdoor elevator to a clifftop sanctuary. There are lovely walking trails which have incredible views of East Portland as well as the Columbia River and Mt. St. Helens beyond.
The best time to visit is during the holiday season when over a million lights adorn the gardens as part of the Christmas Festival of Lights. There is also love music and a nativity.
This outdoor sanctuary includes tranquil paths and makes for a lovely morning out with the kids.
Pitcock Mansion
Stepping through the doors of Pittock Mansion is like going back in time. This French Renaissance-style château in West Hill was originally built in 1909 as a private home for London-born Oregonian publisher Henry Pittock and his wife, Georgiana.
Inside the mansion, visit the beautifully decorated rooms of and learn how one of the most influential families in Oregon’s history lived. Pittock Mansion is a beautiful 1914 mansion perched on a hillside above the city.
Tour the museum on your own, then explore the grounds and enjoy great views of Portland. If the weather is nice, take a hike on one of the many trails that pass by Pittock Mansion.
Portland Saturday Market
Visiting the Portland Saturday Market is a classic Portland experience. The market features music, food, and lots of stalls where you can browse unique items for sale. This is a seasonal market that is open from March through December and is the longest-running continuously operated outdoor market in the country.
Some of the stalls are actually toy stores, so the kids will love it too. Beyond toys you will find lots of art, food, jewelry, clothing, and even stalls with face painters. Keep your eyes out for street performers like balloon artists, jugglers, and musicians.
Trekaroo families recommend visiting without a stroller, since it can get very crowded and aisles may be narrow. For fresh produce and local foods, check out the PSU Portland Farmers Market.
Lan Su Garden
Lan Su Garden hides right in the middle of downtown Portland. This breathtaking Chinese garden not only inspires peace, but is fun and educational for families. Pick up a Family Discover Guide at the front gate to turn your visit into a scavenger hunt.
Hike Around Forest Park
A stroll through these woods makes the world feel simple again. With over 80 miles of trails, families never get bored at Forest Park. It is incredible to find such a lush forest in the middle of a city!
For your first visit, take the easy ¾-mile trail from the Lower McCleary parking lot to the mysterious “Witches Castle”. Don’t worry- it’s actually just the ruins of an old ranger station. Along the way, kids can balance on logs across the river or even hike down to the water to dip their feet.
Can’t get enough of the outdoors? Discover our Favorite Places to Walk or Hike in Oregon.
Powell’s City of Books
Did you know that Portland is home to the largest independent bookstore in the world? A visit to Powell’s is a right of passage for any book lover because this place really does have it all.
There are over one million books in stock across 9 color-coded rooms, including a special rare books room. The Rose Room is home to a massive collection of picture books, early readers, graphic novels, and Young Adult fiction and there are plenty of cozy spots to curl up with a book and relax for a bit.
Wander Along the Willamette River
Walking or taking a self-guided bike tour along Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a great way to spend the afternoon. Along the river you’ll find the Oregon Maritime Museum located on a historic steam-powered tug boat.
Just north of that is The Japanese Historical Plaza, the perfect place to admire spring cherry blossoms. And if you keep your eyes open, maybe you’ll spot the world’s smallest park, Mills End. Fun bike rentals such as surreys and tandem bikes are available from Kerr Bikes.
Oaks Amusement Park
Oaks Amusement Park is an old-fashioned amusement park that has been entertaining Portland families for generations since 1905. In fact, it is the oldest, continuously operating amusement park in the United States!
It features rides (including some suitable for younger kids), go karts, miniature golf, amusement park games, and a roller skating rink with an old-fashioned wooden floor! They even have bumper cars and an arcade filled with new and retro games.
Round out your classic amusement park experience with a corn dog and some cotton candy.
Portland Aerial Tram
The Portland Aerial Tram was originally built as a form of public transportation to connect the OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) campus to the South Waterfront but it is also a great way to see the city from above.
Tram cars run every few minutes and it only takes 3-4 minutes to ride in each direction. Along the way you will be able to see views of downtown, Mount Hood, and the Willamette River.
Trekaroo tip: The tram is closed on Sundays. It is $8.50 round trip to ride the tram but kids 6 and under ride for free. Avoid rush hour if you can.
Playdate PDX
Wondering what to do in Portland on a rainy day? Let the kids get out some energy at an indoor play area. Slide, dance, and climb at Playdate PDX. This indoor playground offers a safe toddler area, plus a main area designed for children up to 12 years old.
For a place that older kids will enjoy too, try Sky High Sports trampoline park. Parents may even want to join in for a game of dodgeball.
23rd Ave Shopping and Dining
My teens are lucky enough to have an uncle who lives in one of the best neighborhoods in Portland so when we visit, we always have to eat and shop our way down 23rd Avenue.
One store kids of all ages are always interested in visiting is Paxton Gate, a store filled with all sorts of curiosities including taxidermy animals, fossils, crystals, and all sorts of other things you rarely see anywhere else. Where else can you pick up a dinosaur bone, a jackalope, an owl pellet dissection kit, and a Venus fly trap in the same place?
There are also several thrift shops, some cool new age shops, and trendy brands like Marine Layer, Cotopaxi, and Lush Cosmetics to pop in and out of.
Head to Top Burmese Burma Joy to have authentic Burmese food served to you by robots. I highly recommend the tea leaf salad. I still have dreams about it. Grassa is a great option for Italian food. You order handmade pastas at the counter and then find a cozy table to chill in while your food is made. The rigatoni and pork belly mac and cheese are two of our favorites.
Salt & Straw originated in southeast Portland and creates small batches of ice cream using local ingredients to create delicious and unique flavors the whole family will enjoy. Flavors range from classic to creative, chocolate gooey brownie to bleu cheese and pear!
Voodoo Donuts
Voodoo Doughnuts: Voodoo Doughnuts is a very popular and well-known destination for unusual and delicious donuts! There may be a wait, but Trekaroo families say you must eat here when visiting Portland, Oregon.
Mother’s Bistro
Mother’s Bistro offers made-from-scratch food using favorite recipes of mothers from around the world! From meatloaf and pot roast to shrimp and grits and crab cakes, there is something that will make you feel warm and cozy. Families rave about their meals and love the play area in the restaurant as well!
Food Truck Pods
Portland is well-known for its food cart “pods” which feature large groups of food carts offering all different types of food. At last count, there were well over 500 food carts in the city! Everyone in the family will surely find something that sounds yummy! Prices are reasonable too.
Use Travel Portland’s app to find the closest food cart pods to you. Places like Pioneer Courthouse Square and the Portland State University (PSU) pods have lots of options.
Seating is rarely available on-site, so get the food and find a nearby park to enjoy the yumminess. Pods are located in various locations in downtown Portland- just ask someone to point the way to their favorite pod!
Easy Day Trips from Portland
Portland serves as a jumping off point for a variety of adventures in the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few of our favorites.
Mount Hood
Mt. Hood is a familiar site to people in Portland, as it towers magnificently behind the city. It’s a great destination in its own right.
Go to the Mt. Hood Skibowl in the winter for great skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other snow fun. Visit in the summer for wonderful hiking, biking, alpine sliding, and much more!
Columbia River Gorge
Just a short drive from downtown Portland you will find one of the most picturesque places in the pacific northwest; the Columbia River Gorge. Come here to visit the parks, the beautiful Columbia River, and thundering Multnomah Falls. Be sure to also check out Bonneville Dam with its fish ladder and fish hatchery!
Astoria
Astoria houses state parks, lighthouses, shipwrecks, lots of wildlife, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. It’s also home to the Oregon Film Museum and the Goonies House! Spend the weekend in Astoria and enjoy both the great outdoors and movie history. We have an entire article dedicated to things to do in Astoria.
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I was first attracted to the world of blogging because I was a mother of infant twins and I wanted to show others that if I could travel with two young kids and expose them to many adventures that would shape their lives, then so could they! I received my degree in Communications from UC Davis in 2000 and have had a passion for writing since I learned to use a #2 pencil many moons ago.
I am proud to have been featured as a top family travel writer by USA Today and have been featured in the Orange County Register, Huffington Post, CBS LA, MSNBC, Backpacker Magazine, and countless other publications over the years. I have also had the joy of working as a writer for some of my local tourism bureaus, Destination Irvine and Visit Anaheim, as well as providing my expertise on many projects including building family travel tourism in Peru and family-focused articles for Vail Resorts.
I have worked with the biggest players in the family travel industry including Disney Resorts, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Marriott, Hilton, Adventures by Disney, KOA, Visit Britain, Visit Norway, Visit California, Visit Florida, and so many more amazing organizations than I have space to list.
I currently live in Orange County, CA with my husband, twin son and daughter (who are now Seniors in high school!), three rescue dogs, and one rescue cat. My favorite things (besides travel) are the San Francisco 49ers, animal rescue, Mexican food, being outside, being crafty, and my ridiculously large crystal and mineral collection.
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