A Perfect Saturday in South Hillsboro: 5 Things to Do
Saturday in South Hillsboro doesn’t have to mean packing the day with plans. Sometimes the best weekends are a mix of getting out, slowing down, and enjoying what’s close to home.
If we were putting together a pretty ideal fall Saturday, here’s how we’d spend it.
1. Start the Morning at the Hillsboro Farmers’ Market
We may be biased, but there’s no better way to start a Saturday than with a trip to the Downtown Hillsboro Farmers’ Market.
The market runs Saturdays from 9 AM to 1 PM and brings together local farmers, food vendors, artisans and other local businesses. It’s an easy place to grab a coffee or breakfast, pick up something for the week, and wander around without much of a plan.
And if you’re visiting before the end of October, the market is still going strong through October 31. The final market of the season will also include a special Halloween & Harvest Festival, so that’s one to keep on the calendar.
2. Get Outside — Keep It Easy or Make It a Little More of a Hike
After the farmers’ market, head back toward South Hillsboro and get outside for a bit.
For an easy option, Tamarack Park has a short 0.20-mile loop trail that winds through the park. It’s a great choice when you want to stretch your legs without committing to a serious hike — and there’s a playground, open lawn, little skate park and plenty of space for kids to keep going once you’re done walking.
Looking for something a little more nature-focused? Head to Noble Woods Park instead. It’s a good option if you’d rather spend some time on a longer, more wooded trail before heading home.
EXPLORE HILLSBORO PARKS & TRAILS →
3. Go Home for Lunch — Seriously
Make sandwiches. Heat up leftovers. Order something. Put the baby down for a nap. Let the kids have some quiet time. Sit on the couch for a minute.
Not every Saturday needs to be an all-day outing.
One of the nice things about living close to the places you want to visit is that you can actually go home in between things. You can spend the morning out, come home for a reset, and decide later whether you feel like going back out.
And if you have young kids, you already know: sometimes that afternoon nap is the most important activity on the schedule. 😉
4. Get Back Outside & Let the Kids Burn Off Some Energy
After everyone has had a chance to recharge, head back outside.
This is where South Hillsboro’s neighborhood parks really come in handy. Reed’s Crossing Park is a great option for an afternoon stop, with a playground, open space and climbing boulders that are especially popular with kids. The park also connects into the area’s larger trail system.
Bring a soccer ball. Let the kids climb. Take the bikes out. Walk the dog. Or just let everyone run around for a while.
Because if we’re being honest, this is what a lot of Saturdays with kids actually look like.
You don’t necessarily need a big activity or a reservation. Sometimes you just need somewhere nearby where the kids can burn off some energy while the adults get a chance to hang out and enjoy being outside.
5. Finish the Day With Dinner Out
After a full day, finish it with dinner somewhere you don’t have to cook.
For a more traditional dinner out, Brix Tavern is now open in South Hillsboro. It’s an easy option when you’re looking for a sit-down dinner and don’t want to head across town.
Or, if you’re meeting up with friends or want something a little more casual, head over to the Foodlandia Food Carts on SE Century Boulevard. The covered food cart pod gives everyone the freedom to pick what they want, which is especially nice when nobody can agree on dinner. Foodlandia is open Saturdays until 9 PM and has a variety of food carts to choose from.
We actually recently tried two Foodlandia carts that came highly recommended: Poke Delight, and UJI. Both of these options really delivered, in our opinion! Check out the video below to see our reviews of these food carts.
A Saturday Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
And that’s really the point.
A good Saturday in South Hillsboro doesn’t have to mean a packed schedule or driving all over the Portland metro. Sometimes it’s a farmers’ market in the morning, a walk outside, lunch at home, some time at the park, and dinner with friends.
Get out. Go home. Get back out. Eat something good. Call it a day.
That’s a pretty great Saturday.
