Stay the night in a fire lookout: a weekend on Pickett Butte, OR

We love camping in all seasons, but we also like to be (reasonably) comfortable. A number of years ago, we discovered Oregon state park yurts, and this year, we've added national forest fire lookouts to our off-season camping picks. If you might stay the night in a fire lookout, read on! Fire lookouts available for civilian stays are located across the US. To find one in your state, start with … [Read more...]

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...]

Hoodoo Ski Area: family skiing in the NW

The motto of Central Oregon’s Hoodoo Ski Area is ‘steeper, deeper, cheaper’. After spending a full day on the mountain, we concur. Located in the Willamette National Forest about 12 miles from Sisters, Oregon, Hoodoo is only an hour from much larger (and more costly) Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, and even in a drought year, enjoyed over 160 cm of powder the March day we visited. As for ‘steeper’, … [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...]

Black Butte Ranch: home base for Central Oregon outdoor recreation

Every time we visit Central Oregon, we discover yet another family-friendly resort. While some resorts are best for golf vacations, and others ski or luxury vacations, Black Butte Ranch just may come out on top for all-around outdoor recreation amid family-friendly conveniences. Located just outside Sisters, Oregon (approximately 40 minutes from Bend), Black Butte Ranch is comprised primary of … [Read more...]

Bouldering with kids: Mill Creek and Avenue of the Boulders OR

When I say 'bouldering' I don't exactly mean the sport catching on among the outdoorsy type from Colorado to New Mexico. I mean 'clambering' or maybe 'scrambling', as we really weren't climbing high enough to need mats or helmets. However, I have learned that if you tell kids they're going bouldering, they hike much faster! Any way I can add some excitement to a nature walk or hike, I do so! Tip: … [Read more...]

The Lodge at Running Y Ranch: a Holiday Inn Resort in Southern Oregon

In remote Southern Oregon at the edge of the Cascades, just outside the small town of Klamath River, The Running Y Ranch offers relaxation and fun for families. This golf community of private homes, condos, and guest rooms is small enough to feel cozy, yet large enough to have everything families want: high-end dining, recreation, pampering, and outdoor adventure. The property is within easy … [Read more...]

The Museum at Warm Springs

While traveling between Bend, Oregon and the base of Mt. Hood at Government Camp along remote Highway 26, one might think there's nowhere worthy of a pit stop. Not so! The Museum at Warm Springs is nothing short of a high desert gem. Located inside the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reservation, the museum is tucked on the side of the road near a gas station and across from the small Indian … [Read more...]