The first day of school is looming large on the calendar. Take a breath—there’s still some summer left. Let’s make the most of it with one last family getaway to Tualatin Valley. We’re detailing some of our favorite summer pleasures for the whole family.
U-Pick Berries
Nothing says summer more than fruit-stained fingers. An interactive and affordable way to get your fix is by heading straight to the source with an afternoon at u-pick farms. August is a prime month for blackberries, blueberries, cherries and peaches. Smith Berry Barn and Hoffman Farms Store are especially kid-friendly, offering fun activities for the entire family.
Zip-lining Adventures
In the summer heat, create your own breeze with a zip-lining adventure at Tree to Tree Adventure Park, an aerial ropes course and zip-line park. Additionally, Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour offers a 2.5-hour zip tour with sweeping views over the beautiful Brunswick Canyon.
Family-Friendly Cycling
Pinpointing a long ride that is also kid-friendly can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack. No matter your age or cycling level, the Banks-Vernonia National Trail is a great path for pedaling. The car-less, paved trail has a slight incline—it’s enough to make you feel accomplished, but no one will be overly sore the next day. Need a bike? Rent one at Banks Bicycles Repair & Rentals, adjacent to the Banks trailhead (be sure to call ahead to check seasonal hours).
Kid-Friendly Food Cart Pods
Oregon’s Tualatin Valley is home to a growing selection of food carts. Tualatin Valley’s food cart pods offer some of the best selections of foods all in one spot, ideal for families with picky eaters! BG’s Food Cartel offers an outdoor play space for kids to run around, while adults can sip a local brew from the Speakeasy Bar.
Kid-Friendly Hotels
Every hotel in Tualatin Valley welcomes families. The wildly painted hallways, secret passageways, and funky movie theater of the McMenamins Grand Lodge make for a great family retreat. Traveling with pets? Aloft Hillsboro-Beaverton is ideal with families traveling with pups. A fantastic indoor pool and room service cookies are great for the family, while dogs are treated to a special bed, bowl and a “doggie bag” of treats.
Don’t let the end of summer bring you down. Explore Tualatin Valley, where the summer fun continues.