In the heart of the Willamette Valley are Corvallis and Albany. The cities are separated by just 10 miles but showcase a wide variety of the region's charms.
Dive into local history in Albany, where covered bridges, museums, historical homes, and more tell the story of Albany's earliest days, cover its subsequent growth, and open up the city’s exciting present to visitors from all walks of life.
Corvallis, meanwhile, sits surrounded by farmland and at the foot of the Oregon Coast Range. That location means you’ll enjoy a full day of outdoor adventure—and can celebrate afterward over local craft beer and fresh meals crafted with seasonal ingredients.
Here’s a guide to making the most of your day trip to Corvallis and Albany.
More than 175 years after its founding, Albany provides visitors with plenty of ways to step back in time and get to know the city’s history.
The Monteith House Museum, housed in a building that dates back to 1849, shows what life was like for the community's early inhabitants. Nearby, the Albany Regional Museum collects photos, artifacts, memorabilia, and more to show off Albany's storied history. Albany's Historic Carousel and Museum, meanwhile, houses a 1909 carousel outfitted with dozens of hand-carved animals (including dogs, cats, zebras, lions, and even dragons). For a deeper dive into the region's history, check out this list of local museums from the Albany Visitors Association.
Outside of town, catch an up-close glimpse of Albany's history by touring a handful of scenic covered bridges. Some of the most notable historic structures include the Shimanek Bridge (painted red, rather than the traditional white) and Larwood Bridge (which spans Crabtree Creek and sits next to a water wheel that once provided electricity to local residents). Get the skinny with our driving guide to the covered bridges of Albany, with ideas for food, drinks, and attractions along the way.
Albany's greatest claim to historic fame, meanwhile, just might be its renowned architecture. The city features four national historic districts (home to a combined 800 historic buildings, some dating back to the 1840s). Learn more about taking a self-guided tour of Albany's historic districts—ranging from Oregon Trail-era homes to the second-oldest airport in the world.
Corvallis defies easy description. It’s a college town, where the Oregon State University Beavers are a community institution. But the city of 62,000 also sits surrounded by hundreds of family farms. The tallest peak in the Oregon Coast Range can be seen from all over town. And an energetic spirit pervades boutiques, museums, and creative eateries throughout a downtown core that’s teeming with public art.
Best of all: It’s easy to plan a car-free trip to Corvallis if you’re making a weekend out of it.
Get outdoors around Corvallis with a trip to Marys Peak, the tallest point in the Oregon Coast Range. In spring, summer, and fall, head to a viewpoint just below its summit—or hike to the 4,100-foot peak—for views that encompass the Pacific Ocean in the west and Cascade peaks to the east. For more outdoor inspiration, get your free copy of the Heart of the Valley Outdoor Recreation Map.
Hungry? Sample the flavors of the region at wineries, restaurants, working farms, and other fun stops in the pastures, ranches, and forests around Corvallis. Bring your appetite to the Corvallis countryside, which covers some of the top sites in the Oregon Coast Range foothills—and get to know the farms around Corvallis with our guide to wineries, nurseries, and other exciting stops. Right in town, you’ll find restaurants, markets, and even dive bars that celebrate locally crafted food and drink.
