Raising Boys World

Recognizing that travel with boys can be an art of its own, the article below marks the first of many that will focus on fun travel with boys. Look on the web for Mothers Raising Boys Approved Destinations. If you have a great place near you that we should know about – let us know.

Visiting Portland, Oregon with boys? Here’s what you need to know:

The Oregon Zoo, the Portland Children’s Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) are great picks especially for younger boys, but I want to focus on the spots in Portland that are often unknown to visitors.

While exploring the city, be sure to jump on the Aerial Tram, which ascends 500 feet and culminates in a spectacular view of the city and five mountain ranges. In addition, you can’t go wrong spending a weekend day with the kids at the Portland Saturday Market in historic Old Town, offering everything from baby gifts and toys to stunning handcrafted jewelry and homemade foods from all corners of the globe. What I especially love about the Market is that if you spend over $25 there, they will reimburse your parking or public transportation fees. Every little bit helps!

Taking a ride down the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway is guaranteed to be one of the most beautiful drives you’ve been on, and it leads you to some not-to-be-missed destinations, including Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam, and Cascade Locks.  The great part about this area is that it offers you plenty of opportunities to stop, get out of the car, and let the boys explore the breathtaking surroundings. The 620-foot hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls on Larch Mountain alone is strenuous enough to wear out the boys (and you, of course) while being immensely rewarding.  It’s the biggest here, but not the only waterfall…you will find them around every corner in the springtime, and each one is

The Family Fun Center in Wilsonville is a bit of a drive and way more expensive than most of us like to willingly spend, but it’s great for special events, like birthdays.  My boys are obsessed with laser tag and go-karts, but this place has something for every boy … think Chuck E. Cheese’s on steroids. With bumper boats, miniature golf, a virtual roller coaster, batting cages, and a rock wall—this place covers all your energy-fueled bases. Most birthday party packages are geared to kids over 7 years old, with a cooler “Late Night Bash” specifically for kids over 13. There’s a similar place called Out of This World Pizza and Play in Hillsboro, which is perhaps a closer alternative for your family.

Jet boating down the Willamette River is again, a pricey option, but if you’re only in town for a short time—and it’s WARM—then put those rowdy boys on a ride with Willamette Jetboat Excursions!  You will all get properly soaked, but those boys will remember it forever. It is so exhilarating that I can’t even properly describe it. Plus—besides the fun, you will learn history, spot numerous birds of prey, and leave your worries behind! I highly suggest making reservations before arriving in Portland.

If you’ve got the time, nothing beats a day trip to Mt. St. Helens, which far surpassed my family’s expectations. And a trip to Portland wouldn’t be complete without another day trip to the Pacific Ocean, where my boys spend countless hours looking for treasures in the sand—shark teeth, seashells, and fossils—as well as poking beached jellyfish with sticks, climbing tall sand dunes, and jumping the cold waves at the shore!

For dining, I recommend the Laurelwood Public House on NW Kearney Street, where the kid’s menu is well thought out and the atmosphere is relaxing.  We’ve tried other pubs in the city and never truly felt 100% comfortable having a pint of microbrewed heaven on a summer’s day with our boys in tow. With three locations in the area, The Old Spaghetti Factory also has great food and a setting conducive to family dining.  When we’re out shopping and walking the streets, our favorite place to go is Escape from New York on NW 23rd…since we are transplanted New Yorkers and the food here is high quality, it’s a great place to stop with the boys to grab a New York slice or small hoagie.

The above article was submitted by Mary E. Bates.