Beaverton is the second-largest city in Washington County, Oregon, located just seven miles outside of Portland within the stunning Tualatin River Valley. The city, which is best known as the home of global footwear corporation Nike, was named as one of the 100 best places to live in America by Money magazine in 2010. It makes for a great jumping-off point for exploring the boutique wineries of the gorgeous Willamette Valley or the natural wonders of the Chehalem Mountains region. Visitors can explore lovely Tualatin Hills Nature Park, see beautiful Gilded Age-era architecture preserved at Belle Ainsworth Jenkins Estate, or find great bargains at the region's many tax-free shopping centers and small businesses.
1. Tualatin Hills Nature Park
Tualatin Hills Nature Park is a lovely 222-acre nature park and wildlife preserve in the city of Beaverton, overseen as one of two nature parks within the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District. The gorgeous park is a top wildlife watching area in Oregon, home to diverse evergreen and deciduous forest, wetland, meadow, and creek habitats. Many seasonally-migrating animals call the park home, including rare rough-skinned newts. Five miles of nature trail are showcased throughout the park, many of which feature paved, ADA-accessible areas. The Tualatin Hills Nature Center offers interpretive exhibits and a variety of educational programming and visitor services throughout the year.
15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR 97006, Phone: 503-645-6433
2. Cooper Mountain Nature Park
Cooper Mountain Nature Park overlooks the stunning Tualatin River Valley, located just at the edge of the city of Beaverton on a campus of 230 lovely wilderness acres. The park was opened in 2009 and is operated as a regional metropark, offering unparalleled views of the nearby Chehalem Mountains and stunning patches of old-growth Oregon white oaks. A relatively undisturbed prairie on the park's lands has remained untouched for centuries, home to native bird species like great horned owls, bald eagles, and olive-sided flycatchers. 3.5 miles of hiking trails traverse the park's habitats, offering chances to see animal life like northern alligator lizards, rubber boas, and red-legged frogs. A children's nature-inspired playground is open to the public at the park's nature center, which is also home to bike racks and public gardens.
18895 SW Kemmer Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007, Phone: 503-629-6350
3. The Belle Ainsworth Jenkins Estate
The Belle Ainsworth Jenkins Estate is a gorgeous National Register of Historic Places-listed estate in Beaverton, originally constructed as a Gilded Age summer home in 1912 by Ralph and Belle Jenkins. The English hunting lodge-style home was added onto the property's existing farmhouse, along with luxurious equestrian facilities, a tea house, an ornamental pool, and elaborately-landscaped gardens. Since 1978, the 68-acre estate has been protected as a significant area landmark and open to the public as a living history museum. Visitors can explore the estate's eight buildings and lavish grounds as part of self-guided tours throughout the year. Some of the estate's buildings can also be rented for private special events, including weddings and community meetings.
8005 SW Grabhorn Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007, Phone: 503-639-7211
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4. Decarli
Decarli is a creative modern Italian restaurant opened in 2007 by married duo Jana and Paul Decarli, known for its seasonally-influenced fare and rustic ambiance. The restaurant's menu draws upon Paul's Swiss and Italian roots, crafting unique, sophisticated modern dishes in a modern dining space. Gorgeous design elements like restored hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and soaring rafters are punctuated by elegant skylights and a centerpiece chandelier recovered from Portland's historic Benson Hotel, creating a romantic atmosphere. Gourmet fare served at dinner each night changes frequently depending on seasonal ingredients, but often showcases entree selections like espresso-braised short ribs, fennel sausage orecchiette, and shigoku oysters on the half shell.
4545 SW Watson Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005, Phone: 503-641-3223
5. The Tualatin Valley
The Tualatin Valley spans the river valley of the slowly-meandering Tualatin River, a picturesque tributary of the Willamette River, located just outside the suburban area southwest of the city of Portland. The valley, which was formerly inhabited by the Atfalati indigenous tribe, became known as a major center of economy in the 20th century, best known as the home of global footwear company Nike. Some of Oregon's best wineries are located within the valley, which is also known as an outdoor recreational paradise offering opportunities for hiking, running, boating, and paddling. You-pick farmer's markets and local farm-to-table restaurants abound, alongside microbreweries, boutiques, and sales-tax-free shopping destinations.
6. Hamacher Wines
Hamacher Wines was originally established in 1970, located just minutes from Portland's downtown district in the city of Beaverton. The winery is located on the Ponzi Historic Estate, the home of lovely Ponzi Vineyards, and is known for its artisanal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wine varietals. Elegant wines are served within the winery's lovely tasting room, which features a selection of current releases and library selects curated by head winemaker Eric Hamacher. Minimalist decor abounds inside and out on the winery's stunning outdoor patio, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding Willamette Valley. Bocce ball courts on the winery's grounds are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
14665 SW Winery Ln, Beaverton, OR 97007, Phone: 503-852-7200
7. Thai Bloom
Thai Bloom is a casual Thai-style eatery helmed by executive chef and restaurateur Sayan Promwongsa, serving up uniquely flavorful Southeast Asian cuisine offerings alongside creative happy hour drink specials. All of the restaurant's entrees are crafted according to traditional Thai recipes, prepared expertly by trained traditional chefs in house. Diners can select from favorites like pad see ew, pineapple fried rice, drunken noodles, or panang curry, served up alongside appetizer favorites like ginger potstickers and fried calamari. House specialties include selections like roasted duck curry, drunken halibut, and fried seafood pancakes with signature Thai Bloom sauce.
3800 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005c, Phone: 503-644-8010
8. Golden Valley Restaurant and Brewery
Golden Valley Restaurant and Brewery is a lively American-style tavern serving up comfort bar fare alongside house-brewed beers crafted with fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant was opened in 1993 in McMinnville by restaurateur Peter Kircher and opened its second location in Beaverton in 2012, located just off the Sunset Highway. High-quality craft brews are created at the brewery's 15-barrel brewhouse location, served up alongside some of the Willamette Valley's best local wines. Gourmet pub fare includes dry-aged hand-cut steaks, artisanal pastas, Pacific Northwest seafood entrees, and craft burgers, served up alongside excellent shareable appetizer selections like Korean chili chicken wings, barbecue pork sliders, and queso fundido.
1520 NW Bethany Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97006, Phone: 503-972-1599
9. The Westgate Bourbon Bar and Taphouse
The Westgate Bourbon Bar and Taphouse is a delightful public and bottle shop helmed by friends and restaurateurs Amy Cherry, Dave Heinsch, and Jerrod Silcox, serving up a massive selection of the Pacific Northwest's best beer, wine, cider, and liquor offerings. More than 50 area microbrews are served up on tap throughout the week, along with mead and cider selections and over 760 top-shelf spirit options. A to-go bottle shop features over 900 beers and 600 wine bottle selections, sure to please even the pickiest of beer and wine connoisseurs. New American fare is served up daily at the bar's taphouse pub, including artisanal burgers and sandwiches topped with clever ingredients like pulled pork, pineapple, onion rings, and Moroccan-style barbecue sauce.
3800 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005, Phone: 503-746-7178
10. Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Cooper Mountain Vineyards is a delightful organic winery in Beaverton, known for its production of Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay wine varietals. The lovely winery was founded by Robert and Corrine Gross in 1978 and has been releasing vintage wines since 1987. Today, the winery is state-certified as an organic and biodynamic winery, known for its Cooper Hill, Cooper Mountain Reserves, and Five Elements wine labels. Visitors can drop in at the winery's rustic tasting room every day throughout afternoon hours and enjoy wine tasting flight experiences, biodynamic tastings, and winery tours. Since 2006, the winery has also produced gourmet balsamic vinegars, which can be tasted and purchased onsite daily.
20121 SW Leonardo Ln, Beaverton, OR 97007, Phone: 503-649-0027
11. Portland Escape Rooms
At the Portland Escape Rooms, you and your companions will have 60 minutes to escape a locked room or complete a task by searching for clues, solving puzzles, and putting a series of hints together. Capable of accommodating groups as small as a duo and as large as twelve participants, Portland Escape Rooms features several themes ranging in various difficulties and with different goals. Find out if you have what it takes to awaken the powers of a magic lamp in Genie’s Lamp or escape the clutches of a serial killer in Kidnapped! Other rooms include the Wild West-themed Sundown Saloon and the grungy Steampunk Airship room.
10700 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Suite 118, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, Phone: 503-893-4228
12. Super Play
There is no shortage of fun and excitement at Super Play, a popular family entertainment center in Beaverton. Super Play features three main entertainment areas, the first of which is an incredible 3,200-square-foot laser tag facility. This sprawling compound will put each player to the test and can accommodate up to 24 players in a single 15-minute game. Next up is Super Play’s exciting arcade, which boasts more than 40 games to try from racing games to more classic arcade offerings like whack-a-mole. Not to be forgotten is the 24-lane bowling alley which is outfitted with impressive high-definition projectors and a Qubica scoring system.
9300 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, Phone: 503-292-3523
