Family visiting? Time to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the season? There’s no better pick-me-up than a weekend getaway. It doesn’t have to be fancy or far. In fact a casual jaunt to the other side of the city to taste, see or do something new is food for the soul. Here’s how you can head out on a mini-adventure near Portland.
Go west: Beaverton, Hillsboro and Forest Grove
These west-side cities, known collectively as the Tualatin Valley, are rooted in farming and packed with diversity and culture. Less than 10 miles west via Highway 26, check out the growing buzz over Beaverton’s incredible food scene, with nearly 60 restaurants within walking distance of the Beaverton Central MAX line. Find everything from casual fare at the BG Food Cartel food cart pod and LaScala Food Hall to regional favorites Breakside Brewing, Afuri Ramen + Dumpling, Pip’s Donuts, Loyal Legion and the Asian-fusion Hapa Pizza, recently ranked as one of the 22 top pizza spots in the country, for its pho and banh mi-inspired Neapolitan pies. Book a modern tea time and lunch with beautiful indoor/outdoor space at Old Asia Tea House.
Head west on Highway 26 to Hillsboro, aiming for an enormous selection of lunch options downtown at the Food Carts at the Station with indoor/outdoor seating, then grab pastries and locally sourced gourmet goods at Decadent Creations and the adjoining Collective Market, a scratch-made wonderland showcasing local makers and vendors. For dinner, downtown’s options are plentiful: Try the homestyle cooking (served by robots) at Top Burmese Ambassador, or the mezcal and tequila bar with tacos at The High Ground, a rooftop patio above Backwoods Brewing. A few minutes away, rock hounds love the fossils, agates, gems and other eye candy at Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Continuing west, nature trails are calling at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, the family-friendly Orenco Woods Nature Park and paved, car-free Banks-Vernonia State Trail for walkers, cyclists and horseback riders.
In downtown Forest Grove, admire the downtown art scene and take a self-guided sipping tour of cideries, breweries, six estate wineries and the nation’s first and foremost saké brewery, SakéOne (call ahead for tours). A former Masonic property renovated in true McMenamins fashion, the McMenamins Grand Lodge is a fun place to visit and stay (and earn passport stamps), with uniquely decorated restaurants, bars, spa, soaking pool and secret rooms.
Plan your trip around one of the city’s classic events like the Concours d’Elegance car show; Forest Grove Uncorked, a food, beer and wine tasting event; and Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival, among others. The city’s farmers market takes place on Main Street each Wednesday (May-October), as does First Wednesday, when shops keep their doors open and local artists and wineries share their talents and wares.
Where to stay: Lodging options abound in this pretty part of the Tualatin Valley, including Holiday Inn Portland West – Hillsboro, Residence Inn by Marriott Portland – Hillsboro/Brookwood and Aloft Hillsboro-Beaverton. For something more intimate, look to book a room at Sosta House, a bed and breakfast located on the grounds of the pioneer Ponzi family winemakers.
Go south: Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood and Lake Oswego
Eleven miles southwest of downtown Portland via I-5 and Highway 99-West, Tigard is home to a number of quirky spots to visit. At the Interactive Museum of Gaming and Puzzlery, you can bring the family for a board game night. One of the city’s premiere spots is Cook Family Park, which provides access to the Tualatin River, a calm waterway that popular for paddles. The Fanno Creek Greenway Trail and the Tualatin River Water Trail connects Cook Park to the Tualatin Community Park. Enjoy wetlands and ponds, oak forest and the flowered landscape of the park’s butterfly garden.
Continuing south to Tualatin, take the self-guided Quilt Barn Trail tour to see vibrant patchwork quilts by local artists that adorn 50-plus old barns across the county. View artifacts and displays about the Ice Age floods that shaped the Tualatin Valley at the Tualatin Heritage Center. Tualatin Commons Park, the city’s town center, is a 19-acre promenade and plaza with a 3-acre lake surrounded by shops, restaurants and a hotel, as well as the city library and park. Visitors enjoy free summer concerts at the Commons each Friday night June through August.
In Sherwood, it’s wine tasting aplenty, with large and small tasting rooms in the Chehalem Mountains to suit everyone’s style. Sherwood’s Alloro Vineyard, a boutique winery with a gorgeous terracotta patio and wood-burning fireplace, is a bit off the beaten path. Or take The Vineyard and Valley Tour Route for a bucolic drive to the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Plan your visit around one of the city’s annual events, like the Cruisin’ Sherwood car show (June) or the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival (July).
In Lake Oswego, explore the vibrant downtown shops, cafes and restaurants. Find easy access to 26 acres of green space at George Rogers Park, where you can follow a walking trail to Oswego Creek and the Willamette River. Enjoy a stellar lineup of artists during the city’s summer concert series; head to the city’s farmers market Saturdays May through early October; check out the vendors and entertainment at the annual Night Out in August. Hop on an authentic trolley ride along the river shore, learning about the Willamette Shore Line’s historic past. This scenic 10.5-mile roundtrip takes about 90 minutes; check the schedule and rates before you go.
Where to stay: Spend the night at the Century Hotel in the heart of the Tualatin Commons, the Grand Hotel at Bridgeport near the upscale Bridgeport Village or Lakeshore Inn, the only hotel on Lake Oswego.
Go south: Oregon City, Milwaukie and West Linn
These pockets just south of Portland are brimming with fun. Start in Milwaukie, where it’s easy to fall in love with the giant chocolate chip cookies (with locally milled flour) and other locally sourced treats at Bob’s Red Mill. Just look for the giant waterwheel out front, and check for tour times.
Any craft beer lover will be in heaven in Oregon City, where a half-dozen brewpubs have sprouted in recent years, making it easy for a mini tasting tour. A ride to the top of downtown’s historic municipal elevator (known as North America’s only vertical street) is a favorite attraction, as is a visit to the famous Willamette Falls.
For more of a peaceful recharge, escape a few minutes outside of Oregon City to Villa Catalana Cellars, a family-owned Tuscan-style tasting room that doubles as a rare plant nursery with a large pond and grounds for touring.
Situated between the Willamette and Tualatin rivers on the southern outskirts of Portland, West Linn is one of the oldest settlements in Oregon. Learn about the city’s rich history with a walking tour of the Historic Willamette Neighborhood, or visit a replica of the famous West Linn meteorite at Fields Bridge Park.
Where to stay: Keep close to the fun at Rivershore Hotel or the Holiday Inn Express Portland SE – Clackamas Area.
Go east: Gresham
Did you know this eastside city has a Japanese garden of its own? It’s true: You can find cherry blossoms and solace just steps from the Springwater Corridor Trail at Tsuru Island Gresham Japanese Garden, part of Gresham Main City Park, free and open to the public. Continue your eco-recharge nearby at Nadaka Nature Park, a 12-acre green space that offers free bird walks, nature walks, public art and wooden play structures for kids. Grab a pint and a burger for lunch at Migration Brewing’s family-friendly pub location, and butternut squash hummus and lamb stew at Nicholas Restaurant, one of the best Lebanese places in town.
Where to stay: There are several comfortable hotels in the Gresham area, such as Clarion Inn, and towards the neighboring Columbia River Gorge, like the one-of-a-kind McMenamins Edgefield campus in Troutdale.
Go north: Scappoose, Warren and St. Helens
Welcome to Portland’s backyard wilderness. These lesser-populated towns, just northwest of Portland along Highway 30, are teeming with birds and dozens of other wildlife species along the banks of the Columbia River. One of the best ways to explore it all is along Scappoose Bay Marine Park Nature Trail, located in Warren. In the warmer months, rent a kayak or paddleboard at Scappoose Bay Paddling Center and float to see dozens of birds and other wildlife species.
Just north in St. Helens, you can make a day of seeing a first-run movie at the 1928 Columbia Theater, watch the boats go by from the dock and escape from reality in the charming Old Towne district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dive into classic comfort food at The Klondike Tavern, housed in an historic building on the riverfront. Elemental Eats is the area’s top farm-to-fork food cart, which sells pork and sausage biscuits and gravy sourced from their own pasture-raised pigs. The Clatskanie Food Hub marketplace is the place to go for year-round shopping from more than 60 local producers, including fresh produce, meats, flowers and more.
Where to stay: River’s Edge RV Resort and Camping is a family-friendly getaway on the banks of the Clatskanie River, and Camp Wikerson in Rainier offers cabins and tent sites, with 13 miles of trails for hikers and horseback riders. For a more intimate escape, consider Scappoose Creek Inn.
If you go:
Whenever possible, consider using public transit. Many of these cities are easily accessible via light rail (plan your trip on TriMet) and you can use a ride-share or bike-share app for those last-mile connections. Look to stay overnight to truly get to know the people and places in each community.
