Tigard Travel Guide

  Tigard's Cook Park is Home to Wildlife,...
by glabah
 
  • Tigard's Cook Park is Home to Wildlife, City Life
      Tigard's Cook Park is Home to Wildlife,...
    by glabah
  • Barkdust Path next to Tualatin River by Boat Ramp
      Barkdust Path next to Tualatin River by...
    by glabah
  • Open Grass and Picnic Shelters are Part of Park
      Open Grass and Picnic Shelters are Part...
    by glabah
  • Picnic and Observation Shelter in Butterfly Garden
      Picnic and Observation Shelter in...
    by glabah
  • Great Egret in Wetlands at Cook Park
      Great Egret in Wetlands at Cook Park
    by glabah
 

Explore Tigard

Things to Do  

Cook Park: Some Wetlands and Trails
glabah profile photo
glabah 2172 reviews
Tigard's Cook Park is Home to Wildlife, City Life
4 more images

This park is not necessarily easy to find, as it is at the end of a dead-end road that was, in the not so distant past, too narrow to even have a line painted down the middle of it.

However, those days are now over, and this park has become a tourist attraction of sorts - not that Tigard really has much in the way of famous attractions to make people want to visit.

The park has several large athletic fields, which are usually closed in winter. Scattered throughout the park, even in some very hidden away places, you will find some very large and developed picnic shelters which may be reserved.

However, an extensive part of the park is preserved as semi-wild forest and wetlands, and there is a preserved section of open prairie that is also intended to serve as wildlife habitat. Several dirt, bark dust and paved trails allow access to a number of these areas, and allow some viewing of some of the wetlands areas. The trails also connect to a nearby bike path running beside the old Oregon Electric Railway (now Portland and Western) railroad line. From here it is possible to get to Tualatin or various other nearby locations.

A very small boat ramp exists on the far southern end of the park. It should be noted that the Tualatin River contains a number of hazards, all of which are discussed in the various warning signs near the boat ramp.

Once a year, this park is also the home site for the Festival of Baloons in Tigard. See
http://www.tigardballoon.org/

Written Feb 27, 2012

Address: 17005 SW 92nd Avenue, Tigard

Website: http://www.tigard-or.gov/community/parks/cook_park.asp

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Birdwatching
 Hiking and Walking

Was this review helpful?

Summerlake Park
glabah profile photo
glabah 2172 reviews
Summerlake Park: pond and bridge, trees and grass
4 more images

During the winter months, geese, ducks, blue heron, and other birds search out just about any location they can for wintering habitat in the Willamette Valley and surrounding areas. The large ponds at Summerlake Park become populated with these birds sometimes.

In addition to the winter bird life, Summer Lake Park also offers a number of neighborhood recreational opportunities. There is a paved loop all the way around the park. There are a number of picnic tables scattered through the park, and one covered picnic area. Two playgrounds plus wide open fields offer a number of opportunities for children. There is a reasonably wild forested area, plus a cultivated rhododendron garden on the far west side of the park.

The park is connected to a number of neighborhood streets by pathways leading betwee back yards, as well as street access.

Some of the neighborhood houses back right up to the park, without any sort of fence between the park and the house.

Written Nov 17, 2008

Address: SW Winter Lake Drive & Shore Drive, Tigard, OR

Website: http://www.ci.tigard.or.us/community/parks/summerlake_park.asp

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Hiking and Walking
 Birdwatching

Was this review helpful?

Woodard Park
glabah profile photo
glabah 2172 reviews
Woodard Park: picnic and playground structures
4 more images

This small park is just far enough north of highway 99W to not be able to hear the traffic noise much, and yet close enough to be a convenient stopover point to avoid going traffic crazy. If you got something to eat at a restaurant in Tigard and want to eat outside away from traffic, this might be your best bet for a nice quiet outside location.

The park has a number of picnic tables scattered about, and has one small section of the paved Fanno Creek Trail running through it. There are a number of fairly large trees, as well as some playground equipment. There are no toilet facilities.

The covered picnic area is a bit small, but if it is a nice day there are a number of picnic tables through the park as well - as long as they are dry!

Fanno creek runs through the southwest side of the park, and can be a nice place to relax.

Updated Jan 16, 2008

Website: http://www.ci.tigard.or.us/community/parks/woodard_park.asp

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Cycling
 Hiking and Walking

Was this review helpful?

Fanno Creek Trail: Tigard Section: Hiking, Biking
glabah profile photo
glabah 2172 reviews
Fanno Creek Trail bridge made from old railway car
4 more images

The northern section of the Fanno Creek Trail is located in Beaverton. The Tigard section of the meeting leads right into the Beaverton section with a segment of the Fanno Creek Trail running under Scholls Ferry Road next to the creek (watch for mud!!!).

Just as with the Beaverton section of the trail, the Tigard section of the trail is paved for bike or walking use. There are a few areas that might get wet, but mostly this is free of mud. The trail appears to end at SW Tiedeman, but no matter if you are going south or going north, turn left along Tiedeman and cross Fanno Creek and Tiedeman. You will find the trail continues on the other side of the bridge and the road.

One segment of the trail is missing ("temporarily" according to the city of Tigard). Between Woodard Park and downtown Tigard it is necessary to walk along SW Johnson Street and cross (VERY BUSY!!) highway 99W at the traffic light, and stay on the south side of Main street until just after you cross SW Fanno Creek. The trail resumes on the east side of Fanno Creek, just after the brew pub.

Updated Jan 14, 2008

Address: Hall Blvd & Edgewood Street

Website: http://www.ci.tigard.or.us/community/parks/fanno_creek_park.asp

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Cycling
 Birdwatching

Was this review helpful?

Hotels  

Restaurants  

Banning's Restaurant and Pie House: 24 Hour Food and Dessert, Just Off Interstate 5
glabah profile photo
glabah 2172 reviews
Banning's is Well Known for Wonderful Desserts
2 more images

From the outside, there isn't a huge amount to recommend Banning's over any other nearby restaurant. It is on the north side of highway 99W, so that it is easy to get here from Interstate 5 if you are heading west on 99W. It is surrounded by the standard concrete jungle environment typical of the region, and not an especially attractive area.

However, Banning's has been in business for some 30 years, and in the very competitive restaurant business this is an accomplishment.

Though I have never had any, their claim to fame is their wonderful pies and other desserts, which are on display in a rotating refrigerated cabinet close to the cashier's desk.

The interior of the restaurant is comfortable and clean, and there is a small flower on each table, and the surroundings of the restaurant certainly do not leave much hope for what lies inside. It is much better inside this restaurant than the exterior surroundings indicate!

Lemonaide and Ice Tea have free refills according to the menu.

This restaurant is also open 24 hours - no drive-though only or anything like that! Straight up, 24 hours open, which is a nice switch if you are looking to get out of your car for a while and into something that isn't a drive-though late at night. The exception to this is Christmas Day - when the restaurant is closed.

Favorite Dish: I like the #6 Breakfast Burrito, which has scrambled eggs, onions, green chilis, oilves and Tillamook cheese. The plate also comes with hash browns and toast, and a small cup of salsa and sour cream, for $9.29.

Written Mar 25, 2011

Address: 11477 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, OR 97223

Phone: (503) 244-2558

Website: http://banningsrestaurant.com/

Related to:
 Food and Dining
 Road Trip

Was this review helpful?

Pacific Breeze: Yummy Vietnamese & Thai Food
rmdw profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

rmdw 598 reviews
Pacific Breeze - An Asian Gem in Tigard!

Being from Vancouver, BC I'm quite knowledgeable about all kinds of Asian cuisine. Thus, it was a great surprise to discover this amazing little restaurant in suburban Portland!

They offer a combination of both Vietnamese and Thai dishes. You can stick to one or order a mixture of both. I've eaten here several times, as well as had take-out. All meals have been absolutely superb! Combine this with professional, friendly service and you have a true winner!

Favorite Dish: If you've never had food of either cuisine type before then I'd recommend trying "Pho Tai" beef noodle soup and the basic "Pad Thai" noodle dish, plus some "Fried Egg Rolls" to start.

Yummy Plus!

Written Dec 24, 2004

Address: 11525 SW Durham Road Tigard, OR

Phone: 503.639.7988

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Food and Dining
 Budget Travel

Was this review helpful?

El Sol de Mexico: Fantastic Mexican Food in Greater Portland
rmdw profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

rmdw 598 reviews
El Sol de Mexico

One of my friends in Tigard took us to this restaurant. I'm glad she did! It was absolutely fantastic: delicious food, large portions, and superb service.

Definitely one of the best Mexican meals I've had in a long time!

Written Dec 14, 2004

Address: 15961 SW 72nd Avenue Tigard, OR

Phone: 503.624.8865

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Food and Dining
 Budget Travel

Was this review helpful?

Favorites  

A sea of fast food and traffic
Shaft28 profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Shaft28 191 reviews

Favorite thing: My favorite thing about Tigard is it is conveniently close to everything. It has a decent mall, plenty of freeway access and enough trees to cover up the stench of the trucks running through.

Fondest memory: Driving out of it to downtown.

Written Feb 24, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Comments

Map of Tigard