There are lots of ways to explore the Portland-area, but doing it by trolley might be the best way! Summer is trolley season around here. Several trolleys operate seasonally, each offering a unique route and experience.
The Rose City Trolley aka The Pink Trolley
The Pink Trolley runs on the west side of Portland, taking passengers to some of the city’s best places.
The trolley’s a 65-minute narrated loop with eight stops. The hop-on hop-off trolley stops include:
- Director Park
- South Park
- Washington Park/International Rose Test Garden/Japanese Garden
- Oregon Zoo/Discovery Museum
- Hoyt Arboretum
- NW 23rd at NW Everett
- Pearl District/Powell’s Books
- Chinese Garden
- Old Town/Saturday Market
- Riverplace Marina
The trolley picks up at each stop approximately every 45 minutes. Each stop has something to offer depending on your interests – whether you want to shop or stroll through a garden.
KidTripster Tip: Anyone visiting Portland should spend some time at Powell’s Books. The massive bookstore covers an entire city block. It’s not just a local landmark, it’s also the world’s largest independent bookstore selling both new and used books. If you’re traveling with children, there’s a huge kids and young adult book section where you can sit and rest your legs.
The Pink Trolley runs daily between late May and mid-September with service between 10 -5. A one-day pas is $35 for adults, $18 for kids 6-12, and free for those 5 and under. Two-day passes are also available.
The Willamette Shore Trolley
The Willamette Shore Trolley is the most traditional trolley experience. Vintage trolley cars run on the historic rail tracks dating back to the 1800s.
The scenic route runs between S Portland and Lake Oswego along the Willamette River. It passes through a tunnel built in 1921 and into some of the area’s poshest neighborhoods.
Volunteers have refurbished the vintage trolleys, converting them to electric trains. Volunteer operators also run the line, providing live narration of what you’re seeing through the window as well as explaining the history of rail service in Portland.
The line is about 45-minutes in each direction. We recommend taking the trolley round trip from S Portland to Lake Oswego. Get off the train in Lake Oswego for a few hours and look around. Just across the street from the depot are some great restaurants and shops, all easily walkable from the trolley stop.
KidTripster Tip: Parking can be challenging in S Portland as many lots are private. Allow yourself a little extra time for parking in the area.
The trolley operates on weekends only between late May and late September. Special trolley tours take place around the holidays offering viewings of the Willamette River Christmas Ship Parade. One-way tickets cost $11 for ages 13+, $6 for kids 2-12. Tickets are $10 for Seniors 65+ and military members.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re planning a round-trip route, buy your return trip ticket in advance to ensure a ride back to your car. If you miss the last trolley departure, TriMet bus #35 can take you to your origin point. Buses run approximately every half-hour.
The Waterfall Trolley
The Waterfall Trolley takes passengers into the Columbia River Gorge. The trolley departs from Corbett and runs 13 miles down the historic Columbia River Highway through the waterfall corridor.
The waterfalls are popular hiking areas for both locals and tourists. That combination means that parking is often challenging. The trolley eliminates that problem.
The scenic ride leads to 8 waterfalls, all within walking distance of the trolley stops. Some are a short walk, whereas others do require a longer hike. If you have limited time or mobility, you can see several falls from the trolley without getting off.
There are ten stops on the Hop-On Hop-Off tour:
- Corbett
- Vista House at Crown Point
- Latourell Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Angel’s Rest/Coopey Falls Trailhead
- Wahkeena Falls
- Multnomah Falls
- Triple Falls/Oneonta Trail
- Horsetail Falls
- Ainsworth State Park
The round-trip trolley route is 90 minutes, with the first departure at 9am. The trolley drops off/picks up from each stop once an hour. The route is narrated and provides context about the Columbia River Gorge and the historic highway.
You’ll definitely want to make a day of this. Pack some snacks and a water bottle. You’ll receive a trail guide upon arrival. If you want to plan ahead, check out the Waterfall Trolley website for suggested itineraries. If you need advice on which trails are best for you based on your available time and fitness level, ask the trolley driver.
Be sure to get off at Multnomah Falls. At 620 feet, this is Oregon’s tallest waterfall and most popular tourist attraction. You can get a great view from the base of the falls, or take the trail up to the top. We recommend having lunch at the historic Multnomah Falls Lodge which serves local and seasonally inspired dishes. You can see the waterfall from inside the dining room.
The Waterfall Trolley operates seasonally, between late May and mid-September. Tickets are $39 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12, and free for those 5 and under.
KidTripster Tip: The Waterfall Trolley cars are open-air and run rain or shine. The weather in the Gorge can be chilly and windy. Wear layers as the summer mornings can start cool, and then warm up in the afternoon.
