If you're looking for a two-day trip nearby and you're the proud parent of a dino-obsessed toddler or preschooler, think about heading down to Portland. Why? Because Stegosauruses and T-Rexes are stomping around Stumptown's museums and zoos.

We visited both the Oregon Zoo and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry's (OMSI) exhibits. OMSI's robo-dinos are more lifelike, probably due to technical innovations in robotic skin. Life-size dino bones from China roam OMSI's upstairs. And OMSI is just a wonderful museum for all ages. We always leave before the kids are ready to go, particularly this last time.

The Oregon Zoo's dinosaurs aren't quite as realistic looking, but there are more of the growling, screeching beasts, positioned throughout tje zoo's shady forest. You'll dig for "real" fossils (the authenticity is still under debate at my house) in sandboxes. One display features a quasi-gory dinosaur dismemberment, great for older kids into the gross ... and maybe a quick bypass with younger ones.

We also went to the World Forestry Center's "Ancient Trees" exhibit. Eh, I would skip that. But if you have a small child into supersized earth-moving equipment, pretend-driving a log-felling machine can't be beat.

And don't forget -- if you bring your member ID cards for Pacific Science Center or the Woodland Park Zoo, you enter OMSI and the Oregon Zoo for free. Admission to the dinosaur walk at the Oregon Zoo is an extra $4 per person, but you can pick up 25-percent-off coupons at Portland-area Wells Fargo banks.

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to stay, I would recommend either checking out the Travel Portland site for deals or using Priceline. You can also get there by Amtrak instead of car, with five round-trips leaving per day from Seattle's downtown station. The Chinook Book (sold at Whole Foods and PCC) includes coupons for Amtrak travel.

Read more about the dinos in Portland at the Travel Portland website. But go soon -- most will lumber off into the mists by Labor Day.  

Got another great staycation idea? Send it to littlekidsbigcity@nwsource.com.

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