FAMILY ACTIVITIES AROUND PORTLAND

Walking Distance

Portland Oregon Visitors Association
World Trade Center #2, SW Salmon off Front Ave. Stocked with dozens of free maps, travel brochures, and event calendars for Portland and its environs.

Portland Walking Tours
Visitor Center, Pioneer Courthouse Square Regularly scheduled walks Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; take between two and two and one half hours and cover between 1 and 1.5 miles. E asy walks at a leisurely pace and all tours enjoy frequent stops along the way. There are no hills, steps, or steep inclines along the walk.

Lewis & Clark exhibit at Oregon History Center
1200 SW Park Ave. Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5. The National Bicentennial Exhibition of the 1806 journey out west. (503) 222-1741.

Oregon Maritime Center & Museum
Willamette River seawall in Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park (terminus of Southwest Pine Street). The sternwheeler tugboat Portland, which houses the Oregon Maritime Center & Museum, was previously used as a location for the movie Maverick, starring Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson. Located on the Willamette River, this steam-powered vessel was originally used to guide ocean-going ships into Portland Harbor. Discover the ship models, photos, navigational instruments and museum store. Open Fri.-Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission charged.

Portland Spirit, 350-passenger yacht
Cruise and dine on the Willamette River. From the dock at Front Ave. & SW Salmon. (503) 224-3900, (800) 224-3901.

Tour the Willamette and Columbia Rivers
Where the scenery is almost as breathtaking as the ride with a high-speed excursion aboard the Outrageous Jetboat; 2-and 4-hour cruises. Departs from same dock as Portland Spirit.

Willamette River Jet Boat Tours
Exciting tours of the Willamette River; departs from OMSI.

Willamette Shore Trolley
Sightsee along the Willamette River from RiverPlace to Lake Oswego. Daily tours, round trip lasts 1 ¾ hours. Stop off at either terminal for strolling and shopping. (503) 222-2226.

Powell’s City of Books
Find new and used books at this block-sized bookstore at W.Burnside & 10 th Ave. Publishes a free walking map of downtown with numbered highlights and descriptive information.

Portlandia
SW 5 th Ave. & Madison. The nation’s second largest hammered-copper statue (the first is in New York harbor) at the entrance of the Portland Building.

Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Bordering Naito Parkway between the Steel Bridge and the RiverPlace Marina . A riverfront park popular for jogging, in-line skating and cooling off in Salmon Street Springs, a fountain whose water patterns change with the city’s mood. This mile-long stretch of green along the Willamette River is home to many annual events, including the Portland Rose Festival, the Oregon Brewers Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival. The Japanese American Historical Plaza is located at the north end of the park. Open year-round. Free.

Eastbank Esplanade
East bank of the Willamette River between the Steel and Hawthorne bridges. A 1.3-mile pedestrian/bicycling trail that extends along the east bank of downtown Portland’s Willamette River Highlights include a 1,200-foot walkway that sits atop the river, an adjoining 120-foot public boat dock, public art and the new Steel Bridge pedestrian/ bicycle crossing at riverbank level. With access from four bridges, cyclists, joggers and walkers can enjoy a complete three-mile loop that offers unparalleled views of downtown Portland as well as a unique perspective on the river. Open year-round. Free.

Pioneer Courthouse Square
SW Broadway & Yamhill, outdoor space for events & gatherings, surrounded by boutique and indoor shopping. Farmers Market Wed evenings. Known as “ Portland’s living room,” Portland’s visitor information center is housed here, joining an existing amphitheater, fountain, coffee shop, travel bookstore and a TriMet ticket office.

Pioneer Courthouse
SW 6 th Ave. & Yamhill: Oldest US courthouse on west coast, Open weekdays 8-5. Historic photos and view from 3 rd floor cuppola. Flanking courthouse on SW Yamhill and Morrison is a series of concrete pools with bronze native animals.

Portland Saturday Market
Sat 10-5, Sun 11-4:30 Craft fair located at west end of Burnside Bridge

Jamieson Square
10 th and Jamieson. This park, located in the trendy Pearl District, has a fabulous fountain designed for kids; it cycles continuously, draining and filling a large area to splash and play.

The Portland Rock Gym
21 NE 12th Ave. Offers day, month and annual rates. Special climbing membership pricing is available for families, children under 12, seniors, and during the week before 3 p.m. Day pass includes unlimited access to the gym for one day.

Portland Classical Chinese Garden
Approximately 65 workmen from Suzhou created the structures you will see. The majority of the plants in the Garden are indigenous to China; however, they were grown in the United States. Some plants are more than 100 years old and were transplanted from gardens and nurseries in Oregon.

Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park Avenue. Masterpieces by Monet, Renoir and Picasso share space with Native American and Asian artwork at the Portland Art Museum, the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest. Closed Mondays.

Portland Farmers’ Market
Highlights area growers and harvesters, features fresh flowers, seafood, breads, nuts, produce and locally prepared foods. On Saturdays, May through November, the market springs to life in the South Park Blocks on the campus of Portland State University ( 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.). Each Wednesday, mid-May through October, the market moves closer to the downtown core, setting up shop in the South Park Blocks near the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the Portland Art Museum (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). And on Thursday evenings, June through August, the market moves to the heart of Portland’s trendy Pearl District at the Ecotrust Building ( 4-8 p.m.). Free.

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Short Bus/MAX/Trolley Ride

Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI)
1945 SE Water Ave. Tues-Sun 9:30-7. Experience an earthquake registering 5.5 on the Richter scale, touch a tornado, race a sailboat, explore the galaxy or climb into a space capsule. These and other hands-on exhibits fascinate visitors at OMSI, the nation’s fifth largest science museum. In addition to the more than 200 exhibits and numerous science labs brimming with interactive activity, OMSI also houses a five-story domed OMNIMAX Theater, the Kendall Planetarium, featuring state-of-the-art Digistar II and SkyVision projection systems; and the USS Blueback, the most modern U.S. submarine on public display and formerly seen in the hit movie The Hunt for Red October. OMNIMAX films, planetarium shows and laser shows change throughout the year, so there’s always something new to experience at OMSI. Open year-round. Admission charged.

Hoyt Arboretum
4000 SW Fairview Blvd. Located in Forest Park, 5000 acres, the largest natural area in any US city with 50 miles of trails.;has free Forest Park trail maps. Home to plants from all seven continents, this 185-acre hiker’s paradise offers more than 1,100 species of trees and 12 miles of trails. At the south end of the arboretum is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Free guided tours, April through October, at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Visitor center offers maps, trail guides and information. Open year-round. Free.

Oregon Zoo (formerly Washington Park Zoo)
4001 SW Canyon Rd. 9:30-6 The zoo has twelve major exhibits, representing various geographic areas of the world. The Oregon Zoo highlights animals and their habitats. The zoo's botanical garden has more than 1,000 species of exotic plants, including firebird heliconia, pelican flower, and ground orchid. The zoo has about 1,880 specimens representing 270 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Take a trip on the Washington Park and Zoo Railway.

Children’s Museum
Located across from the Zoo. Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. K ids from birth through age 10 can explore a world where anything goes. Put on a show, dance, make music, sing. Pick a costume, paint your face and discover a new you. Experiment with water and clay or build your own city in the art studios. Sculpt, paint, draw or sew. Catch a puppet show and then relax at story time.

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum
Newly renovated reopened in June of 2005 with all new, hands-on exhibits that engage visitors to learn about forests and trees. Come face to face with a Pygmy family in a central African rain forest, explore the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, step back 300 million years into a world-class petrified wood exhibit, or enjoy the serenity of the Memorial Fountain area. Open year-round. Admission charged. Take MAX light rail to the Washington Park/Zoo.

International Rose Test Garden
400 SW Kingston Ave, Washington Park. Washington Park One of the most popular of Portland’s Parks & Recreation locations, the garden’s spectacular views and more than 8,000 roses make it one of Portland’s most notable signature landmarks.

Japanese Garden
The mood of ancient Japan is recaptured at the scenic Japanese Garden. Located adjacent to Washington Park, above the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden includes five traditional gardens, an authentic pavilion and teahouse. Proclaimed the most authentic Japanese garden outside Japan, it encompasses 5.5 acres and has a magnificent view of Portland and the surrounding mountains.

Play Structure at Washington Park
Near the Rose Garden across from the Zoo Train. A great, shaded large play structure for Kids to work off energy

Pittock Mansion
3229 N.W. Pittock Drive. Completed in 1914, this elegant estate was built by Henry Pittock, founder of Portland’s daily newspaper, The Oregonian. Located on 46 lush acres, the Pittock Mansion showcases remarkable antique furnishings and fine artwork in a noted National Historic Register Property. The site offers sweeping views of Portland and its surrounding mountains. Sharing the mansion grounds is the newly restored Gate Lodge, once home to James Skene and his family. The Gate Lodge offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life as an immigrant family discovers its own American dream. Tours, picnic area, restaurant, gift shop and hiking are available. Open year-round. Admission charged.

Portland Beavers Baseball and Timbers Soccer at PGE Park
Southwest 18th Avenue at Morrison Street

Rose Quarter
1 Center Court. The Rose Quarter features three facilities: the Rose Garden arena, Memorial Coliseum and the Rose Quarter Commons. From hosting major concerts, NBA games, conventions and more, the Rose Quarter accommodates events of all sizes that have a variety of needs. The Rose Garden is a 20,000-plus-seat state-of-the-art arena with six banquet rooms. The “Theater of the Clouds” set, with its spectacular theater curtains, provides a more intimate setting for groups up to 6,000. The Memorial Coliseum has a 12,000-plus-seat arena, a 40,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall and seven meeting rooms. Convenient access to Portland’s MAX light rail and TriMet bus service.

Oak’s Amusement Park
East end of Sellwood Bridge, off SE Spokane St. Tues-Sun 12-9. Geared toward young kids. Admission.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Southeast 28th Avenue, one block north of Woodstock Street. For a spectacular view of nearly 2,500 rhododendrons and azaleas, this seven-acre garden with its spring-fed lake and three waterfalls is an enchanting place to visit. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy feeding resident waterfowl from a water-level bridge that connects the garden’s peninsula to its island. Bird watchers should note that 94 species of birds have been identified at the garden. Best viewing times are March through June (rhododendrons) and autumn (fall foliage). Open year-round. Admission charged.

End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
1726 Washington St. Oregon City. M-F 9-6. Sun 10-5. Oregon Trail history told through presentations by living-history interpreters; Bound for Oregon, a 30-minute original film; exhibits; and interactive, "please-touch" activities.

North Clackamas Aquatic Park
The Aquatic Park features a wave pool, 3 water slides, an adult whirlpool, a children's wading pool, a six-lane lap pool, and a 13-foot diving well.

Golf
Portland Parks & Recreation owns and operates four public golf courses. Reserve a tee timeonline, or over the phone at 503-823-GOLF (4653). Contact the pro shop at each course for current greens fees.

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Daytrips Out of Town

Multnomah Falls
A pproximately 30 miles east of Portland, exit 31 off of I-84. Plummeting 620 feet from its origins on Larch Mountain, Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation.

Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge
Experience the history of the Columbia River Gorge and learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition on a cruise aboard the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge. Departs from Cascade Locks, off Interstate 84, 42 miles east of Portland.

The Tillamook Forest Center
Opening in April 2006, the center will be every Oregonian’s Coast Range escape, a place where families can come to have fun, to stroll through the forest and along the river, to learn about how our lives are connected to this forest and to all forests. Located on the Wilson River Highway (Route 6) in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest in an area known as Jones Creek, an hour’s drive west of downtown Portland.

A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village
A private nonprofit children's museum located in downtown Salem in Riverfront Park. Founded in 1989, A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village provides innovative and stimulating educational experiences which spark children's natural curiosity.

Oregon Garden
879 W. Main St, Silverton, OR. Located about 40 miles (an hour) south of Portland. The road to The Oregon Garden is a gorgeous drive on winding country roads. Summer: daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission.

Bonneville Lock and Dam
Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area off Interstate 84, 40 miles east of Portland, Bonneville Lock and Dam spans the Columbia River and links the two states. Open daily, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum
5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, OR  Located approximately 100 miles east of Portland on Interstate 84. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Interactive displays bring to life the tremendous volcanic upheavals and raging floods that created the Gorge, describe the mighty River which sculpted patterns for a unique and spectacular diversity of vegetation, wildlife, and ancient life ways, and follow the currents that shape our futures in the Gorge.

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