Portland: PNW’s Magical Oasis

Portland, Oregon is one of best cities for family travelers looking for new adventures and to reconnect. It’s impossible to leave your Portland vacation without tons of photos and even more memories.

Recently my brother moved to Portland with his two young kids, and we planned a simple trip to visit them. Little did we know what was in store; the weekend trip would turn out to be the getaway we so badly needed as a family to unplug and come together. With plenty of city adventures and a two-night, no Wi-Fi, tiny cabin escape, we returned home feeling more rested, more energized and more “family” than we had felt in months.

Start with City Jaunts: From tasting the world through the city’s many food truck pods to riding bikes looking for murals, Portland has an ease to it, making the city adventures more enjoyable. Add in a few museum visits and coffee breaks and you’ve pretty much achieved A+ Pacific North West scout badges. We highly suggest Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) (Oregon’s #1 science museum) and lunch at Cartopia, a food truck pod, for the perfect family day.

End with Mountain Escapes: Whether you head east to Mt. Hood and ski under the pink sunsets or head north to Mt. Adams (along the famous waterfall drive) for a more secluded cabin experience, you’re bound to come away feeling more connected to nature. If you need a wellness checkup, this part of vacation is for you.  

These are only a few of the highlights from our Portland family vacation. To plan your own Portland getaway, check out our new article “5 Tips for the Best Family Vacation to Portland” over on Alamo’s Scenic Route blog.

*This trip was taken in February, but it is possible to explore Portland and the surrounding natural areas with social distancing in mind and following all the latest CDC precautions. Before you go, check local websites to see new operating hours and restrictions so you can plan the best trip for your family.