Tualatin Valley is a premier outdoor destination thanks to its diverse landscapes, from dense forests and rolling vineyards to scenic rivers and mountain views. With thrilling activities like zip lining, Tualatin Valley offers endless opportunities for adventure just minutes from Portland.
DAY ONE
Start your day with a morning zip line adventure. Soar through the treetops and experience the thrill of flight at Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour (map it). Embark on a fully guided zip tour through the trees. This family-friendly, 2- to 2.5-hour tour is open year-round and is a unique and memorable way to experience the verdant natural landscape of the Tualatin Valley. The canopy zip line tour features seven ziplines and two suspension bridges and is perfect for solo adventurers, families and groups.
Afterwards, enjoy a satisfying lunch at Steeplejack Brewing (map it). Steeplejack’s third location (and the first in Tualatin Valley) houses an onsite brewery and large. The menu features salads, sandwiches, pasta and pizza, as well as a taplist of Steeplejack brews, in addition to gluten-free and non-alcoholic beer. The brewery is family-friendly and dogs are welcome on their outside seating patio.
Next, the outdoors come inside at the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals (map it), the largest museum of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. You will be amazed at this collection of rocks, geodes, fossils, petrified woods, gems and other naturally occurring oddities. After a leisurely stroll though the museum, head outside for a walk along the museum’s nature trails. These five short trails (each trail is .2 to .3 miles in length) take you through forests and meadows. The museum and trails are open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For dinner, head to the food carts pods in downtown Hillsboro. The Weil Arcade Food Park (map it) and the Hillsboro Downtown Station (map it) food cart plaza feature a diverse array of cuisines to satisfy any palate.
Book an overnight stay at a hotel in Hillsboro or Forest Grove.
DAY TWO
Kick off your day with a thrilling treetop experience at Tree to Tree Adventure Park (map it)—a one-of-a-kind “playground in the trees” perfect for the whole family. Challenge yourself on six aerial ropes courses, each featuring 10 exciting tree-top obstacles. Soar through the forest on guided zip-line tours with six adrenaline-pumping “extreme” lines, take on dueling zips, brave a 65-foot-high tree-top bungee plunge, or scale a 40-foot climbing tree.
Next, visit Pelagic Brewing (map it) for lunch. This new, kid-friendly brewpub features beers, including saison, ale and IPA, as well a cider from Forest Grove’s own Bull Run Cider. The food menu features paninis and chips, salads and more.
After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through Fernhill Wetlands (map it). one of the region’s important bird areas. With multiple trails to try, explore the waterfalls and bridges along the Water Garden Loop, spot songbirds along the Dabblers Marsh Loop and see a variety of wildlife and plants along the Fernhill Lake Loop.
The 21-and-older crowd can try a flight of saké at SakéOne (map it), Oregon’s only saké brewery. Free tours are available on weekends. Bottled under four distinct brands (Momokawa, Moonstone, G, and Peaceful River), SakéOne is the leading American owned and operated brewer of craft saké in the U.S. and leads the fast-growing category with distinct styles and flavor infusions.
Nestled just outside Portland, this lush, forested region offers the perfect blend of outdoor excitement, natural beauty and gastronomic delights. Whether you’re a first-time flyer or an adrenaline-seeking adventurer, zip lining here promises unforgettable views and heart-pounding fun.