Things to Do in Portland

Since opening in 1987, the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center has grown like a weed, from 1 to 182 acres, providing a home for thousands of birds, butterflies, and blossoming plants. Their gardens, greenhouses, trails, and boardwalks are set into the landscape of the Oso Creek, allowing guests to observe species in their natural habitat without provoking the ire of territorial snapdragons. Following a mission to advance knowledge and appreciation of the environment, the organization also hosts classes and workshops on topics such as orchidology and holistic herbal health. Members’ annual contributions help to sustain the nonprofit organization and garner them unlimited admission, discounts at Nature's Boutique, and invitations to members-only events, such as the annual member-plant dance.

Funtrackers summons fun-seekers with a mother lode of scintillating attractions for guests of all ages. Drivers in tiny cars vanquish fellow racers with expert passing maneuvers and cloying drive-time radio jams across four different go-kart tracks, which range from a kiddie track built for drivers 3 aged and older to a pro track reserved for motorists with a valid driver’s license or permit. Floating in a 3-foot-deep pool, guests can douse each other with water from a squirt-gun turret built in to bumper boats, engaging comrades in a friendly rivalry to be continued at the 18-hole, tropical-themed miniature-golf course. Inside, buzzing sounds and whirring lights emanate from more than 50 arcade games, including skee-ball and air hockey, many of which reward success with tickets that can be redeemed for stuffed animals, bean bags, and lumps of coal.

At Kidz Ultimate Party Zone, youngsters frolic through a climate-controlled play area stocked with inflatable slides and houses, taking occasional jaunts up the rock wall or plunges into the dunk tank. Children befriend critters at an outdoor petting zoo, and trained staffers oversee the hubbub, painting faces to resemble animals that happen to have mustaches. At onsite craft workshops, little ones can stuff their own teddy bears, and toddlers can safely explore a zone that caters exclusively to ages 3 and younger.

Chaperoning adults can bound through the inflatables alongside their children or retire to a private room to belt out heartfelt karaoke on adult themes such as love, loss, and itsy bitsy spiders. Free WiFi allows for frequent email checks, and adults can arrange to augment off-site events with rentals from the complex's stash of party equipment, such as the mechanical bull.

The owners of Pottery Painting Pleasures opened their doors to make art accessible to everyone, providing all necessary supplies and cleanup services. In the azure craft haven, myriad ceramics, such as vases and plates, wait to be rendered unique by kids, adults, and seniors. Themed sessions include senior mornings, Tots and Pots, and Friday-night College Night, which includes a brief overview of Organic Chemistry 101.:m]]