Jun 7, 2023
Image by Peter H from Pixabay

If you’re looking for exciting kid-friendly activities to do with your family in Albany, OR, there are many options to choose from! Pile your family in a roomy Honda Pilot or Odyssey and drive to these exciting destinations packed with fun below.

4 Kid-Friendly Activities You Can Drive to Near Albany, OR

1. Take a Spin on a Beautiful Carousel

The Historic Carousel and Museum is a magical destination, bought to life by devoted volunteers and funded by the community. The carousel boasts an impressive collection of beautifully crafted and vividly painted creatures, ranging from a towering seven-foot giraffe, zebras, and horses to unicorns, lions, tigers, and bears turned by a classical 1909 Dentzel Carousel Corporation mechanism.

The museum features an array of carousel artifacts, and visitors can pop in at the studio, where volunteers create one-of-a-kind, hand-carved, and painted animals for the carousel. 

Address and Hours

Albany Historic Carousel and Museum, at 503 1st Avenue West in Albany, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free.

2. Fish and Paddle Boat on Waverly Lake

Take the family to Waverly Park for an exciting paddle boat ride over the picturesque 5-acre Waverly Lake. The paddle boats can comfortably accommodate three passengers and four at a squeeze. Keep your eyes peeled for Woody the Waverly Wood Duck, an enormous colorful faux waterfowl and the lake’s unofficial mascot.

Take the kids fishing in the lake, a prime fishing spot, thanks to the annual stocking efforts by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Whether you prefer to fish from the bank, the fishing dock, or a boat, you’ll have a great time reeling in trout and largemouth bass. 

Address and Hours

Waverly Park is at 3154 Pacific Boulevard SE in Albany, and paddleboat rentals are available from June 21 to September 3, Tuesday to Friday, between noon and 7 p.m. 

3. Watch or Participate in a Stage Show

Treat the family to a hilarious comedy show, a vibrant musical, or a riveting drama at the Albany Civic Theater performed by actors from the community. If your family wants to become Albany’s next big thespian sensations, auditions are held for each show. Aspiring young performers can also participate in dynamic youth programs hosted by the theater.

Address and Hours

Albany Civic Theater is at 111 First Avenue West in Albany. Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m.

4. Take a Splash in Cool! Pool

Head to Swanson Park for a blast at Cool! Pool. It’s a top spot for summer family fun, where lifeguards are always on duty. The pool has a zero-depth entry for the toddler crowd, a thrilling 36-foot tall water slide for the older kids, and a lazy river where you can relax and watch your brood splash around in the water. 

Address and Hours

Cool! Pool is in Swanson Park at 712 SE Jackson Street in Albany and is open daily. The swimming season kicks off on June 17 and ends on September 4. 
Spend quality time with your loved ones while having a whale of a time. Before heading out on a family adventure, call Power Honda today for a vehicle checkup to ensure your car is safe.