Beaverton is the seventh-largest city in Oregon and is situated just a short distance outside of Portland. The beautiful city is home to big corporations such as Nike but is also home to the gorgeous Tualatin River Valley.
Thanks to the city’s vibrant downtown life as well as the many outdoor spaces there are tons of activities in Beaverton OR. It’s a place where you’ll find something for everyone.
So, why visit Beaverton OR? Here are a few of the top things to do in Beaverton OR that will answer your question!
Tualatin Hills Nature Park
One of the first things to see in Beaverton OR is Tualatin Hills Nature Park. This gorgeous park spans more than 200 acres and is a wildlife preserve and nature park situated in Beaverton.
The Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District oversees the park and makes sure that the grounds are well-kept. It’s one of two parks that the district oversees.
If you spend a day at the park you’ll see tons of amazing wildlife as well as wander through some beautiful deciduous and evergreen forests. Other ecosystems in the park include meadows, creeks, and wetlands.
You’ll find some interesting animals in the park as several seasonally-migrating animals live in the area. One rare critter you might catch a glimpse of is the rough-skinned newt.
Throughout the park, you’ll have the chance to walk along five miles of trails, most of which feature ADA-accessible areas. And, you can always swing by the Nature Center to check out the exhibits or participate in an educational event.
Cooper Mountain Nature Park
When it comes to what to do in Beaverton OR you don’t want to miss out on Cooper Mountain Nature Park. This is another gorgeous park located on the edge of the city and features more than 200 acres of wilderness.
The park opened in 2009 and works as a Metropark. It offers sweeping views of the Chehalem Mountains as well as the Tualatin River Valley.
In the park, you’ll find a prairie that hasn’t been touched for centuries. The prairie is home to bald eagles, Olive-sided flycatchers, great horned owls, and other unique birds. There are also alligator lizards, red-legged frogs, and rubber boas to keep your eyes out for.
There’s plenty of space to explore in the park as there are 3.5 miles of hiking trails. Just be aware that some of these trails get a bit rough, which may not make them ADA-accessible.
Kids also love the park thanks to the nature-inspired playground open at the nature center. Plus, you can wander through the beautiful public gardens or park your bike by the bike racks at the nature center.
Belle Ainsworth Jenkins Estate
If you love history then you’ve simply got to head down to the Belle Ainsworth Jenkins Estate. This estate is part of the National Register of Historic Places in Beaverton and was once a Gilded Age summer home.
The 68-acre home dates back to 1912 when it was used by Belle and Ralph Jenkins. They built the home as an English-style hunting lodge which adjoined a farmhouse that already stood on the property.
The couple also installed beautiful equestrian facilities, an ornamental pool, beautifully landscaped gardens, and a tea house to the home. The result is that the house feels a bit more like a palace than it does a summer home.
In the late 1970s, the estate became protected as an area landmark. The home was opened to the public and is a living history museum where visitors can wander among the lavash grounds as well as the estate’s eight buildings. It’s the ideal place to take a self-guided tour.
If you want to have a special, large-scale event, you can also do so on the property. Just ask about renting some of the buildings on the grounds for your wedding, birthday, or community event.
Decarli
If you’re going to move to the Portland area then you’ve got to know where to eat around town! Luckily, there are tons of different delicious eateries where you can sit down for a fun night out.
One of those restaurants is Decarli, a creative Italian restaurant that opened its doors in 2007. The restaurant is run by a couple named Paul and Jana Decarli and offers seasonal music in a rustic yet modern ambiance.
The menu features unique yet sophisticated dishes that are a blend of Italian and Swiss cuisine, a nod to the owner’s heritage. Each dish has its own unique flare and a modern feel to it.
They’re served up in a beautiful interior space where you’ll enjoy exposed brick walls and rafters, bright skylights, restored hardwood floors, and even a recovered chandelier from the historic Benson Hotel.
What’s fun about dining at Decarli is that the menu changes all the time since it’s based on seasonal ingredients. However, a few selections you might expect to see on the menu include shikoku oysters, fennel sausage orecchiette, and espresso-braised ribs.
Tualatin Valley
Another activity on your moving checklist for Beaverton should be to check out the Tualatin Valley. The valley is huge, spanning the area surrounding the slow-moving Tualatin River.
This river is actually a tributary of the Willamette River. The larger, Willamette River is a famous part of southwest Portland and is a favorite hang-out spot for nature lovers.
Years ago, the Tualatin River valley was home to the Atfalati indigenous people. However, by the 20th century, the area had become the center of a booming economy.
Today, the Tualatin River Valley is home to the global footwear company, Nike, as well as to several of the best wineries in Oregon. There are also tons of recreational activities for you to participate in.
If you head to the River Valley, a few activities you can enjoy include:
- Kayaking
- Running
- Boating
- Paddling
- Hiking
- Farmer’s Markets
- Restaurants
- Microbreweries
- Boutiques
No matter what you’re looking to do, there truly is something for everyone. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon exploring what Beaverton is all about.
Hamacher Wines
If you’re a wine lover you’ve got to check out Hamacher Wines. This winery first opened its doors in 1970 and is situated just a few minutes from downtown Portland. You’ll find it located in the heart of Beaverton.
The winery is located on the Ponzi Historic State, which is home to a winemaking family that’s committed to the trade. The vineyard is known for crafting artisanal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
If you want to try before you buy you can head down to the tasting room at the winery and test out a variety of elegant wines. There you’ll find current releases as well as carefully curated wines from the head winemaker.
The winery is characterized by beautiful, minimalist decor that keeps the focus on the stunning views. If you head out to the patio you’ll find gorgeous views of the Willamette Valley.
You can also hang out on the winery’s grounds and use the Bocce ball courts. Or, you can simply stroll around the gorgeous vineyard and take in the rows of growing grapes.
Thai Bloom
Those who are feeling exotic while in Beaverton might want to spend a night dining out at Thai Bloom. This casual eatery features all the delightful flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine and is headed up by local restauranteur Sayan Promwongsa.
In addition to the delicious, traditional Thai recipes, you’ll find outstanding happy hour specials. All the chefs are carefully trained so that they can keep the traditional flavors of Thailand in the restaurant’s dishes. Plus, you’ll enjoy an extensive menu featuring all the fan favorites such as:
- Drunken noodles
- Panang curry
- Pineapple fried rice
- Pad see ew
- Ginger potstickers
- Fried calamari
- Drunken halibut
- Fried seafood pancakes
- Roasted duck curry
No matter what you order while at the restaurant make sure that you order a side of the Thai Bloom sauce. The signature house sauce is to die for and jazzes up any dish you order.
Golden Valley Restaurant and Brewery
Another delicious eatery in Beaverton is the Golden Valley Restaurant and Brewery. This American-style tavern has a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for a night out or for spending a rainy day.
At the restaurant, you’ll find traditional comfort bar fare and American-style meals. Plus, there’s an extensive beer list, many of which are crafted in-house out of fresh and local ingredients.
The restaurant first opened in 1993 and added a second location in 2012. The entire enterprise is headed up by Pet Kircher, a local restauranteur who’s seen great success in his career. The Beaverton location sits on sunset highway.
The brewery has a 15-barrel brewhouse which means they serve some pretty tasty beers. Plus, they offer a number of delectable local wines sourced from the Willamette Valley.
If you’re heading to the restaurant purely for a meal, you’ll find an extensive menu of gourmet pub fare, too. A few options on the menu include:
- Queso fundido
- Barbecue pork sliders
- Pacific Northwest seafood
- Craft burgers
- Artisanal pasta
- Korean chili chicken wings
- Dry-aged hand-cut steaks
There’s so much variety at this restaurant that you’re sure to find something that tickles your tastebuds. Plus, the boisterous atmosphere makes for a fun afternoon or night on the town.
The Westgate Bourbon Bar and Taphouse
A great alternative to the Golden Valley Restaurant and Brewery is the Westgate Bourbon Bar and Taphouse. This bottle shop is owned by a group of friends and restauranteurs named Jerrod Silcox, Dave Heinsch, and Amy Cherry.
The group offers a huge selection of some of the best beer, cider, wine, and liquor in the Pacific Northwest. On the menu, you’ll find over 50 different microbrews on tap as well as cider and mead selections.
If you’re wanting something stronger, you can check out one of the nearly 800 top-shelf spirits. Or, you can choose from more than 600 wines and 900 beers in the bottle shop.
No matter what type of alcohol you enjoy, there really is everything here. Even the pickiest of beer and wine connoisseurs are sure to find something that suits their fancy.
Visitors can also hang out in the taphouse pub if they just want to relax and have a meal. They’ll find New American food such as pulled pork sandwiches, artisanal burgers, and pineapple onion rings on the menu.
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Another spot for wine lovers is Cooper Mountain Vineyards. This organic winery sits in the heart of Beaverton and is famous for its Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pino Noir wines.
The winery opened in 1978 and has been releasing vintage wines since ten years after the launch date. The winery is state-certified as a biodynamic and organic winery, making it a truly unique spot to check out.
On the winery property, you’ll find Cooper Hil wines, Cooper Mountain Reserves wines, and Five Elements wines. These are all delicious varieties of wines produced by the vineyard.
Every day the tasting room at the winery opens in the afternoon for visitors to swing by. They offer wine-tasting flights, biodynamic tastings, and even tours of the wineries.
The winery’s most recent offerings are gourmet balsamic vinegar, which they started producing in 2006. Visitors can taste and purchase this vinegar at the tasting room after they finish their flight of wine.
Portland Escape Rooms
You’ll have to venture a little way out of Beaverton for this activity, but it’s well worth the trip. The Portland Escape Rooms are a fun activity where you and up to eleven companions have 60-minutes to escape a locked room.
To get out of the room, you’ll need to solve a series of puzzles, search for different clues, and put together a number of hints. It’s a fun way to get your brain working and your heart pumping as you race against the clock!
The escape rooms can accommodate groups as small as two people or as large as twelve and offers a couple of different themes for you to choose from. Each theme has its own difficulties and comes with unique goals.
A few of the themes at the facility include Genie’s Lamp, Kidnapped, the Sundown Saloon, and the Steampunk Airship. No matter which theme you go with you’ll be in for a fun and thrilling adventure.
Super Play
If you loved the escape rooms you might want to consider heading down to Super Play. This is a family entertainment center that locals love to hang out at in downtown Beaverton.
There are three different entertainment areas for you to choose from. One of the entertainment areas is home to a 3,200-square-foot laser tag maze. The huge compound offers 15-minute games that can accommodate as many as 24 players.
Next on the list is the arcade where you can try your hand at one of the 40 different games. There’s everything from whack-a-mole and Pacman to pinball and racing games. No matter what it is that you enjoy, you’re sure to find some entertaining classics.
In addition to these two sections, there’s also a huge bowling alley. The alley features 24 lanes and has high-definition projectors that use a Qubica scoring system to show off how many points you earn.
Take a Mural and Sculpture Walk
If you’ve got a free afternoon on your hands you might want to head downtown and check out the many sculptures and murals around downtown Beaverton. There are tons of unique works of art to check out in town!
You’ll find pieces that are crafted by local artists, some of whom are teenagers, painted onto the walls. Plus, there are tons of statues and monuments to admire.
What’s fun about going on a mural or sculpture walk in Beaverton is that there are lots of hidden gems tucked around the city. You can either look for more obvious displays or seek out pieces that are off the beaten path.
Browse the Farmers Market
If fresh fruit and produce gets your heart racing then you’ll want to spend a day at the Beaverton Farmers Market. This market is open almost year-round on Saturdays. The fun starts at 10 am and runs until 1:30 pm.
In February the market first sets up shop, bringing artisans with their wares to the area. The market keeps growing as the summer season rolls in, with farmers bringing products from all over the Northwest.
During the fall season, you can enjoy homemade ciders and cozy hand-crafted will clothes to protect you from the chilly air. Plus, there are all the usual goods such as:
- Handcrafts
- Handmade soaps
- Craft beer
- Local wines
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Local cheeses
Willamette Stone Heritage Site
One unique spot to check out while you’re in Beaverton is the Willamette Stone Heritage point. This spot marks the beginning of the Willamette Meridian and is one of 37 meridians around the United States.
The Willamette Stone is unique because it’s the starting point for all land surveys and properties in Oregon. What that means is that surveyors use this point as a reference when writing up property lines and surveys.
John B. Preston established this point in 1851. He was the first Surveyor-General of the Oregon Territory and completed the surveys to help settle the Pacific Northwest.
Willamette Stone was what prompted the first transfer of land ownership from the government to private owners. Today, you can walk through the park and read about the unique stone marker and its significance.
Oregon Zoo
Animal lovers won’t want to miss a visit to the Oregon Zoo. This zoo is located just a few minutes outside downtown Portland, making it easily accessible to residents of Beaverton as well.
To get to the zoo, you can take the MAX light rail. You’ll only be on the train for five minutes before you’re pulling up to the zoo entrance!
At the zoo, there are tons of fantastic animals to check out, including:
- Alligators
- Crocodiles
- Elephants
- Giraffes
- Wild pigs
- Hippos
- Monkeys
- Penguins
- turtles
- Snakes
- Zebras
- Lions
These are just a few of the many exotic animals you might find while at the zoo. It’s a fantastic place to learn about the many different kinds of animals our world has!
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals
If you love rocks, minerals, and crystals then you’ve got to head to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. This is one of the top crystal displays in the world, and the minerals are sourced from collections all around the world.
On top of the stunning crystals, you’ll find incredible petrified woods, fossils, and meteorites. You’ll also get a chance to check out fluorescents, lapidary arts, local specimens, and unique oddities.
You’ll find the collection in a ranch-style home dating back to the early 1950s. The home itself is worth checking out as it’s listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Friday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. However, you can also swing by on Saturday and Sunday and enjoy extended hours from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The cost to visit the museum is just $12 for adults or $10 for seniors. Veterans, active military personnel, and children ages 5-17 all pay $8 to get in while children under 4 are free.
Enjoy the Top Things to Do in Beaverton OR
As you can see from this list of the top things to do in Beaverton OR, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in the area. Whether you’re headed to the heart of the city or the suburbs there are tons of amazing activities that you can enjoy.
If you’re planning a move to Beaverton, you’ll need some assistance! Get in touch with our team to make your move to the area a smooth transition.