Family-Friendly Rides and Cruises in Portland

Portland Aerial Tram (Family Tours, Oregon)
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Traveling between Marquam Hill and the
OHSU Center for Health & Healing at South Waterfront.
Strollers are allowed. Free for the Month of February '07!
Check website for future fares and schedules

Molalla Train Park
31803 S. Shady Dell Rd.
Molalla, Oregon 97038
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~Open for the general public t he first Sunday in May through the last Sunday in October.
Bring your family for an afternoon of fun! You can find handcrafted steam, electric & gas powered locomotives pulling boxcars that are available for you and your child to ride free of charge. You’re child will surely not regret their experience.

Portland Streetcar (Family Tours, Oregon)
Ride for FREE in Fareless Square (extends from NW Irving to the south, I-405 east and through Portland State University and RiverPlace.)
Portland Streetcar runs on a 7.2-mile roundtrip loop from NW 23rd Avenue at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, on Lovejoy/Northrup, through the Pearl District, on 10th and 11th to Portland State University, RivverPlace and SW Gibbs & Moody at the South Waterfront District. Check website for fares and details.
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Sternwheeler Cruises - Sight Seeing Cruises
Boarding at Marine Park in Cascade Locks, Oregon.
Interstate 84, Exit #44
(45 minutes east of Portland, or 20 minutes west of Hood River.)
Free parking.
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~Kids 4 and under are free. A fun way to explore the Columbia Gorge and go on a relaxing cruise. Kids love to watch the water pass by and you'll enjoy hearing local history and legend. Captains provide narration on Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail, Bridge of the Gods, and riverboats. It's really more fun to go with a group of people and bring cards or a game - the cruise itself can seem rather long....   Kym, Mom of 3

Portland Spirit River Cruises - Sight Seeing Cruises
Usually boards at the Salmon Street Springs Fountain (Portland waterfront)
Check website for details
1-800-224-3901
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~Kids are encouraged to participate in the Sailor Training program, where they will learn about the vessel and receive an honorary Captain’s Certificate.        Kym

Mt Hood Railroad (Family Tours, Oregon)
Mount Hood Railroad
110 Railroad Avenue
Hood River, Oregon 97031
(541)386-3556
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~My kids love "choo, choos" so riding a big train is a quite a thrill. Mt. Hood railroad tickets aren't cheap $15-$25, but they have so many special "trains" - it is hard to resist going. Kids train themes, include: Thomas The Train, The Polar Express, and The Little Engine That Could. Most kids trains are 30 minutes long. Check the website for details.

~The Mount Hood Railroad is not currently (November, 2006) able to make it's usual excursion to Parkdale, Oregon due to a washed-out section of railbed. Unfortunately, they are NOT NOTIFYING passengers of this change!
I bought tickets months in advance for a special Thanksgiving excursion for a dinner at the Parkdale Grange and other holiday activities. Although the railroad knew weeks in advance that the excursion would not be possible, they failed to inform the passengers. The first we knew of any change was when the train reversed short of Parkdale and returned to the Hood River depot! We were offered a plate of turkey in a vacant building in their parking lot.
This is clearly no way to run a railroad. My family spent an unanticipated three hours on a non-stop round-trip to nowhere in a leaky, decrepit train. The explanation offered by the management was that it was simply too difficult for them to tell the passengers.
Avoid.          -FernBuddy, Salem

~My husband and I took our 5 grandkids plus their parents on the Polar Express Train in 2008 ride offered by Mt Hood Railroad.
What an absolute disapointment! The outside of the train said or looked nothing like it was the Polar Express - I mean come on guys a little paint would go a long way!! The inside of the train was old and dingy. The only decorations were tinsel garland with a few bells and snowflakes hung on it. The train ride consisted of going back and forth on the tracks - thankfully it's dark so the kids can't really see what's going on. The Polar Express narration is pumped though the train PA system by a lethargic sounding individual. You do get hot chocolate shoved at you in styrofoam cups by bored appearing kitchen staff. Speaking of staff, the "elves" looked like a bunch of high school kids with nothing better to do on a weekend evening. Santa was OK. Bottom line, save your money.       - Nanapeff, Portland

Willamette Shores Trolley (Family Tours, Oregon)
311 State Street
Lake Oswego, Oregon
503-697-7436
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~The Willamette Shore Trolley is operated by the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society.
The line takes you on a beautiful journey along the Willamette River in a authentic antique trolley car. The one way trip is 40 minutes long. Allow 2 hours for round trip travel. Kids under 3 are free, but keep in mind the trolleys, being antiques, are not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

Oregon Coast Explorer Scenic Railroad Tours (Family Tours, Oregon)
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The Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad offers you the nostalgia of days gone by, traversing some of the most scenic countryside on the Oregon coast, including fall foliage, 4th of July, and Santa runs!

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
SW Washington in Yacolt, WA. Yacolt is located just North of the Vancouver/Portland area roughly 20 miles East of I5 in the foothills of Mount St. Helens.
(360) 686-3559
Runs special trains throughout the year. Check the website for tours and rates.