Exploring Portland’s Backyard: Things to do in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley
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Even though we’ve lived in Oregon for our whole lives, there is still a lot more to the state to see and explore. Most visitors come to Portland and don’t explore much outside of Portland. We recently spent the weekend in the Tualatin Valley, and it just might be our new favorite place in Oregon. With excellent food, great drinks, sweeping views, and plenty to do, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Tualatin Valley can be a quick day trip from Portland, but we think you’re going to want to stay the night as there is so much to do! Besides a few activities, we literally ate and drank our faces off, and would do it all again!
Where is the Tualatin Valley?
The Tualatin Valley, a part of the Willamette Valley, is located between Portland and the Oregon Coast. The Tualatin Valley contains popular cities such as Tualatin, Forest Grove, Beaverton, and Hillsboro. Only about 30 minutes from Portland, its easily accessible by car, bus, or light rail.
Things to do in the Tualatin Valley
We always like to be active when we are traveling, so its important to do some adventurous activities and hiking. There are lots of hiking and biking trails thoughout the Tualatin Valley. There are other fun activities that are great for families such as zip-lining and golfing.
Zip-line at Tree to Tree Adventure Park
Tree to Tree Adventure Park is full of adventures! Choose the zipline tour or the aeriel obstacle course, and conquer your fear of heights. Located near Hagg Lake, is a playground in trees. Youll have incredible views as youre soaring through the air.
Price: Zip-line Tour $79/person, adventure course $53 on ages 10+
Address: 2975 SW Nelson Road, Gaston, OR 97119
Golf for all ages at Top Golf
Topgolf is like a bowling alley, for golf. Its bascially a fancy driving range, with different targets. The gold balls have microchips that can record accuracy and distance. Not only does it make the golf fun, theres also food, drinks, and other fun entertainment. Top Golf is a fun place for all ages to enjoy and play golf.
Price: From $25-45/an hour for a bay (up to 6 people a bay)
Address: 5505 NE Huffman St, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Free Fall at IFly Skydiving
Ifly is a place to try indoor skydiving. With a stable, wall-to-wall cushion of air in a flight chamber, its a fun and safe activity for everyone. Ages 3-103 are welcome.
Price: 2 flights for $70 for first-time fliers
Address: 10645 SW Greenburg Road, Portland, Oregon
If you’re visiting Oregon in the spring, make sure to visit Oregon’s Tulip Festival
Where to Drink in the Tualatin Valley
Most people know that Oregon has some of the best craft beer around, but did you know that the Pinot Noir is also some of the best in the world? Due to the location in the WIllamette Valley, the nutrient-rich soil in the area produces awesome hops and stellar wine. Not only is the Tualatin Valley part of the land of microbreweries, but also the wine lovers land.
Wine Tasting
Risdall Ranch Winery
Formerly Shafer Vineyards, RIsdall Ranch is one of the oldest wineries in the Willamette Valley wine region, but has been renovated. Most of the vineyards are just the same older grapes, which makes a great quality fruit. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir make up the majority of Risdall Ranch’s wine. There is a Christmas store open at the winery year-round.
Hours: Thursday-Tuesdy 11am-5pm
Address: 6200 NW Gales Creek Rd.Forest Grove, OR 97116
Blakeslee Winery
The Blakeslees acquired the 20-acre estate with no plans of keeping the winery. Their first vintage wine was unintentionally produced, and a few years later, they hired a winemaker. This winery has one of the BEST views we’ve ever seen! Sittting on top of the Chehalem Mountains, youll have a picutre perfect view of Mt Hood on a clear day.
Hours: Daily 11am-5pm
Address: 20875 SW Chapman Road Sherwood, Oregon 97140
David Hill Winery
David Hill Winery is home to the oldest Pinot Noir wines in the Willamette Valley. David Hill Vineyards has sweeping views of Oregon’s coast range, and is the perfect setting for a stroll along the vineyards. The tasting room is an adorable little farmhouse.
Hours: Daily 11am-5pm
Address: 46350 NW David Hill Rd. Forest Grove, OR 97116
Sake Tasting
Sake One
The only Sake brewery in Oregon. Sake One also happens to be the leading brewer of craft sake in America. By visiting the Sake brewery in Forest Grove, you will learn more about the process and tastes of sake. Sake One has 3 craft-brewed brands of sake, and also import some of the best sake from Japan. There are two different tasting flights available, which inclused 6 tastings at either $8-$10.
Hours: Daily 11am-5pm. Brewery tours are also offered at 1, 2 and 3pm on Friday-Sunday, other times must be reserved ahead of time.
Address: 820 Elm Street, Forest Grove, OR 97116
Beer Tasting
Ridgewalker Brewery
Long time friends brought their dreams of opening a brewery to life, in their hometown of Forest Grove, where they originally met. They have a mix of their own beers and other great local beer, and also wine, kombucha, and cider. Lots of great food options are available as well.
Hours: Open daily starting at 11am
Address: 1921 21st Ave Forest Grove, OR 97116
Looking for more breweries? Here are the best breweries in all of Oregon
Ancestry Brewery
A family brewery, Jeremy and his dad started Ancestry together to fulfill their dreams. A tap room with 5 TV screens, and outdoor seating (bring your dogs!) with a view of the wetlands. Ancestry has around 20 beers on tap, all from their own brewery, and wine and food available. They are working on new beers all the time and every beer is made with love and care!
Hours: Open daily starting at 11am (minors allowed until 9pm)
Address: 20585 SW 115th Ave. Tualatin, OR 97062
Three Mugs Brewery
A family owed and operated brewery located in Hillsboro. Three Mugs has over 20 taps, including their own beer and guest beers. They also have cider and wine available.
Hours: Hours vary, open everyday besides Monday
Address: 2020 NW Aloclek Dr Suite 108 Hilsboro, OR 97124
Where to eat in the Tualatin Valley
Maggies Buns
Since 1997, Maggie Pike has owned and operated Maggies Buns. The cinnamon rolls and delicious breakfasts are local favorites. Maggie’s Buns is a staple for all students at Pacific University. The menu includes lots of fresh pastries, omelettes, sandwiches and comfort food lunch items.
Hours: Open Monday-Friday 6:30am-5:30pm, Saturday 7am-2pm
Address: 2007 21st Ave., Forest Grove, OR 97116
Yellow Llama
Yellow Llama is a family friendly Peruvian restaraunt in downtown Forest Grove. They have delicious home cooked traditional Peruvian food and yummy handcrafted cocktails. Some of the locals favorite dishes include the empanadas, the Lomo Saltado, a steak stir-fry, and the Seco de Carne, a slow-cooked beef dish served with Peruvian beans and rice. Not only are the food and drinks top-notch, but the service is too.
Hours: Open daily besides Mondays, hours vary
Address: 2036 Main Street, Forest Grove, Oregon
Bites Restaurant
A Pan-Asian fusion restatunt in Forest Grove, with delicious food, amazing drinks, and the most adorable decor ever! There are so many great things on the menu, its hard to pick just one! The restaurant has a modern, hip, downtown Portland type feel. One of the most popular items is the Udon Carbonare, an italian inspired dish using udon noodles. The prices are very reasonable, so order a few for a tapas type meal. The owners also own Pac-Thai, a thai restaurant a couple blocks away.
Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-9pm, Satuday and Sunday 11:30am-9pm
Address: 2014 Main St Forest Grove, OR 97116
Where to Stay in the Tualatin Valley
McMenamins Grand Lodge
Set on 13 acres, the Grand Lodge was originally built as a Masonic lodge. McMenamins is known for their historic hotels. McMenamins handcrafts their own beer, wine, cider, spirits and coffee. The Grand Lodge has 90 guestrooms, including rooms in the attic, 2 restaurants, a soaking pool and spa. Like all McMenamins, there are lots of nooks and crannies to stumble upon at the Grand Lodge.
Address: 3505 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove, OR 97116
As you can see there is so much to do in the Tualatin Valley. Being so close to Portland, its a great place to explore if you are near Portland, These are some of the best wineries, breweries and food we’ve had in the state of Oregon! Not only is this area of Oregon great for food and drinks, but there’s also lavendar farms, farmers markets, golf courses, and plenty other outdor activities. Besides, the scenery in the Tualatin Valley is unlike any other places weve seen.
If you have visited, what are some of your favorite things to do in the Tualatin Valley? If you haven’t visited yet, what is the most enticing to you?
Thanks to Washington County Visitors Association for hosting our weekend. As always, all opinions are our own.
If you’re planning a visit to Oregon, you might be interested in these other articles
- Day Trips from Portland
- Cool and Unusual Places to stay in Oregon
- Willamette Valley Wineries to Visit
- Tips for Visiting the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
My parents live in Vancouver and they often ride their motorcycles down the coast – I will let them know about this region as it’s probably right up their alley!
I’ve never been to this area, but definitely sounds like my type of trip! You really sold me with the wine tasting 🙂
I didn’t know much about Oregon before reading but now I definitely want to visit – looks like such a beautiful place!