This 3-day itinerary blends sustainable thrift culture, cozy winter gatherings, immersive arts and local food spots across Tualatin Valley.
DAY 1
Once you arrive in Tualatin Valley, venture to Beaverton for a shopping and cultural adventure.
Kick things off with a vintage treasure hunt at Beaverton’s indie shops with a walkable market crawl:
- Hunt for 90s/Y2K fashion at Forager Vintage (map it)
- Peruse the vintage fashions at The Vault Vintage Clothing Boutique (map it)
- Browse the eco-friendly goods at Mama & Hapa’s Zero Waste Shop (map it)
- Dig through new and used vinyl records at 503 Records (map it)
Drop off your vintage haul and check in to Tru by Hilton Aloha (map it). This budget-friendly hotel offers free hot breakfast, free parking and a lounge with a pool table.
For the evening, grab dinner at Cooper Mountain Ale Works (map it). This downtown brewpub offers the usual pub fare–burgers, pizzas and sandwiches–as well as vegetarian dishes and sharables.
Next, head to Senet Game Bar (map it) in Tigard for craft drinks and tabletop board games. Finish the evening with a cozy pour-over or spicy chai at Ava Roasteria (map it) or hop into The Roastary (map it) cocktail bar next door.
Day 2
After complimentary breakfast at the hotel, explore Tualatin Valley’s rural side and visit the town of Helvetia. Stop at the Helvetia Farm Market (map it) and browse handmade goods and seasonal treats.
Explore more of Tualatin Valley and visit the Helvetia Lavender and Christmas Tree Farm (map it) for a holiday adventure that includes a Santa sleigh ride simulator, tractor rides, plus hot cocoa station and roasted marshmallows.
Work up an appetite? Helvetia Tavern’s (map it) famously oversized burgers, consistently voted as the best burgers in the Portland region, have you covered.
If you have a little free time, discover glowing minerals, spectacular crystals and geological oddities at Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals (map it).
That evening, have a delicious dinner at Nonna Emilia Italian Restaurant (map it), where the menu is chock full of classic Italian dishes and pizzas.
End a day of exploration with a theatrical experience that’s anything but traditional. Experience Theatre Project’s (map it) A Drunk Christmas Carol, an interactive and comedic theatrical twist on the holiday classic.
After the show, wind down at The 649 (map it), a fun and casual hangout serving craft cocktails, zero-proof mocktails and local brews on tap.
Day 3
Before heading home, experience Nordic culture at Nordic Northwest’s Nordia House (map it). Enjoy a Nordic breakfast at Broder Söder and check out the Scandinavian design gift shop. Walk the grounds and meet Ole Bolle, a giant wooden troll created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo using reclaimed materials. Hidden among the trees at Nordic Northwest, this larger-than-life sculpture brings together art, sustainability and a little Scandinavian folklore.
Next, conclude your trip with a grounding nature walk through the lush canopy of Cooper Mountain Nature Park (map it) or Tualatin Hills Nature Park (map it).
