OR/WA Destinations for Short Summer Vacactions with Kids

I'm looking for ideas where to take the kiddies (ages 12 - 16) for a couple short 2 - 4 day trips this summer. The two highest priorities are warm, sunny weather and a good swimming pool, lake or beach.

Biking and hiking trails are also high on our list, as well as good dining options. We don't golf, and don't need expensive amenities, like a spa, that we won't use. We won't rule out staying someplace that has those things. I just don't want to pay extra for things we won't use. I'd like to keep the lodging to $150/night or less, but will pay more for the "right" place.

It would be nice if it was within a 2 - 3 hour drive of Portland, but will consider up to 5 hours each way for a 3 or 4 day weekend. We already have a longer trip planned. So, I'm not looking for anything beyond the OR/WA area.

We've visited several places in the past, and may return to one of those, but are also interested in trying something new. Here's a few of the places we've stayed in the past, along with the things we liked (and didin't like) about them.

Sun Mountain Lodge - Withrop, WA:
Pros: GREAT place to stay, with beautiful views, great hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking all near by. Good, but expensive food.
Cons: About a 7 hour drive, EXPENSIVE.

Icicle Inn - Leavenworth, WA:
Pros: Affordable, clean good sized rooms. Decent pool, onsite arcade, mini golf and theater showing current, first run movies. Decent breakfast on site, plenty of good dining options in town. Great hiking nearby.
Cons: 5 hour drive, already done it 3 or 4 times, but kids always love it (other than the 5 hour drive).

Sunriver, OR:
Pros: Lots of lodging options, good bike paths on property, hiking and moutain biking nearby.
Cons: Can be expensive. About 4 - 4.5 hour drive. Been there, done that.

Eagle Crest Resort - Redmond, OR:
Pros: Relatively short 3+hour drive, multiple on site swimming pools, on site hiking and biking trails, game room and other amentities.
Cons: Just went there last summer, limited dining options

Inn of the 7th Mountain - Bend, OR:
Pros: Major remodel a few years ago, multiple on site pools, lots of nearby hiking, biking and white water rafting. Plenty of dining options in Bend.
Cons: Pools too small for property can get very crowded on weekends.

Kahneeta:
Pros: Short 2.5 hour drive, sunny and warm, large pool area
Cons: Limited, overpriced, poor quality dining options. Lodge rooms overpriced. Pool area gets crowded on sunny summer weekends. Middle of nowhere, no other dining options, limited hiking and biking. Casino crowd on weekends not exactly a kid friendly atmosphere.

Of course, there are lots of options at the Oregon Coast. We've stayed at lots of hotels, resorts and camped up and down the coast. We've yurt camped at Fort Stevens and Nehalem Bay. Both have wide sandy beaches and paved bicycle trails. So, we'll probably do at least one weekend at the coast. If you have any lesser know, or favorite places at the coast with plenty of kid friendly activities nearby, let me know.

What I'm really looking for is someplace dry, sunny and warm - which generally means Central Oregon or Central Washington for the best chance of sunny weather.

It's been two years since we've been to the Icicle Inn in Leavenworth. The kids love it, but it is a bit of a drive. I've done a lot of hiking and backpacking in the area over the years and know most of the trails around Leavenworth. So, it's a leading possibility.

Love the sunshine, short drive and huge pool at Kahneeta. It's close enough to basically get two days worth of swimming for a single night's stay. The pool passes are good all day on the day of arrival and departure. So, you can leave PDX in the morning, get there before lunch, enjoy a full day of swimming, spend the night get in another full day of swimming and be home before bedtime. All the lodging options are overpriced for what they are, and the food has gone from bad to worse. Still, for a quick sunny getaway, it's not bad. May try staying in a Teepee in the Village and bringing our own food this time. That gets us away from the casino crowd at the lodge and eliminates the poor quality overpriced food options.

So, any other places you can recommend? Any hidden gems in the Eastern Gorge, or Yakima or Wenatchee areas?

We've never been to Black Butte Ranch. Anyone have any experiences they'd like to share? Any other places in the Central Oregon area?

We're always willing to try something new. Resorts with nice amenities will be considered, but we also enjoy camping or rustic accomodations as long as there are plenty of things to do in the area.

Any and all recommendations appreciated.

BNM

 

Great Wolf Lodge.

 

We'd prefer outdoor swimming options during the summer.

But, thanks for the recommendation. We haven't been to the one in Washington, but have been to the one in Sandusky, OH (as well as the Kalihari Resort in Sandusky).

BNM

 

I've been to Sunriver and Inn at 7th Mountain several times. I go to the Inn a couple times a year. 7th Mountain is my personal preference, especially with kids. Lots of stuff to do.

Kahneeta is more party time place for me.

Black Butte Ranch I've heard is really nice as well, but its always getting evacuated for fires.

Another place that I'd suggest is Crooked River Ranch just outside of Terrebonne. Its got everything, nice pool, arcade, put-put golf, restaurants, awesome hiking trails down into the Crooked River canyon and I think is reasonably priced. Went there almost every year as a youngster.

 

Mt. Bachelor Village isn't bad. I have a condo there, but it's only 1 bedroom. The family and I will be headed over on Saturday for our last ski weekend of the year.

There are some very nice 3 bedroom houses that overlook the DeSchutes River, and it's close to downtown Bend with a large pool, two hot tubs, tennis courts, and Broken Top, among other golf courses. Great bike trails as you head out on Century Drive toward the mountain, as well. Food options are limited, outside of burgers at Cascade Lakes, but the Mill District is literally a 5-minute drive if you take Reed Market. Lots of good eats and shopping there. Downtown Bend is about 10 minutes away, tops.

 

Yep, the kids like 7th Mountain. Lots to do, and great hiking and biking as you drive out Century Drive. It's definitely a possibility.

I know what you mean - especially the lodge since they opened the casino. If we go, we'll stay at the Village to be closer to the pool and away from the casino nightlife.

Yeah, something to consider. We've never been there, but know several people who have and they all liked it.

Definitely worth a look. We've driven through, but never stayed there. We actually looked at buying a vacation home there many years ago before the kids were born. Wish we would have bought back then, the prices were very reasonable. I'll definitely check it out. I've taken the kids hiking at Smith Rock a couple times. Perhaps they'd like to sign up for rock climbing lessons.

BNM

 

Stayed there once, about 5 or 6 years ago. The property was nice, but we don't golf and the kids liked 7th Mountain better. It's a bit of a trade off. Mt Bachelor Village is closer to town and restaurants, but 7th Mountain is closer to the lakes and trailheads of Century Drive.

BNM

 

Well, I could use some babysitters right now. I'm busy, wife is travelling, I'm trying to coach T-ball again ... BNM, are any of your kids available?

 

No thanks. I've spent more than enough time in Vegas. I'm looking for something fun to do WITH the kids.

BNM

 

My 15-year old daughter babysits, but she recently got a "real" job and that's taking up most of her time these days.

BNM

 

P. P. P. S. That was lame.

 

ROTF!

 

Oregon Dunes

Crater Lake

 

There's a place in Southern Oregon that's a camp of ziplines. My friend took his kids there a few years ago and LOVED it. I'm sure someone here knows the name of it.

 

http://www.treehouses.com/treehouseziplines.com/index.cfm

 

That's it! Repped!