Need a fun day trip or weekend escape in Oregon? Head to Tualatin! Enjoy riverfront parks, fossil digs, vibrant shopping centers, and top-notch dining. Whether you’re paddling on the Tualatin River, browsing boutiques, or relaxing in scenic gardens, Tualatin offers small-town charm just minutes from Portland.
Tualatin, OR Highlights:
- Tualatin River Greenway Trail: Walk or bike through scenic wetlands, forests, and riverfront views along a paved trail.
- Tualatin Community Park: Play, picnic, paddle, and enjoy outdoor concerts in a sprawling riverside park.
- Bridgeport Village: Shop major brands, catch a movie, or dine al fresco at this open-air lifestyle center.
- Tualatin Commons: Stroll around a peaceful man-made lake surrounded by restaurants, art, and live events.
- Tualatin Heritage Center and Ice Age Fossils: Discover ancient mammoth fossils and dive into local history exhibits.
When I like to visit
The best time to visit Tualatin is during late spring through early fall (May–September). Sunny, warm days are perfect for outdoor concerts, kayaking on the river, and shopping or dining outside at Bridgeport Village.
Tips for getting There
- If you are traveling by car: Tualatin is right off I-5, about 15 minutes south of downtown Portland.
- By Bus: TriMet buses and WES commuter rail connect Tualatin with Portland and surrounding suburbs.
- By Train: The WES Commuter Rail provides weekday train service between Tualatin, Tigard, Beaverton, and Wilsonville.
Where I like to stay
- Century Hotel – Boutique hotel overlooking Tualatin Commons, offering cozy rooms and a lakeside restaurant.
- Comfort Inn & Suites Tualatin – Budget-friendly option with comfortable rooms near Bridgeport Village and freeway access.
- Grand Hotel at Bridgeport – Elegant hotel located right by Bridgeport Village, featuring complimentary breakfast and indoor pool.
Best Things to Do
1. Browns Ferry Park
Browns Ferry Park is a gorgeous 28-acre public park stretching along the banks of the Tualatin River, named in honor of 19th-century ferry operator Zenas J. Brown. The Clackamas County park is a popular destination for hiking, boating, and wildlife watching throughout the year, home to an extensive walking and jogging path system. A boat ramp and dock provide kayak and canoe access to the river, while a river overlook platform offers stunning panoramic views. A preserved historic barn features interpretive signs and exhibits detailing the region's pioneer past. Day-use picnic sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Annual park programming includes an all-ages arts camp run by the Willowbrook Center for the Potential of Human Development.
5855 SW Nyberg Ln, Tualatin, OR 97062, Phone: 503-691-3061
2. Cabela's
Cabela's is one of the United States' top sources for fishing and outdoor adventure supplies, originally founded in 1961 by Richard N. Cabela. Today, the chain operates dozens of locations throughout the nation and ships mail-order goods to over 120 countries. Its 100,000-square-foot Tualatin store, located within the Nyberg Rivers shopping center, is its second location in Oregon, offering everything Pacific Northwest adventurers could need to hit the area's national parks and Pacific Ocean waterways. Museum-quality wildlife displays are showcased, along with an indoor archery test area, a gun library, and a fully-stocked aquarium featuring native Pacific Northwest species.
7555 SW Nyberg St, Tualatin, OR 97062, Phone: 503-822-2000
3. Ancestry Brewing
Ancestry Brewing is Tualatin's premiere craft brewery, known for its delicious hop-forward brews crafted according to American, English, and Belgian brewing techniques. The company brews ales made with hop varieties like Citra, Mosaic, and Amarillo, prepared in flagship brews like its Best Coast IPA, North Beast Imperial IPA, Belgian Dark Strong, and Aussie Hazy IPA. A cask and barrel program releases limited-edition brews, available on tap at the company's taproom or at various area restaurants and bars. Visitors can stop in at the company's taproom throughout the week and enjoy pints in its screened-in indoor lounge or on its outdoor patio, which showcases gorgeous wetland views. Growlers of all the company's beers are sold for takeout. Special programs include an Ale Club, homebrew competitions, and special beer release tasting events.
20585 SW 115th Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062, Phone: 503-454-0821
Where to Eat
4. Claim Jumper Restaurant and Saloon
Claim Jumper Restaurant and Saloon is a delicious American-style restaurant chain originally founded in Los Alamitos, California in 1977 by restaurateur Craig Nickoloff. The company, which is based out of Houston, Texas today, operates more than 30 locations throughout the United States, including a location in Tualatin. Diners can enjoy high-quality baked goods and desserts served up alongside craft burgers, sandwiches, and hearty home-cooked fare like chicken pot pie, slow-baked meatloaf, Southern fried chicken, and blackened chicken-stuffed baked potatoes. Wood-fired pizzas complement land and sea entree selections like barbecue baby-back ribs and salmon Oscar. After-dinner choices include the restaurant's signature six-layer chocolate motherlode cake, scratch carrot cake, and cream cheese pies.
18000 SW Lower Boones Ferry Road, Tualatin, OR 97224, Phone: 503-670-1975
5. New York Ruben's
New York Ruben's was founded in 2010 by Ruben Escamilla, known for its delicious secret pizza dough recipe, which was originally passed down from a former New York City pizza chef. The restaurant crafts authentic New York-style pizza pies with fresh daily-prepared ingredients, including homemade tomato, white, and hot sauces. Pizza varieties range from traditional cheese, Sicilian, and veggie varieties to specialties like barbecue chicken, Canadian bacon, and Genoa-style sausage. Italian-style pasta favorites include rigatoni al dente prepared with secret-recipe marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, and diners' choice for sweet or spicy sausage. Deli-style sandwiches are also served at lunch and dinner, stuffed with premium ingredients like pastrami, sauerkraut, eggplant, and provolone cheese.
18857 SW Martinazzi Ave, Tualatin, OR 97062, Phone: 503-691-0750
More Places to Eat
- Hayden’s Lakefront Grill – Relaxed lakeside dining offering Northwest-inspired seafood, steaks, and brunch favorites.
- Mai Asia Restaurant – If you're craving Asian fusion, try creative dishes and sushi rolls in a casual setting.
- Roxy’s Island Grill – Hawaiian comfort food favorites like plate lunches, teriyaki chicken, and macaroni salad.
My favorite local events:
- Tualatin Crawfish Festival (August) – Enjoy live music, food vendors, and family activities at Oregon’s longest-running festival.
- ArtSplash Art Show & Sale (July) – Outdoor fine arts festival around Tualatin Commons Lake featuring local artists and performances.
- Summer Concerts at the Commons (July–August) – Free outdoor concerts showcasing local bands and musicians by the lake.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Tualatin, Oregon:
- Downtown Portland (15–20 min) – Explore Powell’s Books, food carts, waterfront parks, and vibrant neighborhoods.
- Oregon Zoo and Washington Park (20–25 min) – Visit the zoo, gardens, and hiking trails in Portland’s biggest city park.
- Willamette Valley Wine Country (20–30 min) – Sip world-class Pinot Noir on scenic vineyard tours and tastings.
- Lake Oswego (10–15 min) – Shop local boutiques, stroll along the lake, or dine al fresco in a charming town center.
- Tryon Creek State Natural Area (20 min) – Hike peaceful forest trails through a lush urban nature preserve.
- Cook Park and Durham City Park (5–10 min) – Paddle the Tualatin River, enjoy sports fields, or relax in riverside green spaces.
- Tigard Downtown (5–10 min) – Visit charming coffee shops, boutiques, and the Tigard Farmers Market.
Plan Your Trip