Portland's Best
The following is a Best of list created by seasoned Portland Metro Moms. A group comprised of native Oregonians, long-term residents, and new transplants. All of whom have taken time to explore, uncover and enjoy what Oregon has to offer. The list reflects the experiences of the contributors. NOTE: The special offerings mentioned in this list are SUBJECT TO CHANGE. We are not responsible for and do not receive payment or updates from the establishments or organizations referenced below. It is your responsibility to do due diligence to confirm that any specials mentioned below are still in effect. Thank you.
- Best Day Trips from Portland
- Best Kid Friendly Restaurants - Portland/Metro Area
- Best Gyms with Childcare Facilities
- Best Parks - Portland/Metro Area
- Best Family Outings - Portland/Metro Area
Location |
Comments |
Hood River, Mt. Hood Railroad, Hood River Fruit Loop |
Picnic by river, watch windsurfers |
Easy hike, nice picnic facility near one of the large falls |
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Cannon Beach |
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Seaside |
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Hug Point (coast) |
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Cooper Spur Ski area (east side of Mt. Hood) |
Family friendly, rent inner tubes for sledding |
Silverton, OR |
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| Evergreen Aviation Museum | See the Spruce Goose; New imax theatre, McMinnville, OR |
Located in Vancouver, WA |
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| Tillamook Air Museum | View vintage airplanes |
Sample cheese and see how it's made |
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Tolovana Park (south of Cannon Beach) |
Wayside with restrooms right on beach, Mo's restaurant (kid friendly, right next to wayside) |
AC Gilbert Discovery Center (Salem) |
Children's museum, indoor/outdoor areas |
Rainbow Trout Farm (near Sandy) |
Fishing, all tackle/bait provided, free until you catch fish |
D Wayside, nice beaches |
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Near Government Camp, flat trail |
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Bonneville Dam - 20 miles from downtown (I-84) |
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Tulip Gardens in Woodburn |
Tulip Festival in March/April |
| Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens | Lilac Days Festival during April and May. Woodland, WA |
| Cedar Creek Grist Mill | Watch as grain from Bob's Red Mill is ground into flour using a waterwheel. Kids take home free sacks of flour. Woodland, WA |
Runs beginning in May. Yacolt, WA |
Best Kid Friendly Restaurants - Portland/Metro Area
Name of Restaurant |
Comments |
| Movies are of the almost-on-DVD variety, but who cares when you can enjoy them in a theater with a slice of pizza and a beer while your kid(s) play in their childcare room. Reasonable childcare and movie admission rates. |
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Fun, kid-oriented coffeehouse with a childrens play area, play structure, chalk walls, magnet walls, train table, puppet theatre and a large sitting area for adults. Wilsonville |
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Big outside play area/garden space. Owners & staff really enjoy children and host kid friendly events like Easter egg hunt, halloween party, etc. |
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Kids' play area, good kids' menu |
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Kids eat free on Mondays |
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Kids' play area, special events and activities for families |
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Buffet, kids under 2 are free, ages 3-5 for $1.49 |
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Kids' play area, organic |
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Great pizza |
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Balloons, arcade |
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If you call ahead, they will bring order out to car |
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Large kids play area |
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Gustav's |
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Vegan/vegetarian friendly fare |
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Pepper Tree Thai Restaurant |
Kids get a special plate, fork and knife; wait staff loves kids. |
Best Gyms with Childcare Facilities
Name of Gym |
Comments |
On-site childcare |
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| Tualatin Hills Park and Rec | Cedar Hills Location has on-site childcare |
Tigard |
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Most have on-site childcare |
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Some have on-site childcare |
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For older kids who can watch TV; women only |
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Resort to Fitness |
NE Portland - Broadway, women only |
Best Parks - Portland/Metro Area
Name of Park |
Comments |
Custer Park (SW Portland) |
Shady |
Washington Park at Rose Garden |
Great play structure, sandbox, gets busy with lots of "big" kids, shady, wheel chair accessible |
Not much shade, good indoor park too. Paved walking trail |
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Imagination Station in Columbia Park (Troutdale) |
Great Play Structure; no shade |
George Rogers Park (Lake Oswego) |
Sandbox with toys, some shade, good play structure |
Sellwood Park (SE Portland) |
Shady, gets busy with summer camps |
Laurelhurst Park (NE Portland) |
Some shade, wading pool, walking trails, duck pond |
April Hills Park (SW Portland) |
Good play structure for young kids, no shade |
Hammerle Park (West Linn) |
Wading pool, shady |
Burger King (Burlingame) |
Large indoor play park, $1 for 1 hour of play (kids under 2 are free) |
Cook Park (Tigard) |
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Willamette Park (West Linn) |
Wading pool, near river |
Ibach Park (Tualatin) |
Sand and water, bring extra change of clothes |
Jurgens Park (Tualatin) |
No shade, great play structure |
Normandale (NE Portland) |
Shady |
Summerlake (Tigard) |
Lots of play area |
Jamison Park (Pearl District) |
Great water feature - Bring water toys |
Grant Park (NE Portland) |
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Berkely Park (SE Portland) |
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Esther Short (Vancouver) |
Water park, Subway and Starbucks across the street |
Gabriel Park SW Portland) |
Walking trails |
Piccolo Park (SE Portland) |
Nice, small neighborhood park, no restrooms |
Waluga Park (Lake Oswego) |
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Indoor Play Park |
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Indoor Play Park |
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Indoor Play Park (not crowded, very limited hours) |
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| Conestoga rec center | Indoor Play Park |
Best Family Outings - Portland/Metro Area
Location |
Comments |
kids under 3 are free; $2 admission second Tuesday of every month |
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Roller Skating in Winter months, Roller skating and rides in summer months. Check out Chipper's Preschool Party on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings |
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Pumpkin Patch in October; Sauvie Island farm in summer and fall |
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Storytime |
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| Bridgeport Village | Free summer concert series Jul 12 - Aug 23 |
| Barnes and Noble | Storytime |
Free guided tours, summer camps (pre-k - 8th grade) |
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| Clackamas Aquatic Park | |
Kids Club (Vancouver) |
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Ladybug Nature walks |
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Open Sat & Sun from Mar - Dec |
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Willamette Park - John's Landing |
Paved trail along river for walking, bikes |
Ride the historic elevator, tour historic buildings |
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Amusement park for school age kids; Just South of Salem |
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