Weekend in Portland & Oregon coast. (Astoria, Seaside: hotel, house, restaurants) - (OR) - City-Data Forum

LeRoi · 02-24-2012, 10:29 AM

I want to take the family down to Oregon from Seattle for a weekend next month. (Driving down on Friday morning and coming back on Sunday.)

I'd like to see the coast & also Portland.
I have 2 kids (8 & 3), so I'll need to keep them amused.
We've never been down to Oregon before.

I'd love some advice and recomendations on places to see, things to do places and to stay on both the coast & Portland.

Thanks in advance!

danwilsonbsee · 02-24-2012, 10:47 AM

I'd also throw the Columbia Gorge on there - depending on the weather it's an amazing drive with waterfalls and amazing scenery. Between Hood River & Portland is about an hour (45m of which is beautiful).

doggiemama · 02-24-2012, 10:49 AM

Probably the most popular spots are Seaside for activities for the kiddos, and Cannon Beach for spectacular views and photo opportunities. I personally can't vouch for Seaside but Cannon Beach is stunning and if you've never been to Oregon you should really see it. Also those two places are an easy drive to Portland.

Rob Allen · 02-24-2012, 10:56 AM

A lot depends on what you and your kids enjoy, but here are some thoughts:

Friday morning, drive down I-5 from Seattle to Portland. Maybe visit the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), or ride the MAX light rail to the Washington Park station and visit the Zoo and/or the Children's Museum. Or just stroll along the waterfront.

Saturday, visit Saturday Market - they open for the year on March 3. In the afternoon, whatever you didn't get to yesterday.

Sunday, head west on US 26, which reaches the ocean at Seaside, a pretty kid-friendly beach town. Have fun there, then head north on US 101 to Astoria, a historic and interesting town. Head east from Astoria on US 30, cross the river at Longview/Kelso and pick up I-5 north back to Seattle.

Random_Walk · 02-24-2012, 01:37 PM

deleted the dupe post.

Random_Walk · 02-24-2012, 01:43 PM

Your best bet would be to get out to Hwy 101 and start going south.

There are two places to kick over east to Portland from there: Hwy 26 just south of Seaside (just over an hour's drive to PDX from there), or Hwy 6 in Tillamook (about an hour and 15 minutes' drive to PDX).

As far as places to stay/see/do?

Astoria has the maritime museums and history: Official site of the Astoria & Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce and the State of Oregon Welcome Center at Astoria.

Seaside has the old-time kitch going for it in shops along the Promenade: Welcome To Seaside Oregon | Visit Seaside Oregon | Lodging in Seaside OR | History of Seaside OR

Cannon Beach has the small beach town feel, and features Haystack Rock: Cannon-Beach.Net - Your Guide to Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

Nehalem is even smaller, but as a river town, it is charming in its own right: Nehalem Bay State Park Travel Guide - VirtualTourist

Rockaway Beach (my neck of the woods) is a secluded beach town for those who want a more peaceful (and less touristy) experience, especially this time of the year: Rockaway Beach Oregon, on the Oregon Coast

Garibaldi has a touch of the old-time bay town feel to it: Garibaldi Travel Guide: Garibaldi, Oregon (OR) | WORLDWEB.COM

Tillamook is actually a farm town that is a bit inland, but has the Cheese Factory and a lot of neat little museums: Welcome to the Tillamook Area Chamber of Commerce located in Tillamook, Oregon.

...there is a lot more stuff further south, but Tillamook is about as far south as you'd want to go if you're wanting to see Portland.

Nell Plotts · 02-25-2012, 10:46 AM

I think Seaside is perfect with kids. They are too young to be into beautiful views, they usually want action. If you have kites bring two because they are great fun as the breeze is almost constant. Seaside is ketch while Cannon Beach is genteel. If you were to do this on your first or last day (Seattle, Longview, Astoria, Seaside, Portland) Google maps says it is a 5 hour drive. Because about 3 hours of this is Seattle-Portland it is not all that bad. Personally I would do that on Sunday because I would set out early to wear the kids out at the beach such that they would sleep on the way home.

My favorite Gorge route is to go E on I- 84 stopping at Mult Falls, then continue to Bonneville Dam to see the fish hatchery, Hood River, Parkdale, east on 26 stopping at Timberline for dinner or a late lunch, back to Portland. Google says this route is about 6.5 hours of driving alone (not counting stops) from Seattle, 3.75 from Portland. I think this routing isn't a good one with kids to or from Seattle. Too long in the car. It is a great 3/4 day trip out of Portland. Were I doing this with my kids I would pick an am activity or two in Portland then head out I-84 right after lunch.

Lots to do with kids in Portland.

My $0.02.

LeRoi · 02-27-2012, 10:34 AM

Thanks a lot everyone!

My wife has been looking at the Inn at Nothrup Station (2025 NW Northrup St, Portland, OR 9720) as a place to stay in Portland.
Any opnions on the area? Would it be easy to get from here to the main sights in Portland?

Nell Plotts · 02-27-2012, 11:43 AM

It is right on the streetcar line, easy to move around the city. If you take the streetcar to it's south end you can catch the tram that goes to OHSU. If it is a clear day that is a not to be missed experience. Streetcar Route Map | Portland Streetcar The streetcar runs frequently. The free train zone is about to go away (budget) so keep that in mind if you hop on & off in the city center.

There is a wide array of places to eat nearby, including the Good Samaritan Hospital cafeteria (off the Hospital entrance on NW 22nd). There is a funky cafe on 24th & Overton: What to eat | Stepping Stone Cafe (http://steppingstonecafe.com/what-to-eat/ - broken link) Sunday morning is very busy. Want lunch to go? Stop at the Lovejoy Grocery on NW 23rd just south of Marshall Street where they make fantastic sandwiches. Avoid the noon hour as the locals pack the place. My list focuses on 'family' places, there are lots of fine food restaurants nearby too.

Not far away from the hotel (~ 6 blocks, I would drive for convenience sake with a 3 yo) there is PDXPlaydate, an indoor gym, should you want a place to kick back with the kids. Make sure the 8 yo doesn't get too rambunctious because there are lots of little ones there.

doggiemama · 02-27-2012, 11:44 AM

We stayed at the Inn at Northrup Station when we were house shopping last year. It is adorable, quirky and a really good deal. We took the streetcar around its whole loop from right in front of the hotel, and it's walking distance to 21st and 23rd Ave., which have some GREAT restaurants. Portland itself is not that big so I don't think you'd have a problem getting to the sights from anyplace in the city.