The Oregon Garden's 20 gorgeous gardens are connected by four miles of stroller-friendly paths, making it a wonderful place to visit with children!

The Oregon Garden is one of our absolute favorite places to visit! If you are a new parent or caretaker looking for a perfect stroller adventure that allows you to walk for miles, or if you're adventuring with more than one kiddo, this is perfect for you! The Oregon Garden tends to be uncrowded, offers four miles of wide and paved ADA-friendly trails, and offers sprawling safe spaces for your littles to explore. They have a large parking lot, a visitor center, a gift shop, a cafe, picnic tables, and a retail nursery. (Tram tours have been canceled due to the pandemic). You're welcome to bring your food and enjoy a picnic in designated areas (however, no outside alcohol.) Leashed dogs are welcome. 

This is a paid activity; you will enter the visitor center and pay admission there. Restrooms are located just before you enter the visitor center and throughout the gardens. If you're rollin' with a stroller, here's some more good info to know! The indoor restrooms just before the visitor center have double doors that I could fit my double-wide Bob Duallie stroller through; it required careful maneuvering, but it was doable, and even fit into the bathroom stall. There is also another restroom just outside the Children's garden that felt safe for me to leave my kiddos buckled up in the stroller just outside the open main door while I ran inside quickly. 

The beautiful trails meander the 80 acres that account for 20 specialty gardens. You can find a list of all their gardens on their website. Our favorites were the Sensory Garden, Amazing Water Garden, Bosque, the Apiary, and of course, the Children's Garden. The Children's garden has several mini gardens, including a "weird plants garden," an animal-shaped topiary, and a furniture garden. The weird plant garden features A Toad Lily, Lamb's Ears, and a Mouse Tail Plant. Some of the interactive features include a hobbit house that kiddos can climb over and through, a small treehouse play-structure (conveniently low to the ground!), and a sandbox for "digging up dinosaur bones." There is also a small amphitheater, a covered area with picnic tables and a sink, a restroom, and a fun butterfly bench (which makes for a great photo opportunity!). 

Although this isn't a place that I'd consider a "water activity," it's important to note that water features are abundant. If your kiddo is like mine, they are bound to get a little wet, so bring an extra outfit or wear a rain suit to be safe! Also, shade is limited, so be sure to bring sunscreen.

If you want to make this into a grand adventure, grab a meal at the Garden View Restaurant next door or even plan to spend the night at the Oregon Garden Resort!