10 Things to Do with Kids In Portland, Oregon

Spend a morning at the Oregon Zoo, the new home for a flock of pink flamingos, a baby Asian elephant, and a newborn river otter. The 64-acre zoo also offers a lorikeet exhibit. ($11.50 for 12 and up, $8.50 for kids ages 3 to 11, free for younger kids)

The five massive halls of the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry entice the under-8 crowd with submarine tours, a planetarium and light show, a new mummy exhibit, and live lab demos ($13 for 14 and up, $9.50 for ages 3 to 13, free for younger kids).

The 5 1/2-acre Portland Japanese Garden is also surprisingly kid-friendly ($9.50 for adults, $6.75 for kids 6 to 17, free for kids 5 and under). "My 4-year-old is engrossed with the treasure hunt -- we scour every inch of the garden looking for hidden statues," says resident Minda Seibert.

In six sites around the city, these markets are a great place to pick up a picnic lunch or snacks for your hotel room. During the summer, the location at Portland State University offers kids' cooking classes every Saturday for children ages 7 to 11. ($5 per class)

The city boasts more than 500 trucks. Family favorites include Grilled Cheese Grill, Flavour Spot, and PBJs Grilled.

If you want to look like a local in Portland, you have to go bike-riding with the kids. The city is one of the most bike-friendly in the country. Don't worry about bringing your own wheels. There are plenty of rental shops in town, like the non-profit North Portland Bike Works.

A clay studio, pet hospital, and water-play area are among the fun activities at Portland Children's Museum. If your kids love dinosaurs, visit before the Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice exhibit ends on September 22, 2013.

It's the largest urban forested park in the nation. Explore part of the 30-mile Wildwood Trail and see how many different kinds of birds you can find. The park is home to more than 100 species.

The two indoor heated pools at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower make it a top downtown pick for families. (Rooms with two double beds start at $189 per night).

Stay at the colorful all-suite Inn at Northrup Station, which has a free breakfast, wine tasting on Wednesdays, and locally made taffy in the lobby. The hotel provides free tickets to the Portland Streetcar, which offers transportation to downtown. (Suites start at $179 per night)

Copyright © 2013 Meredith Corporation.

This piece was accurate at publication time, but all prices, offerings and availabilities are subject to change. Please contact each hotel and attraction for up-to-date rates and information before taking your trip.