Three days in Portland gives you enough time to hit the best neighborhoods, do at least one outdoor adventure, and not feel like you're rushing from thing to thing. This itinerary is built around realistic timing — not an optimistic tourist-brochure schedule that assumes your kids will skip naps and walk 8 miles without complaint.
Day 1: Northwest Portland + Washington Park
Start in the west side. This keeps you close to downtown and gives you Portland's single best free attraction.
Morning (9:00–11:30AM): Washington Park
Washington Park is a 410-acre park complex in the Arlington Heights neighborhood. The park itself is free — Oregon Zoo admission inside runs ~$60–70 for a family of 4 if you want it, but skip it today and use the free sections. Take the MAX light rail to the Washington Park station (free downtown, saves you $10/day parking).
Start at the Rose Garden Children's Park — free playground with the International Rose Test Garden steps away. Then walk the free arboretum trails (paved, stroller-accessible). Allow 2–2.5 hours here. You won't run out of things to look at.
Late Morning (11:30AM–1:00PM): Couch Park and NW 23rd
Head to Couch Park in the Pearl District — a well-maintained free neighborhood park. The NW 23rd Ave commercial strip is a 5-minute walk with good lunch options at all price points. Budget $30–50 for a family lunch at any of the casual spots along the corridor.
Afternoon (1:30–4:30PM): SoGrow House
SoGrow House is in the Pearl District — the only 5.0-rated kids' venue in Portland. Multi-use space covering indoor play, amusement, and club programming. Budget $50–80 for 2–3 hours. Book through their website; no phone listing. The Pearl District location means parking is expensive — stick to the MAX from Washington Park or walk from Couch Park.
Evening: Pearl District
Stay in the Pearl for dinner. The neighborhood has family-friendly restaurants at all price points. Budget $50–80 for a sit-down family dinner.
Day 1 Total: ~$130–210
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Day 2: East Portland + Adventure
The east side of Portland has a different energy and some of the city's best value options.
Morning (9:00AM–11:30AM): Faubion Playground + Neighborhood Exploration
Faubion Playground in NE Portland is a 4.8-rated neighborhood playground — free, great for burning off morning energy for 45 minutes before the main event. Northeast Portland's food cart scene has excellent affordable breakfast options along the corridor.
Late Morning (10:30AM–1:00PM): Kids Empire Gresham
Kids Empire Gresham in the Powell Valley area is a 4.8-rated full-service indoor play park. Multi-level climbing structures, age-specific areas, and onsite food. Budget $65–90 including admission ($50–70) and food ($15–20). Plan 2–3 hours. This is the anchor activity for Day 2.
Afternoon (1:30–4:00PM): Westmoreland Park
Westmoreland Park in the Westmoreland neighborhood has a genuine duck pond that kids can approach closely. Free entry, free street parking. Budget 1–2 hours. Bring stale bread — the duck pond interaction is one of those memories that costs $0.
Late Afternoon (4:00–6:00PM): Funtastic Arcade
Funtastic Arcade at Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets in Troutdale is 20 minutes east of Westmoreland on I-84. Credit-based arcade open until 9PM. Budget $30–60 depending on how much your kids spend. A good wind-down activity where you control the budget by how much you load on the card.
Evening: Troutdale or back to Portland
Troutdale has casual dining options near the outlets. Or drive back to Portland proper for dinner — about 25 minutes with evening traffic.
Day 2 Total: ~$115–170
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Day 3: Adventure Day + Outdoor Portland
Save the biggest activity for Day 3. You know by now which kids are up for it.
Morning (8:30AM–12:30PM): Tree to Tree Adventure Park
Tree to Tree Adventure Park in Gaston is a 4.9-rated aerial adventure park 45 minutes southwest of Portland. This is the destination that produces the most genuine "I can't believe we did that" reactions from the 8–12 crowd. Zip lines, rope courses at real heights, and multiple difficulty levels. Budget $100–160 for a family of 4 ($25–40 per person).
Book online before you go — weekend walk-in availability is limited and you don't want to drive through wine country only to find no slots. Check minimum height and weight requirements on the website first.
Afternoon (1:30–4:00PM): Gabriel Park
Gabriel Park in SW Portland is a 90-acre park with playground, sports courts, open fields, and a dog off-leash area. Free. After a morning of aerial adventure, the vibe shifts to low-key outdoor time. 1–3 hours.
Alternatively: Harper's Playground in Arbor Lodge — an all-abilities playground that's 4.6-rated and free. Good if you have kids of different abilities in your group.
Late Afternoon (4:00–5:00PM): DiG PDX
DiG PDX — Oregon's largest indoor sandbox — is in the Raleigh West neighborhood. Budget $35–50. 1.5–2.5 hours. If you didn't book this in advance, call ahead — rainy-day slots fill up. Adults often free.
Evening: Multnomah Village
The Multnomah Village neighborhood in SW Portland is a walkable area with good family-friendly dining options. Budget $45–70 for a family dinner. It's close to Gabriel Park and DiG PDX, making the logistics clean.
Day 3 Total: ~$180–280
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Logistics
Getting around: Portland's MAX light rail is genuinely useful. The Washington Park station eliminates the $10/day parking fee at the park. For east Portland, Gresham, and Troutdale, you'll want a car. Most venues have free or inexpensive parking outside the Pearl District.
Book in advance: Tree to Tree and DiG PDX both require online reservations — especially on weekends. SoGrow House takes bookings through their website. Don't show up without a plan.
Timing windows to know: - City Play for Kids: weekends end at 1PM — morning only - Tree to Tree: check their specific schedule for your date - Funtastic Arcade: open until 9PM daily — great late option
3-Day Budget Summary: - Day 1: $130–210 - Day 2: $115–170 - Day 3: $180–280 - Total: $425–660 for a family of 4 across 3 days (not including lodging or travel)
You can cut $150–200 by skipping the SoGrow House premium and substituting free park time on Day 1, and doing St Johns Swapnplay (free) on Day 2 afternoon instead of the arcade.