Downtown Hillsboro - Hillsboro, OR Area Guide

The Hillsboro area has been settled for thousands of years by a succession of tribes seeking the fish, game and freshly growing fruits that have always been abundant in Tualatin Valley. European settlers arrived sometime in 1841 and named the area after David Hill, one of the first pioneers to set foot on the land. Now Hillsboro booms with commercial and residential life, and the city government puts on many community events such as the annual Independence Day parade, the second-largest such parade in Oregon. You can also drop by the Washington County Museum, which offers an array of everyday items from past periods, or the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center, which hosts a rotating display of works from both prominent and up-and-coming artists. Each summer sees a return to medieval times with the Oregon Renaissance Festival, and you can indulge your love for all things small and sparkly with the Gem Faire in January.

Both 25th Avenue and SE Tualatin Valley Highway showcase an array of dazzling places to eat, though other can’t-miss restaurants lie tucked away in the many folds of Hillsboro’s streets. Mr. Bento, one of the many secluded restaurants in the area, has become a local favorite and offers inexpensive, mouthwatering bento boxes, such as salmon, teriyaki chicken and the popular spicy chicken bento, that make your mouth water just by thinking about them. The lunch bentos, which include smaller portions and even cheaper prices, make this restaurant the perfect place to go for a quick workday lunch. Over the years, Hillsboro has collected its fair share of ethnic cuisine. Maharaja shines out among them all, and it's not just because of the bright yellow building. This small, unassuming restaurant does Indian food buffets right, with inexpensive prices and the best naan and butter chicken you have ever tasted. Local favorites include tiki masala and palak paneer, and customers praise the low prices and savory food. If you’re looking for some more traditional cuisine, just stop by South Store Café. From delectable coffee art atop every frothy drink to the garden sandwich, which comes with piles of greens, squash and tomato, this little mom-and-pop shop delights everyone who walks in. Try their quiche or freshly baked pastries for a real treat Hillsboro has a large bar-going population, which means that dive bars and clubs dot the streets in much of Central Hillsboro. Most of the bars, including Spaghetti Western, offer karaoke and tasty finger food and entrees for diners. The Insomnia Coffee Company also regularly hosts live, local music, so if you can’t sleep, head on over there for the regular crowd, amazing lattes, and up-and-coming bands.

If you’re driving, Highway 217 has an on ramp within five miles of much of Hillsboro, and Highway 8 runs right through downtown. On an average day, you won’t have much trouble finding street parking or parking within a garage, but costs vary and can sometimes be more than expected. If you would rather take public transportation, the 46 and 57 buses service much of Hillsboro, and you can access the Max Blue Line station at Hatfield Government Center. A few dollars will buy you a two-hour ticket on the train or bus, and for $100, you can get a monthly pass. Though cabs do not expect you to flag them down, cab companies such as Americab arrive at your location quickly when you call them. Uber currently cannot legally provide transportation in the Portland area, but many drivers and passengers still participate. For bikers, the city erected a bike commuting facility named ITF Bikepark. The city government takes pains to implement an increasing number of bike paths in the area, making Hillsboro more bike-friendly than many other large cities. Walking is possible but not generally practical in this sprawling town.

L. L. “Stub” Stewart Memorial State Park claims to be the largest park in the Hillsboro area. With horseback riding, campsites, hiking trails and picnic areas spread over 1,654 acres, this park provides the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors or let rowdy kids run off some of their energy. Access to the park costs $5 per vehicle for a daily pass, and most parts of the park are open to leashed pets. The city government also offers a free concert series during the summer in Shute Park, which can provide the perfect venue for a memorable evening outdoors.

While living in Hillsboro only costs about 2 percent more than the Oregon average and slightly less than living in Portland proper, it still costs about 16 percent more to live in Hillsboro than the national average. Most of that difference comes from housing. A one-bedroom apartment in Central Hillsboro runs about $1050 per month, though the cost of utilities in Hillsboro hovers at about seven percent below the national average. Getting a beer at a pub in the Hillsboro area costs about $5, a standard price for the Portland area. The gas prices in Hillsboro are about seven percent more than the national average, though the prices remain similar to those of Portland proper.

As a large community, Hillsboro has several family-friendly shopping centers such as the Streets of Tanasbourne, which offers chain stores such as Victoria's Secret and American Eagle. However, the center also hosts local companies, including Shoe Mill, a shoe store with its roots in Oregon. Hillsboro also has a number of antique shops in the area such as downtown's funky Le'Stuff Antique mall. Residents and tourists can comb these stores in search of an old treasure or the perfect unique touch for their home. If you're looking for fresh produce and fun, the Hillsboro Farmer's Market runs all summer long in a variety of locations on the weekends and some weekdays. For everyday groceries, most of the locals go to Trader Joe's, Winco, or Whole Foods, which are all close to Central Hillsboro.