I didn't see much regarding family travel on the forum. Traveling with 3 kids, 9, 12, & 14yrs old from Buffalo, NY 8/24/05. They are pretty average kids (if that says anything, not into musuems or art. With that in mind... I have 2 choices

Arriving Portland at 11am, drive via Columbia River and overnight in Hood River (BW) or MT. Hood (Timberline). Next day Alpine ride/tube ride/bike or raft (is ski bowl, Adventure park worth going - I see nothing on the forum about either). Then stop in Portland, maybe Edgefield for something to eat or downtown and onward to Cathlemet (a friends house to fish)
THEN EITHER>>
Drive to Quinault or Forks for 1 night (there is availability). Drive to Port Angeles or Port Townsend for 1 night. Ferry to Seattle for last 2 nights.
OR
Drive to Mt. St. Helens and overnight near Rainier. Next day do Rainier and last 3 nights in Seattle.
First time for the forum, so I hope I did it right. Any help would be great. Thanks

Either plan is good, except, if you go to the ONP I suggest staying at Crescent Lake Lodge rather than in Port Angeles.

In Hood River I think you will enjoy a room at the BW with a river view (not the other rooms).

Considering everything (driving, equal desirability of destimation) my preference would be to spend a night or two on the Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach with several great state parks nearby) and then Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Rainier on the way to Seattle.

Better decide pronto as good lodging gets booked way in advance in the summer.

I'd suggest that, after spending the night in the Gorge, you go white water rafting on the Deschutes River from Maupin (make reservations with an outfitter immediately for the four hour trip with lunch that takes in boxcar rapids). I haven't been to the adventure park on Mt. Hood, so can't speak to that, but I know the rafting trip is a thrill and memorable. The 9 year old should be okay, but ask the outfitter to be sure. Our son went when he was about that age and loved it.

I'd skip Mt. Hood if you go to Mt. Rainier. Mt. Rainier, alone, is worth the entire trip. I'd suggest leaving the OP for another day.

I'd suggest you visit Mt. St. Helens (a full day), if the kids are interested in the volcano. It's very interesting. Mt. Rainier is spectacular. I'd give it at least a full day, staying as close as possible for two nights. (It is probably way too late to stay in the National Pk, though you could check). Then head to Seattle for two days.

If you want to experience the water, you can take a ferry trip while you are staying in Seattle, visiting Bainbridge Island, or take the Argossy cruise to Blake Island for the Tillicum Village salmon bake. Blake Island is a marine park only accessible by boat and you'd get a little sense of the water side of the PNW.

Having a hard time giving up ONP. Is the rainforest and tidepools not worth the extra driving. Are there any other tidepools close to Cathlamet or out of Seattle. We go to the beach here all the time, So unless Cannon/Seaside is drastic, I would rather spend my time doing something we don't do at home. Maybe consider a quick drive to Long Beach to see the Pacific??

Now I'm thinking 2 nights BW Hood River (1 day gorge, the other rafting the Deschutes & Alpine Slide or is White Salmon river just as good? It's closer to Mt. Hood. Then 2 nights Cathlamet. Mt St. Helen, overnight near Rainier for the next day. Is Ape Cave worth seeing and is anyone familiar with www.cedarcreektreehouse.com near Rainier? Then to Seattle the last 2 nights, which really only gives me 1 full day in Seattle. I noted the Tiullicum Village (looks like fun - for kids too?)

any comments?

I haven't been there myself, but my daughter thinks the Ape Cave is great, so your kids might enjoy that.

The Rainforest is IMO very worth it, but it is quite a schlep for just a short visit.

I agree that Mt. Rainer is spectacular, but haven't been to Mt. Hood, so can't compare.

Hope this helps.

Complete dilemma the more I research...
I-5 enterence to St. Helens with visitors centers and return same way with an overnight in Ashford for Rainier the next day
Or
take 503 to cougar via Ape Cave and follow 25 up the East side to overnight in Packwood and enter Rainier, but miss the visitor centers.
It's kinda Ape Cave vs Visitor Centers
We are with 9,12,14 yr olds.

Actually, you can do both sides in one day, although it will be a long day. The visitors centers are a must, especially the Johnston Ridge Observatory. You will miss a LOT if you do not go to any of them! If it were my trip, I would take 504 all the way up, starting pretty early in the morning. Then backtrack and take the route to Ape Cave and Windy Ridge. Like I said, it would be a long day, but it is very much worth it.

mms - looks like your the St Helen pro.
Sounds great to do both, I'm going to wing it. My thought is to save a couple hours just going to Ape Cave and returning to Castle rock enterence (missing windy ridge, but catching the visitor centers) However do you have an opinion to overnight in Packwood (with pool) and enter Rainier at the Longmire enterence or overnight in Ashford (no pool)? Kids 9,12,14

doreenwol--I thought about this after I went to bed last night. I would change things a bit. Get a very early start, but do the south side first. I say this because the visitors centers on 504 do not open til 9 or 9:30. That way you can do the south side, then backtrack and take 504 up to the north side to the visitors centers.

The Forestry center is quite interesting, and there is a lot of hands on learning for the kids. The volunteers will explain how the eruption affected the various wildlife. Outside of that center is a great place to view the herds of elk as well.

The Coldwater center is nice, but if you are short on time skip it and head straight to Johnston Ridge. That one is the "must see". There are a few musts there that include the movie (very short, but spectacular) walking up to the viewpoint outside, and then go out onto the trail. We are hikers and have gone on long day hikes around there, but even if you just go a short ways on the trail it will give you a really good view upclose of the terrain.

Be SURE to have a camera! The gift shops in all the visitors centers are well stocked with film and disposable cameras, but of course their prices are quite high.

As far as where to stay that night, I would head to Ashford. Your day will have been quite long, and I personally would want to be closer to Longmire for the morning. The kids will appreciate having a shorter drive the next day.

I hope some of this helps. I have been to Mt. St. Helens many times and it is still so interesting each time. Our kids have not tired of it either.

mms - Sounds good to me. I will book Ashford today! I will write a review when I get back! Can't wait!

Are you from Seattle or Portland area?
Since your a wiz, I have a couple more questions. Is White Salmon rafting (near Hood river) to much for a 9 yr old. Some companies say yes, some say no. I'm kind of afraid to pre book, any other ideas. And looking for 1 memorable day in Seattle - whale watching maybe. But the good ones are to the islands, 3 hrs there & 3 hours back (which might also be long for the kids)
Any more opinions since I know you have kids!

My itinerary consists of Columbia gorge with 1 night hood river. River raft or something and head to Cathlamet on Washington side, day trip to cannon, 1 day fishing. Then to St. Helens and Rainier and 1 day in Seattle!

doreenwol--I have lived in both areas, but we are in the Portland area currently. I am a born and raised Oregonian, but DH is from the Seattle area. So a good mix, lol! I do not know about the rafting near White Salmon. The only real relevant thing I can tell you is that we have done white water rafting down in Bend with our kids and they love it. We started with them when they were about 7 and 9. I would call the company near White Salmon though and ask what their recommended ages are. It is a lot of fun! As far as whale watching, we just did that from the San Juans, and not even out on a boat. We went hiking and watched from a cliff somewhere. I can't even remember where that was, sorry! lol!

Last question, I promise. There is actually availablity at the Paradise Inn at Rainier. After St. Helen, Should I just stay in Ashford or book the Paradise Inn (I think its another hour drive) I've read good and bad in the reviews! Thanks again

Paradise! There is just something about it, so grab that reservation if you can.

thanks