Are you looking for a fun and unforgettable adventure with your teenage kids in Portland, Oregon? Here are the top things to do and places to visit in the city that will make your trip an unforgettable experience.
Portland is full of amazing attractions that cater to families with teens. From thrilling outdoor activities that provide an adrenaline rush to family-friendly museums and landmarks that offer a unique glimpse into the region’s history and culture, Portland has it all. So buckle up and prepare to have a lot of fun!
Table of Contents
21 Fun Things to do in Portland with Teenagers
1) Visit the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
The Columbia River Gorge is approximately 30 minutes east of Portland and covers a stretch of 292,500 acres filled with hikes and scenic overlooks. It is the perfect place for families who love camping, fishing, biking, and hiking. One of the most popular hikes is the Multnomah Falls, which is the highest waterfall in the state. The gorge has more than 90 waterfalls you can visit with your teenagers!
2) Experience the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry offers children and young adults engaging experiences with permanent and rotating exhibits, plus a planetarium and Giant Screen theater. The museum is interactive, and many of the exhibits are hands-on, encouraging visitors to touch and engage with displays. There’s something for everyone to learn at OMSI as it provides a fun and educational experience.
3) Take a Bike Tour with Pedal Bike Tours
Pedal Bike Tours offers family-friendly bike tours throughout Portland that take you through the city’s notable attractions. The tours allow you to ride through Portland while experiencing its unique culture and history. The company provides unique services for different sizes of groups that can cater to your family’s specific interests and needs.
4) Go on a Food Tour
One of the best things about Portland is its food scene; it’s unique, diverse, and delicious! There is no better way to experience Portland’s food scene than taking a food tour with Eat Adventures Food Tours. The food tour features top-rated restaurants and food carts in the city and offers a great opportunity to sample delicious foods that you might never find on your own. You will become acquainted with Portland’s vibrant culinary environment while satisfying your taste buds!
5) Ground Kontrol
Ground Kontrol is an amazing arcade located in Portland, Oregon that is perfect for teenagers. It has over 100 classic arcade games including pinball machines, video games, and more. They also have a full bar and restaurant, so teens can enjoy a meal or snack while playing their favorite games.
6) Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is a great place for teens to explore the wonders of nature. It features over 1,000 animals from around the world, as well as exhibits on conservation and sustainability. Teens can also take part in educational programs such as animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours.
7) Voodoo Doughnuts
Voodoo Doughnuts is an iconic Portland doughnut shop that offers some of the most creative and delicious doughnuts around. Teens will love the unique flavors such as bubblegum-filled maple bars and grape Ape donuts with purple frosting!
8) Go Shopping on Hawthorne
Hawthorne Street is home to some of the best shopping in Portland. Teens can find everything from vintage clothing to cool art galleries here, making it the perfect spot to pick up something unique and special for themselves or their friends back home.
9) Hopscotch Portland
Discover the captivating world of Hopscotch Portland, where over fifty local, national, and international artists come together to craft awe-inspiring large-scale installations. Immerse yourself in a multidimensional journey that blends art, technology, and imagination, offering a unique and interactive experience for guests of all ages.
10) Oaks Park
Oaks Park is a great spot for teens looking for some outdoor fun! The park features roller coasters, bumper cars, a roller rink, carnival games, and more! There’s plenty of food available too – perfect for refueling after a day of fun activities!
11) Top Golf
Top Golf is an interactive driving range where teens can practice their golf skills while having a blast with friends! Players hit microchipped balls at targets to earn points – the higher you score the better your rewards will be!
12) The People’s Courts
The People’s Courts offer a variety of recreational amenities, including five full-size Pickleball courts, two “skinny singles” courts, and a unique “dinkum” court. Additionally, there are five Bocce Ball courts, six to ten Ping Pong tables, and six to ten Cornhole courts. For gamers, there is an arcade with both classic and modern games. The facility also boasts a distinctive nine-hole putt-putt style Disc Golf course, and a well-curated pro-shop. Outside, you’ll find six additional Pickleball courts, as well as a covered seating area where you can enjoy food, drinks, and socializing.
13) Have Lunch at a Food Cart Pod
Food cart pods are popular spots throughout Portland where locals gather to enjoy delicious meals from local vendors at reasonable prices – perfect for teen budgets! Whether they’re looking for tacos or teriyaki bowls these carts offer something for everyone’s taste buds!
14) Skycart Indoor Racing
Skycart Indoor Racing offers an exciting way for teens to experience racing without ever having to leave town! Players race electric karts around a track while trying to beat their opponents’ times – it’s sure to be an adrenaline rush like no other experience out there!
15) Portland Pickles Baseball Games
Teens who love baseball won’t want to miss out on catching a game with the Portland Pickles minor league team at Walker Stadium in Lents Park this summer season – it’s sure to be an unforgettable time cheering them on from the stands or even playing catch with them afterward if lucky enough!
16) Stumptown Escape Games
Stumptown Escape Games offer exciting real-life escape room experiences that require players to work together using clues and puzzles in order to solve riddles before time runs out – it’s sure to be an intense but thrilling adventure that will test their problem-solving skills like never before!
17) Quarterworld Arcade & Bar
Quarterworld Arcade & Bar offers classic arcade games like Pac-Man and pinball machines alongside craft beer selections all under one roof – making it the perfect spot for teens looking for some retro gaming fun.
18) Guardian Games Board Game Cafe & Bar
Guardian Games Board Game Cafe & Bar offers one of the largest selections of board games in town along with snacks and drinks (again 21+). Teens can challenge each other over classic board games like Monopoly or try out new ones they’ve never heard of before – either way they’re sure to have lots of laughs along the way during their visit here!
19) Cloud Cap Games
Cloud Cap Games provides both virtual reality experiences as well as traditional board games such as Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Settlers Of Catan, etc . so there’s something here no matter what type of gamer your teen may be!
20) Punch Bowl Social
Punch Bowl Social
Punchbowl Social is an extraordinary bowling alley nestled within the vibrant Pioneer Place Mall. With thoughtfully spaced bowling lanes, it promises an intimate and exclusive experience. Moreover, their private karaoke rooms provide the ultimate opportunity to showcase your vocal talents, exclusively enjoyed by you and your closest companions. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere with two bars, each exuding its own unique charm, and a delightful restaurant to satiate your cravings. Additionally, indulge in various recreational activities such as pool, darts, ping pong, shuffleboard, and relive the glory days with classic arcade games like ski ball.
21) Take a Scenic Drive through the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge
Your teenagers will love the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge located on the east side of the Willamette River in Portland. The refuge is a 141-acre wetland area that provides hiking, bird-watching, and biking opportunities for families. Visitors trace the path of the seasonal floodwaters, watch birds in the water, and gaze at the footwear of bald eagles (when in season). You can explore the wildlife refuge together in a fun and relaxing way.
Conclusion:
Portland, Oregon, is an amazing place for families with teenagers. With its vibrant culture, beautiful scenery, and breathtaking attractions, the city offers a broad range of experiences for all ages. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, visiting historic landmarks and museums, or experiencing new tastes and flavors, Portland has it all. Explore and create unforgettable memories with your family. You’ll be glad you did!
Read Next:
Get Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).
Book Flights
I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! My second favorite site to find flights is Momondo, another great site for finding cheap flights.
Book a Place to Stay
I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.
If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO.
Rent Clothes
Rent clothes for your trip with Travel Style Expert for only $50 a month! The first 30 days are free!
Choose Activities and Tours
To find great activities in any area I use Get Your Guide and Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available.
When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If I am going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean I use Apple Vacations.
Rent a Car or Take a Lyft
More often than not Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Discover Cars.
