Corvallis is located right between I-5 and the Coast Range, making it the perfect spot to stop on your way to the gorgeous Oregon Coast. Plan a stop in Corvallis and enjoy the chance to stretch your legs and get lunch before you head out to see the ocean and enjoy the coast.
The Arts Center opened in 1963 inside the beautiful Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, which is a striking historic building of the Carpenter Gothic style, built in 1889 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Arts Center is a community hub for Corvallis. They provide art classes and camps (with a particular focus on reaching at-risk youth), outreach and educational services related to the arts, and put on arts events through the year. The Arts Center also features a rotating selection of contemporary art exhibits in their Main Gallery and the Corrine Woodman Gallery. When you're done browsing the artwork, you can stop in the ArtShop and pick up a few gifts. The ArtShop offers fine arts and crafts created by local artists.
Koriander, located only a few short blocks from the Arts Center, began twenty years ago in a home kitchen with a mom cooking delicious meals for her family, and bloomed into a lovely little cafe. This classy, modern cafe is an excellent spot to relax and offers Asian-fusion cuisine, featuring entrees inspired by favorite Korean dishes like bulgogi and bibimbap, with Thai and Japanese flavors. Their Bulgogi Beef Bowl or Salmon Katsu Bowl make for a fantastic, filling lunch full of savory flavors, and you can top off your meal with Italian gelato made fresh in the restaurant. The blackberry gelato or lemon ice sorbet are perfect ways to finish lunch.
Once you've finished your lunch, it's easy to get back on your way to the Oregon Coast. From Koriander, just head around the corner on Madison Avenue to 4th Street and continue south, then veer right to enter the Corvallis-Newport Highway, which will take you through Philomath and to a choice between HW20 or HW34. Both routes will take you to the coast, and both are lovely drives. The Corvallis-Newport Highway (HW20) is the faster drive, but if you have a little extra time, we recommend taking HW34, also known as the Marys Peak to Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. There's some excellent sightseeing opportunities and pit stops on this beautiful drive.
Koriander offers authentic, homestyle Asian food, serving dishes inspired by traditional Korean meals such as bulgogi, bibimbap and kimchi stew, but also including Thai and Japanese flavors. Entrees are accompanied by an assortment of traditional Korean "ban-chan," or side dishes, and after dinner you can enjoy freshly-made gelato and fruit sorbets.
Koriander, located at 215 SW 3rd Street in Corvallis, is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Learn more at www.KorianderRestaurant.com.
The Arts Center features contemporary arts exhibits in an historic Carpenter Gothic church built in 1889. Exhibitions showcase regionally-known professionals, as well as veteran and emerging artists living in Linn and Benton counties. Fine arts and crafts from local artisans may be purchased from the entrance lobby ArtShop, a lovely little gift store at the front of the building.
The Arts Center, located at 700 SW Madison Avenue in Corvallis, is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Learn more at TheArtsCenter.net.
Featured Photo: The Arts Center's main gallery, by Reed Lane Photography. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
