Guidebook for Corvallis
Food Scene
This is a converted neighborhood gas station, you can eat your breakfast, lunch, or brunch in the former garage bays! They bake onsite daily, John raves over the cinnamon rolls!
17 locals recommend
Sam's Station
1210 NW 29th StThis is a converted neighborhood gas station, you can eat your breakfast, lunch, or brunch in the former garage bays! They bake onsite daily, John raves over the cinnamon rolls!
Don't let the strip mall setting fool you, the Vietnamese owners live nearby and make fabulous, authentic dishes. We like the flame broiled pork noodles (H7 on the menu). They have delightful vegetarian options too.
Kimhoa's Kitchen
1875 NW Circle BlvdDon't let the strip mall setting fool you, the Vietnamese owners live nearby and make fabulous, authentic dishes. We like the flame broiled pork noodles (H7 on the menu). They have delightful vegetarian options too.
There are two McMenamins in town; this is the older, quieter one. The restaurant has the feel of an English pub and features local and regional microbrews and good 'ole pub food. The outside seating is nice on warm summer nights.
6 locals recommend
McMenamins Corvallis Pub
420 NW 3rd StThere are two McMenamins in town; this is the older, quieter one. The restaurant has the feel of an English pub and features local and regional microbrews and good 'ole pub food. The outside seating is nice on warm summer nights.
The Big River and its neighbor, 101 (owned and managed together), are reminiscent of a restaurant at a much bigger city than Corvallis. Their creative chef changes the menu frequently. 101 makes a mean mojito!
18 locals recommend
Big River Restaurant & Bar
101 NW Jackson AveThe Big River and its neighbor, 101 (owned and managed together), are reminiscent of a restaurant at a much bigger city than Corvallis. Their creative chef changes the menu frequently. 101 makes a mean mojito!
Open from mid-April until Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday on the downtown waterfront. Closed to vehicles and popular among locals.
37 locals recommend
Corvallis Farmers' Market
Northwest 1st StreetOpen from mid-April until Thanksgiving, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday on the downtown waterfront. Closed to vehicles and popular among locals.
Drinks & Nightlife
Although it is unlikely they have not heard of your favorite martini (it's probably already on their extensive martini menu), the bartender at Magenta will take special requests. If the owner, Kimber, is onsite you can expect some unusual appetizers -- but then again, the finger food is always appealing. If you ask, they'll sit you downstairs in the old vault... the building used to be a bank!
6 locals recommend
Magenta Restaurant
137 SW 2nd StAlthough it is unlikely they have not heard of your favorite martini (it's probably already on their extensive martini menu), the bartender at Magenta will take special requests. If the owner, Kimber, is onsite you can expect some unusual appetizers -- but then again, the finger food is always appealing. If you ask, they'll sit you downstairs in the old vault... the building used to be a bank!
This is a neighborhood bar with an attached pizza parlor (Woodstock's) and laundromat (that's either the first or second "suds" in their name.) They don't brew anything on site, but their guest taps list is extensive.
Suds & Suds
1035 NW Kings BlvdThis is a neighborhood bar with an attached pizza parlor (Woodstock's) and laundromat (that's either the first or second "suds" in their name.) They don't brew anything on site, but their guest taps list is extensive.
Parks & Nature
This is our favorite access to the extensive forest park. Start on the all-weather trail (Homestead) and stay to the right on all turns as you approach the extensive forest road system to complete a flat 3-mile loop. Or, take any one of many roads or trails by foot or MTB to McCulloch Peak, the Lewisburg Saddle, Bald Hill, or if you are really adventurous, the Oregon Coast!
7 locals recommend
McDonald Research Forest Oak Creek Access
7140 NW Oak Creek DrThis is our favorite access to the extensive forest park. Start on the all-weather trail (Homestead) and stay to the right on all turns as you approach the extensive forest road system to complete a flat 3-mile loop. Or, take any one of many roads or trails by foot or MTB to McCulloch Peak, the Lewisburg Saddle, Bald Hill, or if you are really adventurous, the Oregon Coast!
July through August on Thursday evenings, the City of Albany hosts River Rhythms with popular and well known musical performers. This activity is very popular with families and groups, come early if you want to stake out a sizeable group spot. Kids art area available from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the concerts start at 7. Adults and children should consider checking out the Albany Carousel & Museum on the edge of the park. You must pay to park close by, but there is ample parking further away. Numerous food carts are available in the park and alcohol is permitted after 5:30 p.m. If you don’t bring your own, there is a lively beer garden.
13 locals recommend
Monteith Riverpark
489 NW Water AveJuly through August on Thursday evenings, the City of Albany hosts River Rhythms with popular and well known musical performers. This activity is very popular with families and groups, come early if you want to stake out a sizeable group spot. Kids art area available from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and the concerts start at 7. Adults and children should consider checking out the Albany Carousel & Museum on the edge of the park. You must pay to park close by, but there is ample parking further away. Numerous food carts are available in the park and alcohol is permitted after 5:30 p.m. If you don’t bring your own, there is a lively beer garden.
Essentials
Their age old marketing line is, "what's on your list?" Meaning they sell groceries, sundries, clothing, sporting goods, housewares, etc. They have a little bit of everything. You can also bank, enjoy a Starbucks coffee, and buy jewelry.
33 locals recommend
Fred Meyer
777 NW Kings BlvdTheir age old marketing line is, "what's on your list?" Meaning they sell groceries, sundries, clothing, sporting goods, housewares, etc. They have a little bit of everything. You can also bank, enjoy a Starbucks coffee, and buy jewelry.
They feature industrial-sized laundry, dry cleaning, and tanning beds. They are nearby, but you might get faster dry cleaning at the 9th Street location.
Campbell's Laundry-Timberhill
2525 NW Kings BlvdThey feature industrial-sized laundry, dry cleaning, and tanning beds. They are nearby, but you might get faster dry cleaning at the 9th Street location.
Shopping
Nancy and her crew have been in the fashion recycling business since 1984. This is the original location and caters to women and young women. We recommend starting here. The nearby Second Glance Annex caters to a younger, more hip crowd and The Alley provides recycled and new menswear. All locations feature game day "Beaver Wear"!
Second Glance
312 SW 3rd StNancy and her crew have been in the fashion recycling business since 1984. This is the original location and caters to women and young women. We recommend starting here. The nearby Second Glance Annex caters to a younger, more hip crowd and The Alley provides recycled and new menswear. All locations feature game day "Beaver Wear"!
Everything Else
Open Wednesday through Sunday, year round (Saturday stays open later). After 15 years of hand crafting by local artists, the uniquely designed carousel and museum opened in 2017. Run by volunteers, rides are $2. Busy most times while open, but there is rarely a wait. Enjoyable for kids of all ages. After your visit to the carousel, walk along the riverfront and visit the local restaurants and shops of quaint downtown Albany.
38 locals recommend
Historic Carousel and Museum
503 W 1st AveOpen Wednesday through Sunday, year round (Saturday stays open later). After 15 years of hand crafting by local artists, the uniquely designed carousel and museum opened in 2017. Run by volunteers, rides are $2. Busy most times while open, but there is rarely a wait. Enjoyable for kids of all ages. After your visit to the carousel, walk along the riverfront and visit the local restaurants and shops of quaint downtown Albany.
During June, July, and August Corvallis hosts free concerts in the park. Tuesday nights, rain or shine. Popular with locals, family friendly, never too crowded. Bring a picnic and stake out your spot.
Central Park
650 NW Monroe AveDuring June, July, and August Corvallis hosts free concerts in the park. Tuesday nights, rain or shine. Popular with locals, family friendly, never too crowded. Bring a picnic and stake out your spot.
There is a constantly changing slate of sporting and cultural activities at the state's largest (by enrollment) university. A beautiful tree-filled campus for just walking around, you can also find museums and a world class library open to the public as well as many coffee and dining options on campus and nearby.
50 locals recommend
Oregon State University
1500 Southwest Jefferson WayThere is a constantly changing slate of sporting and cultural activities at the state's largest (by enrollment) university. A beautiful tree-filled campus for just walking around, you can also find museums and a world class library open to the public as well as many coffee and dining options on campus and nearby.
Entertainment & Activities
Small, locally owned (and somewhat quirky) theater showing independent films. Open every night. Food and adult beverages served.
23 locals recommend
Darkside Cinema
215 SW 4th StSmall, locally owned (and somewhat quirky) theater showing independent films. Open every night. Food and adult beverages served.
Open seasonally from early May through December (please check before going). Spectacular vineyard setting with classic Willamette Valley views. Some appetizers are served to compliment their locally grown wines. They are dog friendly.
11 locals recommend
Airlie Winery
15305 Dunn Forest RdOpen seasonally from early May through December (please check before going). Spectacular vineyard setting with classic Willamette Valley views. Some appetizers are served to compliment their locally grown wines. They are dog friendly.
Beautiful outdoor seating, cozy indoor seating, snacks offered to compliment their exceptional wine selection.
15 locals recommend
Lumos Wine Co.
24000 Cardwell Hill DrBeautiful outdoor seating, cozy indoor seating, snacks offered to compliment their exceptional wine selection.