Washington/Oregon itinerary with kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We really enjoyed Portland--my kids like eating out, and the food and vibe are really fun and different. Then we drove down the coast, which was beautiful but a totally different experience. I'm glad we had some city days. We liked the museums, the streetcars, the restaurants, and people-watching. The coast is so beautiful, but we were there in June and it was very very cold and windy, on the edge of being unpleasant.

Just to add on, when I say "unpleasant" I mean unpleasant while wearing jeans, sweaters, and jackets. We definitely were not sitting on the beach.
We did a seal rock tour thing that was kitschy but fun. The kids liked the Oregon Science Center and the historical society. They also liked some of the public parks, which have interesting features (like a rain garden).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You could do a whale watching trip off the Olympic peninsula. Even if you don't see whales (it's very hot or miss), you get an afternoon on the water.

Combine it with a loop around the peninsula -- temperate rain forests, rocky beaches, hot springs.

I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula, in the rain forest. Be aware that "the loop" is about an 8-hour drive on a mostly two-lane highway. It is a drive that will require your full attention at all times. And the beaches are never warmer than 65 in the summer and it could well be misting the whole time. Bring a coat with a hood.