When was the last time you really let yourself play? In Tualatin Valley, fun isn’t just for kids. Here creative, playful and gamified spaces pack in enough excitement to entertain the whole family. Here’s how to let loose and fill two days with smiles and laughter in this diverse, vibrant region just west of Portland.
Day 1: Escape Room, Outdoor Patios and Cake Decorating
Start your day right at Beaverton’s Deadstock Coffee, which serves flavorful coffee drinks made from locally roasted beans. All the sneaker- and athlete-themed decor reminds you that you’re just minutes away from Nike headquarters. Then head to Tigard to try your luck on the rows of claw machines at Claw City. Packed with stuffed animals, candy and other fun prizes, these classic games entice players of all ages, and the neon-laden decor will make you feel as if you’ve entered another world.
Feeling sharp? Good. Your next stop is Tigard’s Stumptown Escape Games, where you’ll test your logic, teamwork and observation skills. You and your group (appropriate for ages 12 and up) will be locked inside one of its themed rooms — outer space, conspiracy theories and a Mayan temple are a few fun ones — and you’ll need to solve riddles to escape. Whether you find your way out with your smarts or need to be set free by staff, you’re guaranteed an entertaining time.
Next satisfy your sweet tooth and your artistic side at Cake Hoopla. This Tigard shop lets you become a pastry chef by frosting, icing, piping and molding elaborate decorations on cakes and cupcakes. There’s no baking involved at this decorating studio — and no cleanup, either. Instead you’ll get expert instruction to create exquisite, bakery-window-worthy cakes. Frost a cake into a plush llama head, turn a cupcake into a colorful unicorn, or experiment with mixing colors and gold foil for an abstract aesthetic. It’s all delicious.
Spend the rest of your afternoon with a tasty beverage and a competitive spirit at Senet Game Bar. This Tigard staple has a library of quick-play games that take 15 to 45 minutes to complete. Choose from classics like Yahtzee, Uno and Blokus, or venture into new territory with its latest finds. Then head back to Beaverton for dinner at one of the city’s excellent breweries. Breakside Brewing has a large outdoor space with a covered patio, heaters and fire pits where you can sip a pint and order food from a number of delicious on-site food carts. Or try Golden Valley Brewery, which serves burgers, steaks and sandwiches alongside award-winning beers.
Day 2: Pinball, Candlemaking and Ax Throwing
Shake off a good night’s sleep with a late-morning high tea at Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium in downtown Beaverton. This steampunk tea room takes you back in time with white tablecloths, fine china and fancy chandeliers. Admire the Victorian-era decor and whimsical atmosphere as you sit down for a pot of tea and some tasty tea sandwiches, mini quiches and decadent desserts.
Once you’re properly satiated, head south about 10 miles to King City’s Special When Lit Pinball Electrocade, where rows of vintage and modern pinball machines can captivate your attention for hours. From the moment you launch your ball with the plunger, you’ll feel the delight of careening up ramps, down slides and past pegs for as long as you can.
Slow things down by heading a few miles east to Bridgeport Village, where you can grab a snack or lunch at the food court ahead of your next activity: creating your own candle. Each part of making this unique craft at Glow Gifts is a sensory experience. You’ll choose a custom aroma from over 45 scents, then select your unique vessel from a variety of styles, shapes and colors. After you pour the oil and stir the wax, you even get to make your own custom label for your candle.
Ready to round out your day with a bit of adrenaline? Hop back on the highway north (best to avoid rush-hour traffic) to Blue Ox in Hillsboro, where ax throwing is the name of the game. It’s exactly like it sounds: Take turns hurling an ax toward a target in what customers call an exhilarating activity. After all of that fun, you’re sure to have built up an appetite. Specializing in European-style beers, Hillsboro’s Mazama Brewing, just down the road, also serves dishes popular across the pond. Nosh on fish and chips, a Bavarian pretzel or sauerkraut-covered bratwurst while you replay your weekend highlights, reliving the moments that may just become your favorite memories.
If You Go:
Remove the stress and complete your weekend getaway by making your home base the new EVEN Hotel Portland – Beaverton, slated to open in April 2025. Stellar wellness and productivity features like in-room Peloton bikes, an ergonomic workspace and evening tea service mean you’ll wake up refreshed and ready for fun.
