Oregon Activities and Attractions to Explore with Kids

1. AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village

There is probably no better setting for an interactive children’s museum than AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village in Salem. The village is housed in the former National Toy Hall of Fame building. This iconic hands-on museum provides educational experiences that are both stimulating and innovative. The museum offers a variety of exhibits designed to teach children through interactive play. Exhibits like Farm to Table allows children to harvest and plant their own crops. The All About Me exhibit teaches kids about the body using interactive role play. There is an admission fee for kids two and older.

116 Marion Street Northeast, Salem, OR, Phone: 503-371-3631

2. Cascades Raptor Center

Located in Eugene, Oregon, the Cascades Raptor Center is a wildlife hospital and nature center dedicated to the rehabilitation of raptors. Home to the largest collection of native raptors, there are 50 types of birds representing 30 species permanently housed at the Center. It offers a year-round educational programs for kids of all ages, and provides expansive outdoor aviaries that showcase raptors in a protected environment. Visitors can view these magnificent birds by walking trails on the hillside. Self-guided tours are available with general admission, but families wanting paid guided tours must arrange them in advance.

32275 Fox Hollow Road, Eugene, OR, Phone: 541-485-1320

3. Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon

Children and parents will witness first-hand how development and learning go hand-in-hand at the Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon in Pendleton. This unique museum has been around for more than two-decades, offering a wide range of activities and exhibits for every kid. Emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), the museum values self-expression through fundamental skills. Featuring almost a dozen hands-on exhibits to teach children how to prepare for the “grown-up world”. A few of these exhibits are the Grocery Experience, Art Studio, Magnetorium, and Fire Station. Admission price for this fun-filled museum is the same for kids and adults. Visitors aged one or younger are free.

400 South Main Street, Pendleton, OR, Phone: 541-276-1066

4. Columbia River Maritime Museum

Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria was founded in 1962, and was Oregon’s first museum to meet the standards for National museum accreditation. The museum is dedicated to exhibiting 50,000 Columbia River and Pacific Northwest artifacts and photos.

Kids will learn about the perilous Columbia Bar in the Crossing the Bar exhibit, and 260 years of exploration in Mapping the Pacific Coast exhibit, among others. Another highlight kids will love is a tour of Lightship Columbia, a floating lighthouse. Films that explore everything from hurricanes to the ocean are on offer in the museum’s IMAX 3D theater.

1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR, Phone: 503-325-2323

5. Crater Lake National Park

Perhaps one of the world’s most beautiful parks, Crater Lake National Park offers families breathtaking views of Crater Lake, mountains, and forests. Crater Lake lies inside an inactive volcano that collapsed more than 7,000 years ago. The volcano is said to have been more than 12,000 feet tall.

The lake with its vivid blue water is the country’s deepest lake at 1,943 feet deep. This pristine lake is fed by snowmelt and rain, making this large body of water one of the clearest and cleanest. There is no park fee for children 15 and younger.

Crater Lake Highway 62, Crater Lake, OR, Phone: 541-594-3000

6. Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum

Historical Willamette Valley is home to Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. This museum houses an array of fascinating military and civilian flying vehicles. One the most famous civilian aircraft on display is the Spruce Goose. It was built entirely of wood, because of restrictions on aluminum during WWII. The aircraft is technically known as a Hughes H-4 Hercules. The museum strives to inspire all ages of children to take an interest in the sciences through hands-on activities. Aircraft displays range from the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird that can reach speeds exceeding 2,000 mph, to designs from the Wright brothers. Children four and under are free.

500 Northeast Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR, Phone: 503-434-4180

7. Great Cats World Park

On the historic Redwood Highway leading to southern Oregon in the Siskiyou Mountains, Great Cats World Park is about a mile from Cave Junction, Oregon. It’s home to more than 50 big cats representing 17 distinctive species and subspecies. The park provides a great learning experience for kids of all ages through guided tours with knowledgeable keepers. Field trips, photography sessions, videography, and special events or parties can all be arranged. There is a shaded patio for relaxing, and a gift shop for souvenirs. Kids three and under are free.

27919 Redwood Highway, Cave Junction, OR, Phone: 541-592-2957

8. Hellgate Jetboat Excursions

The Rogue River has been the scene for exciting Hellgate Jetboat Excursions for the past 50 years. With historical Hellgate Canyon as the backdrop to these scenic tours, the excursions take visitors through Southern Oregon’s natural beauty. Hellgate Jetboat Excursions offers several tours to choose from. The shortest tour is two hours long and covers about 36 miles. The longest tour lasts over five hours and covers 75 miles. This tour offers riders a chance to dine at Morrison’s Lodge, or simply to relax and take in the views. Excursions run from the beginning of May till the beginning of September.

966 Southwest 6th Street, Grants Pass, OR, Phone: 541-479-7204

9. Jerry’s Rogue Jets Mail Boat Tours

In 1895, there were no roads along the Rogue River. People received their freight and mail via riverboat. Today, Jerry’s Rogue Jets Mail Boat Tours follow the same 64-mile round-trip mail boat route of the past. Located just north of California’s border at Gold Beach, Oregon, visitors catch the mail boat tour that seats 65-passengers on a large vessel gliding mere inches above the water. Passengers get a glimpse of how mail was delivered back then, although mail is till delivered by these boats. Tours include a 90-minute lunch stop in Agness (extra cost), 32 miles upriver. Mail boat tours start in May and end in October.

29985 Harbor Way, Gold Beach, OR, Phone: 800-451-3645

10. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Boys and girls of all ages enjoy stories of dinosaurs and cavemen, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument allows them to take a step back in time and see first-hand how earth was back then. Kids will get first-hand experience in the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center. The center features more than 500 fossil specimens, all from the John Day Fossil Beds. Inside this historic park, guests will visit the Painted Hills. This area has hills with different hued stripes of orange, tan, red, and black. His area is also great for hiking with five separate trails to choose.

32651 Highway 19, Kimberly, OR, Phone: 541-987-2333