Springtime in the Pacific Northwest feels like the world takes a deep breath and exhales in color, and nowhere is that more true than at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. If your crew loves wide-open spaces, bright blossoms, and experiences that delight both little eyes and big imaginations, this festival should be on your family’s travel map.
A rainbow playground for all ages
Picture 40 acres (not a typo) of rolling fields painted with tulips in every shade imaginable. Walking through these vibrant rows is like stepping into a storybook:
- Kids love the colors: Little ones will squeal at the splash of pinks, reds, purples, and yellows. It’s like nature’s own candy store without the sugar rush.
- Photo ops galore: Towering blooms, farm views, and wide-open skies make it almost impossible to take a bad picture (don’t forget to load in your Tinybeans journal). Bonus: rainy days mean fewer crowds, dreamy puddle reflections, and maybe even a rainbow cameo.
- Easy family pacing: Stroller-friendly paths and open space give kiddos room to wander, wonder, and wiggle.
And yes, your pup can join the fun too—just keep dogs leashed and clean up after them.
It’s not just tulips. You’ll often find festival crafts, live music, and local snacks. Parents, take note: the farm is also home to a vineyard and tasting room, so you can sip estate-grown wine (or grab a bottle for later) while the kids roam.
Learning through play (with flowers!)
This festival is sneakily educational:
- Explore how bulbs grow into blooms.
- Chat about planting, seasons, and sunshine science.
- Turn the fields into a color-sorting or petal-counting scavenger hunt.
And for guests with red-green color blindness, complimentary EnChroma glasses are available to borrow—helping even more visitors see the fields in full, glorious color.
Extend the adventure: other family-friendly stops in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory that will knock your socks off
1. Molalla: The perfect spring pit stop
Molalla is where your tulip road trip becomes multi-dimensional. It blends nature play, active fun, and relaxed family hangouts. It’s the kind of stop that keeps every member of the tribe smiling, from the tiny trailblazers to the teens who need a little “cool factor,” and the adults who appreciate a scenic moment (and maybe a local craft brew).
Why families love it: Think wide-open spaces, fresh forest air, and room to roam. The Molalla River Corridor Recreation Area offers trails for hiking, spots to set up camp under the stars, and mountain-biking routes that are as scenic as they are satisfying. It’s the kind of nature immersion that lets kids run free, splash in streams, and collect memories like wildflowers.
Molalla River Brewing Company
When playtime needs a pause, the Molalla River Brewing Company delivers. With a spacious lawn, family-friendly games, mini golf, and a relaxed vibe, it’s not your average “grown-ups only” stop. This is quality hangout time where everyone gets a slice of fun.
Bonus points: Lawn games and mini golf keep little ones engaged while parents sip local brews. Picnic tables and outdoor space make it an easy lunch or early dinner destination before the next adventure.
Splat Action Paintball
Got a crew with a bit of competitive spark? Splat Action Paintball–the largest outdoor paintball park–mixes teamwork, strategy, and silly chaos into an experience older kids and teens love. Whether it’s a big family challenge or just a half-day of high-energy play, this is where giggles and “watch out!” shouts collide.
Ivor Davies Park
This isn’t just a park — it’s a mini outdoor classroom. With paved paths for easy strolling or biking, wetlands to admire (hello, waterfowl fan club), and a 9-hole disc golf course that’s beginner-friendly, Ivor Davies Park offers a peaceful counterpoint to the high-energy stops earlier in the day.
2. Wildflower walks & nature parks: A spring symphony of blooms and birds
Spring in Mt. Hood Territory isn’t just about rows of tulips, it’s about the whole landscape waking up. From delicate wild blooms to peaceful wetlands and family-friendly trails, these stops turn a road trip into an outdoor education and play haven.
Why families love it: After the bold, candy-colored wow of tulips, families crave something just as magical, but a little slower, a little quieter, and wonderfully hands-on. This leg of the journey is all about easy walks, big nature moments, and zero pressure. Think stroller-friendly paths, room for kids to roam, wildlife spotting that feels like a real-life scavenger hunt, and wildflowers that turn every stop into a teachable (and totally Tinybeans) moment.
Camassia Natural Area in West Linn
When the blue and purple camas bloom, Camassia Natural Area feels downright cinematic. Wide open fields of star-shaped flowers stretch toward the horizon, creating one of the most peaceful spring scenes in the region. Calm, uncrowded, and ideal for slow wandering, the flat paths offer a warm welcome for strollers and tiny hikers and a perfect “nature pause” for kids who need space, not stimulation.
Boardman Wetlands Nature Park in North Clackamas
Boardwalks + wetlands = instant kid magnet. This peaceful park offers reflective water views and a front-row seat to ducks, herons, and other waterfowl doing their thing. Boardman Wetlands Nature Park offers boardwalks that keep feet dry and adventures accessible, easy birdwatching for first-timers, and a great spot for nature journals or quiet observation after a busy day.
Last but not least: Miss Wildwood Recreation Site
If your road trip stretches closer to Mt. Hood, this stop is a must. The Wetlands Trail at Wildwood is gentle, beautiful, and packed with moments that make kids slow down and notice. Families rave about stroller family wetlands trails, short loops that feel adventurous without exhausting little legs and all the frogs, birds, reflections, and forest vibes you can dream of.
3. Can’t-miss Canby: Small-town charm, big family fun
Why families love it: Canby is that rare stop that feels effortless. It’s walkable, welcoming, and sprinkled with just enough novelty to keep kids engaged without parents needing a spreadsheet to plan the day. Think old-school ferry rides, sugar-powered snack breaks, LEGO wonderlands, go-kart thrills, and cozy indie bookstores, all wrapped in a town that knows how to slow things down in the best possible way. It’s a breather stop that still delivers big smiles.
Canby Ferry
Crossing the Willamette River on the Canby Ferry, one of the last operating ferries in Oregon, feels like stepping into a living postcard. Cars, bikes, and pedestrians all pile on for a short but memorable ride that kids will talk about long after the tulips fade. This is the perfect “micro-adventure” that breaks up a road trip.
Sweet Treats
Every great family stop needs a baked-goods anchor, and B’s Bake Shoppe delivers. From cookies to cupcakes, this is the place to refuel little explorers (and reward excellent road-trip behavior). Grab treats to-go and enjoy them picnic-style nearby.
If baked goods aren’t your thing or the kids are getting fussy, ice cream is practically a parenting travel hack, and CONES makes it count. Creamy scoops, fun flavors, and that unmistakable “vacation moment” energy. Great after the ferry or before your next adventure, zero convincing required.
Pat’s Acres Racing Complex
Time to let the kids burn off some energy. From go-karts to outdoor racing fun, Pat’s Acres injects some adrenaline into the itinerary—especially for tweens and teens craving action. It also adds some variety after nature-heavy stops and is one of those places they’ll beg to return to
Bricks & Minifigs Flagship
If you have LEGO lovers in your family, Bricks & Minifigs is non-negotiable. As the flagship location, it’s part store, part museum, part imagination explosion. Not only does it build creativity after days of outdoor exploring, but it appeals to kids and nostalgic adults. BONUS: it’s a rainy-day backup that still feels special.
4. Time to get wild: Animal farms & hands-on country fun
Why families love it: This is the stretch of the trip where kids absolutely lose their minds (in the best way). After flowers, ferries, and small-town strolling, animal farms bring the magic of real-life interaction: soft noses, curious eyes, bleating hellos, and plenty of “Can we stay longer?” moments. These animal farms slow the pace, spark empathy, and give kids something screens never could—connection.
Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch (by appointment)
Soft, curious, and wildly photogenic, alpacas are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Visiting Alpacas at Marquam Hill Ranch feels personal and unhurried—perfect for kids who want to ask questions and take their time. Alpaca selfies will become instant family favorites in your Tinybeans journal.
TMK Creamery
Moooove on over, it’s time for animals and ice cream. TMK Creamery is basically parenting gold. Watch cows, enjoy the open space, and then reward everyone with creamy, local goodness. Real cows + real ice cream, this stop hits the sweet spot, literally. If sweets aren’t your thing, If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, try the cheese and, if you’re 21+, make sure to sample the Cowhocol (vodka made from spent whey of cheese).
Oregon Donkey Sanctuary (by appointment)
Equal parts heartwarming and hilarious, the Oregon Donkey Sanctuary gives families a chance to meet rescued donkeys and learn their stories. It’s meaningful without being heavy and unforgettable for animal lovers. Not only are they cute, but these donkeys will teach your kids compassion and care while also being a powerful memory-maker.
Triskelee Farm
Offering a low-key exploration, Trisklee Farm is great for curious kids who like to observe and ask “why?” This working farm blends animals (think alpacas, goats, sheep, ostriches your kids can feed, peacocks, bunnies, chickens), gardens, and that peaceful “you can breathe again” vibe. It’s a lovely place to introduce kids to where food comes from and why farms matter. Depending on when you go, you’ll find tons of events from Farm markets with local makers and producers to seasonal family-friendly Friday Happy Hours.
5. Indoor fun: Because Oregon weather can have a sense of humor
Why families love it: Even on the most perfectly planned spring trip, Oregon likes to keep families humble. Cue: rain showers, chilly mornings, or kids who suddenly need a break from all that fresh air. This stop is your built-in reset button: high-energy, hands-on, weather-proof fun that keeps the momentum going no matter what the skies decide. From history and legends to lasers and all-out mayhem (yes, literally), this leg is about letting kids play hard while parents relax knowing everyone’s covered.
Bullwinkle’s in Wilsonville
Great for reward days or rainy afternoons, this is the full-on fun zone families dream about. Arcade games, rides, mini golf, and that classic “everyone wins” energy. Bullwinkle’s is especially perfect for mixed-age groups where interests vary wildly. One-stop entertainment with zero boredom, guaranteed.
End of the Oregon Trail Visitor & Interpretive Center
Parents all remember The Oregon Trail. History comes alive at the End of the Oregon Trail Visitor & Interpretive Center with hands-on exhibits that let kids experience the journey west—packing wagons, choosing supplies, and imagining life on the trail. Educational, yes. Boring? Not even close. While this may be a break from screens for the kids, this will bring parents back to the days of floppy disks and middle school social studies in the computer lab.
Ultrazone Laser Tag
Tag, you’re it! When kids (or parents) need to burn energy fast, Ultrazone delivers. Dark arenas, team strategy, and adrenaline-fueled fun make this a standout for tweens and teens. Ideal for older kids, this is the perfect group activity that offers quick sessions with a big payoff.
North American Bigfoot Center
Equal parts quirky and fascinating, the North American Bigfoot Center taps into Oregon’s legendary side. Kids are captivated by Bigfoot lore, exhibits, and the mystery, while adults appreciate the clever storytelling. Only found in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory, this experience is the perfect conversation starter long after the trip.
BONUS: Where to stay: Cozy nights after big days
After tulips, trails, farms, ferries, and full-throttle fun, families want one thing at the end of the day: a place that feels easy. These stays deliver comfort without complication—room to spread out, kid-friendly vibes, and locations that keep you close to the action while still letting everyone truly unwind. Whether your crew is team bunk-bed, team hotel, or team “give me a porch and some quiet,” this lineup has you covered.
Our Sweet Retreat
Just the name alone sets expectations, and Our Sweet Retreat delivers. This warm, welcoming vacation rental gives families space, privacy, and a home base that actually feels like one. Multiple rooms for spreading out make it ideal for longer stays and a calming retreat after busy sightseeing days.
Camp Colton
This former camp-turned-retreat offers rustic charm with family-friendly comfort. Camp Colton has cabins, forest surroundings, and space to roam, making it perfect for families who want the camp experience without roughing it. Best for families who love nature and unplugged evenings and want a true “Oregon woods” feel.
Hilton Garden Inn in Wilsonville
After all the travel and busy days, sometimes you want predictability, and that’s not a bad thing. Clean, comfortable, and conveniently located, the Hilton Garden in Wilsonville is a no-stress option families can rely on. Not only does it boast easy access to many stops on this itinerary, but it also offers the comforts of hotel beds with familiar amenities.
Meridian Guesthouse at Whiskey Hill Store
A stay with personality. This charming guesthouse blends local character with cozy comfort—and feels like discovering a secret spot you’ll want to tell friends about later. The Meridian Guest House at Whiskey Hill Store pairs beautifully with nearby small-town exploring and offers unique, local charm with a great story attached to your stay.
Orchards Hideaway
Looking for a place to call home for the weekend? Tucked into a peaceful setting, this vacation rental offers a quiet retreat feel while keeping you close to Mt. Hood Territory highlights. Orchards Hideaway is a private, relaxed atmosphere, perfect for slower mornings and easy evenings.
From tulip fields to farm animals, ferry rides to indoor play, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory proves that family travel doesn’t have to choose between fun and ease. Add in these thoughtfully located places to stay, and you’ve got a spring getaway that flows—no overpacking, no overplanning, just genuine moments your kids will remember (and talk about all year).
