Portland is a great place to visit on foot or by bicycle. But unless you bring your vehicle, you’ll miss some of it. Split your trip if you can, doing a day or more by car and another day or two (or four) on foot. Traffic can be horrendous in the downtown area or on any freeway during commute hours. Try to plan your vehicle trips between nine and four, or after 7 pm. Here are some places to visit by car:
Lloyd Center – This is a huge shopping mall with an ice skating rink and a movie theater. The skating is only $5 per session (+$2.50 rental). Take a dollar off for military and Scouts. On the northwest side, across the Willamette River.
Washington Park Rose Gardens – One of the loveliest places to take photos. The kids can have fun looking at the prizewinning roses from each year. Washington Park is more than just roses, though. There are plenty of playgrounds, picnic areas, an arboretum, a Holocaust museum, Japanese Garden, and of course, the famous Oregon Zoo. You could easily spend a whole day here and not see everything. There’s plenty of parking except on Saturdays when it can be maddening to find a spot. Make sure to bring your camera!
World Forestry Discovery Museum – Inside Washington Park, this museum tries to strike a balance in education of the importance of trees and their impact on the Northwest’s economy. Guide-led or self-guided tours are available.
OMSI – The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a don’t-miss if you have elementary aged children. Read about it in its own blog. It’s located on the northwest side.
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center – For children and adults alike, the history here is presented in an interesting hands-on way. Plan in advance to go during a “living history” exhibit. It’s much better when the docents are in costume.
With all there is to do in Portland, you’re better off getting a hotel and staying a few days rather than trying to cram too much into one day. See our mini-reviews of some places to stay.