With spring semester in full swing and homework piling up, students are looking for ways to get out of the dorms and have fun off-campus. Despite its small size, the city of Forest Grove offers a variety of activities for students within walking distance from campus: from restaurants to fun shops to a bowling alley.
The Oregon coast is also only about an hour’s drive away. Visitors can walk the beach, enjoy the coastal shops or visit nearby trailheads.
“My favorite thing to do off campus is to visit the Neahkhanie viewpoint because the nature there is like no other,” said junior Paul-Jose Wong.
Forest Grove also has a diverse selection of food. There is Hawaiian, Chinese, sushi, Thai, fusion, burgers, pizza, and more. The variety of cuisine means there is always something new to try. Sophomore Eliot Morgan’s favorite restaurant is SoWa’s Donburi, a Japanese restaurant on Main street.
“It has a really good, welcoming atmosphere,” Morgan said. “The use of chopsticks rather than western cutlery makes it feel authentic and the food is incredible.”
There are also plenty of restaurants in Forest Grove that offer vegan and vegetarian options which, for students like junior Majestik De Luz, is important.
“My favorite thing about Diversity is how many vegan and vegetarian options they have as well as how well priced everything is.” she said.
Diversity Cafe also has a bar, making it a good place for those over 21 to go out to on weekends. The Diamond Palace is another popular bar near campus that features karaoke, pool, and a mechanical bull.
For less food-centric activities, there is Rainbow Lanes, a bowling alley that offers free bowling to Pacific students on Thursday nights. Cornelius Theaters is only a 10-minute drive away so you can catch the latest movie releases. There are also a couple of antique shops only a block from campus in Forest Grove so you can find that special item to decorate your dorm or apartment.
— Jazmine Henning
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