Portland, Oregon

With its walkable downtown and great (indoor and outdoor) activities for kids, portland is a great destination for a few days with the kids.

Baby Gear rentals are available from Babies on the Go

A great source for "current events" with kids is Urban Mamas

Jump to activities, hotels, shopping, restaurants, and hospitals.

½ Day Family Itineraries

Pearl District with Kids

Activities

Children's Museum

Address 4015 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221 Map, Tel (503) 223-6500, Hours at this writing, Mon-Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 11am–5pm; hours change seasonally, so please call to confirm Website

While the children's museum is a bit old, there's plenty of fun, indoor play for kids. We loved the garage (ages 5 and over) where older kids can drill, glue, draw and build their own creations. The water works is a great attraction for all ages (bring a ...

Jamison Square

Address 810 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97255 Map, Hours 5am to midnight, Notes Swim diapers available at Posh Baby Website

This fantastic public wading pool is fed by a waterfall that can be climbed even by early walkers. We've spent hours here, romping in the water and having the kind of loud, giggly fun that brings back fond memories of my own summer vacations as a child.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

Address 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214-3354 Map, Tel 503.797.6674, Hours Vary, but at least 9am-7pm daily, check website or call for additional hours, Costs Adults $9 Youth (3-13) and Seniors $7 plus extra charges for many areas of the museum. Tickets available online Website

The science museum includes a planetarium, omnimax, a submarine tour, laser shows, and lots of hands-on exhibits. Even early walkers can enjoy the main museum (with some help from mom and dad), and older kids will get a lot out of the hands-on-exhibits and the opportunity to do experiments in ...

Oregon Zoo

Address 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221-9704 Map, Tel 503-226-1561, Hours 8am-6pm Summer (Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day), 9am-6pm April 15-Sept 15 (except Summer), Cost Adults (12-64) $9.75, Seniors (65 and over) $8.25, Children (3-11) $6.75, Infants (2 and under) Free Website

This huge zoo has a variety of different natural habitats for its animals to live in. Highlights include the Great Northwest Exhibit which features native animals and Packy the baby Asian elephant. There are also three trains (including a steam train!) to carry you around the zoo.

Trimet Free Ride Area

Website

Busses, MAX (the lightrail system) and the Portland streetcar make up Portland's excellent public transit system. It's easy to get to most popular destinations from downtown, and it will save you from packing everyone in and out of the car, navigating, and finding parking at each site.

Washington Park

Address 4001 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221 Map, Hours 5am-10pm. Closed to vehicles at 10pm. SW Washington Way closed Mon-Thu, Notes Washington Park has its own MAX Light Rail stop which lets you off right at the Zoo entrance. Trains run from downtown and stop approximately every 10 minutes. Bus #63 is slower, but more scenic than MAX and lets you off at any one of several locations in the park. There is a free shuttle to transport you around the park. Website

This huge park is a great place for a picnic and many fun activities for kids.

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Hotels

Ace Hotel

Address 1022 SW Stark St., Portland, OR 97205 Map, Tel (503) 228-2277, Notes Baby cots available Website

This modern hotel is at the edge of downtown, just adjacent to the Pearl district. That location also places it close to Powells books, and Whole Foods. Rooms are decorated using military surplus and have fun touches like record players. We found the hotel very comfortable, and were able to ...

DeLuxe Hotel

Address 729 SW 15th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205 Map, Tel 866.986.8085, Transit On the MAX line from the airport Website

The deLuxe hotel has lovely rooms with a glamourous old Hollywood theme. The deLuxe is a renovation of an older hotel that attempts strike a balance between being a chic and relatively affordable. I think it does a good job. Our double queen room was spacious and pretty (though it ...

Hotel Monaco

Address 506 SW Washington St., Portland OR 97204 Map, Tel 503-222-0001, Notes Baby cots available, Rooms have minibars, Adjoining rooms and suites available Website

This hotel has colorful decor that kids (and design savvy grownups) will love. The hotel also allows dogs, and you'll often see them in the lobby or on the way into or out of the hotel. Standard rooms can be small, but we were able to upgrade to a ...

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Restaurants

Andina

Address 1314 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR Map, Tel 503.228.9535, Hours Sun-Thu 11:30-2:30 & 4pm-11pm; Fri & Sat 11:30-2:30 & 4pm-midnight Website

Andina is an upscale restaurant best suited to well behaved kids. That said, the staff ws truly helpful, providing a high chair and helping us pick and choose kid-friendly items from the grown up menu (there was no kids menu). The food is a creative, modern take on Peruvian cuisine ...

Clyde Common

Address 1014 SW Stark St., Portland, OR 97205 Map, Tel (503) 228-3333, Hours Lunch daily from 12n-3pm, happy hour 3pm-6pm, dinner Mon-Thu 5pm-“late”, Fri-Sat 5pm-“later”, Sun 5pm-"late", Notes All seating at communal tables Website

Clyde Common is one of the hottest restaurants in Portland right now. It is also loud enough to bring well-behaved children (and provides high-chairs). There is no kids menu, but we were able to make a meal for for the kids out of menu items. During our visit, a few ...

Cupcake Jones

Address 307 NW 10th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Map, Tel 503-222-4404, Hours Mon-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 12n-6pm Website

This cupcake bakery sells delicious filled cupcakes (and mini-cupcakes) to take away. The menu changes monthly to keep things interesting, and there is a different selection each day of the week. Some recent choices included a Mimosa Cupcake: an orange yogurt cake filled with orange champagne pastry cream and iced ...

Hotlips Pizza

Address 721 NW 9th Ave # 150 Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel (503) 595-2342, Hours Sun-Th 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm Website

With a location close to Jamison Park, this is a great place to stop in for a bite after splashing in the wading pool. Pizza is served by the slice, or you can order a whole pie. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

Mother’s Bar and Bistro

Address 212 SW Stark St, Portland, OR 97204 Map, Tel 503-464-1122, Hours Tue-Thu 7am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9pm, Fri 7am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm, Sat 9am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm, Sun 9am-2:30pm Website

The casual atmosphere and comfort food served up at this downtown bistro have made it a favorite, especially for brunch, for years. I especially love the traditional eggs benedict. Kids will appreciate the familiar food and you will appreciate family friendly service, reasonable prices, and fresh ingredients. Call ahead to ...

Oba!

Address 555 NW 12th Ave Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel 503-228-6161, Hours Bar opens at 4pm, dinner service begins at 5pm. Open 7 Days, Notes Outdoor seating available during summer Website

This Latino restaurant has creative and delicious food for adults, and great choices for kids. We love the Crispy Coconut Prawns and the Roasted Butternut Squash Enchiladas. Kids choices include tacos, quesidillas, and coconut jasmine rice with beans (my son's favorite). For babies, you can ask for an order ...

Pearl Bakery

Address 102 NW 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel 503-827-0910, Hours Weekdays 6am-6pm; Sat 7am-5pm; Sun 8am-2pm Website

Known as the best bread bakery in Portland, and I have to say that I agree. Not only are the fresh breads delicious, but they also have excellent pastry and takaway sandwiches. On a recent trip we picked up Peanut Butter and Jelly for my son, yougurt for my daughter ...

Sip and Kranz

Address 901 NW 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97253 Map, Tel (503) 336-1335, Website

Located next to the excellent Jamison Square, this restaurant is designed to be the perfect place to stop in for a bite after your children have worn themselves out in the wading pool. The adult menu features fresh salads and sandwiches. This is also one of the easiest places for ...

Whole Foods

Address 1210 NW Couch St., Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel (503) 525-4343, Hours 8am-10pm everyday Website

Whole foods is a great place to stock up on snacks, pick up milk, or grab some food for a quick breakfast in your hotel room. There is also a buffet area, fresh pizza and an area to sit down.

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Shopping

Green Frog Toys

Address 1031 NW 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel (503) 222-2646, Hours Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm Website

This upscale toystore has a great selection of toys from upscale toy-makers and European companies like Haba, Selecta, and Plan Toys. There's also, (as you might expect) a great selection of frog stuffed animals!

Henny Penny

Address 405 NW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Map, Tel (503) 222-7676, Hours M-F 10-6, Sa 10-5, Su 12-5

Henny Penny sells top quality children's clothing from companies like Tea, Oilily, and many of the top European brands. While prices aren't cheap, the clothing is adorable. There is also a small (but good) selection of books and toys.

Posh Baby

Address 809 NW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR Map, Tel 503.478.7674, Tip Sells swim diapers for use in the wading pool Website

Posh Baby sells adorable clothing (much of it designed by the owner) for babies, toddlers and mommas. We loved their fashionable burp cloths when our kids were little (because burp cloths are really mom's accessory, not baby's), and we're hooked on their comfortable and cool looking scrub ...

Hospitals

Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital

Address 2801 N Gantenbein Avenue. Portland, Oregon 97227 Map, Tel 503-413-2200, Notes Emergency entrance is at the west side of the hospital off N. Kerby Website

This hospital has a pediatric area designed especially for children and staffed by doctors who are board-certified in Pediatric Medicine.