karens

Has anyone taken the Portland Underground Tour? I am fascinated by the idea of the Shanghai tunnels (it almost seems like an urban legend to me). Their website indicated that tours were 90 minutes, which seems quite long.

I'd also be interested in any ideas for travel to Portland or the Oregon coast with teen boys. My husband and I have been to Portland twice and think it is a terrific city. One of my favorite hiking places in the whole country is the Columbia River Gorge.

Andrew

AAA makes a nice tour map of the Oregon Coast that breaks down the numerous parks, hiking trails, etc. to explore out there.

If you have more time, you might spend a few extra hours and head down to Silver Falls Park east of Salem. It's a huge park with several nice waterfalls, lots of hiking opportunities, and great scenery - you'll love it if you've enjoyed the Gorge.

I have never taken the Portland Underground Tour, so I can't help you there.

What are your boys' interests? There's always OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) which has an IMAX theater. If they like planes, the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum is an hour southwest of Portland, in McMinnville - lots of old planes, some space stuff, and another IMAX theater - and it's also on the way to the coast if you wish to head toward Lincoln City and Newport (central coast) vs. out to Cannon Beach and Seaside (northern coast).

Portland does have a triple-A minor league baseball team, the Portland Beavers, and a game at PGE park is a much less stressful and inexpensive experience than a visit to an MLB baseball park.

If your teenagers happen to be computer nuts, take them over to Free Geek in SE Portland - it's a computer recycling center, and they offer tours of the place - stacks of old computers, circuit boards, etc., pretty cool for computer fans, not so much for everyone else. (open til 7pm, closed Sun and Mon).

karens

Thanks, Andrew. Any trip we plan would include the coast - Cannon Beach and the dunes down in Florence. The OMSI and Evergreen Space Museum sound interesting.

My husband and I have hiked the Silver Falls SP - great hike. Our first trip Oregon, we hiked to so many different waterfalls - so many in the gorge (loved Eagle Creek Falls and Oneonta Gorge), Silver Falls, Toketee Falls down near Roseburg, etc.

travelmonkey

While in Portland recently we took the OHSU Tram which gives a great view of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood. The view of these from the Japanese Gardens and Pittock Mansion was equally impressive.

Ditto the comments on Evergreen. It houses Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose!

We enjoyed Old Town Pizza and Voodoo doughnut which might appeal to teenage boy's dining interests.

Fodorite018

We live here, with teens Like Andrew, we have not done the Underground Tour. OMSI (definitely take the submarine tour) and the Evergreen museums are great. You don't mention when you are coming, but if by chance it isn't til next summer, the Evergreen museum is adding an indoor waterpark, complete with an airplane on the roof from which you go out the inflatable emergency exits into a huge pool, etc. Definitely check the schedule for PGE park as there are lots of fun events there.

The Saturday Market (held on both Saturdays and Sundays) is fun for a couple hours.

The zoo here is very good, and our kids go several times each summer. You can hike from there up to Pittock Mansion if you like. We have done that several times and enjoy the trails. The Vietnam memorial is near there, and gives a good history of what was going on in OR during those years as well. Doesn't take too long, but is pretty interesting.

I am not a fan of the tram for fun outings. It was built to transport staff and patients/family up to the main part of the hospital and they ran way over budget, so ended up trying to market it as a tourist thing to do. The problem is, you mix people that are heading up for medical tests or to visit a loved one who is sick, with people having a grand old time and it isn't the best mix. The comments I heard from one family and their friends about people on the tram, while their DD was there after a trauma accident, were amazing. So, after that lecture, lol, just keep this in mind if you do go

Our teens don't care for Seaside. Cannon Beach is a big hit with them, and further down they like Cape Kiwanda/Pacific City (the big dune there is a lot of fun) and Newport (aquarium is very good, and the science center).

laurieb_nyny

I think you should go on the Tunnel tour. We found it fascinating. I think my daughter is around the same age as your kids. The restaurant that you meet at for the tour is quite good if you are looking for a dinner place before the tour. It is also in Chinatown if you like Chinese food. Voo Doo doughnuts is not too far away.

karens

Thanks, all.

The Evergreen Wings and Waves waterpark sounds awesome - my kids would *love* that! We are planning a summer 2011 trip, so I will keep my eyes out for their planned opening date.

passerbye

Here's another local who's never been on the Underground Tour. That it seems to be high on visitors' lists suggests to me that there's not really much to do in Portland. In the city, anyway.

Your teens might also enjoy the Alpine Slide and other activities up at Skibowl: http://www.skibowl.com/summer/. Timberline Lodge would be worth a stop too, if you haven't already seen it.

karens

passerbye - thank you! We love stuff like this - I love the ski lift assisted mountain biking and my kids love alpine slides. Whenever we take a trip out west, we almost always visit at least one alpine slide.

Shar

I didn't know Portland had an underground tour. I've done the one in Seattle - loved it but I'm going to look into the Portland one. I'm up there once a year to visit my sis.

EnricoIV

If you're here in July or August, we love the Willamette Jet Boat Tours. They go out from the dock at OMSI, and are great fun.