Things to Do in Hillsboro

Since 1990, Kandice Champion's expert tutelage has propelled horses into being victorious in dressage, hunt seat, and Western show rings. Champion Training Center's expansive facility accommodates participants of all ages and skill sets as they enrich their riding prowess atop trained school horses during daytime, evening, and weekend sessions led by Kandice and her squad of qualified teachers. In addition to lessons, Champion Training Center supplies devoted equestrians with horses for sale and equips riders with new and used accoutrements, including saddles, boots, and equine tiaras.

Tall nets surround Sunset Golf Center’s driving range, their forgiving springiness easing wayward balls back toward the range's lush green. Here, golfers launch balls from the center’s 50 practice stalls, more than half of which are sheltered from the elements. Artificial-grass mats carpet each stall with blades soft enough to mimic real fairways but short enough to avoid attracting artificial cows, and across the grounds, a stone Statue of Liberty oversees play atop the 18-hole miniature-golf course. From his post at the center, golf instructor Sandy Sutherland helps both juniors and adults to hone their links prowess.

On the screen before the trainee, an officer is down in the doorway, while down the hall within the scenario, an assailant shields himself behind a hostage. This is just one of the 160 high-definition real-world tactical scenarios—in addition to 180 virtual-range options—that play on the single-screen Threat Alley and 300-degree Threat Arena platforms, immersing marksmen in the kind of training used by law enforcement, the military, and special operatives. Using modified firearms that eschew ammo for an infrared laser and a CO2 system to produce recoil, each computerized simulator calibrates shooters' virtual shots, producing a recap for up to five shooters per round. The tactical scenarios also supply guests with return-fire belts, which deliver a small shock when either "hit" by virtual enemy fire or when one falls for, "Hey, what's that over there?"

Beyond overseeing their simulated tactical training and virtual ranges, Threat Dynamics' instructors—possessing a mix of military, law-enforcement, and NRA-certification backgrounds—lead classes in both armed and unarmed self-defense.

Sunset Lanes strikes a balance between the charm of retro aesthetics and the convenience of modern technology. A stint of more than 40 years in the bowling business has helped Sunset Lanes become a recreational staple in the Beaverton community, even hosting a clutch of competitive bowling leagues. A collection of flat-screen televisions and an automated scoring system help keep the alley up to date, and the lanes include automatic bumpers that guests 12 and under can choose to raise or lower while they bowl. In between frames, the B-Town Bar & Grill reenergizes patrons with specialty cocktails and a menu of hearty comfort foods, which includes oven-roasted subs, Angus burgers, and salads with freshly baked croutons. The expansive space is highlighted by a neon mural that stretches across all 36 lanes and also houses an arcade.