This month we go westward for a closer look at Forest Grove, located in northwestern Washington County, a small city that transcends its college-town atmosphere with its exquisite wineries, unique stores, distinctive restaurants and historic lodge.
Forest Grove's iconic Main Street
Forest Grove, Oregon
Located in the foothills of the Coast Range at the base of the Tillamook State Forest, Forest Grove is home to Pacific University, unique restaurants, six wineries, one craft beer brewery and the world’s only American owned-and-operated large-production saké brewery.
Sip
Forest Grove boasts an impressive collection of placed to sip handcrafted beverages at the source–wineries and breweries. In addition to visiting the area’s artisans, two wine shops, both located on downtown’s Main Street, pour wines from around the world. Or relax at one of Forest Grove’s coffee houses or pubs.
Shop
Forest Grove’s collections of boutiques, ranging from antiques to art, provide a rewarding shopping experience, while a seasonal farmers’ market, farm stores and tree farms offer visitors more shopping options.
Dine
Forest Grove has a multiude of restaurants serving cuisine from the four corners of the world. Nosh on American comfort-food dishes, pair a locally produced wine with your favorite Italian dish, explore Middle Eastern cuisine, satisfy a craving for Mexican food, try Pad Thai or other Thai specialty, explore a buffet of your favorite Chinese dishes, or taste yummy baked delights from area bakeries and cafes.
Explore
Finding your way through downtown Forest Grove is now easier, thanks to its new way-finding signs, which connect visitors to the area’s key districts and points of interest.
Play
Forest Grove offers many events throughout the year, appealing to all interests, including these upcoming popular annual events:
Alloro Vineyards, in Sherwood, Oregon, is one of several wineries in Washington County offering special Valentine's weekend tastings.
This February, bring a little romance to your Valentine’s Day with a getaway to Oregon’s Washington County. Although this year, Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday, there are plenty of events and special Valentine-themed activities that will keep the romance burning between you and your special one.
Enjoy a sweet sampling of events happening just in time for Valentine’s Day:
Weekend Events
The annual Chocolate Fantasy event at Jenkins Estate returns for its 15th year, Friday, February 10. Enjoy samples of locally produced chocolates, baked goods and wine pairings from Washington County wineries. Admission is $5 per person.
Also on February 10, cut a rug, ballroom style, this Valentine’s weekend at the Valentine’s Ball with Soundstage Rhythm Orchestra. The set list will include a variety of music from the Beatles to Green Day, each performed with big orchestral flare. Tickets are $25 per person, in advance, and $30 on the day of the ball.
Saturday, February 11, Ponzi Vineyards will explore ice wines and taste various styles during its Valentine’s themed seminar, “Sweet Wines for Sweethearts: Divine Ice Wines.” Tickets are still available, and space is limited. Tickets are $30 per person.
Back by popular demand, Montinore Estate is offering its blend-your-own wine event, “Bottle Up Your Love,” this Saturday, February 11. With samples from Montinore’s three best vineyard blocks, you can blend to create your own perfect Pinot Noir that will be bottled and taken home to enjoy. The event is $45 per couple, and includes blending samples, a bottle of your perfectly blended Pinot and two wine flights.
This weekend, February 11-12, world-famous saké brewery, SakéOne will put a little “shock” in your sweetheart with a special Valentine’s Saké Shock tasting flight.
Three Washington County wineries are pairing up for a special Valentine’s weekend, February 11-12. Enjoy “Valentines in Wine Country” at Ardiri Winery and Vineyards, Alloro Vineyards and Cooper Mountain Vineyards for special tastings and more. Pick up a “passport,” have it stamped at all three wineries and become eligible to win a gift basket.
Valentine’s Day
Hillsboro’s only professional theatre company,Bag&Baggage, presents “Love Letters,” a play that explores the relationship of two people, told by a series of letters written to each other. Back by popular demand, this play takes the stage February 13-14, and tickets are $25.
Dine in style during your Washington County getaway at the area’s notable and romantic eateries. On Valentine’s Day, Hall Street Grill will serve a special four-course menu with champagne, plus wine pairings. Dinner is $55 per person, $75 including the special wine pairings. Reservations are recommended.
Ongoing Events
Put a little musical theater into your Valentine’s weekend plans, courtesy of the Broadway Rose Theatre Company. The musical with a country flair, “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” runs weekends from February 2 through March 4. This charming, humorous tale of friendship, romance and heartbreak will offer you and your sweetie foot-stomping good time. Tickets are $20-40.
Finally, add a little romance to Valentine’s Day with an overnight stay by booking a romance package at an Oregon’s Washington County hotel. Stay overnight in a romantic room or suite and enjoy the special added treats for your dream Valentine’s Day weekend getaway.
Tualatin Hills Nature Park and Interpretive Center, located in the heart of Beaverton, is one of several attractions in this growing city.
Oregon’s Washington County encompasses 727 square miles and boasts 10 cities. Each month, we’ll be spotlighting each city and highlighting its various attractions. This month the featured city is Beaverton.
Beaverton is Washington County’s second-largest city, with a population of more than 90,000. Apparel giants Nike and Columbia Sportswear, Reser Foods, optical scope maker Leupold & Stevens, and makers of test and measurement equipment, Tetronix, are just some of the major companies that call this city home.
Nestled in the heart of the Tualatin Valley, Beaverton is surrounded by farm lands and natural resources, and boasts 30 miles of hiking trails and a 25-mile network of bike paths. It is home to a diverse array of attractions, dining and family entertainment centers, plus tens of miles of hiking trails and bike paths. Beaverton also is home to two wineries, which earn the acclaim of being the closest wineries to Portland.
Shop
Bibliophiles rejoice! Beaverton boasts a smaller version of the infamous independent bookseller Powell’s City of Books at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing (3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton; 800-878-7323). With more than half-a-million used, new, rare and hard-to-find titles, it’s easy to spend half a day browsing the aisles of this iconic bookstore. See more shopping options in Beaverton.
Dine
Fresh Italian cuisine, prepared with locally sourced ingredients makes up the ever-changing menu of decarli restaurant(4545 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton; 503-641-3223). Inventive and delicious cocktails, diverse wine list, warm and inviting dining room, and hopping happy hour make decarli a must while in Oregon’s Washington County. Also in Beaverton is the venerable Hall St. Grill, which specializes in traditional American dishes prepared with a distinctive Northwest flair. For more dining options in Beaverton, and throughout Washington County, visit our dining page.
Play
Beaverton is home to two nationally-recognized wineries, Ponzi Vineyards (14665 SW Winery Ln., Beaverton) and Cooper Mountain Vineyards (9480 SW Grabhorn Rd., Beaverton), both noted for their exceptional wine and commitment to sustainable farming practices.
For those under the age of 21, Beaverton offers myriad family-friendly activities, from batting cages and laser tag to indoor rock climbing and bingo. See the complete list of attractions and activities for the entire family.
Explore
The 222-acre Tualatin Hills Nature Park and Interpretive Center features 1.5 miles of paved trail (which is ADA accessible) and four miles of secondary trails, each offering a relaxing journey through the ecologically diverse habitat that includes ponds, creeks, marshes and forests. The Interpretive Center offers programs and special events for all ages. The trails and the center are open year-round; admission is free. There are plenty of other places to explore in and around Beaverton. Check out our website for more interesting things to see in do here.
Cooper Mountain Nature Park, a 230-acre site, features 3.5 miles of trails that traverse the park and pass through a mosaic of oak and madrone woodlands, native prairies and conifer forests. The park also houses a demonstration garden and a play area for children.
If you’re in the Beaverton area, be sure to stop by the Washington County Visitors Association’svisitor information center (11000 SW Stratus St., Beaverton; 503-644-5555, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed holidays) to pick up a visitor guide, area map, biking and recreation map and a host of additional material about Oregon’s Washington County.
For authentic Korean BBQ–and an array of Korean food in general–Washington County is a top pick. Specifically, the city of Beaverton. The menus at restaurants in the area offer favorites as well as delicacies; kimchi pork belly, seafood pancakes, ribs, and so much more. Here are some to try:
Buckwheat Noodles at Nakwon restaurant. Photo by Ron Dollete.
If grilling meat at your own table is in your dining repertoire, DJK Korean BBQ (12275 SW Canyon Rd., Beaverton; 503-641-1734) is the place. They’re also known for tasty tofu soup and a la carte specialty options.
Du Kuh Bee (12590 SW 1st St., Beaverton; 503-643-5388) is where fresh noodles are the basis of many dishes, and the handmade kimchi dumplings are a popular menu item–which diners often watch being prepared with the view of the kitchen inside this tiny, sought-after spot.
Hae Rim (11729 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., Beaverton; 503-671-9725) is known for outstanding service and homemade noodles. Try the pan-fried seafood pancake or any of the hot pot selections; servers are happy to recommend one suited for your palate.
If you can find this small, tucked-away restaurant, JCD (3492 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton; 503-644-7378) has a seafood and scallion pancake that is highly recommended and portable grills to cook food at your table.
If you enjoy “street food” such as ramen and spicy rice cakes, the Korean pub house KimSatGot (9955 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy., Suite 235, Beaverton; 503-746-5609; www.kimsatgot.com) is the place for good, cheap evening eats; it’s open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tues. through Sat.
Nakwon (4600 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton; 503-646-9382) is known for its generous side dishes and pork specialties; or try the spam kimchi fried rice.
For other Asian and fusion dining options in Washington County, check out these listings.
As a child living in England, I adored tea time. My childhood memories of having a spot of tea (with milk, of course), scones with a dab of lemon curd, and cucumber sandwiches remain among the fondest, and now I can relive those days of yore at the quaint English-style tea houses located here in Oregon’s Washington County.
The Lavender Tea House (16227 SW 1st. St., Sherwood) is housed inside a Queen Anne Victorian, originally built in 1896, located in the heart of Old Town Sherwood. Enjoy a lovely selection of freshly made sandwiches, scones and a variety of teas with all the accompaniments. Reservations are recommended.
Tea’s Me (1601 B SE River Road, Hillsboro) has a themed menu that changes monthly, complete with a wide variety of all-natural and organic teas, freshly baked scones served with traditional English curd and cream, plus finger sandwiches and more. Tea’s Me also is a gift shop, offering tea pots, sets, cups and accessories. Reservations are recommended.
Tea Thyme and Lavender (12675 SW 1st St., Beaverton) is part antique shop, part tea house. Located in downtown Beaverton, walking into this quaint shop is like going back in time. Tea Thyme offers a variety of teas, sweets, sandwiches and more, plus loose-leaf tea may be purchased by the package. Throughout December, a “Christmas Tea” is available, featuring soup, sandwiches and sweets for $25 per person. Reservations are required.
And, of course, no conversation about tea in Oregon’s Washington County is complete without mentioning the Stash Tea Retail Store (7250 SW Durham Road, Tigard). While not a tea house, per se, this retail shop of the popular tea brand sells more than 200 varieties of loose-leaf and 80 varieties of bagged teas, as well as tea gifts, pots, cups and accessories. Plus, there’s always a hot pot of tea available to taste-test their signature teas (complimentary tastings).
If English tea time is your, well, cup of tea, you’re bound to find a spot that will allow you a jolly good time, without all of the pomp and circumstance. Cheers!
Tree to Tree Adventure Park is one of several attractions in Oregon's Washington County that your teen will enjoy.
Traveling with teens can be a frustrating experience. Attractions that adults may find inviting, such as museums and art galleries, may be boring to the average American teenager. And kid-friendly spots can be too “babyish” for the finicky teen. As a parent to a teen, here is a handy guide of places that are fun for adults and are teen-friendly, too. (Although they will never acknowledge that they’re having fun, you know they are and will.)
For the Teen with a Sense of Adventure
Hands-down, Tree to Tree Adventure Park remains on the top of the list for teens when it comes to outdoor adventure. The thrill and excitement of playing in the trees while navigating a course of obstacles can bring out childlike enthusiasm in even the most jaded teenager.
Kayaking and canoeing is also a good pastime for teenagers, whether it’s a leisurely ride along the slow-moving Tualatin River, or a family race to an imaginary finish line. Boat rentals are available from the Tualatin Riverkeepers or Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe.
Bonding Time
Hagg Lake, located at Scoggins Valley Park, is one of several fishing spots perfect for a day of parent and teen bonding. Horning’s Fishing and Picnic Hideout also is another popular fishing hole, stocked with rainbow trout. As an added bonus, after a day of angling, try a game of disc golf at each of these locations.
For many, myself included, a great deal of bonding happens while shopping; however, we parents of teens know that this often creates some short-lived drama, so shop ’til you drop at your own risk.
Friendly Family Games
Washington County is chock-full of teen- and family-friendly hands-on activities: laser tag at Laserport, bowling at Big Al’s, outdoor go-kart racing at Malibu Raceway or indoor go-karting at Sykart Indoor Racing Center. For less competitive sports, try trampolining at Sky High Sports or rock climbing at Stoneworks Climbing Gym. (Some attractions are open during evening hours, which will keep your teen happy after the sun goes down.)
Teen-Friendly Dining
So you’ve hiked, biked and climbed your way to an appetite, and you ask, “Where can we go for dinner that has food my teenager will like?” Here are some local places that teens will enjoy, for the food, and the ambiance:
Pastini Pastaria: Affordable Italian cuisine (multiple locations)
Nacho Mama’s: Mexican cuisine with indoor/outdoor seating
For the complete list of restaurants in Oregon’s Washington County, visit our dining page.
So, there you have it, a quick quide to exploring Oregon’s Washington County with teenagers. My own teenager helped me compile this list, so it has an unofficial stamp of approval. There are hundreds of other things to do and see while here, more than what’s on this list. Whatever you choose to do while visiting, we’re sure you (and your teen) will have a blast.
September 21st, 2010 by Carrie Matsuo, Guest Blogger
High school football is in full swing in Washington County. If you are heading out to see a KUIK High School Football Game of the Week, you might have some time for dinner or a quick bite before finding a bleacher seat and hunkering down to enjoy the football, cheerleaders and the band!
Hare Field
Hare Field is located in downtown Hillsboro and close enough to both fast and slow food options that you will be satisfied whether you are in a hurry or able to relax a little before the game.
The Venetian Theatre and Bistrohas a great selection of casual dining (pizza, sandwiches, espresso) and full bar and wine list. The Venetian is friendly, comfortable and great for families or the Happy Hour crowd. Parking is easy on the main streets of the downtown area and you can quickly get to Hare Field for the game.
If you are starving and running late on the way to Hare Field, you can’t go wrong with a stop through the Burgerville drive-thru Located at 2401 NE Cornell Road. This local “quick-service” chain restaurant offers more than the typical fast-food burger outlet: seasonal favorites, fish & chips and great shakes. It is easy to please both kids and moms-on-a-diet at Burgerville.
Hillsboro Stadium
TheGordon Faber Recreation Complex is the home of Hillsboro Stadium. Visible from the Sunset Highway just past Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro Stadium hosts football and soccer for high schools and Portland State University.
There are some great dining choices around Hillsboro Stadium, but you can never go wrong with Cornelius Pass Roadhouse and Imbrie Hall(pictured, left). The Roadhouse is classic McMenamins’ fare and suitable for all ages. They offer specials and a seasonal beer rotation.
The Sunset Fred Meyer shopping center is a close neighbor to Hillsboro Stadium and its shopping center is filled with typical fast food establishments. We like “Chicken Bar” for grilled chicken over salad, pasta, rice or in soup. It is a healthy alternative to fried foods and will be a quick stop on the way to the Stadium. With Fred Meyer two doors down, you can run in for the sweatshirt you left at home or but you won’t need to grab an umbrella, as the main bleacher section at Hillsboro Stadium is covered.
Liberty High School
Directly across Highway 26 from Hillsboro Stadium, Liberty High School is also close to McMenamins and the Fred Meyer shopping center. However, being north of 26 and with some extra time, you can enjoy the county’s more remote and legendary Helvetia Tavern (pictured, right). Famous and huge cheeseburgers are served with potato chips on a plastic tray and seating can be family style if one of the very few smaller tables is open. Helvetia Tavern has a 21-and-over bar, plus a restaurant side that welcomes families.
Forest Grove High School
While passing through the quaint downtown Forest Grove area, you can make a quick stop at Pizza Schmizza right next to the Pacific University campus. If you have some time before the football game at the high school, you will enjoy a visit to The Grand Lodge, another McMenamins property on a rolling “campus” with several restaurants, bars and a hotel. You can grab burgers and pints in the Yardhouse Pub (“A Neighborhood Place for Family and Friends”) before the game and stop on the way home for dessert and the French press coffee service at the Ironwork Grill.
Whether traveling to an away game as a parent or catching the recent version of your old high school team, Washington County has its own spin on Friday Night Lights!
Guest blogger Carrie Matsuo is a frequent contributor to youth-sports oriented blogs. In addition to her other blogs, Carrie will contribute sports-related posts to What’s the Word, from a mom’s point of view. Carrie grew up in Washington County playing Metro League sports, and she now spends many hours on local bleacher seats for her son’s games, supporting local players and covering tournaments. Visit carriematsuo.com for more information.
In order to take advantage of a brief moment of beautiful weather this week, I went with two friends over to McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove to play the Disc Golf 10-hole course. I had just enough time before the sun went down to play the course and check out the lodge lobby and Ironwork Grill.
You don’t have to be a guest at the lodge in order to play the course, and discs are even available to rent for free from the hotel’s front desk. I had a good time; not necessarily because of my disc golf throwing skills, but because of beautiful scenery and great company. After a round of disc golf, we enjoyed yummy burgers from the Ironwork Grill. There’s also the Yardhouse Pub, and drinks at the Doctor’s Office Bar or Bob’s Bar.
You can also catch a movie or live music at the Compass Room Theater, or get a massage or body treatment from Ruby’s Spa.
If Disc Golf leaves you worn out, you can relax in the soaking pool for free with your overnight stay (or Ruby’s Spa treatment), or pay $5 per person for the general public (minors must be accompanied by an adult).
There are also attractions nearby, including: Hagg Lake, the Tillamook National Forest and Fernhill Wetlands, not to mention all the wineries and golf courses.
You may or may not know that I am from Texas. Therefore the first 23 years of my life were spent developing a deep love for “Mexican” food. It was not until I moved from the great state that I realized that our idea of Mexican food was not the same as the rest of the nations.
What I had referred to all my life as Mexican food was appropriately know elsewhere as Tex-Mex. You can imagine my dismay when I ventured out for the first time for “non Tex-Mex Mexican” food and was brought grated cheese when I requested queso. You see my idea of queso is melted cheesy goodness served to you with chips for dipping.
Luckily for me and anyone else that happens to be in Washington County and shares my affection for Tex-Mex, we have the only On The Border, Mexican Grill and Cantina in Oregon! They have the best recipe for queso, on their menu it is described as Chile Con Queso, made with fresh jalapenos, cilantro and poblano peppers.
Hungry yet? It is the perfect location to grab lunch or dinner. I will never turn down an invitation to dine at On the Border but if I have my druthers would go at a time when it would be appropriate to order a Sangria swirl margarita, grande please! (Swirl: frozen OTB House Margarita layered with Sangria, Strawberry, Raspberry or Peach. Available Grande size). Maybe I’ll see you there this weekend; I’ll be the one with 4 month old twin boys in tow, it’s never too early to teach them the art of great Tex-Mex cuisine!
High school football is in full swing in Washington County. If you are heading out to see a KUIK High School Football Game of the Week, you might have some time for dinner or a quick bite before finding a bleacher seat and hunkering down to enjoy the football, cheerleaders and the band!
