Oregon Vacation w/2 yr old- help!
 

We will be visiting Portland in June with our 2 yr old along with SIL and their 2 yr old. Wanted to do 2 days in Portland, and then 4 days seeing the sites- but really don't know where to start. Would love to see wine country, but is that not appropriate with children? We know we want to be at the beach for two nights and are debating between Surfrider Resort and Schooner Cove- but which one? We have free rooms at Marriott and Westin in Portland so would love feedback on that as well.

Schooner's Cove is our favorite place to stay in Cannon Beach and it is the perfect place for a 2-year-old. There is a grassy play area in front of the place and a few steps down is the sand.

I don't have suggestion for taking infants to wine tasting rooms.

My children, when they were in the 3 to 9 year old range, really liked the Portland zoo. We adults found it interesting also. And a nice playground in the park near the Rose Garden. Outside of Portland, I'm not an expert though my kids liked the Tillamook Cheese Factory, Fort Clatsop and Multnomah (?) Falls.

Oh, I think 2 year olds would like the Trolley in downtown Portland. Also read to them in the children's section of Powells Books. I personally would spend more time in Portland than 2 days.

June is still a bit early for our summers, usually. We always say summer begins on July 5th;) So come, but just be prepared for possibly rainy/chilly weather.

Our wine country really is not geared towards children at all. The best thing in the area for 2 yr olds that I can think of is the monkey (named Elvis) at Alf's in McMinnville. Alf's is an burger/ice cream place that has been around forever and is great. You might enjoy the Spruce Goose nearby, but the 2 yr olds most likely won't be too interested. It is a great stop though, so if the kids are the kind that don't mind, then go for it.

Cannon Beach is great. Take the kids to Haystack Rock at low tide and let them check out the tide pools. There are docents there during those times to explain everything.

In Portland, the zoo is an obvious must, but also OMSI is great with kids. You might kip the rose gardens depending on the kids personalities...they have hefty fines for anyone that tries to pick any roses...which might be temptation for the little ones. Up near the zoo is the childrens museum, the forestry center. The Vietnam Memorial is up near there too and the kids could run around there while you check that out. The memorial also has info on what was happening around Oregon during those years, so it is really interesting.

In downtown Portland, hit Mio Gelato for a nice break.

Multnomah Falls is great. Be sure to take the old scenic highway, as there are numerous places to stop and check things out. You might want to do a loop and continue to Hood River, then down around the back side of Mt. Hood, head to Timberline Lodge and let the kids play in the snow. From there you can continue back into Portland.

The Portland Zoo would be fun for for the kids. About 10 minutes from Cannon Beach is Seaside, it's a really fun place. Take the kids to the small aquarium there on the prom, they can feed the seals. There is also an enclosed mall with a carousel that kids love and lots of candy and ice cream shops. Have fun on your trip! ***kim*** ((#))

To clarify kimamom's post, IF arcades, cotton candy, bumper cars and corn dogs are your idea of "fun", Seaside would be the place to take your kids. Most toddlers I see there experience sensory overload, though.

Is it the SurfSand you're considering in Cannon Beach? If so, I think you'd be happy there. It's geared for families, and has been a favorite of ours for years. Not quite as convenient to downtown as Schooner's Cove, but not more than a five minute walk.

The City Center Marriott and the Westin are within a few blocks of eachother, in the heart of downtown. You'd be happy with either. There's another Marriott down on the riverfront, which would mean more of a hike to get places. But I believe that one has a pool, which might appeal to the kids.

I agree with others about kids and wine country, but if all you want to do is "see" it, just drive out 99W through Newberg and Dundee to McMinnville, then circle back to Newberg via Carlton and North Valley Road. Really not much to see though.

Oops, forgot to comment on the wine country. The scenery is pretty, I would recommend stops at Domaine Serene, Archery Summit and Domaine Drouhin. Torii Mor is also nice, you could plan a picnic here or at Domaine Serene, there is a very nice spacious, grassy area in the back of the tasting room where the kids could get some exercise. Cheers! ***kim*** ((*))

Thank you for all of your suggestions- they are all very helpful. One more question- what about the Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood- is it mostly hiking (difficult with a toddler) or is there enough to do where we can use a stroller or short walks? Also, recommendations for places to stay in that general area would be much appreciated.

The Gorge should be fine with your 2 yr-old. I doubt you'll want to take them to the top of Multnomah Falls, but there are paved paths to popular viewing spots for all the falls.

Mt Hood is a different deal, though. There are some short paved paths around Timberline Lodge, but otherwise not much that's stroller-friendly. If you're doing the Gorge - Mt. Hood loop, though, Timberline might be all you have time for. Hopefully the snow will be mostly gone by then. ;-)

The Columbia Gorge Hotel is a very nice place to stay in this area. A Farm Country Breakfast is included with your room, it's amazing. The CGH is a Historic Hotel with beautiful grounds and scenery. ***kim*** ((#))

Overlooked your second request....

kimamom's right, Columbia Gorge Hotel is probably the best in the area. But, it's only an hour from Portland, so unless you're planning two days in the Gorge, I'm not sure why you wouldn't return to your Portland hotel. You might also consider spending most of the day in the Gorge, then up to Mt. Hood on hwy 35 and overnight at Timberline Lodge.

As for Gorge activities -

The kids in our family always loved going to the Bonneville Dam, and the fish hatchery there.

The Dalles has a nice museum with lots of hands-on exhibits.

In Portland (took our then 15 month old last year to Portland and down the coast) the kids will enjoy the Oregon Zoo (one of the better ones I have been to). In the same parking lot is the Children's Museum which we thought was great. When at the zoo you can take the zoo train up to the Rose Garden. Portland really did a great job with these attractions.

We thought our son was a little small for much of OMSI but there is certainly enough in there to entertain the 2 year olds.

Note sure how far you're going but the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport was also excellent.

Yes, if you're down in Newport, I second the suggestion for the aquarium, we visited last summer and it was great fun! We did a day trip from our beach cottage in Seaside and also made stops in Lincoln City and Gleneden Beach for lunch at the Salishan Lodge & Spa. Gorgeous scenery in this area,also. **kim*** ((*))

I second the children's museum in Portland. also, the Hatfield marine sceince center in Newport is good as are the Tidepools at yaquina head or near Devil's punchbowl.
If you get to Salem, stop at the riverfront and ride the carousel and go to the Gilbert House Children's museum. Great hands on and a wonderful playground. If you take 22 to the coast, stop in Lincoln city at Regatta Park on Devil's Lake for beautiful lake views and a fab playground for your 2 year old.

The Westin seems kind of stuffy for a 2 year old, to me.