The Willamette Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I was born and raised in the Mid-Willamette Valley, so I am admittedly a little biased on this point, but this valley is so incredible it was included in the book, “1000 Places to See Before You Die.” The Willamette Valley takes up just a small portion of Oregon, but is packed with activities and sites to see. I highly recommend spending at least a few days exploring the valley, but if you’re pressed for time, here are the top 10 things to see and do in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.
1. Visit a Local Winery and/or Brewery
Oregon is famous for its wine and craft beers. The Willamette Valley’s perfect mix of climate, soil, and geography are one of the reason’s its wines are some of the best in the world. But even if you don’t imbibe, one of the highlights of visiting a winery is seeing the beautiful vineyards and discovering how unique each winery is.
Much like the wines and wineries of the Willamette Valley, the craft beers and breweries are something you must experience. Craft beer has become a huge part of the culture in the Willamette Valley and breweries are far from just another spot to drink a beer. As unique as the brews themselves, the breweries and brewpubs offer their own distinctive experiences, and usually some pretty amazing food.
Here are a few wineries and breweries I think you should visit:
Wineries:
Soter Vineyards – Carlton, Oregon
Adelsheim Vineyards – Newberg, Oregon
Willamette Valley Vineyards – Turner, Oregon
Argyle Winery – Dundee, Oregon
Breweries:
Benedictine Brewery – Mt Angel, Oregon
Gilgamesh Brewing – Salem, Oregon
Ninkasi Brewing – Eugene, Oregon
Block 15 Brewery & Tap Room – Corvallis, Oregon (There are two locations, one downtown and one just south of town. Make sure you visit the one south of town to do the brewery tour and enjoy the views!)
2. Kayak, Paddle Board or Hike at Clear Lake
Clear Lake is one of the most beautiful places in the entire state of Oregon. Its name comes from the crystal clear blue water that has trickled through the volcanic rocks surrounding the lake for thousands of years.
Located on the easternmost tip of Hwy 126 at the base of the Western Cascades, Clear Lake is a favorite recreation spot for locals and visitors. Activities here include hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and scuba diving — yes, scuba diving! Divers love Clear Lake because of the incredible visibility and the petrified forest submerged in the lake. Not a diver? Don’t worry! You can see the forest from above the water as well.
If you’re visiting and don’t have your own kayak, the Clear Lake Resort has canoes and kayaks you can rent. Make sure you take some time to hike the trail around the lake, as well. It’s worth it!
3. Go Floating Down the Willamette River
The Willamette Valley gets its name from the mighty Willamette River which flows for 187 miles down the center of the valley. One of the best ways to explore the Willamette River is to get on it!
Floating, for those of you who are not familiar with the term, is the act of sitting on an inner tube or other inflatable flotation device, and simply floating with the current down the river. Sitting comfortably with your backside in the cool water and your topside in the sun on a hot summer’s day admiring the flora and fauna of the river while you slowly float along is the perfect way to experience the Willamette.
There are several different sections of the Willamette you can float in just a few hours.
My favorite floats are:
- From Willamette Park in south Corvallis to downtown Corvallis, two to three-hours.
- From Hyatt Park (in between Corvallis and Albany) to Bryant Park in Albany, two to three-hours.
- From downtown Corvallis (behind the Old Spaghetti Factory to Bryant Park in Albany, five to six-hours.
- Buena Vista Park (eight miles south of Independence) to Riverview Park in Independence, two to three-hours.
Floating tips:
- Bring sunscreen.
- Bring a floating cooler filled with snacks and drinks.
- Get comfortable inner tubes. The ones with netted bottoms and headrests are the best!
- Bring ropes to tie inner tubes together.
- Wear or have a life jacket available.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses.
- Some people like to bring a waterproof speaker.
- Make sure the drivers of both cars have a way to keep their keys dry and accessible.
- Download a map (on Google or Apple Maps) ahead of time in case you don’t have service. This way you can see where you are and you won’t miss your turn off.
- Have fun!
4. Hike the Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park
No trip to the Willamette Valley, or to Oregon for that matter, would be complete without chasing down a waterfall. But, why chase one, when you can find ten on one trail!? The Trail of Ten Falls is located in Silver Falls State Park in Silverton, Oregon. The trail is a 7.2 mile moderate loop trail that takes you through beautiful forest and past, and in some cases behind, 10 breathtaking cascades.
For those who don’t have time, or don’t want to hike that far, there are options to do shorter sections ranging from 0.9 to 5.6 miles.
This trail is one of the most famous and most popular trails in Oregon. This means that it is also one of the most crowded so it’s best to come early and on a weekday if you can. The time of year has some effect on the crowds, it is definitely more crowded in the summer, but I’ve gone on a frozen Saturday in January and still had crowds to contend with. The good news is, no matter when you come, most visitors stick to the shortest loop trail, so once you’re past that you’ll have significantly fewer people to share the trail with.
No matter how far you decide to go, Silver Falls State Park is a must see!
There is a $5 day use fee to enter the park or you can purchase an annual Oregon State Parks Pass for $30.
5. Visit a Covered Bridge
Oregon is home to 50 historic covered bridges — the largest concentration in the west. And the Willamette Valley is a great place to experience the majority of these bridges.
Some bridges are still in use, and others have been decommissioned but are still accessible to visit and photograph. Taking a self-guided driving tour is a great way to see these historical beauties.
6. Ride a Carousel
The Willamette Valley is home to two incredible carousels: Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, and the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum. Each one is a unique work of art. All of the animals on both carousels are hand-carved and hand-painted, making them each a one of a kind.
Both carousels were crafted and are now run by volunteers, and are loved and enjoyed by all. Stepping into either carousel building is like stepping back in time. Make sure you leave a minute to visit one, or both, of these amazing carousels.
7. Spend a Day at the Enchanted Forest
The Enchanted Forest is an amusement park located in Turner, Oregon, just south of Salem on I-5. This old-timey park was build during the latter half of the 1960’s and open to the public in 1971. Since that time, it has become a staple in the summer amusement of every local resident.
The theme of the park is the nursery rhymes of Mother Goose. Inside you’ll find Humpty Dumpty sitting upon his wall; you’ll walk through the crooked man’s house; and you’ll even get to slide down the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe’s slide.
The park also includes music and theatrical shows (my personal favorite), a bobsled ride, and a log flume that rivals that of Splash Mountain. Oh, and you can’t leave without seeing the fountain show.
The Enchanted Forest is great for both kids and adults, and is definitely worth the stop.
8. Visit a Historic Downtown Area
Oregon, and the Willamette Valley in particular, is lucky to be home to so many preserved and revitalized historic downtowns. Thanks to Oregon’s main street revitalization grant, these adorable downtown areas are a great place to stroll, eat, and enjoy some bespoke craft shopping.
The historic downtowns you really shouldn’t miss include:
Albany – Eat at First Burger, grab a local brew at The Growler Garage, and check out a show at The Pix Theater.
Brownsville – Grab a bite at the Brownsville Saloon, then take a stroll down to the Calapooia River through Pioneer Park, and stop along the way to explore the Moyer House.
Corvallis – Try a gourmet taco at Taco Vino, stroll through dozens of artisan shops, enjoy a craft brew on the roof with a game of corn hole at Sky High Brewing, or catch a show at the Whiteside Theater.
Eugene – Visit the 5th Street Public Market for shopping and dining, and snag tickets to a broadway show or musical at the Hult Center.
Independence – Dine at Mangiare Italian Restaurant, explore Riverview Park, and shop dozens of local artisans.
Lebanon – Grab a sweet treat at Sugar Vibes or a burger at Bigfoot Grille, and be sure to check out the historic Kuhn Cinema.
McMinnville – Savor a sundae at Serendipity Ice Cream Parlor, grab a drink and explore at McMenamins Hotel Oregon.
9. Climb Mary’s Peak
The Willamette Valley is a beautiful and diverse place; why not get a birds eye view? At 4,097ft, the highest mountain in the coast range, the day-use area on the top of Marys Peak is the perfect place to see the whole valley at once. On clear days, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and to the Cascade Mountains across the valley in the east.
Marys Peak has been designated a Scenic Botanical Area, so not only are you getting great views, you’re also experiencing some of the best nature the Willamette Valley has to offer. Several trails loop up and around Marys Peak and there are choices for every skill level. If you’re strapped on time and can only do one hike, this is a great choice.
10. Take a Swim in a Local Swimming Hole
Oregon summers are beautiful — and can be surprisingly hot. Why not make like a local and take a swim in one of the many rivers or lakes on offer. Oregon’s waters stay pretty cool all year round, so on a hot summer day the cold water is a refreshing treat!
Some of the best, and most beautiful, places in the Willamette Valley to swim are:
Foster Reservoir – Foster, Oregon
Pioneer Park – Brownsville, Oregon
Fall Creek – Outside Eugene, Oregon
Diamond Lake – Outside Eugene, Oregon
Cascadia County Park – Cascadia, Oregon
North Fork Park – Lyons, Oregon
Detroit Lake – Detroit, Oregon
And so many more! Go exploring and find your own private oasis!
The Willamette Valley is such an amazing and diverse place, these activities are really just scratching the surface of what it has to offer. I highly recommend you spend at least a week exploring the peaks, waterways, and abundant hangouts the valley has to offer. Happy travels!
