You’re heading to Oregon and already figured out the best wineries in Willamette Valley. But how much can you really drink…especially if you have kids in tow? That’s where this guide on the best things to do in Oregon wine country comes in.
You all know I love wine. Like a lot. And as a result I typically jam pack as many winery visits as I can when visiting one of the Pacific Northwest wine regions. But I also love discovering the best things to do in Oregon besides drinking.
So let me share with you what I found. Here’s the best things to do in Willamette Valley…heck, actually some of the top things to do in Oregon overall.
Best Things to Do in Oregon Wine Country
Don’t feel like putting all this together into an itinerary? Hire me as your personal travel planner and let me do all the work!
Go horseback riding at Century Farm
Town: Scio, OR | Best for: Horse lovers of all ages
I think horseback riding is one of the best things to do in Oregon because you can do it to visit wineries or between wine tasting. If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic horseback riding experience, try Century Farm Equestrian Center. It’s a farm and trail oasis owned by five generations of the Peery family.
Here’s what to expect. After getting a quick lesson in proper riding techniques, you’ll be taken along trails on the farm to their base camp where you’ll find a teepee tent, tables, and a mini kitchen where BBQs and treats are known to be served.
In fact, when I went here Mrs. Peery handpicked blackberries and made a divine homemade pie for my trip! With ice cream! It was a welcome treat after the leisurely stroll through the forest as we learned about how Mr. Peery came to own the historic farmlands. Anytime that includes homemade treats definitely tops my list of the best things to do in Oregon!
Visit Swan Island Dahlia Farm
Town: Canby, OR | Best for: Flower eye candy and gardening inspiration
Oregon is full of flower farms, so one of the best things to do in Willamette Valley is visit one. Swan Island Dahlia Farm is the largest supplier of dahlias in the US. And for good reason. One step on their farm and you’ll see rows upon rows of different dahlia breeds. I didn’t even know there were that many different types of dahlias! And Swan Island is forever increasing the number by playing around and creating new breeds that you can gawk at in their “test fields”.
One of the interesting things about Swan Island is that you don’t have to just take home cut dahlias that are likely to die within the week. Rather, you can take note of your favorite species while exploring the grounds and then have them ship them to your home for planting. I love how you can get a sense of what you’re planting beforehand so you can make sure your home garden is filled with plants you love. Once we are ready to redo our landscaping, I’m definitely going to be exploring this option!
Go antique shopping
Town: Aurora, OR | Best for: Antique lovers like me
I’m obsessed with finding the best Seattle antique stores. When I travel, I’m all about finding the best antique stores in that location.
Luckily, shopping is one of the best things to do in Oregon thanks to its community of artisans and makers. And the Willamette Valley is home to one of the best antique shopping districts according to the travel channel. So obviously, I had to visit.
There are a lot of antique shops along the main drag of Aurora, Oregon. Some of my favorites were Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage and Blackbird Granary. Aurora Mills is a big, restored mill that has a ton of salvaged materials and antiques lining two floors. It leans toward the industrial, farmhouse aesthetic, and is a great place to pick up a lot of matching items like door pulls or keys.
Blackbird Granary is a restore grain house that’s just outside of Aurora in Mount Angel, Oregon. When I stayed at one of the most unique hotels in Oregon, The McClaine House, the owner said this places was one of the best things to do in Oregon. Boy was I happy she did. It was 2 big rooms that had vintage finds from a few different vendors. We ended up buying a vintage lamp for $20, a steal considering they usually sell for close to $150-250 at most antique stores!
Go on a hot air balloon ride
Town: Newberg, OR | Best for: Those looking to experience wine country from above
You might remember that I went on a hot air balloon ride at the Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival in Washington. That introduced me to the absolute magicalness of hot air balloons. They’re just so. damn. majestic. So when I was thinking about the best things to do in Oregon wine country, I knew a hot air balloon ride would be one of them.
During my ladies weekend glamping in Oregon with four other bloggers, I had the opportunity to go on a hot air balloon ride with Vista Balloon Adventures based out of Newberg. It was a totally different experience than my last hot air balloon ride, mainly because it was during the fall and not in the dead of winter (a.k.a. I wasn’t crying because I was cold).
If you haven’t been on a hot air balloon ride, here are some things to know:
You aren’t guaranteed a flight.
Flying is highly dependent on the weather. The first time I tried to go up in a hot air balloon ride, it snowed and thus was canceled. Luckily we had perfect weather during our trip to Willamette Valley, but know this might not be the case for your trip. However, all of the balloon companies give a refund if you can’t go up.
Flight times are typically at the ass crack of dawn.
You can sometimes take a sunset hot air balloon ride, but most flights are at dawn. Depending on the time of year you go, that can be as early as 5:30 am. You can sleep when you’re dead!
There’s an opportunity to help with setup and breakdown.
Part of the process of going on a hot air balloon ride is watching them blow up the balloons. There is nothing more magical than seeing the grandeur of a hot air balloon inflate before your very eyes. The staff will likely ask you to help, both during setup and breakdown. It’s not required, but sure appreciated!
You’re typically in the air for an hour.
Balloon companies typically tell you to allot 3 hours for your adventure. However, only about 60 minutes of this is in the air once you count setup and breakdown. Some include a champagne breakfast afterward, similar to the one we did with Vista Balloon.
There’s no need to be scared!
I was surprised the first time I went on a hot air balloon ride how smooth the ride was. Both times there was no turbulence, no harsh landings, just gliding through the air peacefully. The first time I went on a ride in Winthrop we even bounced off a river without anything but a little shake. These pilots are professionals and know how to keep it safe.
You won’t be able to fly if you’re pregnant.
Knowing how peaceful flights tend to be, I was surprised that one of the ladies on our trip wasn’t allowed to fly because she was pregnant. So if someone in your group is pregnant or you’re expecting, plan for after the baby is born!
Take a self-guided mural tour of Silverton
Best for: An art and history lesson among quaint shops and cafes
I visit Silverton during my last trip to Willamette Valley and absolutely fell in love. It’s a button of a town with cute antique shops and cafes. It doesn’t take a lot of time to explore and is worth a stop alone for the shopping.
However, what makes it one of the best things to do in Willamette Valley is the fact that it also has a ton of murals. I’m talking more than 20. This is seriously impressive for a downtown that is less than 1/2 square mile!
The Silverton Chamber of Commerce put together a map of the murals so you can explore them at your leisure. This mural was my favorite:
It’s called the Adventures of Bobbie, and outlines the story of the collie that got separated from its Silverton-based family while traveling in Indiana. What did it do? Walked all the way back home to Silverton.
Explore Eugene, Oregon
Best for: Shopping, eating, and its farmers market
The Willamette Valley extends all the way from just outside Portland to 2 hours south near Eugene. Most people stop only an hour outside of Portland, but real wine-o’s know that some of the best wineries in Willamette Valley are further away from the tourists.
So if you find yourself in southern Willamette Valley (which I highly encourage), one of the best things to do in Oregon wine country is stop in Eugene. They have a ton of tasting rooms (both beer and wine!), many of which are in the awesome 5th Street Public Market alongside local restaurants and shops. Plus Eugene has a quaint downtown area where you can go shopping.
Another one of the best things to do in Oregon besides drink wine is visiting the Saturday Farmers Market between April and November. It rivals some of the best Seattle farmers markets with 2 city blocks of farmers, artisans, and food vendors. Plus you can stay at boutique hotels in Eugene, Oregon right next to it and drop your market purchases off between sightseeing.
Take a hike
Towns: Various | Best for: Those looking to get some exercise
Hiking in Oregon is sort of a big deal.
I mean, it’s part of the Pacific Northwest after all. So it’d be a mistake not to tell you that one of the best things to do in Oregon is go hiking!
There are a ton of trails in Oregon, but two of the best hikes in Oregon for beginners are Silver Falls State Park and Spencer Butte.
I’ve been to Silver Falls State Park twice, once on my own and once during my trip with other bloggers. The first time it was on a rainy day in February, the second on a on-and-off-again-rainy day in September. Both were good times to go.
During the summer and fall months, the trail can be a bit more crowded since it’s a fairly easy hike for all skill levels. There are a few different trails you can take, but the one I did both times was the 2.6-mile Maple Ridge Loop.
When you start the hike, if you take a left you’ll see the top of the South Falls pretty quickly. From there you’ll descend and be able to go in the caves behind 177-foot falls. If you take the full loop, you’ll also pass the Lower South Falls.
While you might have to wait for people to get out of the way, this trail has some epic photo opportunities. There are a ton of nooks and crannies that you can sneak into to get a different perspective, such as this photo we took after ducking under a “do not swim” sign.
This trail is near Silverton about 20 miles southeast of the state capital, Salem. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Willamette Valley because of its proximity to wineries.
Another great hike is Spencer Butte in Eugene, Oregon.
It’s shorter, at just 1.7 miles, but it’s steeper and can be more difficult for some. However, I’d still categorize this as a good Oregon hike for beginners.
Like Silver Falls State Park, this is another top thing to do in Willamette Valley given its proximity to wineries and Eugene. But given its proximity, it’s also prone to crowds so get up early to have the hike to yourself.
This honestly was one of my favorite things I did during my last trip to Willamette Valley. The view at the top is absolutely magical. There are 360 degree views of Eugene, including farmland in one direction and evergreens in another. I also loved how the summit had different levels, so you could also see cliffs and different colored foliage in your pics of the vista.
This is definitely one of my top recommendations of the best things to do in Oregon wine country besides drinking wine, so don’t miss it!
Do a self-guided covered bridge tour
Town: Various | Best for: Those needing an excuse to wander tiny backroads
Fun fact: Oregon has the most covered bridges on the west coast. In its heyday between 1905 and 1925, there were 600 covered bridges. Oregon has a ton of waterways, so bridges were a necessity for early pioneers. However, not any bridge would do. The covered portion was important to protect the wood used to construct the bridges from the heavy rains in the area.
Today there are about 50 covered bridges across Oregon. About 20 of them are within driving distance of each other in southern Willamette Valley. They’re one of the best things to do in Oregon if you love exploring backroads and want to get haunting pictures.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best things to do in Oregon wine country! Here are other guides to the best things to do in Willamette Valley:
Photo credit: The photos not watermarked as mine are by the talented Ashley Cook Photography. She accompanied us on our trip and was a dream to work with! She made us feel comfortable and was very quick at getting awesome photos! I’d definitely recommend her if you need a photographer in Oregon!
Disclaimer: Willamette Valley Wine Country provided me with free wine tasting, accommodations, and meals in exchange for a review. I only included the places that I would recommend if I found them on my own, plus a few additional ones I did find on my own. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make The Emerald Palate possible!
This is a great list! I have so much more exploring to do in this part of the state.
Thank you so much! Despite how many times I’ve been to Oregon, I have a ton to explore too! There’s so much good stuff to be discovered.