Story and photos by June Russell-Chamberlin (unless otherwise noted)
Craft Beverages, Farm-fresh Bounty and Outdoor Fun in Corvallis
With its embrace of the outdoors and the Willamette Valley’s bounty, Corvallis is a small college town that knows how to savor its natural gifts. Home to Oregon State University — well-known for its beer brewing and winemaking programs — it’s no surprise that Corvallis is also known for craft beverages, including India pale ales and stout beers, pinot noirs and chardonnays, cider, whiskey, vodka and specialty liquors. Farm-fresh ingredients elevate local dining, making it the perfect reward for a day spent hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fishing or bird watching in town and in the nearby hills.
Getting There & Getting Around
About 85 miles south of Portland on Interstate Highway 5 (or I-5 as the locals call it), Corvallis lies along the Willamette River, roughly at the midpoint of the Willamette Valley. To the west rises the Coast Range. Keep going west about 60 miles and you’ll arrive at Newport on the Oregon coast, which makes an easy day trip from Corvallis. The Cascade Mountains rise 60 miles to the east.
Visitors can fly into the Eugene Airport (EUG) about 45 miles south of Corvallis, or drive from the Portland International Airport (PDX). Several shuttle services run between Corvallis and the Portland airport, including the Hub Airport Shuttle, Bolt Bus and Groome Transportation. Amtrak also connects downtown Corvallis to downtown Portland. Once you’re in town, Pedal Corvallis is a city-wide bike share program that makes getting around easy. Lyft and Uber also offer flexible transportation.
Corvallis’ Agricultural History in the Willamette Valley
Corvallis’ agricultural roots run deep. In 1845 Joseph Avery made a land claim at the confluence of the Willamette River and Marys River, and today his name graces Avery Park along the river. Immigrants looking to farm soon followed, and in 1857 the town of Marysville was incorporated. This created confusion, however, with Marysville in California, because both towns were on the same stagecoach route. The Oregon town changed its name to Corvallis, a word meaning “heart of the valley” in Latin. As agricultural production of wheat, fruits and vegetables grew, so did the need for better transportation to markets in Portland. A rail line in 1880 provided the answer. The town was already known for Corvallis College, designated the state agricultural school in 1868. By 1900, the school boasted 400 students amid a town population of just 1,819. After several name changes, the school became Oregon State University in 1960 and remains Corvallis’ largest employer.
Stay in a Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn
Located just minutes from Oregon State University, Hanson Country Inn offers a bucolic oasis in the heart of Corvallis. Built in 1928 for J.A. Hanson, a poultry magnate who was inducted into the Oregon Poultry Hall of Fame in 1971, the historic home features original wood floors, chandeliers, doorknobs, wood accents and balusters as well as the original mantels for the four fireplaces.
Guests have their choice of three spacious rooms with private baths and sitting areas in the main house or one of the two cottages. A full gourmet breakfast with fruit, muffins, eggs and more is served every morning on an antique dining room table original to the house.
Things To Do in Corvallis, Oregon
Stop and Smell the Roses
Flower aficionados will find a fragrant refuge at the Corvallis Rose Garden at Avery Park. Velvety dark red climbers, delicate shell pink floribundas and sunset-hued hybrid teas are just a few of the 250 varieties abloom from May to October. The more than 1,200 individual bushes are clearly labeled and new varieties are added each year. A central kiosk and interactive map provide more information about each rose. Avery Park and the Rose Garden are open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Hike to Panoramic Views
Hike to the top of the highest mountain in the Oregon Coast Range and be back in town before lunch? You can at Mary’s Peak, just 25 miles from Corvallis in the Siuslaw National Forest. The 0.6-mile family-friendly hike to the 4,097-foot peak offers spectacular panoramic views stretching from the Willamette Valley to Mt. Rainier and the Pacific Ocean. Dogs are allowed on leash. National Forest Pass or day pass (available on site) required.
Taste the Bounty of the Willamette Valley
Sip, nosh and pet the friendly animals on a self-guided jaunt along the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail. Choose from more than 50 farms, ranches, wineries, distilleries, eateries, farmers’ markets and artisan producers to visit. Meet the sheep at Iron Works Ranch, pick fresh blueberries at Bryant Family Farm or enjoy a wine tasting at Lumos Wine Company. For a full list of food trail participants and suggested itineraries, download a brochure. Check the producer’s website or call ahead; many welcome visitors seasonally or on the weekends.
More Fun Things to Do in Corvallis
Watch birds and wildlife at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge. Birds, bobcats and bats are just a few of the more than 300 wild species that call the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge home. Grab your binoculars and stroll the trails for a glimpse of waterfowl in the winter, elk in autumn and songbirds in the spring. Click here for a trail map.
Hike or ride the berms and rollers at the OSU McDonald-Dunn Research Forest. Located just 10 miles from Corvallis, hikers and mountain bikers will find more than 30 miles of multi-use trails winding through the forest. Click here for a trail map.
Tour three local covered bridges. Indulge in the romantic nostalgia of historic covered bridges near Corvallis. Irish Bend Bridge near the OSU campus is along a popular bike route, while Harris Bridge and Hayden Bridge are farther afield on quiet country roads.
Wine taste your way through the countryside. More than 20 wineries welcome guests to their tasting rooms in the hills around Corvallis. Call ahead for hours; some are open seasonally.
Wander to a waterfall at Alsea Falls. Just steps from the parking lot, this 30-foot waterfall on the South Fork of the Alsea River is a lovely spot for cooling off in the river or enjoying a picnic. For more adventure, hike the trails along the river.
Get up close to raptors at the Chintimini Wildlife Center. Sign up for a Wild Encounter to meet an owl, falcon, hawk, or turkey vulture. Participants get a tour of the center and meet display birds, plus a photo opportunity.
Where to Eat in Corvallis
With the bounty of the Willamette Valley on their doorsteps, it’s no wonder Corvallis restaurants incorporate fresh, locally sourced ingredients in their menus. Start your day with coffee and breakfast at WiseCracks, a family-friendly local favorite serving a wide variety of breakfast choices, or the Dizzy Hen, which specializes in omelets, potatoes and more. New Morning Bakery, a spacious, no-frills restaurant serves breakfast basics — pancakes, eggs, sausage, French toast, biscuits and gravy — as well as pastries, pies, deli salads and more. Grab one of their wraps or sandwiches before heading out for a hike.
American Dream Pizza
Corvallis boasts several brewpubs serving burgers, sandwiches and other lunch and dinner choices. Two to try: Sky High Brewing (don’t miss the rooftop bar) and Block 15 Brewing Company. Castor Kitchen and Bar serves locally sourced favorites such as filet mignon and shrimp and grits. American Dream Pizza, made famous by a visit from Barack Obama in 2008, is well-known for its creative, mouth-watering pizzas. For fine farm-to-table dining, don’t miss Del Alma on the riverfront. The foodie favorite dishes up Latin American, Caribbean and Spanish flavors in an elegant setting.
Plan Your Weekend Getaway to Corvallis
Ramble through the countryside to farm stands and tasting rooms. Take a hike to panoramic views or stroll the fragrant paths of the Avery Park rose garden. Wherever your weekend adventure takes you, you’ll enjoy a weekend brimming with outdoor fun, farm-fresh food and craft beverages in Corvallis.
