If your vacation or staycation destination is Hillsboro, Oregon, here are 6 fun activities which are entirely free.
1. Bird watch at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve
For the bird watchers, bring your binoculars, mosquito repellent. This 725 acre wetlands park which runs along the Tualatin River is only a 10 minute drive along highway 219 from downtown Hillsboro. Designated as a bird watching area, you will encounter a variety of birds: Buffleheads, Dusky Canada Geese and Tundra Swans. The banks of the river are lined with forests, ponds, marshes, meadows, and slough areas. This refuge is also home to a variety of plants and animal species such as beavers, minks, nutria, ducks, herons, frogs, owls, woodpeckers, opossums, deer and coyotes and more. There are trails and an education center open to the public.
2. Travel a century back in time by visiting the Historic Orenco Neighborhood
In close proximity to the newer Orenco housing establishments is a quaint century old neighborhood worth visiting. The 1200 acre area of Orenco was originally established in 1905 by the Oregon Nursery Company. The past still remains in this quaint old neighborhood. Wide ditch like streets without sidewalks are lined with old houses from the early 1900s. Children play in the streets, rarely having to move for a passing vehicle. Worth seeing are the church, gas station, general store and old homes which are of the original town.From NE Cornell Rd, head east onto NW 231st Avenue. South of the Max light rail.
3. Read, bike or stroll at Dawson Creek Park
Go on a leisurely bike ride through the Dawson Creek Corporate Park and watch the gathering of Canada geese and ducks. Borrow a book from the Hillsboro Main Library and find a park bench to spend an afternoon or morning reading, biking and strolling.
The Hillsboro Main Library opened in May of 2007, featuring a quiet adult reading area with a fireplace, children’s and young adult areas, a coffee stand. The library hosts many free public events such as author readings, story times for children, book club meetings and how to classes such as digital photography and cake decorating.
2850 NE Brookwood Parkway
4. Visit the Aviation Museum at the Hillsboro Airport
For aviation lovers, the Hillsboro Airport’s Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum is free of charge to the public. If you’re around on August 28,29,30th, don’t miss the Oregon International Air Show which attracts huge crowds. Avoid admission costs and crowds and watch the dramatic air show from the near by Dawson Creek Park, or any other grassy hill in the vicinity. Pack a cooler and some fold away chairs as the event runs the entire day.
Hillsboro Airport
3355 NE Cornell Road
Hillsboro, OR 97124
5. Window shop for antiques and collectibles in down town Hillsboro
The quaint stores in downtown Hillsboro are mostly centered along East Main Street. Browse the antique shops and the used book stores.
6. Day hike and picnic at Noble Woods Park
Walk through a paved forest trail of Pacific Dogwood, Douglas Fir and Red Cedar on a wooded 40 acre park. The park is also home to a variety of animal species such as birds, beavers, tree frogs, raccoons, crawfish and more. Peek into marshes and ponds for fish, picnic in the meadow, or plan a birthday party in the covered activity shelter. This well shaded park features wheelchair accessible trails, bridges, a picnic area with restrooms and a covered activity shelter. Noble Woods Park is accessed through two entrances. The north entrance is off West Baseline near 231st Avenue, and the south entrance off Southwest Borwick Road.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble Woods Park
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Bottom_Wetlands_Preservehttp://www.classicaircraft.org/Exhibits.htm
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us
