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...]
The Allison Inn and Spa: Willamette Valley wine country pick
March 21, 2013 By
Tucked into the green hillside just outside the quiet Portland bedroom community of Newberg, The Allison Inn and Spa somehow feels like both a destination and a detour. Turning up the long drive, you clearly feel as if you've arrived, but the location is just close enough to the bustle of downtown Portland that you feel only slightly away. When you're looking to get away for a peaceful weekend, … [Read more...]
Portland happy hour picks: Where to go for happy hour with or without the kids in Portland
March 15, 2013 By
If you're visiting Portland without the kids, have older kids with discerning tastes (as mine have become as they get older) or have younger children who appreciate great dining atmosphere over crayons and chicken nuggets (not mine at that age!), you'll want to try one (or all!) of the following Portland restaurants with happy hour deals, lively ambiance, and a true Portland city feel. 23 … [Read more...]
A stay at Brasada Ranch: a Central Oregon family golf resort
September 6, 2012 By
If your image of Oregon consists of only evergreens and rainy days, it's time to visit Central Oregon's high desert. One of our favorite regions for Oregon family vacations, Central Oregon offers beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers for whitewater rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, golf, and every snow sport you can think up. It's also home to a number of family resorts, including Bend … [Read more...]
A family lodge stay: The Lodge at Suttle Lake, Sisters Oregon
July 23, 2012 By
A mountain lake lodge that's equally appealing to adults and kids isn't easy to find...unless you're in Oregon. (It must be something about my home state's laid-back, outdoorsy atmosphere.) The Lodge at Suttle Lake, located just outside of Sisters, Oregon, is one of them. Easily accessed from Highway 20 (30 minutes from Bend, Oregon on Highway 97 or two hours from Salem, Oregon on I-5), the Lodge … [Read more...]
Expedia Kids in the City: Portland Oregon
June 7, 2012 By
Today, Pit Stops for Kids is proud to participate in Expedia.com's fantastic Kids in the City summer series. For 12 days, 12 American cities are featured by 12 travel bloggers. Each day, readers of Expedia experience a different city, all perfect for family summer vactions. Today, Pit Stops for Kids is presenting the final city of Portland, Oregon. As an Oregon resident, it's hard to … [Read more...]
Portland Saturday Market, Portland Oregon
May 10, 2012 By
Often, one of the best ways to get to know a city is to experience one of their seasonal festivals or street markets. From March through December of every year, the Burnside Bridge area of Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Ankeny Park in Portland Oregon comes alive with the Portland Saturday Market. One part artisan vendor market, one part touristy festival, and one part foodie heaven, the … [Read more...]
Wildlife Safari
May 7, 2012 By
Every once in a while, a potential pit stop surprises me. We'd traveled Oregon's I-5 stretch countless times before we took the opportunity to visit Wildlife Safari outside Winston, Oregon. Why the delay? I tend to be suspicious of roadside animal attractions: as a card-carrying PETA member, I want to be sure the zoos and preserves I support are in the best interest the animals. I'm glad to say … [Read more...]
Guide to Portland food carts with kids
May 3, 2012 By
Ever since getting my first taste of food cart eating in Vancouver last June, I've sought out food trucks and carts while in cities. I've found great food cart fare in Boston and traditional hot dog cart fare in New York City, and given Portland, Oregon's foodie bent, I wasn't surprised to find the food cart craze had hit the City of Roses as well. During an overnight at downtown Portland's … [Read more...]
Wings and Waves Water Park
April 26, 2012 By
After lunch would be a good time to move from the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum to the Wings and Waves water park. (The exception to this rule would be during peak holiday weekends, when the lines for rides at the water park escalate by mid-day. This, however, is not the norm.) You can't miss the water park, which is adjacent to the museum buildings and topped by an Evergreen commercial … [Read more...]
