Bethany Marcel

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Articles

7 Reasons Why Portland Ranks a Top City for Fun

Jun 10, 2024 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

We all know Portland is a fun city — but now it’s official. According to WalletHub’s 2023 report on the Most Fun Cities in America, Portland ranked 13th in the country overall, and it’s no surprise given the abundance of attractions, festivals, restaurants, playgrounds and so much more our incredible city has to offer. WalletHub based their rankings on 65 different metrics. Here are our family-friendly picks for seven of their categories.
Our 4 Favorite Day Trips from Portland, OR

May 23, 2024 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

From waterfalls to volcanoes, make unforgettable family memories with these incredible day trips. Adventure doesn’t have to include long flights and overstuffed suitcases. Some of the best family memories can be made close to home, and Portland is well positioned to provide access to some amazing day trip locations. Here are four of our favorite one-day adventures. The highest peak in Oregon is an impressive sight even from a distance.
Portland Preschools Where Kids Learn Outdoors

Feb 13, 2024 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

Find out what local parents are saying about the benefits, challenges and joys of outdoor preschool. Wander the rainy streets of our citylong enoughand you’re likely to see small children bundled up in rain gear, climbing on playgrounds and stomping through mud puddles. It’s no secret that Portlanders of all ages love the outdoors — no matter the weather. But what if your kiddo could be outside year-round, for hours each day, learning and growing in their confidence?
Top 5 Picks for Sick Days

Dec 26, 2023 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

It’s that time of year: When colds and coughs seem to be a virtually constant presence in our lives. Here are our top five places to stop the sniffles and provide some much needed respite and comfort. When our family is sick, I crave two things: soup — and for someone else to make dinner. Enter Stone Soup, a nonprofit serving up delicious soup and providing job training and skills to people at risk of houselessnes.
Allergy-Friendly Dining With Kids

Dec 19, 2023 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

With Portland’s bounty of allergy-friendly restaurants, dining out can be more delicious than complicated. First up, Top Burmese Burma Joy,one of our new favorites on Northwest 23rd Avenue. (They have multiple locations, including Beaverton and Hillsboro.) With vegan options like tofu tots, samosa, sides of coconut rice and even coconut ice cream, everyone in the family will happily dine. All menu items are well-labeled with allergy indicators. Did I mention a robot serves you?
Tanaka Japanese Bakery Opens in Bridgeport Village

Dec 19, 2023 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

Find fluffy, Japanese-style bread — and delicious sandwiches made from it — at the new Bridgeport Village Tanaka location. When I told my family we were visiting Tanaka, the Japanese comfort food spot, featuring katsu (breaded, deep-fried cutlet) sandos and pastries, the excitement was palpable. This is the second location for Tanaka, part of Bridgeport Village’s $35-million renovation.
The Sun Magazine | Burning Questions | By David Mahaffey | Issue 575

Nov 2, 2023 | thesunmagazine.org | David Mahaffey |Bethany Marcel |Amy Dryansky |Doug Ramspeck

Can we learn to live with fire? It’s an odd question for humans to ask, since our development is intricately tied to combustion. Our Homo erectus ancestors likely used open flames to make food easier to digest, fueling the growth of their brains, as well as to stay warm, ward off predators, and eventually create communities. Fire has been a catalyst for technological advancement, too, from the kilns and forges of the Bronze Age to the rockets that send modern tourists into space.
Top 5 Restaurants for Sweet Treats This Fall

Oct 16, 2023 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

October may be the month of artificial-tasting candy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some more unique and indulgent desserts this fall. Read on to discover our Top 5 local spots for treats that both kids and adults will adore. You can’t go wrong at Ome Calli, where you’ll struggle not to try every single flavor of ice cream. Think rich eggnog, creamy horchata and sweet-tasting corn — though kids might be more drawn to the bright-pink cotton candy.
Psst...October is the Best Time to Visit the Coast

Oct 10, 2023 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

We’re going to let you in on a secret: October is one of the best times to visit the coast. The weather is often mild and pleasantly foggy, or even sunny. And even the rainy, stormy days are full of magic. So while other families leave their coastal summer vacations behind, we’re heading to the beach this October. And if you have a kid like mine, who loves all things spooky, your first stop is going to be the Neskowin Ghost Forest.
Find Just-the-Right Birthday Vibe in Portland, OR

Sep 11, 2023 | pdxparent.com | Bethany Marcel

It’s not always easy to nail the right vibe for your kid’s birthday party. Maybe you’ve already started party planning when suddenly your kid informs you that the only thing they want is to meet a unicorn, or to walk through a giant bubble. (Believe it or not, we’ve got you covered!) So whether you have a budding chef, an outdoorsy bug-lover, a messy artist, or a kid who prefers quiet, read on to find the perfect local party spot for you.