Weekend Getaway to Albany, Oregon
Table of Contents
Story and photos by June Russell-Chamberlin (unless otherwise indicated)
Downtown Albany's Historic District
With its historical charms, plentiful farm-to-table restaurants and award-winning craft beverages — including beer, wine, artisan cider and distilleries — Albany, Oregon lives up to its moniker, “The Gem of the Willamette Valley.” Unique shops and foodie-favorite restaurants fill the historic buildings of downtown, just steps from riverside parks and the town’s pride and joy: the restored Historic Carousel. Work up a thirst shopping for antique treasures, touring Albany’s vintage architecture or strolling the paths beside the river. Then head to one of more than a dozen local tasting rooms and pubs. Albany offers history buffs and foodies alike plenty to savor on a weekend getaway.
Getting to Albany & Getting Around
About 70 miles south of Portland on Interstate Highway 5 (or I-5 as the locals call it), Albany lies near the juncture of the Willamette (pronounced will-AM-it) River and Calapooia (pronounced cal-uh-POO-yah) 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 Albany. The Cascade Mountains rise 60 miles to the east.
Visitors can fly into the Eugene Airport (EUG) about 45 miles south of Albany, or drive from the Portland International Airport (PDX). Several shuttle services run between Albany and the Portland airport, including the Hub Airport Shuttle, Bolt Bus and Groome Transportation. Amtrak also connects downtown Albany to downtown Portland. Once you’re here, having a car in Albany is helpful if you plan on exploring the nearby wineries and hiking trails, or enjoying a day trip to the mountains or coast. Lyft and Uber also offer flexible transportation.
Albany’s Pioneer Past
Thomas and Walter Monteith arrived in the Willamette Valley via the Oregon Trail in 1847. The enterprising brothers bought adjacent land claims on a wide, open prairie near the confluence of the Calapooia and Willamette Rivers. By 1849 they’d constructed a fine two-story frame house that straddled the two claims. With bedrooms on either end, the brothers met the requirement of sleeping on their land claims. They soon plotted a 60-acre townsite for the new city of Albany and opened a general store in the parlor. Today the house is a pioneer museum, showcasing Oregon life in the 1800s.
The town flourished, and in 1860 the California Stage Company began stopping in Albany on its daily run between Portland and Sacramento. The 710-mile route took six days and five hours to complete and was the longest in the nation. By 1875, water-powered industry and the railroad made Albany the commercial and transportation hub of the Willamette Valley.
Stay in a Historic Hotel
Vintage details plus light and bright communal spaces draw travelers to the 206 ½ Historic Hotel above the shops in downtown Albany. Once lodging for wives of GIs at Camp Adair during World War II, the boutique hotel today offers guests their choice of seven private bedrooms, each uniquely decorated. A spacious and fully equipped kitchen and a serene communal room overlooking Second Avenue encourage guests to connect. The two shared bathrooms feature soak-worthy clawfoot tubs with showers. Coffee shops, restaurants, boutique shops and the Historic Carousel are just steps away.
Things to Do in Albany
Ride the Historic Carousel
Lions, tigers and bears are just the beginning of the menagerie enchanting riders on the Historic Carousel in downtown Albany. In addition to the ordinary — such as horses, a cat, frog, giraffe, Swiss cow or buffalo — the carousel also hosts dragons, unicorns and other mythical creatures. Volunteers carve each animal from wood in the workshop downstairs, a process that takes hundreds of hours. Don’t miss a chance to visit the workshop and learn more about the history of carousels in the museum.
Take a Walking Historic Architecture Tour
Discover historic architecture on a self-guided tour or open house. Albany is home to four national historic districts that encompass the most varied collection of architectural styles in the state. With more than 700 historic buildings dating from the 1840s to the 1920s, Albany showcases styles from Queen Anne and Gothic Revival to Italianate and French Second Empire — all located within an area of approximately 100 square blocks. Pick up a copy of “Seems Like Old Times” for a handy guide to Albany’s history and self-guided tour routes, details on architectural styles, and more.
More Things to Do in Albany, Oregon
- Take flight at the Northwest Art and Air Festival. Hot air balloon rides are just the beginning at the festival. Get there early to watch the balloons inflate, then stay to enjoy the music and artists. Finish the day with the Night Glow as the luminous balloons light up the night.
- Watch for warblers and other feathered friends on the Willamette Birding Trail. The self-guided driving itinerary highlights birding hotspots including some just west of Albany.
- Boat or paddle the Willamette Water Trail. Once the domain of steamboats plying the river between Albany and Portland, today the Willamette River finds recreational paddlers and boaters navigating its waters and camping on its shores.
- Watch for wildlife at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, west of Albany. Bobcats, beavers, several endangered species and more call this 1,788-acre area home. Once part of Camp Adair, a former World War II U.S. military base, the area also features abandoned roads and buildings to explore.
- Stroll Talking Water Gardens. The 50-acre wetlands project is criss-crossed with paths that offer a glimpse of waterfowl, turtles, small mammals and other wildlife just minutes from downtown Albany.
- Seek treasures at the Albany Antique Mall in downtown Albany. History and antique aficionados will find items galore spread over more than 20,000 square feet. Browsers will find a wide selection of antique furniture, vintage clothing, jewelry, books, Depression glass, china, Fiesta ware, toys, artwork, and much more.
- Play “I Spy” at the Albany Regional Museum. Kids and adults alike can explore Albany’s history with the classic “I Spy” game. Visitors can explore exhibits ranging from a life-size kitchen dating to the 1920s, a train station and ticketmaster, all while playing the game. Ask for it at the front counter.
- Step back in time at the Monteith House. Learn what life was like for pioneers in the early days of Albany. Costumed interpreters provide tours and information on household chores and pioneer life.
Where to Eat and Drink in Albany, Oregon
From farm-to-table restaurants to casual brew pubs and fine dining, Albany offers a variety of outstanding restaurants to tempt hungry visitors. You’ll find the locals gathered for breakfast at Brick and Mortar Café (delicious twists on traditional breakfast fare and an espresso bar), Little Wuesten Café (German pastries, coffee and breakfasts), Pepper Tree Sausage House (breakfast burritos) and Roger’s Restaurant (classic American diner fare). Most of these eateries also offer lunch.
Other good bets for the midday meal include Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant for an authentic taste of Hungary; Calapooia Brewing for sandwiches, burgers and brews; First Burger for fresh, homemade burgers and hand-cut fries; and Pop’s Branding Iron for a classic American fare, from sandwiches to seafood.
Many of Albany’s restaurants make good use of the Willamette Valley’s bounty in their menus. A few to enjoy: Frankie’s (try the grass-fed, Oregon-raised rib-eye in garlic thyme butter), Sybaris Bistro (the menu reflects what’s fresh and in season) and Sweet Red Bistro and Wine Bar (don’t miss the indulgent cheese and charcuterie board and a wine tasting).
Plan Your Weekend Getaway to Albany
With its historic architecture, slower pace and abundant fresh and local dining, Albany makes for a relaxing small town weekend. Ride the carousel, stroll the trails, check out the local brewpubs and savor your time in Albany, Oregon’s “Gem of the Willamette Valley”.
June Russell-Chamberlin likes nothing better than to explore and photograph the gems and hidden corners of the Pacific Northwest and the world. When she’s not traveling, June can be found tucked into a good mystery novel, hiking in the Cascade Mountains or continuing her quest for the ultimate piece of pie. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her family and a very bossy cat.