Portland's Southeast Suburb Is A Foodie Haven With Easy Hiking, A Nearby Waterfall, And Fun Festivals

Portland, Oregon, has a well-established reputation as a foodie haven. The destination may be small, but there's everything from street food to a top-rated restaurant serving elegant French fare. Epicureans will also thrive in nearby Happy Valley, a southeast suburb in the Portland metropolitan area. With its assortment of cuisines, this city with a cheery name will not disappoint your appetite. Excellent food aside, Happy Valley offers hiking trails, a waterfall, and festivals.

But first, grab a bite to eat. The Rose City is renowned for its food pod carts, which feature a variety of stalls and trucks with diverse selections. This trend has spread to neighboring communities, such as Happy Valley, home to Happy Valley Station. Perfect for a casual, yet eclectic meal, you'll discover carts like Tita's Kitchen. "Specializing in authentic Peruvian cuisine, this charming spot truly brings the vibrant flavors of Peru to our neighborhood," reads a review on Google, where it has a 4.8-star rating. Menu items include a chicharron (pork) sandwich, fried plantains, and wraps made with chicken, steak, or pork, which guests are especially raving about. Another popular establishment is TokTok, a Mediterranean eatery with kebabs and shawarma.

Naturally, you'll need a drink to wash everything down. Head over to Bobablastic for fruity milk and iced teas. There are more than a dozen carts offering a variety of dishes, from Indian to Japanese, all of which can be enjoyed at picnic tables. If you prefer a full-service restaurant, Noodle Man is down the road from Happy Valley Station. Serving chow mein and bowls of noodle soup, this Chinese restaurant has earned recognition from Portland Monthly for its hand-pulled starchy delights.

If you need a post-meal activity, outdoor adventures are readily available at Happy Valley's green spaces. You can even experience the joy of hiking to a small but gorgeous waterfall at Hidden Falls Nature Park. The trailhead can be found near Hood View Park, and conveniently, the path is paved. It will lead you through a lush forest, and after a few minutes, you'll reach this gorgeous formation. Although this is a relatively easy hike, a user on Google warned, "There is a very steep up hill climb back so remember that when going down you have to climb back up."

Several reviewers echoed the same sentiment, while others noted that finding street parking can be equally challenging. Alternatively, you could embark on a hiking excursion at Scouters Mountain Nature Park. You can traverse the Boomer Trail from this former lava dome's lower parking lot, all the way to the top. You'll be enveloped by densely wooded greenery and views of Mount Hood along the journey. You might even encounter woodpeckers and other animals, like banana slugs. To return to the parking lot, you can make a loop back down using the lava dome and shelter trail.

This will take less than an hour, with one AllTrails user describing Scouters Mountain Nature Park as the "Perfect place to squeeze in a little hike when you want to get outside for a bit." However, these are not your only choices for hiking in Happy Valley. Mount Scott Nature Park is brimming with gravel paths. The Mount Scott Nature Trail Loop, for instance, will allow you to circle the park in under 30 minutes. Additionally, you'll catch a glimpse of a vintage car that has been reclaimed by nature.

Happy Valley is your typical suburban community, and compared to Portland, it embraces a slower pace of life. Despite this, there are annual events that locals and visitors can look forward to, such as the 4th of July Family Festival. This free celebration at Happy Valley Park offers an opportunity to embrace the patriotic spirit with food trucks, a parade, and carnival rides. Happy Valley is also known for Pickathon, a three to four-day music festival that was called Portland's greatest by the Portland Mercury. Founded in 1999, Pickathon is held at Pendarvis Farm, typically in early August.

This 80-acre site is transformed into an indie-lovers dream, complete with whimsical outdoor stages referred to as neighborhoods. Notable past acts have included Mac DeMarco, Beach House, and Portugal. The Man. That said, attendees are encouraged to stay overnight at Pickathon's various camping zones for the full experience. Tents, RVs, and cars are welcome (restroom and shower facilities are available onsite). If you're looking for a musical escape into nature, this is the festival for you.

Happy Valley is located 25 minutes away from Portland International Airport (PDX). You can find lodging in town on Airbnb. A five-night stay in a room can cost less than $600. Likewise, there are hotels in nearby Clackamas, such as the Hampton Inn Portland/Clackamas. Nightly rates at this Tripadvisor favorite start at under $200. To learn about other notable cities near Portland, read about Beaverton, Oregon's underrated melting pot, and Lake Oswego, a town with boutiques, restaurants, and European vibes.