To be free!: What to do when kids are away
Kate, an urbanMama of three boys (almost-6, almost-4, and a three-month old), has had a busy year, relocating to Portland, starting at new schools, and potty-training. She emailed with a unique and an almost-enviable situation.
I'm in need of some Portland-mama wisdom. My two oldest boys left for NY for 2 weeks to visit their grandparents. After sobbing all the way home from the airport, my husband and I got home and realized we didn't know what to do with ourselves. Besides staying in bed and having sex, renting movies and reading books, we couldn't remember what we did in our pre-kid life. (Granted, we still have the 3 month old with us, but going from 3 kids to 1 baby is--for us--almost like being child-free again.)
It's funny, I always fantasized about having alone time again, and now I don't know what to do with myself. The sex, movies and books can wait until nightfall--I want to take advantage of the wonderful summer weather? What would other urbanMamas recommend doing in Portland, for someone who is new to the area and hasn't explored much beyond the kid-friendly parks and zoo? We are on a budget, but not having to feed the kids for two weeks does give us some wiggle room--what are some favorite (vegetarian-friendly) restaurants, day trips, must-see Portland sights? Help an (almost) kid-free mama find something to do!
The Summer, Parks, Fun, Sun is a good start, as well as digging up stuff on a daily basis on the urbanMamas calendar. What things in specific do you think she should put on her list of things-to-do over the next two weeks?
Farm on East Burnside (around 6th or 7th) is an excellent restaurant that we ate at a few years ago prior to moving to Portland, and without our babies. I'd love to eat there again, but probably wont anytime soon now that we've got 2 kids and no easy (or free) access to a babysitter. If I remember correctly, they have very strong relationships with the local farms, with a seasonal menu of mostly organic and largely vegetarian selections. It's one of the few times that my husband walked away from a meatless meal totally satisfied. I dont remember it being all that expensive, especially considering the quality of the meal.
A few weekends ago, we were without our oldest for the night so we took the baby out for happy hour at Bernies on Alberta St and had such a great time! We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the lovely weather, cheap food and a couple of mojitos. It's the first time we've been to happy hour in years!
Posted by: Leah | July 16, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Aside from things that you could do any day without kids, I would see which things are specifically going on during that two week period that might not be going on any other time, such as neighborhood festivals or limited-time Omnimax shows, etc.
Posted by: Tori | July 16, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Happy hour at the Tin Shed outside is also great (and you can bring the baby). For a nice dinner, we like Fife for something fancy (I can't remember how veg friendly they are though). There are concerts at edgefield pretty much every night in the summer and they are mostly free. During the day, you could check out Powell's kid-free - It's a very different experience when you don't have to keep one eye on a child. Get a nice cup of coffee at one of the fine est. here in Portland. Ride your bike on the Springwater trail. Go for a hike in the gorge. Anything you might have tried with kids will be different without them! You could also treat yourself to a spa day.
Posted by: Meg | July 16, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Funny, my kids are at camp this week. We have done the Portland Spirit cruise... a sunset treat for the soul. We also have taken an Eco-tours wine country tour this week. I highly rate this because then you have a designated driver. Then, to be more budget minded, we'll have a picnic out at Collins beach on Sauvie island and maybe catch free concert. Or take a quick trip to any of the great little beaches. I find having sand in my toes to be quite restorative.
Posted by: philomom | July 16, 2008 at 09:03 PM
Don't for get the wonderful museums, no extra hands to distract!
Ballet? relax in the soaking pool with baby 10-8 at Kennedy school!
I'm envious!!!!
Posted by: carie | July 17, 2008 at 01:27 PM
One of my favorite summertime, kid-free activity is to bring a picnic lunch to a winery of choice and spend the day in idyllic wine country. We usually buy a bottle wine ($15) and relax the day away. Views, yummy food, wine, interesting people we meet. Some good ones to try: Patricia Green, DelPonte and Adelshiem.
Most wineries are open everyday during the summer.
On weekends, I love to check out all the farmers markets around town. Go to one in a different neighborhood and see all the different farms and produce you're missing.
It's been a while, but as memory serves: As for nightlife, nothing beats happy hour at Portland City Grill, views, piano bar and amazing food specials. For really cheap and yummy happy hour food/drink specials, try Saucebox downtown.
Another free summertime favorite is a dip in the Clackamas River (across the bridge from High Rocks) followed by an evening riverside picnic. Mmmmm, cools me off just thinking about it.
Whatever you decide to do, enjoy!!
Posted by: tb | July 17, 2008 at 01:46 PM
- Lunch at India House or Higgins downtown
- Aztec Willies and Peet's Coffee shops (both located downtown and on NE Broadway)
- Laughing Planet SE Belmont or N. Mississippi
- Explore a new neighborhood by transit, bike,or walking (Check out the new Walk There book by Metro www.metro-region.org)
- Hang out in a coffe shop and write letters to friends
- Beavers Game at PGE Park
- BEST Pizza (and local, organic, & some of their restaurant's have a patio): Hot Lips
- Bakeries: Grand Central (patio), Pearl Bakery in NW, Pix
- Palio coffee shop in Ladd's Addition in SE
- Home stores: Hippo Hardware (Burnside?), Rejeuvenation (SE Grand?), Ikea (at Cascade Station MAX stop near airport)
- Japanese Garden (or Chinese Garden)
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial near the Forestry Center
- Visit a fabric or knitting shop, and actually complete a project while the kids are gone
- Cafe Mingo, Elephant's Deli (patio), or Le Happy crepe shop in NW
- historic sunken rose garden at Peninsula Park in North Portland
- Portland Nursery or Bosky Dell Natives
- Lake Quinault Lodge southern Olympic peninsula in WA
- Farmer's Market in S. Park Blocks on Wednesdays
- Train ride to Spokane, visit glass museum
- Visit some of the shops listed in the Chinook Book
- Central Library and Goodwill store downtown(also located near Aztec Willie's restaurant)
- Oxbox regional park
Posted by: n | July 17, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Aerial Tram
One of the first urban trams in the country, traveling 3,300 feet in 3 minutes over I-5.
Portland Beavers
Beyond Bizarre
A Portland walking tour taking you to the creepiest parts of town.
Bicycling:
Zoobombing , Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Pedalpalooza , Livestrong Challenge , Providence Bridge Pedal , Mini-Bike Winter Olympics , Tour de Fat
Bite of Oregon
In August.
Breweries
Carousels:
Jantzen Beach Supercenter Merry-Go-Round 1920s carousel.
Noah's Ark Carousel. A 2 deck, Herschell-Spillman 'menagerie' model.
Cheese
Curds & Whey, 8036 SE 13th Ave, ph: 503-231-2877
Chinese Garden
Clear Creek Distillery
EcoTrust Building
Forest Park
One of the nation’s largest urban wilderness, covering 217,800,000 square feet; a labyrinth of hiking trails, nature and scenery. Free.
Grotto
A beautiful 62 acre Catholic Shrine and botanical garden.
Happy Hour
Go to Barfly , Unthirsty.com or UrbanDrinks.com to search for various places around town.
Hat Museum
1928 SW Ladd Ave, Portland. America’s only hat museum with over 600 head coverings.
Hillsboro International Airshow
Generally takes place in August or September.
Indie Wine Festival
Japanese Garden
Kelley Point Park
Portland LumberJax
Museum of Contemporary Craft
Oak's Amusement Park
Oregon Ballet Theatre
During the summer they have practices in the park.
Oregon Historical Society & Museum
Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI)
Pirate Festival
Held in Cathedral Park.
Pittock Mansion
Portland Art Museum
Portland Cacophony Society
Portland International Rose Test Gardens
Free.
Portland Jazz Festival
Portland Marathon
A qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Portland Spirit
Portlandia
The 2nd largest hammered-copper statue in the country (the Statue of Liberty is the largest). Artist: Raymond Kaskey. Installed 1985. Dimensions: 36' 10" high. Made from copper and steel. Location: 1120 SW Fifth Ave.
Rebuilding Center
Santacon
Saturday Market
Segway
Barefoot Sage on Hawthorne.
Stark’s Vacuum Museum
More than 300 vacuums.
Tanner Springs Park
"Umbrella Man" Found in Pioneer Courthouse Square, this statue with a red tie, steps forward with an umbrella to greet newcomers. Artist: J. Seward Johnson. Installed in 1984. Dimensions: 6'6"x4'x3'6". Made of bronze.
Velveteria Museum of Velvet Paintings
What else? More than 170 velvet paintings for your pleasure.
Waterfront Blues Festival
Posted by: k | July 17, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Head to the Alberta Arts District and do some early Christmas shopping. When it's time for dinner, there are so many great choices. My husband and I like to have appetizers and cocktails at one place(Tin Shed), dinner at another(Siam Society), and if we really feel like splurging, coffee and desert at a third.
Have fun and enjoy your time!
Posted by: Caroline | July 20, 2008 at 11:10 PM