The Top Eight Things to Do in the Tualatin Valley

The Tualatin valley features a host of attractions that will engage travelers. Located just minutes outside of Portland, the Tualatin Valley–the heart of Oregon’s Washington County–is an emerging destination offering a host of activities. There are myriad reasons to select the Tualatin Valley as a travel destination; here are the top eight:

EXPERIENCE MORE THAN PINOT NOIR

Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley has become synonymous for its exquisite Pinot Noir, and Washington County, which is located in the northern tip of this growing region, boasts a collection of well-known and up-and-coming wineries–more than 30 wineries in all (and most with regular tasting room hours). The valley also has the world’s only American owned-and-operated, premium-grade, large-production saké brewery, SakéOne, which offers saké tastings and free tours daily. Two distilleries and a dozen breweries also provide opportunities to experience more than Pinot Noir.

CONQUER FEAR OF HEIGHTS

Plenty of the Tualatin Valley’s attractions can test the limits of one’s fear of heights at Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour, or at Tree to Tree Adventure Park, “a playground in the trees,” complete with tree-top obstacles and zip-lines, to flights over the valley by or glider plane.

TAKE LIFE BY THE HANDLEBARS

If Portland is a top destination for bicyclists in the Pacific Northwest, the Tualatin Valley is a close runner-up. Tour wineries, explore nature or simply take a leisurely ride through the country along one or more of the region’s scenic and rural bike-friendly trails, including the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway and the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.

CATCH A LIVE PERFORMANCE

The Tualatin Valley has a burgeoning theater community and is home to two premier professional theatre companies, the famed Broadway Rose Theatre Company and Bag&Baggage Productions, as well as several regional and repertory companies, such as Beaverton Civic Theater and Hillsboro Artists’ Repertory Theatre.

DISCOVER LOCAL ARTISTS

Local colleges and universities provide some of the area’s finest collections of art, like the Kathrin Carwein Gallery of Art at Pacific University has. Community centers and local galleries also feature outstanding art collections and exhibitions from the past to the present, such as the Five Oaks Museum and Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center. Or create a work of art at Live Laugh Love Art, a hands-on glass-blowing, welding and art studio.

DINE IN STYLE

While Portland’s dining scene has earned huge buzz, Washington County has laid claim to some of the region’s best ethnic cuisine. Restaurants such as Syun Izakaya, Nak Won and Chennai Masala, have been recognized among the best restaurants in the Greater Portland region for their authentic and innovative menus.

PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF

With 12 public and semi-private golf courses—many in rural, agricultural areas, including the prestigious Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club and The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club—the Tualatin Valley features some of the best golf courses in the state.

FIND A TREASURE

Whether perusing the gems at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals or discovering treasures at an antiques boutique or unique shop, there are plenty of treasures to be found here, and shopping is always tax-free here!

ABOUT THE TUALATIN VALLEY

The Tualatin Valley, also known as Oregon’s Washington County, is scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast. The destination covers 727 square miles and includes the growing communities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Washington County is home to world-class golf courses, award-winning wineries, breweries and distilleries, an array of outdoor recreation opportunities, lush, natural and scenic wetlands and wildlife preserves, superb dining, and myriad shopping.