Now you and your family can experience the best Portland has to offer like a local. With the new WorldMark Portland Waterfront Park as your home-away-from-home base, you enjoy all the comforts you are used to while checking out local hot spots like the Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center Discovery Museum and Oaks Park. Read on to find everything you need to know about these unique digs and how to do Portland like a resident.
photo: via WorldMark Portland Waterfront
Stay
WorldMark Portland Waterfront is a family friendly resort with a time-share option opening in June of 2019. These condo-style accommodations offer the best of both worlds: the comforts of home, including separate bedrooms, living and dining areas and washer and dryers along with all of the amenities you’d expect from a resort: pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, and a 24-hour reception desk.
Once open, the WorldMark Portland Waterfront Park will feature an array of 75 condominium-style suites that can accommodate up to six people. They include studios and one and two-bedroom suites for both Wyndham timeshare owners and visitors.Visitors who are not Wyndham owners can book rooms at the property for the duration of their stay.
All of the WorldMark’s suites are infused with that true Portlandia spirit. From chalk-styled murals depicting iconic local landmarks on the walls to brick facades and luxurious bedding, each room option embodies the heart of living local. All suites have kitchens, banquette-style seating, and a sitting/living area.
photo: via WorldMark Portland Waterfront
If you feel like staying onsite for the day, your family can relax in the outdoor lounge area which is equipped with grills, a cooking area, a fire pit and an outdoor seating area. It’s perfect for a family gathering or BBQ. Additionally, there is an inside lounge area with comfy seating and shuffle board tables kids and grownups a like enjoy playing.
Located in the Old Town District, your stay at the WorldMark Portland Waterfront places you in walking distance of some of Portlands best attractions and dining options. Just across the street you’ll find the Willamette River and Portland’s Waterfront Park where kids have plenty of room to run and play. The resort makes a perfect launching point for your Portland adventures whether you find them on foot or a short drive away.
photo: Michael Durham, © Oregon Zoo
Play
Your adventures in Portland start on foot. What would a stay in the Rose City be without a walk around its gorgeous waterfront? Kid’s love the wide open space and fountains that run in the warm-weather months. If you visit on the weekend, you can catch the famous Portland Saturday Market during the Spring, Summer and Fall months. the whole family will love strolling to the booths, checking out the locally made goods and snacking on market foods. It’s a great way to spend a morning or afternoon. Additionally, the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Oregon Maritime Museum are nearby. Off the waterfront, the following are some must-experience Portland family activities.
The Oregon Zoo
The West’s oldest zoo, is located just minutes from downtown Portland in Washington Park. Home to 2,200 animals, The Oregon Zoo is an award-winning institution for good reason: it’s deeply committed to conservation and sustainability, and it’s a top family-friendly destination because of its accessibility for all ages, abilities, and interests. The kids will love visiting the noble tigers, the majestic elephants, and don’t forget to check out the Penguinarium. You can see it all with this guide.
World Forestry Center Discovery Museum
Tree and forest-lovers of all ages can learn about sustainability and experience a Portland icon at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum. The World Forestry Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and inspiring champions of sustainable forestry. Its 20,000 square foot museum is perfect for all of the nature lovers in your family. Get your full guide here.
photo: via Portland Children’s Museum
Portland Children’s Museum
For a family-friendly excursion full of hands-on learning, head to the Portland Children’s Museum in Washington Park. Located on SW Canyon Road near the Oregon Zoo, this museum doesn’t act like a museum. Visitors won’t find precious works of art stored behind glass, instead children and their caregivers create a memorable learning experience while playing within the different interactive exhibits.
Oaks Amusement Park
Located in Southeast Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood, Oaks Amusement Park is the oldest amusement park and it will thrill your family. Your young adrenaline junkies will love the rides and the whole family can bond while skating at the rink or get competitive over a game of mini-golf.
photo: Jenny D via yelp
Eat
A slew of amazing eateries are just a short walking distance from the WorldMark Portland Waterfront. Make your first stop the iconic VooDoo Doughnut,where you will find doughnut’s a weird as Portland and classic as…well the doughnut itself. From glazed to the maple bar to the Voodoo Doll and the Guava Colada, there are options that will please every palate. Mother’s Bistro is another fantastic breakfast and brunch spot that offers delicious scrambles, omelets and buttermilk pancakes. We suggest the Belgian Waffle.
The famous Kell’s Irish Pub is a stroll from your suite. Here you can enjoy traditional Irish fare in a very Portlandy setting. We suggest the Irish Lamp Stew or Shepherd’s pie. The Pine Street Market is a super fun, family friendly food hall, where each member of your family can pick their meal of choice. And for an elevated dining experience, head to the Portland City Grill where you’ll ascend 30 floors above the city and take in sweeping city views of the city while dining on everything from burgers to T-bone to Tofu. They serve Brunch and dinner.
Portland is famous for it’s unique activities, incredible fare and its local’s love for all that is strange and unique. It’s the perfect location for a family vacation filled with all sorts of adventures. With the perfect home base for your crew, everything you do will be easy and fun so you can return home feeling like you experienced the City of Roses like a local.
—Annette Benedetti
Special thanks to WorldMark Portland Waterfront for assistance with accommodations and entertainment. All opinions here expressed are the writer’s own.
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