Forest Grove offers variety of activities

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At first glance, Forest Grove may not seem like the hub of art and culture like it’s neighboring city Portland, but if you look closely, you will see that “The Grove” offers a multitude of activities that everyone can enjoy.

From Tigard to the coast, McMenamins is a staple of Oregon living.

Forest Grove is lucky to have its own McMenamins, The Grand Lodge. According to their website, this is Forest Grove’s libation landmark. McMenamins offers two restaurants, a dinner theater and a bar with billiard tables. You can enjoy their famous cajun tots and for those 21 and over, one of their in-house ales. The Grand Lodge is now pet-friendly and is an active place in the summer. Their outdoor seating is a hotspot in the summer and is a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy the two months of summer that Oregon gets.

Just a short stroll off campus is Maggie’s Buns, famous for their massive breakfast cinnamon rolls. Maggie’s cinnamon rolls are very filling and the icing has the perfect mixture of being sweet and not overly sweet for those non-sweet tooths.

If that does not fill you up, the original Pizza Schmizza is less than a block away. At Pizza Schmizza, they offer pizza by the slice, full pizzas and calzones. The pizza is always made fresh and they even offer a Pacific student discount. Eating out on a college budget can be strenuous, but restaurants like Pizza Schmizza and Maggie’s offer Pacific University student discounts and works

very well within that college student budget.
Speaking of being on a budget, the Forest Theatre (not to be confused

with Theater in the Grove) offers movies for $2 with a student Pacific ID. Other discounted opportunities around town include Rainbow Lanes. Rainbow Lanes extends free bowling on Thursday’s at 9 p.m. for Pacific undergraduates, and 7 p.m. for graduates. Be sure to get there early, because Rainbow Lanes usually fill up fast and the games can last a while.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can meander over to Outdoor Pursuits right across College Way and next door to the Human Resources building. Outdoor Pursuits offers anything from hiking day trips, to week long excursions. In fact, this spring break, a backpacking trip to the Utah Canyonlands (March 19–26), and a rock climbing expedition at Smith Rock (March 19–23) are being offered.

If you still want to get more of the great outdoors, Hagg Lake is about a 10 minute drive away. Most people opt for hiking and boating, but in the warmer months, you can kayak, canoe or swim. No car? No problem! Outdoor Pursuits also offers free bike rentals on weekdays until 5 p.m.

There is a lot to do in Forest Grove. Students just need to go beyond the university boundaries and explore the downtown area. Forest Grove offers more than antique shops. Tired of eating the same old fruit from The Pod and UC? Look forward to the farmer’s market! Forest Grove locals sell authentic food, fruits, flower arrangements, handmade crafts and of course for those 21 and over, a refreshing alcoholic beverage to wind down from school and work.

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