Restaurants etc. for Portland w/ kids (amusement park, school, garden)

[Heiwos]

I'm visiting Portland for a long weekend this weekend with 3 kids between ages 9 and 14. We've been many times and have hit most of the major sites in & around. After our other plans we'll have about 4 hours free to spend near downtown and otherwise need to find lunch and dinner once. We'll have a car of our own for the first time. Within 5 miles of downtown, say, what are some good non-chain restaurants for kids, and something good (or at least not too boring) for kids to do that isn't one of the following:

• OMSI
• The zoo, and everything around it
• The downtown gondola
• The rose garden
• Chinese Garden (or probably any other garden)
• Streetcar and MAX
• Saturday market
• Powell's Books
• a swimming pool

I know there are some decent chains; we might do the Old Spaghetti Factory for another lunch or dinner if it's not too crowded. The activity could just be a nice walk with some interesting stuff. I'm interested in Alberta St. myself. Just names of places I can look up would be great. Is the Oregon History Center worthwhile?

[newpdx]

I'd recommend the following:
*Oaks Park (old-school amusement park, with rides for kids, right along the river in Sellwood). There's also a roller rink there, and how many kids get to roller skate these days?
*Go kayaking on the river
*Mississipi Ave or that area; I personally find it easier to walk/wander than Alberta and just as interesting.
*Go to the Kennedy School for a movie and pizza

Restaurants:
Gino's in sellwood for more upscale, very family friendly
Laurelwood
Justa Pasta in NW
Mother's Bistro downtown for comfort food
Elephant's Deli for takeout/sandwiches
Any mcmenamins

Have fun!!

[davefr]

If you have kids take them to Chuck e cheese. They love it there:

Chuck E. Cheese - Locations

[EnricoV]

The Underground Walking Tour is fun, and different. Old Town Pizza, where the tour meets, is even a fun place to eat.

Check out Voodoo Donuts.

Go ice skating at Lloyd Center.

Or pick, and hunt out one of the 1,399 GeoCaches within 10 miles of downtown.

Oregon Maritime Museum is down on the waterfront.

Hike or bike Oaks Bottom or the Esplanade.

Visit the Audubon Society, in Forest Park.

Eat at a Food Cart.

Oregon Tourism has a "kid's guide".

[Heiwos]

Thanks for the great suggestions/tips!

[PDXKompressor]

I second I second NEWPDX's suggestions on Oaks Park for cheap nearby fun and The Kennedy School because you can dine, hang out, eat and even stay there. The K. School is a fun place for kids with lots of art around the walls, but best tied in as a dining stop than a destination of it's own.
Be sure to check Oaks Park hours, they tend to run weekends only for part of the off season.