Places to visit in Corvallis, OR.
The Oregon coast is full of beautiful spots, like the state park covered in driftwood and shells or the Willamette Valley Vineyards and Winery views.
So if you want to take a day trip out of town but don’t want to travel too far, consider taking a trip to Corvallis. Or if you’re more of a nature lover than a beachgoer, Corvallis offers plenty of that too.
A few ideas are given if you’re looking for a good weekend trip. Still, the main takeaway is that Corvallis is a perfect destination for anyone looking to relax, take in the scenery, and have plenty of fun along the way (no matter who you’re with).
Avery Park & Natural Area
Located on the banks of the Marys River in Corvallis, Avery Park & Natural Area is a 75-acre public park. It contains sports fields, a rose garden, a water feature, and more. This is a popular park for picnics and other events.
Avery Park and Natural Area boast a mile-long jogging and walking trail along the Marys River. It is also home to a variety of historical and natural features.
The Avery House Nature Center and a restored Georgia Pacific railroad locomotive are two of the highlights of this park.
Avery Park has five picnic shelters. The park also has a horseshoe pit and a compost demonstration area. Avery Park is a great place to spend a day and is located just 2 miles south of Philomath Boulevard on Highway 20/State 34.
Bruce Starker Arts Park
On Corvallis’s eastern outskirts, Bruce Starker Arts Park is a pleasant and inexpensive outing for residents and visitors alike.
The park features a small pond, an amphitheater-style shelter, a paved trail, and watercourses. In addition, a lighted ball field and a multimodal path also make for convenient walking or cycling trips.
In addition to the park, there are several nearby recreational attractions. The best part about the park is that the paved path leads directly to Sunset Park, leading to many other attractions.
For instance, the park is a short walk from the Corvallis Transit System bus stop, a handful of playgrounds, and some lighted ball fields. Aside from these, the park also hosts several community garden plots.
Riverfront Commemorative Park
Located along the Willamette River in Corvallis, Oregon, Riverfront Commemorative Park is a beautiful urban park. It has 350 ornamental trees, a water feature, and decorative sculptures. This urban park is also a favorite for community events like the spring/summer Farmer’s Market.
The Willamette River is a vital component of the city of Corvallis. The park is accessible from most downtown locations. You can bike, run, or walk your dog through the park.
You can also enjoy a picnic in the park. You can also check out the Splash Fountain during the summer, open from 11 am to 7 pm.
The park also features a skate park and a picnic area. You can rent a pavilion or sit down and watch the river. The park is located near many cafes and brew pubs. There are also several galleries and a variety of stores located nearby.
Crystal Lake Sports Fields
The Crystal Lake Sports Fields is located on the southeast side of town. The field is part of the larger Crystal Lake Sports Complex. The complex is home to some of Corvallis’ most impressive sports facilities.
The complex is a collaboration between the city and the Crystal Lake Soccer Federation and boasts nine baseball and soccer fields, an 8-lane multi-purpose track, and a large bocce court. The city and athletics departments manage the complex and are publicly available for a nominal fee.
The complex is surrounded by the city’s most significant green space, Kendall Farms Natural Area, and the oh-so-nice Kendall Farms Nature Center. The complex is an excellent way to spend some time in the sun and is a must-visit for visitors to the Oregon college town.
Philomath Museum – Benton County Historical Society
Located in the 1867 Philomath College building, the Philomath Museum is owned and operated by the Benton County Historical Society. This institution offers educational programming for all ages. It also hosts special initiatives for K-12 grade students. In addition, it has a gallery of contemporary art.
The Philomath College building is a National Historic Register property. Citizens of Philomath and Corvallis, Oregon, rallied for the preservation of this building. In response, Benton County Historical Society saved the building and opened it to the public in 1980 as a museum and research library.
The museum has rotating exhibits of over 100,000 artifacts. In addition, it features temporary exhibitions on regional history. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday.
Best Simple Things to Do in Corvallis, Oregon
Places to visit in Corvallis, OR:
- Avery Park Natural Area
- Bruce Starker Arts Park
- Riverfront Commemorative Park
- Crystal Lake Sports Fields
- Philomath Museum – Benton County Historical Society