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Oregon Zoo
See Portland, Oregon family vacation
Oregon Zoo
Southwest Portland
view website4001 Sw Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97221
503-220-2789
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Zoo
Oregon Zoo Description
It's like a world safari in a compact walking space: a lush, hilly terrain in which you explore friendly, state-of-the-art animal exhibits arranged by ecosystem. With over 1,000 animals, this is more than a see-it-once zoo. An indoor rainforest (where it really rains!) brings you into the environment of crocodiles, land-walking lungfish, and tree frogs; in the enclosed outdoor aviary, parakeets sit on kids' shoulders and let themselves be fed by hand. One of the best zoos in the country, for kids and parents.
Kid Tips
Babies: Many of the animals are close enough to catch the attention of babies without being close enough to intimidate them. Skip the walk-in aviary -- your baby doesn't want birds landing on her or trying to share her bottle.
Toddlers & Pre-K: Likely to want to move to the Oregon Zoo.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Naked mole rats. What more is there to say? Pre-teens and animal-loving teens will get the full effect -- there's so much to learn here that kids will want to linger.
Planning Notes
- Plan to picnic. Break up the day by picnicking on the spacious lawn inside the park, or choose from one of several decent restaurants and concessions.
- Take the train. A train runs from inside the zoo through Washington Park to the children's playground and the Japanese Garden. The trip makes for a nice change of pace in the afternoon.
Just the Facts
Hours: April 15-September 15: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (grounds open till 7). September 16-April 14: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (grounds open till 5). Closed Christmas Day.
Fees: Under $10
Recommended Time: Full day
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What's Nearby?
- Forest Discovery Ctr 4033 Sw Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97221
503-228-1367 45.50781388888889 -122.71967194444444
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