Summer has come and gone and we are welcoming the crisp autumn air with open arms! Oregon’s Tualatin Valley may be a bit chillier and rainier in fall but we still love to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
Start your perfect fall day with a warm drink from one of Tualatin Valley’s favorite coffee shops, Ava Roasteria. One of their four locations can be found in Beaverton’s Progress Ridge Town Square overlooking Progress Lake and surrounded by family-friendly parks and walking trails. If you’re looking for a heartier breakfast meal, stop in next door at the charming La Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie for French-inspired breakfast, baked goods and espresso drinks.
After breakfast, head southwest into the scenic farm country. Drive along the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route to see autumn colors in all their glory. You could really devote an entire day to exploring the route on a mini road trip, but it’ll also take you to fun fall-centric spots along the way.
Hoffman Farms Store, off SW Scholls Ferry Road, has a 10-acre corn maze in addition to U-pick pumpkins and train rides. Stock up on traditional fall decorations and seasonal treats at the farm store. Nearby, Oregon Heritage Farms offers tasty apple cider donuts and apple cider slushies as well as pumpkins for picking and farm animals for viewing.
If you’re looking to taste fall in the form of a delicious apple, look no further for orchards where you can choose your own. Smith Berry Barn offers U-pick of a variety of different apples that you may not find at your local grocery store. Check their website for daily u-pick availability.
End the afternoon with a stroll through the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge on the 3.1-mile main nature trail. The trail is open year-round, is wheelchair friendly and has interpretive signage along the route. Here, visitors can experience and learn about wildlife and their habitats including the nearly 200 species of birds; more than 50 species of mammals; 25 species of reptiles and amphibians; and a wide variety of insects, fish and plants that call the refuge home throughout the year.
No matter where you visit or what you do, you’re sure to see changing leaves, scenic landscapes and something tasty to eat while you’re out enjoying a fall day in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley.