We're planning a short trip to Portland for spring break. We're staying in downtown Portland, and plan to rent a car for one day to go to Multnomah Falls. Is this a halfday trip or a whole day? I really wanted to also see the Tillamook Cheese Factory, but it looks like doing it both in one day is not doable since they're in opposite directions.
Has anyone been to both places? Is one place better than the other?
honeydew / 7622 posts
The cheese factory is in progress of a renovation so I think it's open on a small scale until the new grand opening- I'd check the website.
Multnomah falls is a half day trip from Portland. The restaurant is not good there. I'd visit Skamania lodge or McMenimams Edgefield for breakfast or lunch. Both have lots of nooks to explore and are out that direction.
honeydew / 7622 posts
@DisneyBee: where do you live? How many days will you be in town and what month? The coast is worth a visit. Would renting a car for two days be an option?
apricot / 340 posts
@youboots: Hi...I will be sure to check the Tillamook website. Thanks for the restaurant suggestions. We're from Orange County, California. We'll be in Oregon next month for 4 days. I was thinking of renting the car for 2 days, but parking is $39/day, so I was thinking of just renting for one day, and then checking out the local places in Downtown and using public transportation on the other days. I also heard the coast is beautiful up there.
So far, we have OMSI and the Rose Garden in our itinerary.
honeydew / 7622 posts
@DisneyBee: if you live near the water already and are excited to see the falls then I'd go that route- look into visiting the fruit loop (the trees may be in bloom) and Hood River would be nice to make it a full day trip.
OMSI is great. The roses I don't think will be blooming in April- I'd call before going. The Japanese gardens are in the same park and beautiful year round. The wooden shoe tulip festival is great but would require a car- and the line to get in during the weekends can be awful. We went about 15 min before opening last year and were fine. How old are your kids?
honeydew / 7622 posts
@DisneyBee: oh and Edgefield and Skamania are more than restaurants they are hotel compounds- large acreage. The Sunday brunch at Skamania is outstanding.
apricot / 340 posts
@youboots: Thank you so much for the tips....so helpful! My boys are 3 and 6.
apricot / 340 posts
OMG....Tulips are my favorite flower! I need to look this up. Is this far from Portland?
honeydew / 7622 posts
@DisneyBee: it's in Woodburn- the city is also home to a large tax free outlet mall. About 35 min south of Portland
grapefruit / 4649 posts
We were able to stretch multanomah falls to most of a day by doing a long hike there. It was a really hard hike so definitely only doable if you have a little one who will go in a carrier. The standard hike isn't nearly so hard/long but it's much harder to make a full day out of it. We did the lava tubes which were crazy cool and kid friendly as long as they aren't afraid of the dark. I'm not sure if they are remotely close though!
The science museum was a lot of fun but we enjoyed the children's museum by the zoo better with our toddler. If you have memberships to any of your local museums don't forget to check your reciprocal programs! It was so nice to be able to pop into the science museum for an hour because it was free when we had time to kill before meeting friends!
ETA- the lava tubes are Ape cave and in the absolute wrong direction for both Tillamook and multanomah!
If you do Tillamook, drive the extra 40 minutes to go to Pacific City, there's a brewery right on the beach called pelican pub and the beach is amazing! The hotel across the street is awesome and really reasonably priced. I can find the name for you if you want. Our two nights there were the highlight of our trip.
clementine / 935 posts
We were just in Portland last weekend with our 20 month old. We enjoyed OMSI (especially the lego art exhibit!), but liked the Children's Museum better at her age. The zoo was a big hit, too.
apricot / 340 posts
@Cole: Thanks for the tips! We're going to OMSI since we have a membership to an ASTC center here, but I'll definitely check out the Children's Museum. I'm still debating on Tillamook since it's under renovation right now, but I will keep Pacific City in mind.
@Dahlia: Ooh....how long did you stay in Portland? We'll be sure to check out all that you mentioned.
@youboots: we're leaning towards the Tulip Festival, and the tax free outlet mall sounds great, too. we may need to rent a car for 2 days now.
clementine / 935 posts
@DisneyBee: We got there Saturday before dinner and left Tuesday before nap. On Sunday we did the zoo and then dinner at the Tidbit food cart pod since the weather was nice. Monday we did the children's museum and some shopping (Powell's, mostly!) and Tuesday morning we did OMSI before heading out. It was pouring both days. DD still naps, so we had to plan our day around that. We took Uber to get around and were able to leave the carseat in a safe spot at the museums.
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
I love Multnomah Falls! It's one of the most picturesque water falls I've been to, and the drive from Portland is really pretty as well. I lived in Oregon pre-kids, so I can't weigh in on taking them, but it was never something that we did as a full day trip. I would probably do something fun in the morning, and then head out for the afternoon if I were taking my kids now. Enjoy Portland! It's one of my favorite places. 
apricot / 340 posts
@Mrs. Blue: Thanks for your suggestion! One of my girlfriends recommended seeing the coast (i.e. Cannon Beach). Therefore, I'm debating on whether to do Multnomah Falls, the Tulip Festival OR Tillamook Cheese Factory and Cannon Beach. I may need to just suck it up and rent the car for 2 days.
honeydew / 7622 posts
@DisneyBee: when will you arrive? We went to the Tulip fest yesterday
persimmon / 1281 posts
If you're trying to make multnomah falls into a longer adventure, there's a great (much easier) hike about ten minutes past it called Elowah Falls. It's usually totally empty. The multnomah hike can be tough with a little one plus it's usually prettt crowded.
apricot / 340 posts
@youboots: We'll be flying in this Sunday. How was the Tulip Fest? We're planning to be there on Tuesday afternoon and then head to the outlets. Hope the rain lets up by then. We're going to Multnomah Falls that morning.
@Portboston: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to look into it since we're only planning to be there in the morning. Hopefully, it's not too crowded since it's a Tuesday, but not sure how many schools in the area are on spring break.
persimmon / 1281 posts
I'm pretty sure all of portland was on break last week. So hopefully you'll be ok!
honeydew / 7622 posts
@DisneyBee: awesome! About 1/2 blooming. Really empty on a weekday afternoon
apricot / 340 posts
@Portboston: Good to know! Looks like we'll be there at the perfect time then. Hopefully!
@youboots: Beautiful! I can't wait to see this in person in a few days.
apricot / 340 posts
@youboots: Thanks again for your recommendation for the Tulip Farm. Loved it there! The pics we were able to take were awesome.
honeydew / 7622 posts
@DisneyBee: same background in b oth photos we just walked the same steps a week apart. Glad you enjoyed it
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