 The International Rose Test Garden, part of the larger Washington Park area in Portland is a great place to walk, picnic or just check out the award winning roses. The garden, which was first envisioned by Georgiana Burton Pittock, socialite and rose lover in 1888 when she wanted to show off her roses. As things usually do, when the wealthy decide something is worth doing, funding follows. Roses became a craze in Portland and by 1912, the Royal Rosarians had formed and continue to this to be "ambassadors of goodwill" for Portland Events, particularly the annual Rose Festival.  There gardens within the main Rose Garden, including a Shakespeare Garden (originally located Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden) which was installed in 1945 and designed to only include plants found in Shakespeare's plays. There is also a Miniature Rose Garden, which is one of only 6 test gardens for miniature roses in the country. We visited in the morning and were rewarded by lots of urban wildlife, including two bunnies and a swarm of hummingbirds. The garden is free, but you need to pay to park, unless you take public transit.
 The Tillamook Forest Center is nestled in the heart of the Tillamook forest, about an hour out of Portland, Oregon at 45500 Wilson River Highway, Tillamook, Oregon 97141. The main center is ADA accessible, although the bridge and hikes are not. One important thing to note about the Tillamook Forest Center is that it does close for the winter, according to the website, the hours are: SUMMER HOURS: 7 days a week, 10:00 – 5:00 Seasonal Hours: Spring: Wed – Sun, 10:00 – 4:00 Summer: 7 days a week, 10:00 – 5:00 (Memorial Day – Labor Day) Fall: Wed – Sun, 10:00 – 4:00 Winter: Closed December – February The center has some excellent interpretive exhibits about both the Tillamook Burn and the history of the Tillamook Forest, including information about the First Nations people who lived (and still live) in the area. There are also interpretive walks and activities throughout the day.  Cross the bridge and you are led to a multitude of trails following the Wilson River, a popular spot for locals to come and hang out with picnics. I chose to hike up to Wilson Falls, which was less of a waterfall and more of a drip in August, but it is actually on the trail, so that's kind of neat. Bring water and sense of adventure on some of the more advanced hikes, there are some drop off's and it's not stroller accessible, but any steady child should be ok.
Beverly Beach State Park is located just north of Newport, Oregon and about three hours from the Portland Metro area. We stayed in the tent camping area and, even though it was the height of summer, it was pretty cold at night, so pack warmly. The campground is clean and mostly flat (with a few ADA accessible campsites and cabins). The beach is literally steps away and the bathrooms and hot showers are like heaven. It is also pet friendly, which our pets really appreciated! Prices vary from a small day use fee up to about $50.00 per night for a full hook up.
This 2.10 mile in and out is a fun way to spend the day with the family (you can also do a 5 mile in and out hike if you start at at Lower Macleay Park and get a glimpse of the Witch's Castle). Start at Upper Macleay Park parking lot and hike across Cornell up to the Pittock Mansion . You can also hike down from the park to the but that's a hike for another day. It's a steep for little ones and there are no guardrails and plenty of drop off's, so unless you are taking a toddler in a backpack, families with toddlers should probably skip this one.  View of Cornell Rd. from the trail.  A slimy new friend. I like to start out in the early morning when it is not too crowded, as this trail gets a lot of traffic. You can also bring your dog on this trail, so long at it's on a leash. The lush tree canopy is quite amazing and we saw and heard many woodland creatures along our trek. Make sure to bring water and snacks, as it does take a bit to get up to the top. When you reach the parking lot, turn left (we accidentally went a little farther on the trail than we meant to, and had to loop back.) Once you get to Pittock Mansion, you will be rewarded with excellent views of Portland and some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. Although it does cost $7.00 to $10.00 to take a tour, you can wander the grounds outside and use the bathroom for free).
 Because I live in Oregon, I am contractually obligated to visit and then post a trip to Multnomah Falls at least once a year.
Even though the falls are a popular tourist destination, it does not diminish the beauty of this 620 ft. year round waterfall. You can hike to the top of the falls, but it's not recommended for young children (there are no guard rails and there are lots of switch backs). However, young kids can still go up the Benson Bridge and feel the freezing water hitting their little faces. There is a gift shop, a fancy restaurant and most importantly, clean restrooms at Multnomah Falls. To get to the falls, head out on I-84 towards Cascade Locks. It's just past Troutdale and impossible to miss. |
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