Heading to the coast from the I-5? Build a little extra time into your trip and swing west on Highway 34, which runs right through the center of Corvallis, a small city with a big welcome mat.
Boasting the conveniences of a larger city - think great public transportation, lots of options for an overnight stay, and a walkable downtown- combined with a relaxed, comfortable family-friendly vibe for visitors of all ages, Corvallis is the perfect pit stop for an afternoon to stretch your legs - or better yet - for an overnight.
Greenhouse Coffee & Plants, Corvallis, OR
Explore Corvallis with Scavenger Hunt Corvallis, a self-directed, go-any-time, walking scavenger hunt that invites you to explore the core of downtown Corvallis, learn a little bit about Corvallis’s past, and see some of Corvallis’s mural art up close.
Pro tip: Give yourselves a couple of hours - with 30 different items to find, and many historical markers to see, you’ll want time to read and wander as you work through the clues.
Want a guide to take you around? Another great option for exploring Corvallis is a guided walking tour with Engage Corvallis. Check out their current calendar of scheduled tours, book a private tour tailored to your interests, or sign up for their free public tour that shares stories from Corvallis’s past while exploring its present.
After exploring downtown, drop into Sky High Brewing on NW Jackson and head up to the rooftop bar for a drink with a view. Take in the panoramic view of the city and the coast range while you enjoy one of the many local beers on tap or distilled spirits on offer.
If you’re passing through on Wednesday or Saturday morning between April and November, head to Riverfront Park on 1st Street for a stroll through the Corvallis Farmers Market, one of the finest in the state. You’ll find a wide variety of seasonal vegetables, fruits, nuts, and meats - along with ready-made pastries, breads, and cheeses. The farmers market offers an array of made-to-order options for breakfast or lunch - or an anytime snack. Looking for something specific? Check out this handy list of Corvallis farmers market vendors.
During the off-season, from November to April, you’ll need to venture out of downtown to the Benton County Fairgrounds, where the farmers market is held indoors. All the same great stuff just out of the winter weather.
Spent the day? Spend the night at one of Corvallis’s downtown hotels. For a riverfront view, stay at the newly renovated options are the Holiday Inn Express Corvallis, just down the road from Riverfront Park, or the Courtyard by Marriott Corvallis at the other end of 1st Street, where you can take in the sweeping river views from the balcony. If you’re looking for funky and fun, the recently remodeled (and rebranded!) Hotel Corvallis has a cool mid-century modern vibe right in the heart of downtown Corvallis and is just a short walk to the OSU campus and all downtown locations.
Check into your hotel, then take your pick of Corvallis’s underrated eating establishments - all walkable from downtown. Want something posh? Del Alma, on 1st Street, will fit the bill. For something more relaxed, you can head to Block 15 offering an extensive list of locally brewed beer - or check out Castor Kitchen and Bar, which focuses on local and seasonal fare.
Corvallis is so much more than Oregon State sports, but if you like a good game now and then, the Oregon State University campus, Reser Stadium, Gill Coliseum, and Goss Stadium are just a hop and a skip from downtown Corvallis. So whatever the time of year, game’s on!
Local theatre is another great option for evening entertainment. Check the calendar for the Majestic Theatre and the Whiteside or Darkside theaters, all located in the heart of downtown Corvallis. The Majestic hosts live performances of all kinds, while the Whiteside offers screenings of adored movie classics.
In the morning, head over to 3rd Street and grab a table at WiseCracks Cafe. You might have to wait a bit - it’s just that good. You might not need lunch after indulging in one of their hearty breakfast options.
If coffee is more your style, check out Greenhouse Coffee & Plants on Monroe between 3rd and 4th Street. Is it a coffee shop that sells plants? Or a garden center that sells coffee? You choose, it's the best of both worlds.
Bald Hill Natural Area, Corvallis, OR (by Jake Simmons)
Take a short ride to one of the many hiking and biking trails in and around Corvallis. Just north on Highway 99W is Peavy Arboretum or the Calloway Creek trail. Both offer well-marked trails for hikers of all abilities.
Adjacent to the Benton County Fairgrounds, the Bald Hill Natural Area offers a paved bike/hike path and a nice walkable loop that takes you back to where you started. Or head south of town for a drive through Finley Wildlife Refuge. Keep an eye out as you drive through for some of the many species of birds that call the refuge home.
If you’d rather stick to public transportation, head to the Jackson-Frazier Wetland on the number 4 bus from the downtown transit station, located at 5th Street and Monroe Ave. Get off at the Conifer and Canterbury stop (15 minutes). Walk west a little way and then head north on Lancaster Street to the delightful boardwalk at Jackson Frazier Wetland. It’s a raised wooden loop through the wetland. On your walk, look for some of the many birds and waterfowl that call the wetlands home.
Whether you’ve got a couple of hours or a couple of days, there is so much to explore in the quintessential mid-valley city of Corvallis. So during your next getaway hop off I-5 and make Corvallis your fun stopover before heading to the coast.
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