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Kids’ imaginations take flight at the Wings & Waves waterpark.

Kid-Friendly Regional Attractions

These family-pleasing destinations are just a short drive from Portland.

Updated Oct. 1, 2024 2 min read

With dozens of urban parks, kid-centric museums and a beloved zoo, Portland is loaded with family fare. But trips outside the city also promise all-ages entertainment — and one-of-a-kind learning opportunities. Here are some must-see attractions, all within two hours of downtown Portland.

Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center

Located in Wilsonville, less than 30 minutes south of the city on I-5, Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center offers go-karts, bumper boats, two mini-golf courses, laser tag, a zip line, and climbing structures, batting cages, an arcade, and a children’s play structure.

Enchanted Forest

Opened in 1971, the Enchanted Forest amusement park offers old-school fun for all ages just an hour south of Portland. Kids and adults will thrill to the Northwest’s biggest log ride and a range of rides and attractions like Storybook Lane, where little ones can see their favorite tales come to life.

Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark

A 40-minute drive southwest of Portland, in the Willamette Valley wine country town of McMinnville, you’ll find Wings & Waves, the water park at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. 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). And at Wings & Wave’s your kids propel themselves down a water slide that originates inside a 747 jet.

Mount Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl

You don’t need snow to go big on Mount Hood. The summer incarnation of Skibowl delivers more than 20 attractions, ranging from an adrenaline-pumping reverse bungee cord, zip line and lift-accessed mountain bike trails to mellow, ranger-led nature walks (held each Sunday in August).

The Adventure Park fun doesn’t end when the snow comes, though. America’s largest night ski area is complemented by a winter zip line, cosmic snow tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides and kiddie snowmobiling. And the feature-packed 2,400-square-foot indoor kids’ play area is fun in any season.

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Newport’s renowned Oregon Coast Aquarium replicates a series of ocean habitats, including canyon-like reefs filled with towers of kelp and open waters that teem with stingrays and sharks. Barking sea lions and playful otters populate outdoor pools, and an aviary hosts a menagerie of chattering seabirds.

More Kid-Friendly Activities

If the drive is too much, explore these family friendly attractions in Portland.

More Family Fun

Oaks Amusement Park

Offering carnival rides, midway games, a miniature golf course, a historic roller rink and more, Oaks Amusement Park has provided family fun since 1905.

Oregon Zoo

Located just minutes from downtown Portland, the Oregon Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals, including elephants, polar bears, rare condors and more.

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum

Tree- and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about the importance of sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, with exhibits on local and global forests.

Hoyt Arboretum: Portland’s Museum of Trees

Hoyt Arboretum is Portland’s “living museum of trees” — and is home to 2,300 species of trees and shrubs, as well as 12 miles (19.3 km) of hiking trails in Washington Park near downtown Portland.

Exploring Portland’s Extinct Volcanoes

Portland is home to four extinct volcanoes — some dating back millions of years. Here’s how to enjoy hiking, shooting hoops, picnicking and more on these natural wonders.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

With its huge exhibit halls, interactive science labs, multiple auditoriums, “After Dark” events and more, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) lures visitors of all ages.

Indoor Activities for Children

When Portland's weather prevents kids from running around outside, families can choose from dozens of indoor activities.