Getting Around
MAX Light Rail
https://trimet.org/max/index.htm
TriMet Bus Schedule
https://trimet.org/bus/index.htm
Aerial Tram
The tram operates as a “load-n-go”. Including travel and boarding time, cabins typically depart every 6 minutes. We recommend visiting any time they're open on weekends. Weekdays, a great time to beat the crowds is 10am to 3pm or 6pm to 9pm.
BIKETOWN
https://www.biketownpdx.com/pricing
Biketown is Portland's bike share program, launched in July 2016 with 1,000 bikes at 100 stations across downtown and several neighborhoods. The system is designed for quick trips with convenience in mind, and it’s a fun and affordable way to get aroun
Stuff To Do Around PSU
Saturday Market
http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/visit-the-market/hours-directions/
Operating since 1974, this is the largest continually operating outdoor arts and crafts market in the nation. Located in Portland's historic Old Town, the Market is the most popular shopping destination for local handcrafted goods.
We offer a unique opportunity for people to meet over 350 local NW artists and craftspeople who create the art they're selling. Live, local music and a plethora odd exotic foods top off this remarkable Saturday and Sunday event.
Powell’s City of Books
Powell's Books is an independent bookseller serving Portland, Oregon, since 1971. They employ over 530 people across five Portland-area stores and the website, and the book inventory exceeds two million volumes. In spite of their substantial size and reach, Powell’s remains grounded by the company's core values.
What other city in America can name a bookstore as its top attraction? Stop in for over 500 author events a year, in addition to children's story times, writing workshops, game demonstrations, and book club
Food Carts
Portland has over 500 food carts available at any given time. Most carts are organized into “Pods.” These are surface lots with more than a few carts. Some nearby pods are Alder & 10th, 4th & Hall, and 5th & SW Stark.
BrewCycle
When in Portland, we pedal together! During this 2 hour ride, the BrewCycle will take you, as fast as you can pedal, to your next ice cold brew! You will spend 25 minutes in each location before jumping back on to your seat to pedal to the next destination. All Aboard!
Ground Kontrol
Ground Kontrol is the West Coast’s premier classic arcade. We preserve and celebrate video gaming’s “golden age” by operating over 60 classic video games and 27 pinball machines, feature a full-service bar after 5PM, host DJs, comedy shows, trivia nights, game tournaments, and Rock Band karaoke, and are available for public and private event rentals.
South Park Blocks
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/52453
The South Park Blocks run right through the heart of downtown Portland, and are full of public art, drinking fountains, and even a playground!
Director Park
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/52453
Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Director Park is a public piazza that provides an elegant, clean, safe, and versatile space that is actively programmed to complement downtown, support arts and culture, and highlight Portland Parks & Recreation.
Pioneer Square
Pioneer Courthouse Square, located in the heart of Downtown Portland, is an urban park affectionately known as the City’s “living room.” Each year the Park is activated by more than 300 programmed event days made possible through community-driven initiative and the generosity of private sector sponsors throughout the Portland region. This scope of annual programming contains iconic annualized community traditions and unique ‘once in a lifetime’ events that reflect the civic role of the Park within its community and the evolving needs of the citizenry that it supports.
Alphabet District
NW 23rd Ave: Dubbed Trendy-third, this major shopping street is lined with swanky clothing boutiques and other upscale retail, mixed with cafes and restaurants. This area also includes Nob Hill, music retailer Music Millennium, Portland-based record label and locally sourced concept-store Tender Loving Empire!
NW 21st Ave: The neighborhood’s other main commercial district is a dining and entertainment destination, with popular restaurants, an independent film theater, and numerous bars, pubs, and nightclubs. In 2000, the Alphabet District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Stuff To Do with Kids
Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI)
Visit OMSI and explore one of the hundreds of exhibits, get your hands dirty in one of 8 labs, or sit back and watch a movie! You can also climb aboard their submarine or take a lunch break at the restaurant.
Portland Children’s Museum
The Portland Children’s Museum makes visible the ways children think, imagine, design, invent, and create when given intelligent materials including the tools of the arts and sciences. With a more educational philosophy than rigid framework, their approach emerges from a series of core principles based on a fundamental respect for children as knowledge-bearers and gifted researchers who learn through their exploration of the world and through the countless ways that they share their discoveries with adults and with each other.
Washington Park
http://explorewashingtonpark.org/
Washington Park is a jewel in Portland! With a children’s playground, the International Rose Test Garden, an arboretum, and the Oregon Zoo, Washington Park is a great afternoon destination. Washington Park is accessible by car, bus, or MAX light rail. Definitely a must-see destination in Portland
PSU Family Spots
There are family friendly spaces tucked away all over the PSU campus and the surrounding community, and it's our goal to help you find them, use the brochure to see our family friendly map!
Oregon Rail Heritage Center
There is plenty to see and do! Come take in our latest exhibit, get a guided tour of our big engines up close, browse the Gift Shop or hop aboard the Oregon Pacific Railroad for a short trip to the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge (Saturdays only).
Playdate PDX
http://www.playdatepdx.com/index.html
Playdate has an 3-story indoor playground. There is an interactive dance floor, climbing & crawling activities meant to stimulate your children. There are four slides of varying degrees of difficulty and two rows of ball cannons. We have a separate toddler area and a main play area that is recommended for children up to 12 years of age. Parents are always welcome to assist their children and are never charged an additional fee.
Glowing Greens
Glowing Greens is Portland and Beaverton's premiere, black light, indoor, 18 hole, 3D Adventure miniature golf course! Stop in for a unique game of golf in our fun and memorable atmosphere. There are individual and group rounds for 18 or 9 holes of miniature golf. Give your family and friends a party that they will never forget! Glowing Greens is great for every age and groups of any size. An average game takes approximately 45 minutes to finish depending on group size, course capacity and personal pace of play.
Portland Art Museum
https://portlandartmuseum.org/
The Portland Art Museum is the leading cultural institution in the state and region. Its hallmarks are innovation, excellence, and engaged community partnerships. The Museum presents a relevant and dynamic program originating from its collections and Film Center. With historically preserved and newly designed architectural space of the highest quality, the Museum invites, inspires, and fosters contemplation and discussion. As a beacon for culture and education for our growing and evolving community, the Museum is known for its exceptional trustees, staff, programs, collections, and visitor amenities.
Oregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society is dedicated to making Oregon’s long, rich history visible and accessible to all. For more than a century, we have served as the state’s collective memory, gathering and preserving a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, films, manuscripts, books, and oral histories. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.
World Forestry Center
https://www.worldforestry.org/
The World Forestry Center (WFC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and inspiring champions of sustainable forestry. Based in Portland, Oregon, the WFC provides critical programs in convening and professional development of global leaders and practitioners in forestry and related fields. Through its World Forest Institute Program, the WFC has hosted public and private forest professionals from over 40 countries to advance research, networking, and knowledge exchange.
Portland South Waterfront
goo.gl/oFVo4i
The South Waterfront is a high-rise district in the South Portland neighborhood. It is one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the United States. The South Waterfront Greenway is a park and urban walkway along the Willamette River, where many events are held during the summer.
Portland Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden sits nestled in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon overlooking the city and providing a tranquil, urban oasis for locals and travelers alike. Designed in 1963, it encompasses 12 acres with eight separate garden styles, and includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. This is a place to discard worldly thoughts and concerns and see oneself as a small but integral part of the universe.
Central Library
https://multcolib.org/library-location/central
There has been a library in downtown Portland for almost as long as Portland has been a city. What started in 1864, is now Portland’s Central Library. After it closed in 1994 due to structural and technological issues, Central Library was renovated and finally reopened in 1997 where the issues addressed and corrected, but many of the original Georgian Revival architectural and design flourishes were beautifully restored to their early 20th century glory. Joining these renovations were fine examples of contemporary art: Preserving a Memory, the Garden Stair, and the Solar Wreath.
Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo inspires the community to respect animals and take action on behalf of the natural world. We do this by creating engaging experiences and advancing the highest level of animal welfare, environmental literacy and conservation science.
International Rose Test Garden
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/69726
Founded in 1889, the Portland Rose Society is a nonprofit organization offering educational programs on rose culture and encouraging the use of roses in the landscape.
Portland’s Summer “Free For All”
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/61921
Summer Free For All empowers Portlanders to create and cultivate community by providing free, accessible, family-friendly summer activities that celebrate our city’s growing cultural diversity.
Stuff To Do Outside Portland
Multnomah Falls
http://www.oregon.com/attractions/multnomah_falls
Multnomah Falls is a waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, located east of Troutdale, between Corbett and Dodson, along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Multnomah Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon.
The Gorge
https://www.travelportland.com/collection/columbia-river-gorge/
Starting just 30 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area offers amazing vistas, hiking trails, more than 90 waterfalls and world-class windsurfing.
Visitor Info
Portland Visitor Center
https://www.travelportland.com/
City of Portland website
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/25782
Red Tricycle
http://redtri.com/portland-kids/
Little Vikings Child Care will provide child care for children 6 weeks to 12 years on the Portland State University campus from 7:45-5:30 Monday, Tuesday and for a portion of Wednesday. Child care rates are $30/day for guests and $15/day for students (scholarship information available with Lisa Wittorff at Wittorff@pdx.edu). Little Vikings is an accredited and State Certified childcare center that provides care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old.