Thanks to a fortuitous penny toss, Portland, Oregon, was christened after its namesake in Maine, and has since become a thriving community that still pays homage to the natural beauty that surrounds it. Parks and green spaces entice families to get out and play. Named as the most environmentally friendly city in the United States, this makes Portland a popular vacation spot for people who care about their planet.
Indoor Activities
If a family seeks some indoor recreation, Portland has several options to consider. This is especially true when it comes to out-of-the-ordinary active pursuits like paintball and rock walls. Even the amusement park has a roller skating rink that offers fall and spring classes for pre-school kids ages 6 and under, complete with activities and snacks. In 2010 the price per child was $5.50, and the accompanying adult gets in free.
Outdoor Recreation
Surrounded by natural beauty, Portland attracts those who want to get outside and play. You can tour the Willamette River on a jet boat, or even ski in the summer at places like Mount Hood, the only ski area open year-round in North America. If skiing isn't your thing, that's OK too. Bring your bike, or hike a mountain. You can even camp there.
Day Trips
For families that wish to pack their day full of fun-filled activities, there are day trips that pack a little bit of everything into your itinerary. The Northwest Portland and Washington Park day trip takes a family from an interactive Children's Museum to the zoo, to a Vietnam Memorial to Portland's famous rose gardens. You can enjoy a picnic in Washington Park and hike through the trails. Day trips can also include trips to the coast and Mount Hood, or the Columbia River George.
Parks
Within minutes of downtown there is a 400-acre oasis that has everything from a zoo to a carousel to 15 miles of trails. A family could spend an entire day here. Washington Park allows its guests to hike through the forest, learn about the Holocaust and explore an Arboretum. Readers of Beverly Cleary, author of the timelessly popular Ramona book series, will find a sculpture in her honor in Grant Park, the setting for many of the adventures of Ramona Quimby. There's even a map to cover the spots in Portland where the events in the book "happened."
Public Transportation
Popular Science named Portland the top "green" city in the United States. This city is largely bike accessible, and some hotels even provide bikes for free for their overnight guests. Portland also provides aerial trams and trolley cars to get around town. Portland's 4T, or Trail, Tram, Trolley and Train, is an excursion where tourists can see the city using four different forms of transportation, including their own two feet. The walking part of the tour is 3.95 miles, and this includes sites like the zoo and downtown Portland.
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