Oaks Amusement Park

From thrill rides like a roller coaster and tilt-a-whirl to an old-fashioned carousel, Oaks Amusement Park has something for everyone. This classic park is nestled along the waterfront in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood, and has the feel of an old-time amusement park with the amenities of a much newer one. Oaks Amusement Park also has a large indoor skating rink and a mini-golf course.

Parking and public transportation at Oaks Amusement Park
Oaks Amusement Park has a large parking lot. There is no additional fee to park in the lot. Public transportation does not directly service Oaks Amusement Park. You can get within a mile of the park by taking the number 70 or 19 bus.

Best and worst time to go to Oaks Amusement Park
While the skating rink is open year round, amusement park operations are open only from March through September. Until mid-June, amusement park operations are only open on weekends. In July and August when school is out it can get busy, especially on the weekends. If you are visiting in the summer, plan to come on a weekday or right at opening to avoid the crowds.

Admission to Oaks Amusement Park
There is no entry fee to the park, but you do have to pay for rides. If you are only planning to ride a few of the rides, you can buy single tickets for around $3. Each ride costs one ticket. If you are planning to make a day of it, you can purchase various bracelets in the $15 to $25 range. Each bracelet includes a roller skating session. Mini golf, Go-Carts, food and carnival games are an additional fee. Roller skating is around $6, which does not include the skate rental fee of around $2.

Must see/do at Oaks Amusement Park
Oaks Park is famous for its carousel. The carousel is the oldest ride in the park and contains hand-carved horses dating back from 1911. If you have young kids with you, check out the toon cars, which are perfect for kids as young as two. For thrill-seekers, the roller coaster is a must. Stop by one of the many booths for a snack and take it over to one of the shaded picnic tables overlooking the Willamette River for a break from the heat and the excitement.

Other places to visit near Oaks Amusement Park
Oaks Amusement Park is located off of the Springwater Corridor in Sellwood. The Corridor contains miles of paved paths perfect for biking or a stroll. Two miles north on the path are OMSI, Portland's science museum, and the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. It is less than a mile from the park to downtown Sellwood, a blossoming area of Portland known for its many antique shops. Sellwood Park, a lovely shaded neighborhood park with several play structures and an outdoor pool, overlooks the park.

Insider tip for visitors to Oaks Amusement Park
If you have kids, take advantage of Chipper's Preschool Rides. Held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer, kids ages 6 and under can ride all the rides for around $8 before the park opens to the general public. The morning ends with a story time and snack. The park has other discount admission deals throughout the summer, including two-for-one Tuesdays.

Author's bio: Ali Wilkinson is a mom to three young children and loves to explore Portland with them. She is the founder of a Portland events website aimed at families, and writes about parenting on her blog run knit love.