Pacific Index

Places to go and enjoy the spooky fall season!

As the season shifts from sunshine-filled mornings to crisp, cloudy afternoons, the peak of autumn has finally arrived in Forest Grove. Pumpkin Spices Lattes and sweaters fill the halls of Pacific University as students and staff try to stay warm. But there are still plenty of reasons to get out (to use a phrase from the Halloween season): From pumpkin patches to haunted houses, staying indoors shouldn’t be the only thing on your bucket list this fall. 

Starting strong is the Pumpkin Festival at Roloff Farm in Hillsboro; open every weekend in October. Games, scenery, food, and live entertainment, all for the general admission price. With Combo Tickets, patrons also get to enjoy Roloff Farm’s Famous Wagon Tour, showcasing the unique buildings on the property. But of course, you can also just stop by to grab a couple of pumpkins, sold separately on the property.

On a scarier note, is The Fear PDX Haunted House in Portland. Seven separate attractions, each with their own themes to give a variety of horror to audiences. On the pricier side as far as haunted houses go, Fear PDX has hundreds of reviews on multiple websites praising the attraction for its unique style, costume quality, and overall scare tactics. 

Still in a scary mood? Just outside Pacific University lies McMenamins Grand Lodge. The hotel is said to be haunted by a white-haired woman in a print dress who died on the property just before her 100th birthday and many guests have reported sightings of other ghosts and strange events. The Theatre in the Grove is also said to be haunted by three young ghosts, but no sightings have been recorded in recent years.

This list wouldn’t be complete without the mention of the renowned Spirit of Halloweentown. Located in St. Helens, Ore. (which is the original film location of the Disney classic) the small town turns into an epic tourist attraction during October, transforming into a spooky wonderland great for all ages and full of activities and attractions. This tradition is one of Oregon’s most popular fall festivals.

For the outdoorsy people who appreciate the changing leaves coupled with a cool breeze, autumn in the Pacific Northwest is known to be one of the best times of year to hike. Some of the most popular fall hikes in the area include Forest Park, home to multiple trails just outside of Portland. Silver Falls State Park is a beautiful hike year-round; vibrant trees paired with flowing waterfalls make the experience that much better. The hike is a bit far outside of the Forest Grove vicinity, but the ten waterfalls presented on the trail make it worthwhile. If you’re really looking to stay local, Scoggin Valley Park just off of Hagg Lake is beautifully colored as well and within 20 minutes of campus.