Portland Children’s Museum

The Portland Children’s Museum is one of the best places to spend a rainy morning or afternoon with young kids in Portland. For better or for worse, the word is out, and this excellent museum can get very crowded. Before describing any of the many reasons to visit, I have to start my Portland Children's Museum review by saying, ‘Get there early!’ Every time we stop by, we get there at opening at 9 … [Read more...]

Portland hotel review: Embassy Suites Portland Downtown

As a brand, I love Embassy Suites. We always find tremendous value for the money here. The Embassy Suites Portland Downtown is no exception. While there are many great lodging options in downtown Portland (check our Portland hotel review listings), including several with perhaps more character and historical interest, we’ve yet to find a Portland hotel that offers more kid-friendly amenities amid … [Read more...]

Portland with kids: Oregon Zoo

We love the Oregon Zoo! Like many Oregon Zoo reviews attest, we love that it’s small enough to be manageable in one day with young kids, but large enough to stay interesting time after time. We toured the entire thing with a five-year-old and three-year-old (plus older kids) and the entire loop took us about three and a half hours. With five main sections of the park—Great Northwest, Africa, … [Read more...]

Where to stay in Portland: Governor Hotel review

We've reviewed a good number of hotels for families planning a Portland Oregon vacation. No matter which you pick, our recommendation is to stay downtown, within walking distance of the fun shops, restaurants, attractions (and easy-to-use MAX transportation line) that make Portland such a family-friendly city. Downtown hotels will often lack the cost-saving perks of suburb hotels (free parking, … [Read more...]

Beyond the San Diego Zoo: three Balboa Park museums you’ve overlooked

Over 20 museums and family attractions await kids at Balboa Park in San Diego, but I bet you've only heard of a few of them, the famous San Diego Zoo most likely one of them. While families need days to see them all (and hours to see some), the following three Balboa Park museums for kids you've overlooked include: Museum of Man: Before touring the Museum of Man, I didn't have a clear … [Read more...]

Homebase for a San Diego vacation: Manchester Grand Hyatt review

When most families dream of vacationing in San Diego, they picture themselves staying right on the beach. And this option does exist: namely in Coronado or north in Del Mar. But if you plan to spend the majority of your time in the city (and not in the car), you'll want a downtown hotel by the harbor. I spent three nights at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and was pretty blown away by this perfect home … [Read more...]

New attractions at Great Wolf Lodge: play ShadowQuest and mini golf

The following is a guest post written by Northwest parent and travel writer Carrie Yu. When the weather in the Pacific Northwest turns to rain (and even when the sun is shining), families in the region love to head to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington, for some serious fun. Just in time for indoor water fun this autumn and winter, new attractions at Great Wolf Lodge include … [Read more...]

Five day guided rafting trips Rogue River review with O.A.R.S.

If deciding whether multi-day guided rafting trips are right for you, you've no doubt read all the information available on numerous river rafting websites, scanned itineraries, and compared reviews. But which to pick? Nothing beats a day by day report from 'the field': we spent five days in July on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River with O.A.R.S. 5 day Rogue River trip. Read on for our full … [Read more...]

Cliff Creek Cellars: family-friendly vineyard and tasting room

Located in the heart of Southern Oregon's wine region, Cliff Creek Cellars is a family-friendly vineyard that makes for a great stop for families vacationing in Ashland Oregon or enjoying fishing, hiking, or rafting along the Rogue River. Surprised? Don't be! More and more wineries are becoming family-friendly destinations, and Cliff Creek is a prime example. What makes Cliff Creek great for … [Read more...]

Touring Oregon Wine Country with Grape Escape wine tours

Not long ago, I wouldn't have thought of spending a full day during a Portland Oregon vacation touring the Oregon wine country. I simply wouldn't have realized it was an option. In fact, the region directly around metropolitan Portland is ripe with wineries, and has been for several decades. During a recent parents' weekend away in Portland, I spent an early spring Saturday in wine country with … [Read more...]