Kitsch, fun and a great way to escape from normal, amusements parks or water parks are a fantastic way to spend a day with the family. From water slides and tubing to scary rides and go-karts, here are the best Amusement and Water Parks in or near Portland, Oregon…
1. Oaks Amusement Park – the best, biggest and most famous amusement park in Portland
Starting with the oldest standing amusement park in the country, Oaks Park is an all-rounder. Spread across more than 40 acres of land, the park features a wide selection of classic rides such as bumper cars and a roller coaster, a roller skating rink presenting live music, which is believed to be the largest in the country and is open throughout the year, miniature golf, carousel, mini-train and many other fun carnival games including ring toss, skee ball, etc.
Luckily enough, there is no entrance fee, and you have to get tickets for all the rides except for some midway and arcade games since they are cash only. There are ample picnic spots all over the park along with some snack corners offering hamburgers, cotton candy, ice cream, etc. Overall, a family-friendly spot mostly targeted at young kids.
Address: 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, Oregon.
2. Glowing Greens PDX – for crazy and fun mini golf
Glowing greens is a miniature golf course in a basement with blacklight indoors; it has a mental trap escape game, wicked axe throwing, etc. It is a place to have so much fun and make memories for every age and different group size.
Address: 509 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97204.
3. Sykart Indoor Racing – hours of fun for all the family
Another gem for go-kart lovers. You can go all out at this amusement park that offers limitless adventure and the thrill of karting and riding upon a rollercoaster. A wild combination.
Address: 8205 SW Hunziker St, Tigard, OR 97223.
Distance from Portland: 20 minutes.
4. Wings and Waves Waterpark (McMinnville) – spend the day soaring and sliding through elements of wind and water
A relatively new addition to the list of parks in Portland, Wings, and Waves has combined entertainment and science in a quirky way to give us a unique experience. A wide range of water-filled activities consisting of a sonic boom, aqua play, youth slides, vortex pool, leisure pool, mach 1, splashdown harbor, nose dive, and tailspin is brought to us by the waterpark.
Furthermore, another interesting aspect is the introduction of interactive exhibits by the park to teach kids about various science concepts such as velocity and buoyancy. Don’t wait for any further and head out this weekend to have a fun-filled day at the Wings and Waves Waterpark.
Address: 460 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128.
Distance from Portland: 1 hour.
5. K1 speed – featuring electric go-karting for all skill levels
We know it would have been extremely unfair if we didn’t talk about go-karting. Without a doubt, go-karting is one of the most exciting and thrilling activities when it comes to indoor games.
And K1 speed makes it possible for you to experience it right in Portland. Along with having fast-paced electric go-kart and skillfully designed kart tracks, K1 speed has much more to offer. Whether you want to have a casual outing with your peers or have a professional business event planned, K1 has got you all covered with a cute little café tucked inside and a venue for all your planned events.
Address: 5579 NE Huffman St Suite 2, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
Distance from Portland: 30 minutes.
6. North Clackamas Aquatic Park (Milwaukie) – a wave pool, water slides and other attractions
Running for more than twenty years now, this small, indoor water park is one of a kind in the area. Housing a total of six pools including a lap pool, dive well, splashdown, kiddie pool, and wave pool, the aquatic park has many other attractions like a rock climbing wall, hot tub, and water slides. Open throughout the year, it has always been very popular among the visitors so you can expect a fair gathering of people on any given day.
Other amenities and facilities include a volleyball court, changing rooms, swimming lessons, aquatic fitness classes, and food corners ranging from pizza to sandwiches to salads.
Address: 7300 SE Harmony Rd, Milwaukie, Oregon.
Distance from Portland: 25 minutes.
7. Splash! at Lively Park (Springfield) – a year-round indoor water park featuring slides, waves and small children’s pools
Another little treat for those who love water parks. Splash! Is an indoor water park with pools of every size and water slides is open to the public throughout the year. But the most interesting thing, seemingly more appealing to the older lot is the variety of water fitness classes offered here.
Working on your physique in the most fun way through aquatic workouts including Aquatone, Deep Water Exercise, Ai-Chi, Hydrofit, and more. Apart from this, if you are not so keen on getting wet, you can always head towards the sun decks and community rooms and have a peaceful time relaxing and soaking in the sun. Moreover, these spaces can also be rented out if you have to have any private events organized here.
Address: 6100 Thurston Rd, Springfield, OR 97478.
Distance from Portland: 2 hours.
8. Osborn Aquatic Center (Corvallis) – multiple pools, including a warm pool and a waterslide
Saving the best for the last. Osborn aquatic center ticks all the right boxes. A retreat in itself, Corvallis is a haven for artists, foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, festival freaks, hikers, and bikers. If you don’t trust me, go and see yourself. It offers you the chance to hit the pools and cool off on the hot days catering to both kids, adults and even dogs!
Moreover, it is a welcoming site for you to exercise your diving skills.
Address: 1940 NW Highland Dr, Corvallis, OR 97330.
Distance from Portland: 1 hour 30 minutes.
9. Rainier Amusements – the next generation of traveling amusement park entertainment in the Pacific Northwest
Rainier Amusement in the Pacific Northwest is one of its kind in entertainment. They are well-reputed for being the providers of fun and entertaining games, exciting rides, and mouth-watering food at special discounts in about 30 events held at the Pacific Northwest.
They offer rides from large state fairs to small city festivals. Some of their exciting rides are Kamikaze, Loop O plane, and yo-yo. They are open on school days and non-school days.
- Address: all over Oregon
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Beth was born under a wandering star, with drama in her veins and ink in her pen. After stints studying theatre in Dublin and Utrecht she used her creative streak to see as much of the world as she could on as little money. She toured Italian Schools with a children’s theatre troop, lived as an au-pair in both Rome and Washington DC, explored the British countryside, worked her way through much of Europe, Salsa danced in Cuba and road tripped down America’s west coast where she discovered her spiritual home; Portland, Oregon. In between adventures she resides peacefully with her family, cats and ukulele.