Willamette Valley Trip Ideas

A FEW NOT-TO-MISS ATTRACTIONS

Albany Historic Carousel & Museum

Fifty-two different creatures create a wild menagerie in this lovely, oldfashioned carousel. Ranging from zebras and lions to unicorns and dragons, each animal was hand-carved and painted by devoted volunteers. The carousel delights visitors of all ages. Albany, AlbanyCarousel.com

Cascades Raptor Center

The center works to rehabilitate and release injured wildlife and birds of prey. Those that can’t be safely returned to the wild stay at the center. Meet resident eagles, hawks, falcons and owls, and learn about the wildlife that lives around us. Eugene, CascadesRaptorCenter.org

Chehalem Cultural Center

A fine-arts gallery, exhibition hall, several art studios and a ballroom are all housed in a historic building built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. With special events, exhibitions and classes, the center celebrates the arts, community, education, heritage and inclusion. Newberg, ChehalemCulturalCenter.org

Enchanted Forest

Classic fairy tales inspired the Enchanted Forest, a homemade theme park that marked its 50th anniversary in 2021. Visit a land filled with storybook characters like Humpty Dumpty, Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood, and smile at the DIY craftsmanship everywhere you wander in this family-focused park. Salem, EnchantedForest.com

Eugene Science Center

Explore exhibits about astronomy, water quality and nanotechnology with playful learning opportunities. Expand your understanding of the sky at the center’s state-of-the-art planetarium with thrilling, 360-degree views and various astronomy shows. Eugene, EugeneScienceCenter.org

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

Children who dream of navigating the open skies will be enthralled by this nationally acclaimed space, which houses a remarkable collection of aircraft and spacecraft — most notably, the original all-wood Spruce Goose. Exhibits illuminate aviation history, and the museum also houses an IMAX theater. McMinnville, EvergreenMuseum.org

Gilbert House Children’s Museum

Explore this quaint cluster of Victorianera homes turned children’s museum featuring a play farm; a vet clinic; an outdoor, three-story, Erector Set-style climbing structure (a nod to toy inventor A.C. Gilbert); and more. Salem, ACGilbert.org

Albany Historic Carousel & Museum

Linn County Covered Bridge Tour

Oregon’s covered bridges are a quaint echo of its pioneer past, and eight of these architectural beauties can be found in Linn County. Plan your selfguided tour by bike or by car along the quiet backroads, and enjoy photo ops with these charming relics of history. Albany, AlbanyVisitors.com/History/ Covered-Bridges

The Oregon Garden

This dazzling botanical garden rambles across 80 acres/32.4 hectares and includes more than 20 specialty gardens. The diverse beauty of the Pacific Northwest is on display with such unique installations as the Water Garden, the Northwest Garden, the Lewis and Clark Garden, and the Conifer Garden. Silverton, OregonGarden.org

Molalla Train Park

Railroad buffs adore this train-themed park. The collection includes several steam, diesel and gas engines, as well as miniature-scale model trains and 3,000 feet/914 meters of track. Visitors can also embark on free, short train rides. It’s open on Sundays and can be reserved for private parties, too. Molalla, PNLS.org

It was the Willamette Valley’s first pinot noir grapes that put the region on the map in the 1970s, and the resulting wine culture has kept it there. But there’s more to the valley than vineyards. The natural beauty of its mountains and rivers, along with a vibrant arts scene, offers visitors much more to explore.

McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway

Beautiful Byways

Back roads and byways of the Willamette Valley delight sightseers, shutterbugs and history buffs alike. Take a drive through history along the Linn County Covered Bridge Tour, where a cluster of five historic bridges are set against picturesque backdrops, especially colorful during fall foliage. Dramatic McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway climbs for 82 miles/132 kilometers through lava fields, alpine lakes and fir forests. The 34-mile/55-kilometer McKenzie River Scenic Byway follows the banks of that river east of Eugene, while the 72-mile/115-kilometer Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway winds from Corvallis to the Coast. The 60-mile/97-kilometer Aufderheide Scenic Byway hugs the crystalline waters of the Willamette and McKenzie rivers. Stop along the 55-mile/89-kilometer Silver Falls Tour Route for waterfall hikes and mountain views. The breathtaking Over the River and Through the Woods Scenic Byway charts you 60 miles/106 kilometers through the valley into the forests and rivers of the Cascade Mountains, including stops for fishing, swimming, hiking and seeing plenty of wildlife along the way.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY Two-Wheeled Touring

The spectacular single-track trails, scenic back roads and familyfriendly bike paths make the Willamette Valley a dream destination for cyclists. Oakridge harbors hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails for intermediate to advanced levels. Experienced riders bomb down the epic 25.4-mile/40.9-kilometer McKenzie River Trail. Road cyclists enjoy the mild 36-mile/58-kilometer Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway, which winds past six of the region’s historic covered bridges and includes the car-free Row River Trail. Riders can take on all or part of the moderate 134-mile/216-kilometer Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, and the difficult 38-mile/61-kilometer McKenzie Pass Scenic Bikeway challenges the most experienced. Hardy gravel riders grind out the challenging Wings, Wine and Wonder route, winding 54 miles/87 kilometers through farms and vineyards northwest of Salem. Just south in Falls City, Black Rock Mountain Bike Area is a top spot for cyclists to catch some air through a fern-covered forest. As you head southwest of Corvallis, Marys Peak and Alsea Falls Recreation Site are favorite mountain bike spots for cyclists in the know. Meanwhile, you can tour Silver Falls State Park via the 6-mile/10-kilometer Catamount Loop Trail, featuring exciting turns, berms and rock features. If you’re traveling without wheels, many local shops rent bikes.

Mountain biking in Oakridge

Four Seasons of Wine

World-famous for its pinot noir but also rich in pinot gris, chardonnay and riesling, Willamette Valley wine country offers an astonishing number of choices and an always friendly welcome. With more than 600 wineries to sample from, it’s lucky that the wine scene here is a year-round affair. Springtime brings mild weather and cherry blossoms, a fantastic time to explore the wineries’ new releases. Summertime’s warm days and nights are ideal for taking in patio views. Things get cozy in fall with harvest season and Thanksgiving specials, with wineries inviting visitors to snuggle up with blankets, heaters and fire pits on their outdoor patio spaces. Winter is known as cellar season, with intimate settings to sit, sip and get to know the winemakers. For ongoing events, visit WillametteValley.org.

Aspinwall’s Fruit Stand and Produce on the Great Oaks Food Trail

Willamette Valley Sip Trip

The north valley’s smaller highways and mellow back roads guide visitors on a charming tour of world-class wine experiences. Start by exploring the vineyards of Newberg, Dundee, Dayton, Carlton and McMinnville, where you can drill down into the Willamette Valley AVA’s distinct subregions, including Chehalem Mountains, Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton and McMinnville. Don’t miss the other libations along the way. You can sip your way down the Eugene Ale Trail, which includes hoppy stops at 28 craft breweries, including Good Food Award champ Ninkasi Better Living Room and World Beer Cup winner Oakshire Brewing. Corvallis unites all tasting traditions with hot spots including Block 15 Brewing, 4 Spirits Distillery and 2 Towns Ciderhouse, among many others. Find more thirst-quenching beverages along the Canby Farm Loop, the Molalla Farm Loop and Oregon Farm Loops, including Farmlandia and the South Clackamas, Marion and Yamhill farm loops.

Ninkasi Better Living Room Three Willamette Valley Food Trails

Rich volcanic soils and a steady diet of winter rainfall make way for some of the nation’s top crops. Visitors can enjoy a trio of self-guided food trails to share in the bounty. Along the Great Oaks Food Trail west of Salem, you’ll find family farms committed to sustainability and restoring the native white oak savanna. Stop into markets and eateries that highlight a treasure trove of local ingredients, including honeys, jams, cheeses and ciders. When it comes to farm-to-table restaurant experiences, the towns along the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail are some of the state’s best-kept secrets. May to October is the perfect time to collect (and devour) fresh produce, including blueberries, hazelnuts and pumpkins. The area surrounding Eugene is home to the South Willamette Valley Food Trail, a handy blueprint to the region’s family-friendly U-pick farms, craft breweries, artisan chocolates and more.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY HIKING

From thundering waterfalls to breathtaking panoramas, these trails are sure to delight all comers.

EASY Salt Creek Falls

It’s a short stroll from the parking lot to the waterfall observation point. Enjoy the view of the 286-foot/87-meter falls — the second-highest waterfall in Oregon. 23 miles/37 kilometers east of Oakridge

MODERATE Marys Peak

Choose from among several hikes here from the 2.4-mile/4-kilometer East Ridge Trail to the 6.4-mile/10-kilometer Northridge Trail. Marys Peak is the highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range. 16 miles/26 kilometers southwest of Philomath

CHALLENGING Trail of Ten Falls

This 7.5-mile/12-kilometer loop in Silver Falls State Park passes above, around and behind 10 stunning waterfalls. 23 miles/37 kilometers southeast of Salem

CAMPING

Choose camping spots with scenic river views, old-growth forests or lovely lakes.

FULL AMENITIES Sunnyside County Park

This park offers RV spots and tent camping along the Middle Fork arm of the South Santiam River. 8 miles/13 kilometers east of Sweet Home

RUSTIC House Rock Campground

Located at the confluence of Sheep Creek and South Santiam River in a stand of old-growth forest, this small campground offers access to day hiking and remnants of a historic wagon road. 28 miles/45 kilometers east of Sweet Home

BACKPACKING Scott Lake Campground

Twenty rustic tent sites hug the shore of this beautiful alpine lake with stunning views of the Three Sisters peaks in the distance. 18 miles/29 kilometers east of Belknap Springs

Central Valley History Tour

A quick jaunt off the interstate, the friendly towns of the central valley feel like a step back in time. The Salem area is home to 15 significant heritage sites including the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the Old Aurora Colony Museum and Willamette Heritage Center. In Albany, catch a movie at the restored historic Pix Theatre, and tour the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum to view a collection of hand-carved and painted magical creatures. In nearby Brownsville, a walking tour guides visitors to more than 30 historic sites from the feature film “Stand By Me.” The Linn County Historical Museum teaches a history lesson about the town’s early days as a pioneer settlement. At the Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site, check out a 150-year-old water-powered grain mill. In Lebanon, where the historic Santiam Wagon Road brought settlers from the 1860s to the 1930s, visitors come for the annual strawberry festival and rides on the antique Santiam Excursion Trains.

Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site

Woodburn

Willamette Valley Art Tour

The towns around the Willamette Valley reflect the region’s artistic spirit. Silverton, near Salem, boasts several murals celebrating the town’s history. More than 20 murals cover buildings around Corvallis, and Woodburn celebrates its history and diversity with colorful paintings. In preparation for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and World Athletics Championships Oregon22, Eugene installed new public art all over town. The 20x21 EUG Mural Project showcases the work of more than 20 international artists, including the arresting work of Eugene artist Ila Rose — a two-sided, 40-foot/12-meter painting of a woman with snake-adorned hair. Nearby Springfield offers a self-guided tour of more than 20 vibrant outdoor murals — including one that honors Springfield High School graduate and author Ken Kesey. Just south of Springfield, Cottage Grove immortalizes the likes of local child prodigy and nature writer Opal Whiteley, as well as 1920s movie star Buster Keaton, with murals of their own.