If I’m sincere, Corvallis was by no means on a “should go to” record of mine. However 2020 is stuffed with twists and turns, and so there we had been in Corvallis close to the tip of September. Regardless of some uncooperative climate on our first day, we obtained to find and luxuriate in a number of the finest issues to do in Corvallis.
Because it seems, there’s far more to Corvallis than simply Oregon State College. In actual fact, we didn’t even drive by OSU till we had been on our approach out of city.
As an alternative, we centered our time in Corvallis on hikes, brews, and wineries. Right here’s a two-day Corvallis itinerary that balances entering into the nice outside with indulging in some artifical pleasures. Nearly all choices are dog-friendly or could be made so!
Day 1 in Corvallis
Considered one of my favourite methods to discover a brand new metropolis is to only stroll it. And there’s no higher or extra scrumptious place to stroll by means of than a farmer’s market.
The Corvallis Farmers’ Market goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays April-November (plus a smaller market on Wednesdays). There are many produce distributors (we obtained such scrumptious figs!), in addition to artisans, meat and fish kiosks, and meals carts — good for a grazing breakfast.
And it’s dog-friendly! This can be a large deal as a result of so many farmers’ markets (together with these in Bend) aren’t.
Proceed your exploration of the remainder of downtown Corvallis through one in all my different favourite actions: doing an artwork crawl.
As with Portland and its road artwork scene, Corvallis has tons of public artwork throughout numerous mediums, like these beautiful murals. (Try this map of all of the murals on the town.)
Have an extended lunch at Block 15 Brewing
When you’re able to relaxation your toes, head over to one in all Corvallis’ hometown breweries: Block 15. They craft a ton of various beers, together with a number of the finest themed and seasonal beers we’ve had (like a fermented ale with peaches!).
In addition to brewing nice beer, Block 15 can also be energetic in the neighborhood. Earlier this yr, they created Black is Lovely, a blackberry-infused Imperial Stout, and are donating 100% of the proceeds of that beer to the native NAACP.
The meals at Block 15 can also be actually good. I’m not sometimes a salad individual once I’m consuming out, however Block 15’s 185-Mile Salad appeared too good to move up.
And it didn’t disappoint.
The aged gouda, craisins, and hazelnuts on the mattress of blended greens — all sourced from native Oregon producers — had been so well-balanced. I additionally added their smoked BBQ rooster, which was so flavorful and introduced all of the scrumptious elements of the salad out a hundredfold.
Hike Marys Peak
When you’ve sobered up (or go get sober by strolling by the Willamette River), get within the automobile and drive to Marys Peak, the best peak of the Oregon Coast Vary.
Whereas it’s not tremendous excessive up at 4,101 ft, it may be significantly colder than Corvallis, which is sort of at sea stage, so bundle up earlier than you go as much as the day use space. Marys Peak is a part of Siuslaw Nationwide Forest, so you possibly can both use your Nationwide Parks move or pay a $5 parking payment.
From the parking zone, you possibly can both take a extra scenic grime path (Summit Loop) or stroll up a shorter, paved street. So far as I’m involved, the primary choice is the one choice — who involves the mountains to stroll a paved street?
When you rise up to the summit, go counterclockwise and benefit from the 360° views. Marys Peak is a neighborhood favourite for a fast weekend hike, and it’s not exhausting to see why!
As you stroll across the total peak, you’ll see meadows and forests, waters and cities. On a transparent day, you possibly can see lots of Oregon’s highest mountains in addition to the Pacific Ocean.
There are longer hikes at Marys Peak as effectively if you happen to’ve obtained extra time — and perhaps a pup that’s older than 12 weeks. One choice that appeared attention-grabbing to us for when Kokomo is older is the North Ridge Path, which provides 4.4 miles every approach and an elevation distinction of just about 2000 toes.
Have a shocking Korean meal
In your approach residence, cease at Younger’s Nation Kitchen for dinner.
We encountered Younger’s Nation Kitchen by chance. It was pitch darkish and I believed I used to be hallucinating after a extremely lengthy day once I noticed neon lights flashing Korean in conjunction with the street.
I checked out my companion and stated, “No approach, they have to imply nation kitchen like rooster and dumplings or one thing.” However nope, there it was, on the outskirts of Corvallis, a meals truck serving up genuine Korean meals.
Along with Korean classics like bibimbap and japchae, Younger’s Nation Kitchen additionally serves some Chinese language and Japanese dishes. The meals was scrumptious and spot-on — the bibimbap even had gosari!
Day 2 in Corvallis
They name it Sunday Funday for season. Swap out these climbing boots for some informal sneakers and hit up the Willamette Valley wineries close by.
Willamette Valley, aka Oregon Wine Nation, goes roughly from Portland within the north all the way in which all the way down to Eugene within the south. It’s recognized for its pinot noir, so we had been tremendous excited because it’s one in all our favourite varietals. (We particularly just like the pinot noir from Scribe, one in all our favourite Sonoma wineries.)
A lot of the wineries close to Corvallis are literally positioned in close by Philomath, however they typically don’t open till 11 a.m., so take your Sunday morning sluggish.
After breakfast, drive simply outdoors city to Fitton Inexperienced. This 308-acre county park is standard with native joggers however isn’t a preferred vacationer vacation spot, making it good for a spot for a calming stroll.
Comply with the primary path, and also you’ll be handled to beautiful views emblematic of the Pacific Northwest. On a transparent day, you may also see components of Corvallis and Philomath from Fitton Inexperienced.
A lunch match for day ingesting
After your simple morning hike, roll up your sleeves for some scrumptious barbeque from Eats & Treats. After one in all their many delicious meat-and-sides plates, you’ll be a lot able to drink the afternoon away.
Eats & Treats is a devoted gluten-free restaurant, making it an ideal eating choice for anybody who’s celiac, gluten-free, or gluten-intolerant. However their BBQ actually doesn’t undergo a bit due to this distinction.
P.S. Don’t neglect to take a look at their desserts show — the s’mores sandwich was so wealthy and decadent.
(Observe: I don’t suppose Eats & Treats is technically dog-friendly — we obtained takeout — however there’s no purpose you possibly can’t seize the meals and luxuriate in a picnic within the park.)
Wine down in Willamette Valley
Then it’s time to go ingesting.
The primary vineyard we hit up was Lumos Vineyard, which has essentially the most beautiful views from its deck. I imply, are you able to get extra idyllic than ingesting wine and nibbling on cheese whereas sitting in Adirondack chairs and having fun with this view?
The solar was out in full power for us, making it essentially the most wonderful autumn wine tasting day. We had each the white and crimson tasting flights, with a desire for his or her whites.
There was loads of area at Lumos Vineyard to socially distance from others, with extra picnic tables obtainable across the grounds of the vineyard.
We additionally hit up Cardwell Hill Cellars, which is simply down the street from Lumos.
The setup right here is far less complicated, simply picnic tables on the greens subsequent to the winery. Cardwell Hill doesn’t have set flights, so we began off with their “select your individual tastings” earlier than deciding to only get glasses of pinot noir.
Each Lumos and Cardwell Hill are tremendous laidback, so you possibly can take your time having fun with your wine. No timed reservations like some locations in Napa or Sonoma.
If you wish to go to extra dog-friendly wineries or produce other particular issues, try this searchable listing from the Oregon Wine Board.
Sit again, chill out, and drink the Sunday scaries away!
The place to remain in Corvallis
Corvallis is likely to be Oregon’s tenth largest metropolis by inhabitants, but it surely actually isn’t all that massive at roughly 60,000 individuals.
There are a handful of motels of the backyard selection, however you’ll discover far more choices if you happen to have a look at Airbnbs and VRBOs within the surrounding space.
We really select to remain in Philomath as a result of it was nearer to the issues we most wished to do — aka extra nature and wine than metropolis — and since there have been extra reasonably priced dog-friendly choices there.
And in doing so, we discovered this gem of a darling Airbnb. Babette’s an artist who fills this spacious 3-bedroom Airbnb with artwork that she makes or collects.
Out on the deck, there are a number of hammocks overlooking an enormous and well-landscaped backyard. We cherished the serenity of the woods and loved studying and sipping our morning coffees within the hammocks, whereas Kokomo had a blast exploring the backyard.
The place can also be tremendous reasonably priced in comparison with close by choices. We simply had the 2 of us plus Kokomo, however the place would’ve match 8 individuals. Undoubtedly a fantastic choice if you happen to like being away from the crowds.