Oaks Amusement Park

Worth visiting just for the amazing, restored roller rink. Roller derby is held in the neighboring hangar. Most of the rides are for young children. more

I have been to a few amusement parks, not just the top brand names but the small little ones scattered all over the country. Pros: Nice outdoor setting, wooded and by a rive with the city in the background. Cons: Bathrooms, food, rides, young adult fun. more

Ah, what can I say that's positive? Not much. This park used to be a wonderful place to go when I was younger, when they had decent rides like the Zipper, Roll-O-Plane, Haunted Castle, etc. The only 'thrill' rides of any substance they have there now are the Screamin' Eagle, Spider, and Rock-O-Plane. Everything else is basically for young children, and the whole place is designed for them, it seems. The once-spooky Haunted Castle (turned into the 'Haunted Mine' in 1981), has been transformend into some sort of Lewis & Clark adventure, if I remember right. Wow. Thirillsville. Urgent sarcasm at work there. Pros: Nice river views, picnic spots, roller rink, free admission (on regular business days). Cons: Few stand-out rides, bad, expensive food, too crowded on weekends, bad parking arrangements. more

Looking over historical ads for the park, I see it was once billed as ""The Coney Island of the West"". Well, I grew up in NYC, and spent tons of time in Coney Island, and, while that great park has suffered the ravages of time and the tawdry, even sleazy developments that came with it, Oaks Park strikes me as a trip in a time machine back to a much smaller version of Coney Island circa 1910. The flowers, the gazebos, the picknickers, the river right there (ok, so it's not the Atlantic ocean, but still, it's sand). Charming and relaxing. It is, first and foremost, a park for children... There are only one or two big thrill rides. Rowdy twentysomethings looking for opportunities to drink too much beer, whoop it up on ""x-treme"" rides and scare their dates will find little satisfaction here(at least during the day). Those people will have to wait for the temporary and widly overpriced parks that set up on the West side for cinco de mayo and rose festival. The antique carousel is beautiful, (be sure to look for the pair of owls that live up in the roof), and the blend of kiddie rides provides a nice variety of daring for kids of varying ""ride tolerance"". Adults should be careful with the smaller roller coaster in the kiddie area... it'll do a number on your back! Yes, it is sometimes crowded, but you can always take a little break down on the beach, which is almost always empty, and enjoy the nice view of downtown while waving to the passing boats. Finally, an amusement park that is fun without being completely overwhelming. You will see far fewer crying children and advil gulping parents here than at your average park. The only drawback is the entry fee imposed at Oktoberfest. I wish they simply charged extra to enter the ""fest"" area, so people like me, who have no interest in it and just want to enjoy regular park features, didn't have to pay for that dubious event. Pros: actually a pleasant experience Cons: oktoberfest fee more

Portland area should take a good look at a serious Amusment Park, like Cedar Point, Kings Island, or any Six Flags! The Northwest needs It. more

Oaks Park is so much fun and even though I haven't been there in the last couple years, I still have memories that are positive about my experience with this place. The food is good and the rides are great for the type of amusement the park is trying to offer. Bring the kids and get over to Oaks Park and give them lasting memories that they will cherish forever! Pros: Great rides, Good food, Decent amenities Cons: Crowded, A little spendy more

This is such a great place to take your grandchildren! We have some great memories and photos too from our trips to the park AND the Multnomah Co. Fair as well believe it or not. They loved the Indians, the Army vehicles, etc. It's a hidden treasure.... Pros: Many good rides, the train!, affordable Cons: More food?, I can't think of any. more

We went to Oaks Amusement Park earlier this summer during our visit to Portland. It doesn't have high tech stuff but all the families, teens and preteens we saw we're having a lot of fun. I like the fact that you don't have to invest a weeks wages for all day mandatory wristbands for the family. They have that option. Their wristbands are relatively inexpensive with several discount days. It's admission free and you can choose to buy tickets for just the rides you want. We went on the bumper cars which were very peppy. Our son went on the go karts and had the time of his life. They also have inexpensive food booths, arcades, shooting gallery, rides for all thrill levels and last but not least a person in a squirrel costume who ""talks"" to kids and ""big kids"" like me! more