Family vacation in portland

My family and I are planning a trip to Portland in late December to early January. My kids want to see snow for their first time. How far out of the city and where would you recommend to go sledding or tubing? Any recommendations on must see or must eats is highly welcomed. Thank you!

 

That time of year snow shouldn't be that far out of portland. I'm guessing maybe 45 minutes to an hour. When I'm down there, it's usually for work so most of the time we are going to a brewery or pub for dinner. Not sure how many of them are kid friendly. Deschutes Brewery is one that I'm pretty sure is kid friendly with good food along with Laurelwood. All the others I'm not sure. If you make it up to Longview in Washington, Porky's has some good food with a good beer selection that is also kid friendly.

 

Depending on where in Portland your staying MT Hood is only 45ish miles away. Lots of skiing and sledding up there.

 

@vrod671 likes to visit Oregon. Maybe he can chime in.

 

What ages are the kids?

 

We’re staying in downtown Portland. My kids are gonna be 7 and 14

 

Mt Hood will be your best bet. From Ski Bowl, Mt Hood Meadows, Timberline (the lodge is cool) and a little place just a few miles on the other side. Can't think of the name but the tubing is fun

 

Thanks. Will look into those

 

Snow bunny

 

Visit the timberline lodge it’s pretty nice. Your kids would love to have a hot chocolate in the upstairs lounge. It’s basically on mt hood

 

One small word of advice... All of the above mentioned places are above 4000 ft and have hazardous driving conditions if the weather holds up to normal so when looking for a rental car remember that. You may have ice, or snow or both for that matter up there. My buddy and his crew do try and take care of the roads as much as possible though.

Food for thought.

 

Do you know which companies would rent those? Do I need an awd or one with snow tires? Rental company websites are pretty vague in the type of vehicles available

 

I don’t personally know which ones but I’m sure you could talk to them and express what you need

 

For that, it may be best to give the companies a call. If your renting right from the airport there are at least 5 options. Maybe you know this, but ask specifics, like if the car your renting can have chains on it. Can’t tell you how many people rented SUVs to go skiing on Mt hood and then the DOT required chains or traction tires. The SUVs were not designed for chains. Think they were Trail Blazers or something. Point is be careful. Also, skibowl May be a good choice, they have a tube park and it’s the closest to Portland of the 3 resorts. As others have mentioned, hot chocolate at Timberline is well worth it too.

 

Thanks! I’ll give some a call.

 

Also, that time of year the zoo lights are worth checking out.

And if you go up to Mt Hood, ZigZag pizza is a sweet place with kids to stop on your way home.

 

Will check them out. Thanks for the recommendations

 

Also don’t forget Joe’s donuts in Sandy on the way up the mountain

 

Are the food trucks still running in late dec/ early January? Or do they close shop because of the cold?

 

Which food carts are you talking about Portland or sandy? And when you say closed are you talking like close early for the night or closed early for the season??