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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
CP: Which Portland Marriott? Recs for things to do with 2YO?
We are headed to Portland in a few weeks- bringing our 2YO. I'll be flying solo for 2 weekdays without a car- so I'd like a location that is easy for walking to restaurants/shopping/attractions or accessible to public transportation. Does anyone have any recommendations between the Marriott City Center or the Marriott Downtown Waterfront? Also, if you have any recommendations for attractions or restaurants with a very active 2YO- I'd love to hear them! We'll be there for 5 days (including travel days- so more like 3.5).
Thanks!
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Re: CP: Which Portland Marriott? Recs for things to do with 2YO?
The Oregon Zoo is always a big hit with our LO. The Children's museum is next to it and is a lot of fun too, as is OMSI. In Washington Park near the Rose Garden there is a large playground if the weather cooperates. Check out the kid's book section at Powell's book store. And here's a website with events for kids that might be helpful:
http://www.portlandatplay.com/whattodo.htm
As far as restaurants go, we usually take DD wherever we go. She loves Romano's macaroni grill but she is a pasta kind of girl. McMenamins locations are always fun. In the city center you'd have to head to NW Portland on the streetcar to go to the Ram's head or the Blue Moon pub.
I don't know much about the Marriott's. Haven't stayed at either of them. But they are both pretty centrally located.
My amateur photo blog
Both Marriots are in great locations for access, but having never stayed in them I'm not sure which is better. I might choose the waterfront one just to be on the waterfront.
I was also going to suggest the zoo, OMSI and Children's Museum. You could also do the train ride while at the zoo, which our nephews adore.There's a Finnegans Toys downtown that your LO might enjoy. If it's nice, Jamison Square is fun. There's a Hot Lips Pizza (ZOMG so good!) in the Eco Trust building, just across the street. We get pizza and then head over to Jamison square to enjoy the sunshine while we eat. There's a little fountain there that all the kids play in. Our nephews love it when we take them. The World Forestry Center would also be fun.
I just read about PlayDate PDX (http://playdatepdx.com/). We haven't been but it looks awesome. Might be something to check out.
Restaurants - we love Rose's on 23rd. Saint Cupcake or Cupcake Jones would be fun for your 2yo. Both sell mini cupcakes, perfect for a toddler. Slappy Cakes is fun too; there's a griddle built into the table and you order batter in a squeeze bottle and cook your own pancakes at your table. They have various kinds of batter, like sweet potato and peanut butter. You can also get things to put in/on the pancakes, like chocolate chips, blueberries, almonds, cheese, and honey. Marrakesh is another favorite of ours. It's a Moroccan restaurant and they usually have a belly dancer on Fri and Sat. On Fri and Sat you have to do the 5 course meal with reservations, and it's so yummy. LO will fit right in - you eat with your hands! We've never taken the boys but have seen families with young kids and the kids seem to do fine.
Both hotels are at a good location and seem equally nice from the outside. I would also vote for the waterfront one, just because walking along waterfront park is one of my favorite things to do on a nice day. The city center one will have better access, though. It would save you a couple of blocks of walking to max lines (although it would be a nice walk) and it?s closer to Powell?s and the pearl (where Jamison Park is). It?s also just a couple of blocks to the waterfront.
I completely agree with pp: Zoo (with train ride!), Children?s Museum or OMSI (the children?s museum will be easier to access via public transit, but OMSI is an easy walk from the waterfront. For that age, Children?s Museum is probably better, but every parents has their own alliance
), Powell?s Books children?s area or Central Library (which is right on the max next to Finnegan?s Toys and has regular story times and a big children?s section). If the weather is nice, go to Jamison, Waterfront, or Washington Park. There are also bike rentals at waterfront park; not sure if they have child carriers.
In addition to what PP have suggested for restaurants (especially Pizza Schmitza): There?s a great ice cream place at Jamison Park (Moon something). Mother?s Bistro is yummy, especially for breakfast. There are lots of food carts downtown for weekday lunches; on the weekend, there are food carts at the Saturday (& Sunday) Market. Any of the breweries (Rogue, Deschutes, Bridgeport) should be pretty kid-friendly. There?s also a Whole Foods near Powell?s Books and a Safeway south of the Library, near PSU. Elephant?s Deli has a little of everything. The main place is on NW 21st, but they have a cart between Pioneer Square and the US Bank bldg. If you don?t mind a long streetcar ride, you can also head to the Spaghetti Factory at south waterfront; very kid-friendly. You could ride the aerial tram, too. IMO, Voodoo Doughnuts are not worth the line.