Hello, it's me again, asking about vacations in the Northwest (previous posts on Vancouver and Seattle). I am now looking at Portland, a place I have always wanted to visit but wonder about in terms of activities. Some have said that although it's a wonderful place to live, there is not much for visitors, especially kids, to see. Thoughts? How about hotels? Embassy Suites looks appealing for size and price; how about it's location?

Also, has anyone heard of or used a company called Pacific Northwest Journeys for travel planning?

I don't have kids but I find tons of stuff to do when I visit Portland. My favorite things are the art musuem, it is fantastic! Powell's book store- the 3rd largest in the country. Tax free shopping- fun no matter what the age! Excellent food/restaurants/bars. Wineries galore just 30 minutes west!

Several years ago we began our NW trip in Portland. Had 2 kids with us (one teen/one pre-teen).
We went to the Colombia River Gorge area and took in the Bonneville Dam and Locks, the Bonneville Fish Hatchery, and drove up to the top of Mt.Hood, stopping at farm stands along the way. The Japanese Gardens were gorgeous, went to Pittock Mansion and the Rose Garden. If you're in Portland on a Saturday, there is a Farmer's Market.

I had the following on my list, but the weather was so great, we spent most of the time outdoors.
Oregon History Center
Oregon Maritime Center & Museum/USS Blueback
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
Oregon Zoo

After Portland, we headed to Seattle and stopped to see Mt. St. Helens. Unbelievable site for an Easterner.

Beautiful area. Enjoy your trip.

TTT - Still hoping for more information on Portland activites for teenagers along with hotel suggestions. Would they like the Saturday market? Is there enough to see within appx. one hour of Portland? Would you visit the Hood River Area? Thanks.

We were in Seattle and then drove to San Francisco with kids (ages 11 and 15 at the time). All loved Seattle, drive down coast, SF - but we were all unimpressed with Portland as a place to visit (could all imagine living there, though).

How about two hours? What you've read is generally right. I think most of what would appeal to a teenage visitor to the Portland area has to do with the out-of-doors. Saturday Market is good for a few hours, but the coast, gorge, and mountains are where it's at.

In the gorge, it's hiking, waterfalls, and windsurfing (at Hood River). These are all within an hour.

Mt. Hood's a little further, but your kids might get a kick out of watching (or trying) mountain-biking down the faces of the slopes at Ski-Bowl. There's an alpine slide there too; fun, even for us older f@rts. Seeing skiers at Timberline in the middle of summer is kinda novel too.

The two hours is the time to drive to the coast. Seaside's the hot spot for kids, with volleyball on the beach, arcades, a boardwalk, and various activities seemingly geared to a young crowd. Cannon Beach, a few miles down the coast, is more sedate, but still has enough going on to hold my kids' interest. If yours are really adventurous, there are several good spots for hang-gliding.

Two hours is also about the time it takes to get to Maupin, where there are a number of outfits offering half-day white-water trips down the Deschutes; great fun.

The Embassy Suites should be fine. Central downtown core location, within easy walking of shopping and dining. And just a stone's throw from Saturday Market.

Beachbum has noted a lot of the good day trips from Portland. I'll add Silver Falls State Park to the list. It is is over an hour from Portland, east of Salem. It offers a protected swimming area in a cold river, picnicing, an open, grassy area for sports, and amazing hikes through a gorge that is similar to the Columbia River Gorge only without the tourists or interstate hwy nearby. You can walk behind beautiful waterfalls on the hike. If you go there, take your swim suits, picnic supplies, frizbies, water guns, whaterever the teens like to play with, a good book, and plan a relaxing day in an incredible park.

Yes, Silver Falls is a gorgeous place to go! We are heading there this week.

I would also think about staying in the NW 23rd street area, at the Silver Cloud. It's a great area for strolling around, filled with shops, cafes, etc... think your teens might enjoy checking out the action there. The hotel is comfortable with very nice service and free washers and dryers There is plenty to do in town and for a day trip, another option is Cannon Beach--a straight shot out on Highway 26. Can't imagine your kids not liking Ecola State Park or Cannon Beach itself and Haystack Rock.

I'm on the Oregon Coast right now. Yes, to Cannon Beach. It's gorgeous. We'll be going there in just a few minutes.

Seaside is also a winner with teens. Have fun, it's a beautiful sunny day today, just beautiful here. ***kim***