Catherine Ryan Gregory

Catherine Ryan Gregory

Catherine Gregory is a freelance writer. Read More

Kids can explore a real Naval submarine at OMSI. Kids can explore a real Naval submarine at OMSI.
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Kids can explore a real Naval submarine at OMSI.
Credit: Stephanie Graham

When I Grow Up: Portland Attractions for Career-Oriented Kids

Delight little ones who love firefighters, pilots and police officers at these educational and entertaining attractions.

3 min read
Catherine Ryan Gregory

Catherine Ryan Gregory

Catherine Gregory is a freelance writer. Read More

When traveling with kids, the sight of someone in uniform — be it a police officer, firefighter or boat captain — can be more exciting than anything you planned. Why leave such a highlight to chance? At these Portland attractions, your little ones can walk in the shoes of their heroes for a day.

For Kids Who Love Firefighters

Historic Belmont Firehouse

Your children’s wish for a fire pole at home may never come true, but they can slide down the real deal at the Historic Belmont Firehouse. Check out the century-old station’s steam-powered fire wagon, then listen to actual 911 calls on an antique rotary phone. Before you leave, don’t forget to sit in the cab of the real fire truck. Open every Wednesday and the second Saturday of the month; tours can be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For Kids Who Love Astronauts & Pilots

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

One hour southwest of downtown Portland, McMinnville’s Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is home to the Spruce Goose — the largest flying boat ever built. The museum’s fleet of aircraft also includes space rover replicas and an arctic rescue helicopter nicknamed the “flying banana.” Your own tiny aviator can climb into the cockpits of Howard Hughes’ legendary plane, a B-17 and a helicopter. Experience what it would be like to see a rocket launch in the museum’s simulator (complete with shaking walls). Keep an eye out for the museum’s emerald-vested volunteers, who can answer curious flight aficionados’ questions. Check out their badges for clues to their interests and military ranks.

For Kids Who Love Police Officers

Portland Police Museum

Typically, a jail cell is the last place you’d want to find your kids. In this case, however, there’s nothing to fear. Curious children can visit a real (but now defunct) jail in the Portland Police Museum downtown. Housed in Portland Police Bureau headquarters, the free museum includes uniforms from different eras, bad guys’ fingerprints and a vintage motorcycle, complete with sidecar. Scope out vintage badges on display, then surprise your kids with one of their own. (Replicas are for sale in the gift shop — just prepare for endless games of cops and robbers when you get home!)

For Kids Who Love Sailors

USS Blueback

Aspiring seamen — and women! — ages 3 and older can explore this decommissioned Navy submarine docked behind OMSI. (Tickets for submarine tours are available inside OMSI and on their website.) During the 45-minute tour, offered multiple times daily, kids can experience what it was like to serve on the Blueback. That includes kicking back on a tiny bunk, spying the Willamette River through a periscope, pushing buttons in the control room and even touching a torpedo. Although naval crews lived on the vessel for months at a time, your tour lasts just 45 minutes (phew). Kids 12 and over who want to go even deeper can attend a three-hour “tech tour” led by a submarine veteran on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

For Kids

Educational Attractions

Family fun and learning in one

More Museums & History
Kids get some hands-on learning at OMSI.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

With a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, a retired navy submarine, traveling exhibits and “After Dark” events, OMSI has lures for all ages.

Learn about all types of flora and fauna at the World Forestry Center.

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Tree- and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.

\"Experience Oregon\" is a 7,000-square-foot permanent exhibit at Oregon Historical Society, reflecting the people, places and events that shaped the land that is now known as Oregon.

Oregon Historical Society

The Oregon Historical Society collection includes thousands of historic artifacts (including the “Portland Penny"), permanent and rotating exhibits and an extensive research library.

A historical interpreter at the End of the Oregon Trail

End of the Oregon Trail

At the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and Historic Site visitors can discover what it was like to be a pioneer.

Historic Sites & Features

Portland may seem like a young city, but you can still find plenty of history everywhere you look.

A vintage steam engine at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center

Oregon Rail Heritage Center

The free museum features three vintage steam locomotives, including the one that pulled the U.S. Bicentennial Freedom Train in 1976.

子ゾウのリリーと母ゾウのローズツー

Oregon Zoo

The West's oldest zoo, located just minutes from downtown Portland in visitor-friendly Washington Park, is home to 2,200 animals.

Family Science Events

Full Calendar
Editor's Pick
Meet A Scientist: June
June 13–27, 2020

Meet A Scientist: June

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) Included with museum admission.

Current science gets up close and personal at Meet a Scientist. This program, held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, features local scientists who share their research and knowledge with you through hands-on activities and conversation. Meet a Scientist exclusively features professionals who are OMSI Science Communication Fellows. June 13 Topics Meet…

Editor's Pick
For Kids
Readings & Talks
Science & Tech
Editor's Pick
Portland Retro Gaming Expo
Aug. 14–16, 2020

Portland Retro Gaming Expo

Oregon Convention Center $12 and up

The Portland Retro Gaming Expo is a locally produced event celebrating the colorful history of console, computer and arcade gaming. The arcade is massive, and all of the coin-operated games are set to free play for the weekend.

Editor's Pick
Conventions
For Kids
Science & Tech
Meet A Scientist: May
May 9–23, 2020

Meet A Scientist: May

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) Included with museum admission

Current science gets up close and personal at Meet a Scientist. This program, held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, features local scientists who share their research and knowledge with you through hands-on activities and conversation. Meet a Scientist exclusively features professionals who are OMSI Science Communication Fellows. May 9 Topics Test…

For Kids
Readings & Talks
Science & Tech

  • Historic Belmont Firehouse

    At the Historic Belmont Firehouse’s Belmont Learning Center, visitors can slide down a fire pole, sit in a firetruck cab and explore over a century of firefighting history.

  • Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

    Part aviation museum and part indoor water park, with all-season 70,000-square-foot space topped by a massive Evergreen International Aviation B747-100 aircraft.

  • Portland Police Museum

    This free museum features permanent and rotating exhibits, including a defunct jail cell, uniforms from different eras and a vintage motorcycle, complete with sidecar.

  • OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)

    OMSI's five enormous halls bring science to life with hundreds of interactive exhibits and displays. You can experience live lab demonstrations, see a movie on a four-story-tall screen, explore the stars in a planetarium and even tour a submarine.

  • World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

    The family-focused World Forestry Center Discovery Museum features interactive exhibits designed to teach visitors about the sustainability of forests and trees in the Pacific Northwest and around the world.