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Posts Tagged ‘kayak’

Cool Places to Beat the Heat

Posted on: August 3rd, 2012 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

Looking for cool places to go to when temperatures rise in Oregon’s Washington County? We’ve got some ideas that fit that bill.

Hit the Water

Henry Hagg Lake, located in Gaston, approximately 45 minutes west of downtown Portland,  is the perfect watering hole for swimming in Oregon’s Washington County.  Visitors can water ski, jet ski, swim and fish (angling license required).

If a leisurely boat ride along a tranquil river is more your speed, then the Tualatin River may be your go-to spot. The river provides cool and calming recreation opportunities, and kayak and canoe rentals are available on a drop-in, first-come, first-served basis. Read more from an earlier blog post.

Shop Tax-Free

As hard as it is to believe, the start of the school year is just weeks away. Why not take this opportunity to take advantage of the back-to-school sales at Washington Square? Shop tax-free and save even more with a Shopping & Dining Visitor Rewards Book, chock-full of savings! Simply show your out-of-area identification at the Guest Services booth and start saving.

Play Some (Indoor) Sports

Bowling is a fun family sport, especially during days when you’d rather stay indoors. Oregon’s Washington County has several bowling centers filled with arcade games, food and snacks and more. Sunset Lanes and Big Al’s, both in Beaverton, have a hip, state-of-the-art vibe, while the Tigard Bowl provides a fun, no-frills bowling experience.

Want to try your moves on the ice instead? Don a pair of ice skates and head to the Sherwood Ice Arena. Try your best spin, or jump into a hockey pick-up game (check the public skating schedule for more information).

These are just some of the many indoor activities that will help you stay cool in hot temperatures.  Want more ideas to plan an Oregon’s Washington County getaway? Read our digital visitors guide for helpful tips.

What’s a Teen to Do?

Posted on: August 31st, 2011 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan No Comments

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:

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.