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Oregon Zoo
Category:
Zoos
4001 SW Canyon Rd
Portland,
Oregon 97221
(503) 226-1561
Going to the Zoo at Christmas time has become a family tradition for us. At Christmas time they...
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Going to the Zoo at Christmas time has become a family tradition for us. At Christmas time they have a train that you can ride and see lighted up animals all along the track. It's a really fun thing to do. Our kids love to go and it's fun for the whole family. They usually have concessions for sale too so if it's too cold, you can buy coffee or hot chocolate.
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My first trip to OMSI was a school sleepover, 15 years ago. When I was in college I volunteered...
More 2 years ago
My first trip to OMSI was a school sleepover, 15 years ago. When I was in college I volunteered around the museum teaching people of all ages and demonstrating science to them. I love everything about OMSI - it reminds me that there is a kid in all of us desiring to learn as much as we can about the world around us. Whether it be physics, chemistry, biology, human development, technology, industry, etc., the INTERACTIVE HANDS ON exhibits inspire and help me learn by doing and make difficult or abstract concepts easy to learn and understand.
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One of the popular attractions for the kids and family is Wunderland Electric Castles. My...
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One of the popular attractions for the kids and family is Wunderland Electric Castles. My husband's parents live in Portland so we visit them every year. My kids get boring because his parent's don't have that much entertainment at home. Wunderland is one place to make the kids and parents happy. They have tons of games which are a little outdated but still fun to play.
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This place is awesome, what a cool place to hang out. The kids loved it to and it was so cool to...
More 12 months ago
This place is awesome, what a cool place to hang out. The kids loved it to and it was so cool to show them all the old games I used to play back in the day. I totally give it 5 stars!
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Try to take the tour that they offer, it gives you so much more appreciation and background to...
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Try to take the tour that they offer, it gives you so much more appreciation and background to what the garden has to offer. Although the garden is not very big, every step and every corner has been given detailed consideration. I find it amazing that they were able to ship so many pieces of the garden from Suzhou, China. The free guided tour is also an excellent way to learn about symbolism within Chinese culture.
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Oaks Amusement Park
Category:
Aquariums, Zoos & Botanical Gardens
SE Spokane St
Portland,
Oregon 97202
Looking over historical ads for the park, I see it was once billed as "The Coney Island of...
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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
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I have been lucky enough to attend some great New Years parties but, Champagne Ball is definetly...
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I have been lucky enough to attend some great New Years parties but, Champagne Ball is definetly the best I have been to. It is held at the downtown Portland Hilton Hotel so you can get a room and not have to worry about driving. The party scene is great and the people range from 21 to 75 which is really fun and gives a great atmosphere. If you want to get dressed up and dance the night away without being to crowded and waiting in line forever this is the place to be. The band in the main ballroom is awesome and there are other bands, kareoke and DJ suger to keep the party going. I brought friends and they said it was the best New Years they have ever had as well and will be back again this year. The staff is great and you will not get better party hats, great food and the best countdown and balloon drop that I have ever seen. I will definetly be there this year ready to party like it's 2007!
Pros: Good location, fun people, great food
Cons: None better than any other New Year's in Portland
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I took my girlfriend here on a date last Saturday and I can't get over how perfect and romantic it...
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I took my girlfriend here on a date last Saturday and I can't get over how perfect and romantic it was. We got there about 5:30 p.m. and it was good timing because there weren't too many people there. We saw all of the ducks and geese and fed the squirrels saltless peanuts. The squirrels will eat right out of your hands! The lake is beautiful and I'm sure it is even better in the early Spring when the rhodies are blooming. There are a couple of waterfalls that just add that subtle touch to the place that makes the visit more than worthwhile! This is a must see for anyone who is interested in the outdoors.
Pros: Natural setting, Friendly animals, Romantic garden
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I just saw ART's production of Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphosis last night and I'm still a-tingle...
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I just saw ART's production of Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphosis last night and I'm still a-tingle with mythic inspiration. The show was funny, poignant, haunting, transformative, political, gorgeous and topical all at the same time. I would like to say here that I am a rather picky theater-goer and a mythological studies student to boot. I was concerned that translating an epic as grandiose as Ovid's ancient poem Metamorphosis to the stage would be impossible, but with Zimmerman's intelligently beautiful script, the director's exceptional skill, outstanding performances by multi-talented actors and an otherworldly fusion of brilliant set/costume/lighting/sound design, ART's latest production was truly a triumph of theatrical and artistic prowess.
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The Leach's are so intertwined in this garden and that makes it special. I am surprised at how...
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The Leach's are so intertwined in this garden and that makes it special. I am surprised at how many have not been there but it is tucked way out at the edge of the city where you would not expect such a fabulous place. It is free but the gift shop and plant sales help keep it going as do the volunteers. It is a great place to volunteer and learn about native plants. The plants are donated so I have purchased unusual plants there. Try to have a couple of hours to just enjoy this serene place.
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