Portland, OR

Wet and Wild

Let's face it. Portland's a wet place. This hip, artsy city on the Willamette River gets a whopping 37.2 inches of rain each year.

But not to worry. Portland's built for rain. On yucky days, the kids can climb aboard a Navy sub at the science museum, see a puppet show at one of several children's theaters, and even ride four-foot waves at an indoor water park.

On sunny days, there's the renowned Oregon zoo, an old-fashioned amusement park, or just a walk around compact downtown, hanging out in art-filled plazas, reading the quotes from famous people etched in the sidewalks.

The city's proximity to mountains and ocean means lots of outdoor activities within an hour of downtown. But who needs to go that far? Right in Portland's backyard, you can take a jet boat tour and scream with delight as pilots do 360's in the water, spraying everyone onboard.

Rain or shine, Portland's small town ambiance will make your family feel right at home. So, pack the galoshes and umbrellas (even in summer months you're likely to get spritzed) and get ready to play, Portland-style.