For thousands of travelers heading up Interstate 5, Tualatin is just one of several exits before you reach Portland, but for about 28,000 or so, it’s home. Sure, the suburb may not quite have the culinary pull of Beaverton, or the walkable downtown of Tigard, but it does have beautiful forested neighborhoods and a charming sense of community.
Why You Should Visit This Week: Ya 'Gatta Be There
Every year, Tualatin Lake of the Commons welcomes an armada of monsters and fast-movers for a day of splish-splash-squash. It’s the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, the annual race to see which costumed captain can paddle their vessel — in this case a gargantuan, hollowed-out gourd — around the fountain and back to the finish line fastest.
Join the cheering crowds on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and take in all of the other fall fun. There’s plenty of entertainment, from the Rose City Dancing Witches to The Pillage People a cappella pirates, professional pumpkin carvers, and an array of pumpkin-based games (bowling, golf, tic-tac-toe, and checkers), concessions, face painting, and more. High attendance makes parking in the area challenging, but a shuttle does run from several locations.
Admission is free. Plus, there are two other lead-up events:
- Pumpkins and Pints (Saturday, Oct. 17): Enjoy wood-fired pizza and craft beer at Stickmen Brewing Company while members of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers compete for cash prizes with their oversized vegetables in the Terminator Weigh-Off.
- 5K Regatta Run/Walk (Sunday, Oct. 18): Get a sweat going to help support Tualatin Rotary’s scholarships and community programs. Strollers and four-legged friends are welcome.
Food & Drink: Freshly Baked Scones
Looking to grab a bite before or after the festivities? Here are a few nearby options.
☕ Embrace the art of afternoon tea at Doja Tea Lounge by dining on delicacies like finger sandwiches and scones. This year’s fall menu includes a pumpkin spice panna cotta and sweet potato crostini.
🍔 Ancestry Brewing is anchored in the Tualatin community and should be your first port of call for tasty burgers, sandwiches, and pub bites.
🥖 Recently opened and serving up Vietnamese cuisine, Baguette Bros makes a mean bánh mì in addition to a breakfast sandwich, BBQ pork buns, curry chicken, and beef stew soup. Grab an iced coffee while you’re there, too.
Outdoors: Nature At Your Speed
In 1992, a beautiful stretch of wetlands and oak savanna along Highway 99 was protected from urban growth thanks to a dedicated group of local residents. Their efforts helped establish the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, a diverse ecosystem that’s home to more than 200 species of birds among many other animals, including bats, salamanders, and otters.
Today, the Visitor Center offers educational programs for children, and hikers can walk a network of picturesque paths (the Wetland Trail is closed May 1 through Sept. 30 to safeguard wintering waterfowl, but the River Trail is open year-round). Whether you have 15 minutes to peer from the observation deck or half a day to explore, it’s well worth a stop.
Visitors with mobility needs can reserve a free track chair through David’s Chair, available Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to Noon.
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