Things to do in Portland With Kids

NORTH AMERICA
/
USA
/
OREGON
/
PORTLAND
/
Things to Do
Elephant in the water at the Portland Oregon zoo
Elephant in the water at the Portland Oregon zoo | © Melissa Jensen / Alamy Stock Photo
Photo of Daisy Dobson
Daisy Dobson
20 July 2020
View

Portland is renowned for its breweries, coffee shops and young vibe, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a top destination for a family vacation, too. From historic firehouses and pancake flipping to amusement parks and zoos, there’s something for everyone. Culture Trip’s local insiders have got the scoop.

Pip's Original Donuts and Chai

Cafe, Coffee

Guess what Pip sells? You got it, fresh, hot donuts and sensational, home-made chai straight from the pot. The gang here have been part of the community for years and they’re a big part of Portland bringing joy to little and big kids alike. The grown-ups can grab an espresso or matcha alongside a seasonal donut speciality – candied bacon and maple donut anyone? Kick back in the homely dining room while the kids browse the bookshelf crammed with children’s books. Recommended by local insider Madeline Churm

Oregon Zoo

Zoo

With sustainability and environmentalism at its heart, Oregon Zoo carries out critical work in conservation, education and animal welfare. Such a commitment to animal wellbeing makes it a fantastic place to visit to learn all about the animal kingdom. Small people will love it for its sprawling exhibits filled with animals and birds from across the world. Its amphitheater is home to summer concerts, too. Recommended by local insider Madeline Churm

Historic Belmont Firehouse

Historical Landmark

Any youngster will be more than happy with a trip to this slice of firefighting history in Portland. Watch real firemen slide down the firehouse pole and see the fire trucks on display. The tour is geared up for young children, and if they’re happy then you will be, too. The surrounding neighborhood on SE Belmont Street is a fashionable, cool place with plenty to offer, so it is worth staying in the area to explore. Recommended by local insider Jordan Singh

Oaks Bottom Amusement Park

Amusement Park

Less than five miles from Downtown, the waterfront Oaks Bottom Amusement Park is set on the attractive banks of the Willamette River. The park is packed with fun activities guaranteed to bring a dose of good old-fashioned fun to all. Ride the bumper cars, take a dip on the small rollercoaster, challenge your child to a round of minigolf and take a whizz around the roller rink. There’s an arcade filled with games to top off the day. The nearby wildlife refuge center is also worth a visit. Recommended by local insider Jordan Singh

Slappy Cakes

Cafe, Coffee, $$$

Every table at Slappy Cakes comes with a personal griddle for each person, the result being the best home-made pancakes that you’ve ever tasted. Squeeze out the batter and get to work on your creation; once it’s sizzling, choose from jars of butter, jam, whipped cream, berries and chocolate for a wicked treat. There’s a full bar so this place isn’t just for kids, and if you don’t fancy cooking up your own, select your favorite from the full breakfast menu. Happy flipping! Recommended by local insider Jordan Singh

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel – and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Epic Trips, Mini Trips and Sailing Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travellers and friends who want to explore the world together.

Epic Trips are deeply immersive 8 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and enough down time to really relax and soak it all in. Our Mini Trips are small and mighty - they squeeze all the excitement and authenticity of our longer Epic Trips into a manageable 3-5 day window. Our Sailing Trips invite you to spend a week experiencing the best of the sea and land in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm – and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Cookies Policy

We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK"