Mid Willamette Valley Hidden Gems: A Local’s Best Things To Do List

Hidden gems in the Willamette Valley are plentiful. Whether you’re looking for a road trip to stop on I-5, planning a day trip from Portland, or you’re a Willamette Valley local looking to explore new places, this list of best things to do in the Mid-Willamette Valley will help.

I grew up in the Willamette Valley. Salem to be exact. Now Monmouth/Independence, just across the Willamette River, is our chosen home base (between digital nomad stints abroad). 

I consider mid-valley to be the area around Salem, Keizer, Albany, Corvallis, McMinnville, Silverton, and the rolling hills of Oregon wine country. You might also hear it called Central Willamette Valley. 

We share the green, fertile valley with Portland to the North as well as Eugene (home of U of O) to the South. Sitting between two mountain ranges, we’re just an hour from the Oregon Coast and two hours from the Central Oregon high desert.

You might also like: Oregon’s top road trip destinations >

Updated July 2022. Originally published: Summer 2021. 

Where to stay in Mid Willamette Valley

Looking for Willamette Valley hotels, Airbnbs, vacation rentals, or other accommodations? Check out:
– Best places to stay in Salem and Willamette Valley Wine country (articles)
– The Vintages Trailer Resort, Dayton
– Oregon Garden Resort, Silverton (our review here)
– Hotel Oregon, McMinnville
– The Independence A Trace Hotel, Independence

Best Things to Do in the Mid-Willamette Valley

Admittedly, this list is subjective. There are more hidden gems in the Willamette Valley but these are my own recommendations for day trips, outdoor adventures, places to eat, and things to do.

Best Willamette Valley day trips: 5 Towns to Visit

There are so many possibilities for day trips in the Willamette Valley. Let’s start with the best cities in Willamette Valley to visit, then we’ll cover other non-city places to go.

McMinnville Oregon

Once a finalist for America’s Best Main Street, McMinnville’s tree-lined streets and historic buildings give McMinnville its small town charm. In the heart of Oregon’s wine country and full of great restaurants and boutiques, this town is easily one of the best Willamette Valley destinations.

McMinnville highlights include: dining on Third Street, wine tasting, McMenamin’s Hotel Oregon, and the nearby Aviation and Space Museum.

Independence Oregon

Another historic and charming Main Street can be found in the riverside town of Independence. Next door to Monmouth, home of Western Oregon University, Independence is a beautiful spot to visit in the Willamette Valley.

Independence highlights include: annual 4th of July festivities, the riverside Independence Park, beautiful Inspiration Garden tucked away in a neighborhood, and lots of cute cafes to try.

Salem Oregon State Capitol

Salem is home to our state capitol. Once somewhat boring compared to Portland, Salem now has its own share of worthwhile restaurants and activities to explore. 

Salem highlights include: great parks, cafes, and farm stands, local shows at the Elsinore and Grand Theater, a vibrant Saturday Market, and of course the State Capitol building downtown.

Mount Angel Oregon

This tiny town amidst rolling hills is known for its Bavarian architecture and Benedictine monastery. The annual Oktoberfest is a common reason to visit but German heritage, food, and beer (brewed by the monks) can be enjoyed here year round.

Mount Angel highlights include: Oktoberfest, a 5-mile Heritage Trail loop, Mt. Angel Sausage Company shop, and the grounds of Mount Angel Abbey.

Silver Falls State Park Waterfall Hike

At the top of our list for Willamette Valley outdoor activities is definitely Silver Falls Sate Park.

Perhaps Oregon’s best kept secret, the park’s trail of ten waterfalls is the pinnacle of Oregon’s natural beauty. Not far is the charming little town of Silverton, home to the Oregon Gardens.

Willamette Valley Oregon Wine Country

Home to Oregon wine country, Willamette Valley wineries are known for world class pinot noirs. Fertile rolling hills make for scenic drives to vineyards scattered around McMinnville, Independence, Amity, and Newburg.

Among the best wineries in Willamette Valley is up-and-coming Andante Vineyard. The grapes, wine production, and tasting room are all on-site and just slightly off-the-beaten-path, near Baskett Slough.

In addition to classic Oregon wines, Andante’s Sauvignon Blanc is a rare but exceptional new addition to the valley. 

6 Best Willamette Valley outdoor activities

Floating the Willamette

A central feature to the valley is the Willamette River, which snakes its way through every major city – Eugene, Corvallis, Albany, Salem, all the way to Portland.

Kayaking, boating, and simply floating in inner tubes down the river are much-loved summer pastimes for locals. Be sure to check Oregon’s waterway rules before heading out.

For a short and simple route, enter the river with your tube at Independence Park near the amphitheater. You can exit further down the park at the second boat launch and walk back to the starting point on a paved path.

Saturday Markets

The lush, bountiful valley makes excellent produce from local farms. Salem’s Saturday Market is the largest, full of farm-fresh vegetables, baked goods, treats, art, crafts, plants, and food vendors.

Tiny Independence manages to have two little neighboring Saturday markets with a small but mighty selection of food and goods. 

Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeways

This area is popular among cyclists who can enjoy beautiful farmland, hops, and vineyards up close. The 134-mile scenic bikeway starts from Champoeg Park at the North, winds through Salem, and ends in the foothills of the Cascades just outside of Eugene. For those who wish to continue, you can catch a train from Eugene back to 

Flower Festivals and Farms
Just North of Salem, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm has made a name for itself with their annual Woodburn Tulip Festival. As the valley comes alive with blossoming flowers each Spring, visitors come to see the 40 acres of tulips, purchase gifts, and enjoy wine, beer, and food on site.

Nearby, Schreiner’s Gardens cultivates over 150 acres of irises and opens their park-like garden and gift shop for the festival in May. 

Adelman’s Peony Gardens, also just North of Salem, has 500 varieties on 25 acres. Their display showroom and gardens are available for visitors, with peak bloom around Memorial Day.

U-Pick Farms

One of our favorite ways to enjoy the Willamette Valley in summer is to take part in the harvest by purchasing fruit at local farm stands and doing some U-pick. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries, marionberries, and blackberries are all favorites around here.

Hiking in the Willamette Valley

There are plenty of gorgeous, green hiking trails in the mid-Willamette Valley for walking, running, and true hiking. We already mentioned Silver Falls State Park as the pinnacle for Oregon hikes.

Excellent lesser-known trails can be found at Basket Slough National Wildlife Refuge near Dallas, Peavy Arboretum near Adair Village, Chip Ross Park in Corvallis, hidden Croisan Creek and Skyline Trails in Salem, Walsh’s Landing in Keizer, and Mary’s Peak west of Corvallis, just to name a few.

Forge a Knife: A Unique Experience in Oregon

One of the most unique things to do and also one of the best Airbnb Experiences we have come across is a one day knife forging workshop in Falls City, Oregon. We found this when looking for a birthday gift for Jedd, who loves cooking and the show Forged in Fire. He loved it!

Instructor, Gordon, walks students through all the steps of making a basic knife in his backyard forge. The workshop lasts a minimum 9 hours. It’s open to beginners, with plenty of assistance from the teacher.

If you like learning something new and working with your hands, this is surely one of the most unique things to do in Oregon. It’s can be a great rainy day activity. Plus, you can make a whole weekend of it by booking their rustic tiny house Airbnb on the property!

Check rates and availability for Forging A Knife on Airbnb Experiences >

Best of Willamette Valley Food and Restaurants

For an amazing self-guided food tour, follow the Willamette Valley food trails to enjoy the area’s best wineries, brewers, farms, and other producers.

The Great Oaks food trail covers the area around Dallas to Independence. Here you can enjoy a scenic drive out to pick up fresh pies from Blue Raven and artisan chocolate truffles from the Brigittine Monks near Amity, for starters.

We’re less familiar with the Mid Willamette Valley food trail, featuring Albany and Corvallis areas, but can’t wait to explore it more in the future.

Broadway Coffee is one of our favorite cafes, located in Salem, with spacious indoor and outdoor seating, exceptional attention to coffee, and a delicious selection of local pastries. 

Minto Island Growers Farm Stand is a beautiful spot to enjoy a scenic farm-to-table lunch and milkshakes, pick up some produce for home, and do a little u-pick.

Just down the road is the freshly renovated Lively Station, a small market and cafe full of local food products.

On the North side of Salem, near Keizer, is the E.Z. Orchards Farm Market and Shortcake Stand.

The red barn farm stand sells a wide variety of local gifts, fresh seasonally flavored doughnuts, produce, and other treats. Next door you can order fresh berry milkshakes and shortcakes with a fun playground and outdoor seating area to enjoy summer days.

(E.Z. Orchards was a regular outing we did with my grandma well into her late 90’s!)

The historic Butteville Store by Champoeg State Park, is now owned by the Parks and Rec Department. It’s a unique spot for ice cream, snacks, a spot of history, and occasional live music in the evenings. It’s especially convenient if you’re camping at Champoeg campground or driving up I-5.

More hidden gem restaurants I would recommend in the area

– The Sassy Onion and Word of Mouth Bistro for hearty brunches in Salem
– Fork Forty Food Hall in downtown Salem
– Amadeus or Cozy Taberna for small plates in downtown Salem
– Soter Vineyards in Carlton, started by a Top Chef contestant
– Manna in South Salem for an island twist on sushi rolls
– Xicha Brewing for latin-inspired dishes and local brews in West Salem
– Thistle for nice sit-down Northwest cuisine in McMinnville
– Starduster Cafe for its unique breakfast setting at Independence Airport

Read our full review of best breakfasts in Salem and surrounding areas here.

Top 10 Best Known Attractions in Mid-Willamette Valley

Silver Falls State Park
Salem Capitol
Oregon Wine Country
Willamette River water sports
Woodburn Outlet Stores
Oregon Gardens and Resort
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
Oregon State and University of Oregon
Woodburn Tulip Festival

Top 10 Truly Off the Beaten Path Places to Visit in Willamette Valley

Inspiration Gardens in Independence
Andante Vineyard
Brigittine Monks Confectionary
Willamette Valley Bikeways
Great Oaks and Willamette Valley Food Trails
Minto Island Growers and Lively Station
Ma Mere’s Guesthouse B&B in Monmouth
Butteville Store

Best Places for Kids in the mid-Willamette Valley

Avery Park Locomotive in Corvallis
Keizer Rapids Park playground
Molalla Train Park
Salem Riverfront Park Carousel
Gilbert House Children’s Museum in Salem
Albany Historic Carousel
Enchanted Forest theme park south of Salem
E.Z. Orchards Shortcake Stand and playground

I hope our list helps you discover the best of Willamette Valley’s food and attractions. Let us know what are you favorite things to do in the mid-Willamette Valley in the comments below!

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