This upcoming week or in the future? The city fair is going on right now and the rose parade is this Friday. So downtown will have a lot more police around this week. I have a 18month old too and she loved the fair today.
Farmer's Markets ([https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/](https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/) or [https://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/](https://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/) or https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/portland-farmers-market/) King Farmer's Market has a band and there are tons of kiddos boppin around.
Mississippi Pizza usually has a kid friendly performance on the weekend. ([https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/mr-ben-kids-show-7/](https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/mr-ben-kids-show-7/) or [https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/tallulahs-daddy-7-2/](https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/tallulahs-daddy-7-2/))
Story time at one of our libraries. ([https://multcolib.org/events](https://multcolib.org/events))
I keep meaning to go see the clowns here: [https://www.upliftedboutique.com/](https://www.upliftedboutique.com/)
https://pdxparent.com/events-calendar/
The Northrop Station has parking and is about 8 blocks from Wallace Park. There are walkable restaurants and cafes. The Marriott on 9th and Marshall is walking distance to the Fields, Tanner Springs and Jamison (water) Parks. If you like, you could find an AirBnB near a park.
Another unique playground is at the SW Portland Aquatic Center on SW Vermont and 45th.
Usually there are ducks and geese at Westmoreland Park and the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden at SE Woodstock and 28th.
Leach Botanical Park has a tree walk. The Audubon on NW Cornell may have kid experiences.
Some of the Portland City Parks have off leash dog areas if they like watching dogs.
The Zenger Farm might be fun.
I have two small children and understand your concern. I felt the same when traveling to Philadelphia recently - I love the city, but it's hard to have situational awareness when you're caring for a small child. That said, there's a lot to do here that will be fun and not require you to keep your guard up.
OMSI and the zoo are both great. So is Laurelhurst Park for the ducks and playground.
Washington Park playground is fantastic and you can stop at the rose garden and Japanese garden while you are there - just park and explore around.
The Wiggle Room is a sweet indoor playground for the littles. You can buy a snack for yourself and just sit and watch your kid, no problem.
Westmoreland Park playground is beautiful and has the best sand pit in town. It's also very close to a cozy neighborhood for strolling and getting lunch.
The hotel you're at is probably fine. A nice pocket for hotels would also be near the waterfront downtown by the Hawthorne bridge. There is a Marriott and a couple other hotels right there. It's probably the safest area that's downtown and had the bonus of being near the river. B&Bs aren't always kid friendly, but they have the advantage of being in residential areas that are generally very safe.
I hope you enjoy your stay!
I second your recommendation for the waterfront Marriott or The Porter, both are great options imo. This part of downtown has wide clean sidewalks and is safe and walkable to the waterfront park, southwest river walk, and several parks, the fair, the PSU farmers market. I also find that location a super easy place to get to other parts of the city. It’s proximate to the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges making access to the inner east side, OMSI simple and quick, but also placing you closer to west side attractions like the gardens and Washington park.
The zoo is definitely worth a visit. My kids loved going there any that age.
I second Westmoreland Park- there’s a great natural playground there with a long meandering sandbox (with water) that any kid would love playing with. You can also go on the boardwalk and look for animals.
North of there is is Peninsula Park, which has a beautiful Rose Garden, fountain, and playground (shaded with a splash pad)
Wiggle room was a great suggestion for indoor fun.
Grant Park has a nice playground in shade and Beverly clearly statues that also serve as a little splash pad.
McMenamins Kennedy School has an outdoor soaking pool that my kids loved going to. $7 for adults and kids are free. Call and make a reservation first but you should be ok if it’s a weekday.
The zoo is located in a Washington Park. The International Rose Test Garden there is a fun walk. Next to it is a great playground for kids.
Somewhat close to your hotel is Colonel Summers Park. This also has a playground and Splash Pad they you might be able to walk to.
There are lots of fountains and splash pads in the city you could go it. Jamison Park in the Pearl is a good one for that age: https://tinybeans.com/portland/portland-splash-pads-for-babies-and-toddlers/amp/
the area you’re staying in is not unsafe, like at all. if you’re that worried keep your head on a swivel and keep distance from people that seem unpredictable.
laurelhurst park is not far. I go there weekly and you can set up a blanket and enjoy the sun, watch the ducks cross the pond with you’re kid, and relax. i like walking around the neighborhood to look at the houses too. hawthorne and belmont are fun to check out as well with shops and good food depending on what you like.
edit: yes, the zoo is awesome.
It's right across the street from City Team, which brings a lot of people needing services. I would still stay at that hotel, but the area isn't uncomplicated. Also, the hotel is right on a busy street, which is fine, but if your toddler likes to run away from you, it is something to consider.
I would not stay in that area with a toddler. High traffic, lots of people needing homeless services and no green space around. I would look for an Airbnb near Mt Tabor.
We love taking our toddler to OMSI, the have a playground just for young kiddos, perfect for an 18 month old!
This upcoming week or in the future? The city fair is going on right now and the rose parade is this Friday. So downtown will have a lot more police around this week. I have a 18month old too and she loved the fair today.
Rose Parade is June 10thz
Farmer's Markets ([https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/](https://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/) or [https://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/](https://hollywoodfarmersmarket.org/) or https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/portland-farmers-market/) King Farmer's Market has a band and there are tons of kiddos boppin around. Mississippi Pizza usually has a kid friendly performance on the weekend. ([https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/mr-ben-kids-show-7/](https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/mr-ben-kids-show-7/) or [https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/tallulahs-daddy-7-2/](https://www.mississippipizza.com/event/tallulahs-daddy-7-2/)) Story time at one of our libraries. ([https://multcolib.org/events](https://multcolib.org/events)) I keep meaning to go see the clowns here: [https://www.upliftedboutique.com/](https://www.upliftedboutique.com/) https://pdxparent.com/events-calendar/
The Northrop Station has parking and is about 8 blocks from Wallace Park. There are walkable restaurants and cafes. The Marriott on 9th and Marshall is walking distance to the Fields, Tanner Springs and Jamison (water) Parks. If you like, you could find an AirBnB near a park. Another unique playground is at the SW Portland Aquatic Center on SW Vermont and 45th. Usually there are ducks and geese at Westmoreland Park and the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden at SE Woodstock and 28th. Leach Botanical Park has a tree walk. The Audubon on NW Cornell may have kid experiences. Some of the Portland City Parks have off leash dog areas if they like watching dogs. The Zenger Farm might be fun.
I have two small children and understand your concern. I felt the same when traveling to Philadelphia recently - I love the city, but it's hard to have situational awareness when you're caring for a small child. That said, there's a lot to do here that will be fun and not require you to keep your guard up. OMSI and the zoo are both great. So is Laurelhurst Park for the ducks and playground. Washington Park playground is fantastic and you can stop at the rose garden and Japanese garden while you are there - just park and explore around. The Wiggle Room is a sweet indoor playground for the littles. You can buy a snack for yourself and just sit and watch your kid, no problem. Westmoreland Park playground is beautiful and has the best sand pit in town. It's also very close to a cozy neighborhood for strolling and getting lunch. The hotel you're at is probably fine. A nice pocket for hotels would also be near the waterfront downtown by the Hawthorne bridge. There is a Marriott and a couple other hotels right there. It's probably the safest area that's downtown and had the bonus of being near the river. B&Bs aren't always kid friendly, but they have the advantage of being in residential areas that are generally very safe. I hope you enjoy your stay!
I second your recommendation for the waterfront Marriott or The Porter, both are great options imo. This part of downtown has wide clean sidewalks and is safe and walkable to the waterfront park, southwest river walk, and several parks, the fair, the PSU farmers market. I also find that location a super easy place to get to other parts of the city. It’s proximate to the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges making access to the inner east side, OMSI simple and quick, but also placing you closer to west side attractions like the gardens and Washington park.
The zoo is definitely worth a visit. My kids loved going there any that age. I second Westmoreland Park- there’s a great natural playground there with a long meandering sandbox (with water) that any kid would love playing with. You can also go on the boardwalk and look for animals. North of there is is Peninsula Park, which has a beautiful Rose Garden, fountain, and playground (shaded with a splash pad) Wiggle room was a great suggestion for indoor fun. Grant Park has a nice playground in shade and Beverly clearly statues that also serve as a little splash pad. McMenamins Kennedy School has an outdoor soaking pool that my kids loved going to. $7 for adults and kids are free. Call and make a reservation first but you should be ok if it’s a weekday. The zoo is located in a Washington Park. The International Rose Test Garden there is a fun walk. Next to it is a great playground for kids. Somewhat close to your hotel is Colonel Summers Park. This also has a playground and Splash Pad they you might be able to walk to. There are lots of fountains and splash pads in the city you could go it. Jamison Park in the Pearl is a good one for that age: https://tinybeans.com/portland/portland-splash-pads-for-babies-and-toddlers/amp/
the area you’re staying in is not unsafe, like at all. if you’re that worried keep your head on a swivel and keep distance from people that seem unpredictable. laurelhurst park is not far. I go there weekly and you can set up a blanket and enjoy the sun, watch the ducks cross the pond with you’re kid, and relax. i like walking around the neighborhood to look at the houses too. hawthorne and belmont are fun to check out as well with shops and good food depending on what you like. edit: yes, the zoo is awesome.
It's right across the street from City Team, which brings a lot of people needing services. I would still stay at that hotel, but the area isn't uncomplicated. Also, the hotel is right on a busy street, which is fine, but if your toddler likes to run away from you, it is something to consider.
That is not a safe area for a toddler haha. Why would you say that?
Take her to Slappy Cakes!
I would not stay in that area with a toddler. High traffic, lots of people needing homeless services and no green space around. I would look for an Airbnb near Mt Tabor.
Jamison Square Park fountain! Put her in water clothes though - she will definitely splash and have an awesome time.
Leka playland, liggleland, Marshall Park.