PDX Parent Reader Favorites: Family Fun

Check out our readers’ choice award winners for sweet treats, adventure attractions, kid-friendly take out, playgrounds, hikes and more.

Favorite Adventure Attraction

WINNER: Enchanted Forest

Enchanted Forest has been crowned your Reader Favorite in our annual awards, thanks to its timeless charm and magical experiences. This beloved destination continues to captivate visitors of all ages with its whimsical attractions and family-friendly fun. From the iconic Storybook Lane and thrilling Big Timber Log Ride to the enchanting Ice Mountain Bobsleds, this family-owned park offers something magical for everyone.Congratulations to Enchanted Forest for earning the hearts of our readers!

TOP 5


Favorite Museums & Family Memberships

WINNER: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

OMSI has been named a Reader Favorite, and it’s no surprise why—it’s a hit with kids and parents alike! From the hands-on fun in Turbine Hall to stargazing at the Kendall Planetarium, there’s something for everyone. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love exploring a real submarine? Congrats to OMSI for being a place where learning and fun come together!

Courtesy of OMSI

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Favorite Family-Friendly Farm

Winner: Topaz Farm

Topaz Farm is the well-deserved winner of this year’s “Family-Friendly Farm” category! Families adore its kid-friendly live music events, free animal walks, tractor talks, harvest festivals, farm-to-plate dinners, and commitment to regenerative farming. With incredible food and beverage options, it’s the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and enjoy some good old-fashioned farm fun.

Courtesy of Topaz Farm, Credit: Julia Varga

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Favorite Playground

WINNER: Gabriel Park

Ending Westmoreland Park’s multi-year winning streak for the third year in a row is the inclusive playground at Gabriel Park in SW Portland. There’s even an in ground trampoline you can wheel or walk onto! The soft-surface ground is perfect for crawlers, too.

Courtesy of Portland Parks

TOP 5


Favorite Kid-friendly Bike Trail

WINNER: Banks-Vernonia State Trail

Kids love all the bridges on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail — there are 13 of them on this 21-mile paved trail! Don’t miss the 733-foot long and 80-foot high Buton Trestle. In between the bucolic towns of Banks and Vernonia await glimpses of wildlife, wide pastures and lush forests.

Image courtesy Tina Veets

TOP 5


Favorite Sweet Treats

WINNER: Salt & Straw

Breakfast cereal, edible flowers, Thanksgiving turkey — the makers at Salt & Straw ice cream find flavor inspiration in (oftentimes) the unlikeliest places. And our readers love them for it!

Image courtesy Salt & Straw.

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Favorite Kid-friendly Dining

WINNER: Slappy Cakes

Slappy Cakes has bested multi-year winner Laughing Planet with its playful take on breakfast all-day. Kids and adults love making pancakes right at their own table, and eating them fresh from the griddle. With seasonal batter, made-from-scratch ingredients, and toppings galore, it’s no wonder families are obsessed with this local business.

Courtesy of Slappy Cakes

TOP 5


Favorite Pizza

WINNER: Pizzicato

Pizzicato is not just a take-out hero with a great selection of kid-pleasing options, it’s also a community hero. Pizzicato has raised funds for local nonprofits such as Street Roots, Urban Gleaners and Black Resilience Fund.

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Favorite Arcades/Bowling/Family Fun Center

WINNER: Enchanted Forest

This family-owned business has been serving up imaginative theme-park fun since 1971, and this year it won your vote in two categories!

Image courtesy Erica Vo

TOP 5

Favorite Indoor Playspace

WINNER: Playdate PDX

Playdate PDX, a NW Portland treasure, has helped many a parent get work done while the kids have a blast in the three story indoor structure.

Courtesy of Playdate PDX

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Favorite Birthday Party Spots

WINNER Favorite Outdoor Birthday Spot: Oregon Zoo

While the Oregon Zoo doesn’t offer traditional birthday party packages or reservations, it’s still an incredible place to celebrate. Gather your group, purchase admission tickets, and enjoy a day exploring the zoo’s exhibits, animal encounters, and scenic picnic areas. Bring your own birthday treats and decorations to create a fun, personal celebration. You may book a larger private event space if you like, but you really don’t need to. An Oregon Zoo birthday is fun, easy, and — if you and/or your guests are members — surprisingly affordable!

Courtesy of Oregon Zoo

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WINNER Favorite Indoor Birthday Spot: Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Looking for a high-energy, unforgettable birthday party? Sky Zone Trampoline Park is a Reader Favorite for a reason! With wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball courts, foam pits, and exciting attractions like warrior obstacle courses, it’s the perfect spot to let kids (and adults!) bounce to their hearts’ content.

Courtesy of Sky Zone

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