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Forest Grove, Oregon: Where Fun and Adventure Meet Amongst the Trees!

Forest Grove sits 25 miles west of Portland, at the top of the Willamette Valley. Domaine Divio, David Hill Vineyards and Tualatin Estate Vineyard are the wine, and SakeOne is the only American-owned sake brewery in the country. The world’s tallest barber pole stands here, 72 feet of it. Tillamook State Forest starts just past the town.

Forest Grove is one of the better small towns in Oregon and it does not advertise itself much. Food, outdoor country and art are all here, and the town is small enough to work through in a weekend.

The wine and dine scene is the reason most people come to Forest Grove. There are wineries and tasting rooms across the area, and the farm-to-table cooking is the real thing rather than a menu label. For anyone who would rather be outdoors, Forest Grove puts the hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking at the edge of town.

If you’re more interested in art and culture, Forest Grove has you covered there too. The town is home to numerous galleries and museums, showcasing local artists and historical artifacts. And for those looking for something truly unique, Forest Grove has a number of quirky attractions, from a historic UFO sighting location to a museum dedicated to vacuum cleaners. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Forest Grove today.

Key Takeaways

• Forest Grove is a hidden gem in Oregon, with plenty of activities and attractions to keep you entertained.
• The town has a thriving wine and dine scene, as well as numerous options for outdoor adventure.
• Forest Grove also offers art and culture experiences, as well as unique attractions that are sure to delight visitors.

Forest Grove – A Hidden Gem in Oregon

Forest Grove sits 25 miles west of Portland, which puts it close enough for a day out and far enough to feel like somewhere else in Oregon. There is more here than the size suggests.

The wineries are the first reason. Take a tour of the Tualatin Estate Vineyards in Forest Grove and taste what this region actually produces. It is a genuinely good introduction.

For anyone who would rather be outdoors, Fernhill Wetlands Park is the one. The nature preserve holds a great deal of wildlife and is a working part of the local water treatment system, which is an odd thing to say about somewhere this quiet. It is the best free hour in town.

The Forest Grove Farmers Market is the other regular fixture. It is small and it is good, running Wednesday nights from May through October, with fresh produce and artisanal goods from people who made them.

The historic districts of Forest Grove are the part people miss. Walk the streets of Queen Anne to Colonial Revival homes and century-old buildings, most of which now hold gift shops and restaurants.

Forest Grove repays a longer visit than most people give it. Pack the car.

Wine and Dine in Forest Grove

Forest Grove is wine country and it takes that seriously. Vineyard visits through to tastings, all within a short drive:

Vineyard Visits

There is nothing quite like standing in the vineyard your favorite wine came out of. Domaine Divio is the one for Pinot Noir, sitting in the Willamette Valley and producing some of the best in the region. David Hill Vineyards is the other, with the valley opening up below it and wines that hold up against the view.

Sake Tasting Experience

For something different, SakeOne is worth the detour. Sake is a traditional Japanese rice wine and SakeOne is the only American-owned sake brewery in the country, which makes this a genuinely unusual tasting. Work through the range and finish with the award-winning “Momokawa”.

For dinner, Tualatin Estate Vineyard is the answer. Farm to Fork, the restaurant on site, cooks with fresh local ingredients and does it properly. Order the White Pinot if you drink white; it is an unexpected turn on the classic red Pinot Noir.

Forest Grove is unusually well supplied with vineyards and wineries for a town this size. Taste widely; the region rewards it.

Outdoor Adventures in Forest Grove

Forest Grove is surrounded by country and the range of what you can do in it is wide. The best outdoor adventures around Forest Grove:

Hiking Trails

Walking is the way into the country around Forest Grove. The trails run from an easy stroll to something that will take a full day, so there is a version for anyone. The Tillamook State Forest and Fernhill Wetlands are the two popular spots. Carry water and wear proper footwear.

Bike Paths

For two wheels, Forest Grove has plenty of bike paths. The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the popular one, 21 miles of paved trail running through the forest. The mountain biking trails nearby are the rougher option.

Water Activities

Henry Hagg Lake is close enough to Forest Grove that the water is part of any visit. Kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are all available to rent, and the fishing holds trout and bass. For something faster, Adventures Without Limits runs river rafting and tubing.

Tree to Tree Adventure Park

The Tree to Tree Adventure Park is the unusual one. The aerial course runs zip lines, rope bridges and other obstacles high in the trees, and it is a proper physical test rather than a gentle walkway. The view down through the canopy is the payment.

Whichever you pick, the country around Forest Grove is the point. Give it a full day.

Art and Culture Scene

Forest Grove carries more arts and culture than its size predicts, from galleries to the downtown market. The places worth the time:

Local Art Galleries

The Valley Art Gallery is the one for Pacific Northwest artists, showing local work across painting, sculpture and photography. The Barber Pole is the other, specialising in contemporary art with regular exhibits and events.

Crafts and Farmers Market

The Forest Grove Farmers Market is where the town gathers. The outdoor market runs every Wednesday, with vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts and a good deal else. It is the sensible place to buy anything you are taking home.

Downtown Forest Grove carries the rest, with shops and boutiques selling crafts and gifts you will not find in a chain. Concerts and events run through the year, so check what is on before you fix your dates.

Forest Grove has a real arts scene and a community that turns out for it. Something new turns up on a second visit.

Unique Attractions in Forest Grove

Forest Grove is quirkier than most towns this size, and three attractions in particular are worth the detour:

Tallest Barber Pole

Forest Grove is home to the tallest barber pole in the world, which is not a claim many places can make. It stands 72 feet, in red and white, and you will not miss it. It sits outside B Street Barber & Styling, a barbershop in business for over 50 years. Take the photograph and get a haircut while you are there.

Fernhill Wetlands

The Fernhill Wetlands is the one for anyone who watches birds. The 240-acre nature preserve holds bald eagles, great blue herons and sandhill cranes among a long list of others. Walk or bike the trails, or rent a kayak and cover the wetlands from the water. It is also part of the local water treatment system, which makes it the rare attraction that is doing a job while you look at it.

Sundial at Thatcher Road

For a photograph nobody else has, the sundial at Thatcher Road is the answer. It stands over 20 feet tall in the middle of a field, and the design is more careful than that description suggests. The shadow it casts is the part people photograph. Bring a watch, because the sundial keeps time accurately and you will still lose track of it.

A haircut, a nature walk or a photograph nobody expects: Forest Grove covers all three. These are the start of what this quirky town holds.

The seasons decide the trip. Late summer and fall are the wine: harvest, Harvest Hosts in September and Forest Grove Uncorked in May at the other end. November brings the Sausage Festival. The Forest Grove Farmers Market runs Wednesday nights from May through October. The forest and Henry Hagg Lake work all year, and the Banks-Vernonia State Trail is 21 paved miles whatever the month.

Events and Festivals

Forest Grove runs a busier calendar than its size predicts, and locals turn out to the same events visitors do. Two you should not miss:

Harvest Hosts

Harvest Hosts is the one for anyone who drinks wine. The September event celebrates the Willamette Valley’s wine harvest, with tasting alongside live music, good food and the valley in full fall color. It is the right way to spend a fall day in Forest Grove.

Sausage Festival

The Sausage Festival in November is the other. It celebrates the sausages made in Forest Grove and the range is genuinely wide, from spicy through to sweet. There is live music, a beer garden and enough other food that nobody has to eat sausage. It is where the festive season starts here.

Those two are worth the calendar entry, and Forest Grove has plenty more through the year, from the Medieval Faire in March to Forest Grove Uncorked in May. Read the reviews before you commit to dates.

Sports and Recreation

Forest Grove, Oregon covers the active end better than expected. The places to go:

Soccer Fields

For soccer, Pacific University’s Lincoln Park has several fields and they are open for use. Bring a ball and enough people to make a game of it.

Skateboard Park

The Forest Grove Skate Park handles skateboarding and BMX, with rails, ramps and half-pipes. It is a decent park rather than a token one, and an afternoon there goes quickly.

Dog Play Areas

Forest Grove has several dog play areas, which is more than most towns manage. Thatcher Park Off Leash Dog Park is the best of them, with enough space for a dog to properly run. Clean up after your pup.

A soccer ball, a skateboard or a dog off the lead: Forest Grove covers all three. Get outside.

Food and Drink

Forest Grove eats and drinks well across the range, from local produce through to kombucha. Where to go:

Brewery Tours

The brewery scene in Forest Grove is worth a morning, and a brewery tour is the way into it. Waltz Brewing is the one to visit, with a strong craft range including “Waltz’s Vienna Lager”. Take the tour and it covers the beer-making process from start to finish.

Farmers Market

For fresh produce and baked goods, the Forest Grove Farmers Market is the answer. Seasonal fruit and vegetables through to homemade bread and pastries, which makes it the efficient stop before a picnic or a day at the beach. Try the kombucha from one of the local vendors.

Forest Grove has a genuinely good food and drink scene for its size. Beer or fresh produce, both are covered. Buy a pint and something to eat with it.

Exploring the Surroundings

The country around Forest Grove is the other half of the trip, running from the rolling hills of the Tualatin Valley to the rougher ground of Tillamook State Forest. What to see:

Tualatin Valley

The Tualatin Valley is the Pacific Northwest as people picture it: forest, hills and working farmland. A scenic drive is the way to take it in, winding through small towns and past farms with the countryside opening out the whole way.

For something more active, the Tualatin Valley carries hiking and biking trails at every level, from a flat walk through the forest to a climb that will make you work. The wineries are the other reason to be here. The mild climate and the soil are why the grapes do so well, and the wines that come out of this valley are among the best anywhere.

Tillamook State Forest

For rougher ground, Tillamook State Forest is the answer. It covers over 364,000 acres and holds some of the best scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Hike it, bike it or drive it; all three work.

The Wilson River Trail is the highlight of Tillamook State Forest, running 21 miles alongside the Wilson River through the valley. There are waterfalls, old-growth forest and a great deal of wildlife along the way.

For history, the Tillamook Forest Center is the stop. The interactive museum tells the story of the forest, from its working life as a timber source through to what it is now.

The country around Forest Grove will absorb whatever time you give it. Boots and a picnic, and go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-rated events in Forest Grove that you shouldn’t miss?

Forest Grove runs a good calendar. Pacific University Homecoming Weekend is the popular one, with a parade, a football game and a great deal else attached. The Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance is the other, showing some of the rarest cars in the world in a town nobody would expect to find them.

What are some hidden gems in Forest Grove that are worth visiting?

For something off the usual route, the Fernhill Wetlands is the answer. The wetland holds all sorts of wildlife, black swans among them, which is not a common sight around here. The Verboort Sausage & Sauerkraut Festival is the other, celebrating the town’s Dutch heritage with food, music and dancing.

What are the best places to take kids for a fun day out in Forest Grove?

The Forest Grove Farmers Market is the easy one with children, and buying fresh produce and baked goods is more interesting to them than it sounds. Tualatin Hills Nature Park is the other, with hiking trails, wildlife viewing and educational programs built for younger visitors.

What’s the craziest thing to do in Forest Grove that will make you feel alive?

Zip-lining at Tree to Tree Adventure Park is the one that will do it. The courses run high above the forest canopy and the drop is real. The Tualatin River is the other option, for kayaking or rafting.

What are some interesting facts about Forest Grove that you can impress your friends with?

Forest Grove is home to Pacific University, one of the oldest universities in the Pacific Northwest. It was also the first city in Washington County to be incorporated. And the historic downtown carries a run of Victorian-era buildings that most visitors walk past without looking up.

What’s the most unique thing about living in Forest Grove that you can’t find anywhere else?

What people who live in Forest Grove name first is the community. The residents are friendly and welcoming, and there are enough events through the year to actually meet them. The town also sits in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, which means some of the best wine in the world is a short drive from the front door.

Frequently asked questions about Forest Grove, Oregon

How tall is the barber pole in Forest Grove, Oregon?

It stands 72 feet, which makes it the tallest in the world. You will find it outside B Street Barber & Styling, a barbershop that has been going for over 50 years. Take the photograph. Then get a haircut while you are there.

What can you see at Fernhill Wetlands near Forest Grove?

Bald eagles, great blue herons and sandhill cranes, across a 240-acre nature preserve. There are trails for walking and biking, and you can take a kayak out onto the water. It also doubles as part of the local water treatment system, which is a strange thing to say about somewhere this quiet.

How long is the Banks-Vernonia State Trail near Forest Grove?

Twenty-one paved miles through the forest, which makes it the easy cycling option around Forest Grove. The mountain biking trails nearby are the harder version, and both are close enough to town that neither needs a long drive. Bring a bike.

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