Find yourself on The Intertwine today
A large part of Washington County lies within the Tualatin River Valley; the county's western reaches are less densely populated and beautiful, with rolling hills, wetlands, small towns and views of the mountains that surround the valley. Grab your bike and hop on the MAX headed for Hillsboro to get in an afternoon of good company outdoors.
Hoyt Arboretum is part of Washington Park, which also includes the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Children's Museum, the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Oregon Holocaust Memorial among its many attractions.
Ross Island is an oasis of nature surrounded by the city. More than 100 species of birds use the island during their annual migrations. It is also a working landscape: for much of the last century. While mining ceased in the 1990s, sand and gravel from other sites are still processed on Ross Island. Parts of the island are now under the management of Portland Parks and Recreation.
Take a hike on the 4T Trail — enjoy a brisk hike among the trees from the Zoo to Council Crest and then to the Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), where you will glide down the hill in the aerial Tram overlooking scenic views of the river and SW Portland, board the Trolley to the heart of Downtown, and ride the Train back to your car to complete the loop.
Discover Oregon City's rich history as the former seat of the Oregon Territory's first provisional government, and take in beautiful views of the Willamette Falls, once claimed by England. In this 1.5 mile Oregon City exploration, you'll ride on of the nation's only municipal elevators, stroll a bluff-top promenade overlooking thundering Willamette Falls and pass some of Oregon's oldest homes. Several of the homes passed are open as museums.