Cricket Forsey
Phone:
503-597-2444
Mobile:
503.515.1217


Fax:
503-336-7550
Email

 

An hands on science and learning experience for all ages. 

My tip! Check the website for times of Omnimax, Planetarium and Laser Light shows and plan your visit around them. Plan a couple hours to enjoy all the museum has to offer and be ready to drag your kids out, because they won’t want to leave!

Distance from downtown Portland:  5 minutes heading East over the Hawthorne or Morrison Bridges to SE Water Ave.

 

View some of the worlds most interesting places and animals at the Oregon Zoo. Stroll through Africa’s savannah and tropical rainforest, the Cascades and the South Pole. You’ll see tide pools, sea otters and the zoo’s Pride and joy – the elephants! The zoo is open year round and has special exhibits and attractions for each season. Great examples are the summer concerts on the lawn and Zoo Lights in December.

Distance from downtown to Portland: 5 minutes heading West on Highway 26

Location: In Washington Park - 4001 SW Canyon Rd. Portland, OR 97221-9704

 

Open on Sundays too! A Portland tradition dating back to 1976 the Saturday Market is an open air market of 300 + artisans and craftspeople selling handmade items. Visitors stroll the market, shop for artwork, souvenirs or knick knack, pick up a snack and listen to music. Open March - December

Distance from downtown Portland: 0 minutes

Location: underneath the west end of the Burnside Bridge

 

 Portland is the City of Roses, so you can’t visit without stopping at the Rose Test Garden.

You can’t beat the price (free) or the view of downtown. The views are outstanding year round, but spring through fall the blooms or over 6500 rosebushes are unbeatable.

Be sure to take time to visit the Japanese Garden which is just on the other side of the tennis courts from the Rose Test Garden. It is most likely the most beautiful Japanese gardens to be found in the United States. There is an admission price – but worth every penny. My favorite time to visit is around Mother’s Day when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom.

Distance from downtown Portland: Just minutes traveling west up SW Taylor.

Location: 611 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland OR 97205

 

A great way to spend a rainy day in Portland with kids. (Older kids might want to skip this one)  “The mission of the Portland Children's Museum is to inspire imagination, creativity, and the wonder of learning in children and adults by inviting moments of shared discovery” says the museum website.

Distance from Portland: 5 minutes heading West on Highway 26

Location:4015 SW Canyon Rd off Highway 26 across the parking lot from the zoo.
Opposite the Oregon Zoo

Oregon’s first settlers arrived by following the Oregon Trail on covered wagons. More than 300,000 pioneers followed hoping to make a new start in the untamed Northwest. The interpretive center is a wonderful way to get a feel for what the experience was like for the brave pioneers making the trip.

Distance from downtown Portland: 25 minutes traveling South on I 5 then North to I 205. Exit 10 on I 205. (look for the giant covered wagons)

Location:1726 Washington Street Oregon City, OR 97045 

Take a step back in time with a visit to this grand turn of the century estate. The mansion is part of the National Historical Registry and includes artwork and furnishings dating from the late 1800’s to early 20^th century. Pack a lunch and relax in the garden front and take in the sweeping views of Portland.

Distance from downtown Portland: 5 minutes (Heading west up Burnside)

Location: 3229 NW Pittock Drive Portland, OR 97210