Nine ways to take a cheap spring break

By Shellie Bailey-Shah, KATU News and KATU.com staff Published: Mar 15, 2010 at 3:54 PM PST Last Updated: Mar 15, 2010 at 8:03 PM PST
Nine ways to take a cheap spring break »Play Video
Indoor swimming is just one cheap option for some Spring Break fun this year.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Spring Break doesn’t have to break the bank.

There are plenty of things to do close to home. We put together this list of cheap – yet fun – things to do, all costing $10 or less per person with some activities even for free. Note: Spring Break typically runs for a week starting as soon as March 8 and ending as late as April 4, as set by each school system.

1. Check out activities at Portland Pools and Community Centers. You'll find free swimming lessons in Portland at Matt Dishman Community Center & Pool, (503) 823-3673, and Mount Scott Community Center & Pool (503) 823-3183. Call to confirm there are still openings.

For more information on expanded swim times and rates, plus other activities at Portland community centers, visit www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=52240. To check out swim times and rates in Clackamas County at the North Clackamas Aquatic Park, visit www.co.clackamas.or.us/ncprd/aquatic.

2. Libraries have all kinds of free events during spring break. You'll find more information at library Web sites including the following:

3. Head out for some bird watching at the Audubon Society, 5151 N.W. Cornell Road in Portland. You’ll find nature trails, an interpretive center and a wildlife care center. Self-guided tours are free. If you need help identifying wildlife, you can buy inexpensive books at the book store/gift shop. Call (503) 292-6855 or go to audubonportland.org for further details.

4. Bring out the binoculars for whale watching on the Oregon Coast. Volunteers are at 26 watch sites from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 20 to March 27. Details at www.whalespoken.org.

5. The Lan Su Chinese Garden, at 239 N.W. Everett St., in Portland, is offering “Tiger Time Spring Break” to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. Children can take part in Tiger tales, make a Tiger mask, discover their Chinese fortune, take Tai Chi lessons and more. Those born in the year of the Tiger – 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914 – get in free. Otherwise,  admission is $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for ages 6 to 18 and free for those up to age 5. Call (503) 228-8131 for further details or go to www.Lansugarden.org for spring break events and classes.

6. Oregon Zoo, just five minutes from downtown Portland on Highway 26 West, celebrates spring break with its “Around the World” exhibits, with public showings of everything from penguin feedings to elephant trainings. Admission is $10.50 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for children age 2 and younger. To drop the ticket price below $10, ride the Max train. You can save $1.50 off each ticket with your Max ticket. Zoo hours.
 
7. World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, at 4033 S.W. Canyon Road in Portland, offers "Spring Break Around the World." On Monday the museum explores Greece, on Tuesday it's India, on Wednesday it's Australia, on Thursday it's South America and on Friday it's our home turf: Native America. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for ages 3 to 18 and free for members and children age 2 and younger. Call (503) 228-1367 for details, or visit www.worldforestrycenter.org.

8. Turn recycled craft supplies into new creations at Scrap, an interactive workshop at 2915 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd. in Portland. During the spring break children ages 6 to 12 also can take part in the workshops. Cost is $10; pre-registration is required. Call (503) 294-0769 for details or go to scrapaction.org.

9. Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival starts Thursday, March 25, at 33814 S. Meridian Road in Woodburn. More than 40 acres of tulips and daffodils are on display. During the week you’ll also find a children’s play area, Tulip Café, gift shop and country store. On weekends there's the Crafters Market Place, pony rides, wine tasting, wooden shoe making and entertainment. Admission is $10 per carload on weekends, and $5 per carload on weekdays. For details call (503) 634-2243 or (800) 711-2006 or go to www.woodenshoe.com/springshow.html.