Albany, OR Road Trips

Historically, Albany was populated by the Kalapuya people. Albany was called Takenah by the Kalapuya, which describes a deep pool at the confluence of the Calapoola and Willamette rivers. The population, which totaled upwards of 20,000 before European contact, suffered the effects of smallpox brought by the Europeans in 1782-83. Additional damage was done to the community by malaria, which arrived in the area between 1830-33. The majority of the populations of the Kalapuya was killed in the epidemics. By the 1850s, treaties opened the door for Europeans to have complete control of the land that would become Albany. Abner Hackleman was the first European to settle in the area, in 1845. Eventually, more Europeans came to the area via the Oregon Trail, including the Monteith Brothers. These two families, the Monteith and Hackleman's would develop two opposing communities in the area. For example, the Hackleman's identified as Democrats, when the Monteith's were Republicans. The community came at odds during the American Civil War, with the Hacklemans supporting the Confederacy and the Monteiths, the Union. Historic homes today represent the memory of these families. Albany is split into two sides, East and West, represented by the legacy of these families. The Monteiths are identified as the founding family of Albany, however. In the 1850s the California Gold Rush brought economic prosperity to the area, and in 1852 the first steamboat arrived at Albany. The town was named Albany in the late 1840s, then New Albany in 1850, and back to Albany in 1853.

1 Albany Historical Carousel and Museum, 503 1st Ave W (At the west end of First Street in downtown, across from the post office.), ☏ +1 541-791-3340, [email protected]. M-Tu Th-Sa 10AM-4PM, W 10AM-9PM. Features a historic carousel and related memorabilia. There is a carving studio, where you can watch carousel animals get carved by craftspeople. There is also a collection of carousel memorabilia and animals, donated by the Dentzel family, a German carousel-making family. Tours can be arranged. Photos welcome. Free. 2 Monteith House, 518 2nd SW, ☏ +1 541-928-0911. (updated Apr 2018) 3 Thompson's Mills State Heritage Site, 32655 Boston Mill Dr, Shedd, ☏ +1 541-491-3611. Daily 9AM-4PM. Free. (updated May 2018)

1 Linn County Fair, 3700 Knox Butte Rd E (Just to the east of I-5, next to the airport), ☏ +1 541-926-4314. W 4PM-11PM, Th-Sa 11AM-11PM. Mid-July. The region's largest summer event. Get your junk food on, hear live music, and take in the rodeo and more. Oh, and amusement rides, of course! 2 Albany Civic Theater, 111 1st Ave W (Between the bridges in downtown Albany.), ☏ +1 541-928-4603, [email protected]. One of the oldest community theater troupes in the state, performances range from musicals such as Spamalot to classics such as The Glass Menagerie. Ticket prices are reasonable, and shows are often in the evening on weekends. Check out the website for details. 3 Pix Theatre, 321 SW 2nd Ave (Located downtown), ☏ +1 541-926-7499. Historic single screen movie theatre showing indie and major films. After 6PM shows are for the 21+ crowd, where the theater serves wine and beer. Join their weekly mailing list online for a free small popcorn. $7 (21+) after 6PM, $5 all ages before 6PM. Russell Tripp Performance Center, 6500 Pacific Blvd SW (in Takena Hall on the campus of Linn-Benton Community College), ☏ +1 541-917-4531, [email protected]. 7:30PM. Linn-Benson Community College's primary entertainment space. The center features theater, children's theater, music, vocal arts, films, lectures, dance and more. $10-20. Ride your bike along the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway. One of the first scenic bikeways in the country, the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway passes right through Albany.

Burgerville USA, 2310 Santiam Hwy SE. This is a great fast food restaurant that is native to the northwest. All of its cheese, meat, and other products come from Oregon. For example, Burgerville's cheese comes fresh from the Tillamook cheese factory; its beef comes from northwest cows and is never frozen. They also feature a secret fry and burger sauce and great fresh milkshakes. Rainbow House, 1236 Price Rd SE. Chinese cuisine. Ciddici's Pizza, 859 Belmont Ave SW, ☏ +1 541-928-1767. Los Dos Amigos, 2133 Santiam Hwy SE, ☏ +1 541-928-4820. Albany's most popular Mexican restaurant. Two locations. Serves reasonably priced, great tasting food. Elmer's Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner, 2802 Santiam Hwy SE. Great breakfasts. Depot Restaurant, 822 Lyon St. A small, comfortable seafood restaurant downtown. Sybaris Restaurant, 442 W 1st Ave. A bistro with a relaxing atmosphere and a seasonal menu.

Calapooia Brewing Co, 140 Hill St SE (Corner Front and Hill). Chasers Bar & Grill, 435 2nd Ave. Linger Longer, 145 Main St. Lucky Larrys Lounge, 1295 Commercial Way SE (Corner Santiam and Commercial Way). Ma's Dary Farm, 3411 Pacific Blvd. Vault 244 Bistro/Lounge, 244 1st Ave SW, ☏ +1 541-791-9511. closed Su. Trendy bistro/lounge. Wilhelm’s Spirits and Eatery, 1520 SE Pacific Blvd, ☏ +1 541-926-7001. An upscale pub and brewery.

Albany isn't known for its remarkable accommodations. You'll most likely get stuck at a chain motel, or, try your hand at camping. 1 Edelweiss Manor Bed and Breakfast, 1708 Springhill Dr NW, ☏ +1 541-928-0747, [email protected]. Located in North Albany, Edelweiss Manor is a bed and breakfast located in a historic home from 1908. It's a Four Square Farm House and is on the historic register. There is only one room at the inn. The property has 2.68 acres. Guests can wander the gardens and grounds, and retreat to the Guest Suite. Good for couples, you'll most likely need a car to get to and from the inn. Organic breakfast is served and they also offer spa services. It's located close to local golf courses. A single night is $150, with an additional night costing $100. Special holiday rates are $250 with additional nights costing $200 each. $150-250. 2 Comfort Suites Linn County Fairground and Expo, 100 Opal Ct NE (next to the Linn County Fairgrounds and airport), ☏ +1 541-928-2053. Rooms are large, clean and have the standard hotel necessities such as a coffee maker, shower and bathtub, TV with cable, etc. Pets welcome for an extra charge. There is also a heated pool, laundry facilities, and a workout gym. Breakfast is additional, and Wi-Fi is free. They also have a shuttle that will pick you up at the airport and bring you back in Portland! Be sure to check for AAA, senior, and military discounts. $99-129. 3 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albany, 105 Opal Ct (Located next to the fairgrounds just off I-5), toll-free: +1-877-834-3613.

Albany is located at Exits 233 and 24 and shortly after the city limits at 228 off the I-5. The city can also be accessed from U.S. Route 20, Oregon Route 99E or Oregon Route 34 that provide access from the nearby regions. In real time however - driving from Portland to Albany takes about an hour and a half. If traffic is heavy it could be longer than two hours. Traffic usually bottlenecks around Tigard or Lake Oswego and is slow going from there to Portland. 1 Albany station, 110 10th Avenue SW. (updated Sep 2022) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States. (updated Mar 2022) Routes stopping in Albany: Amtrak Cascades operates between Vancouver, BC and Eugene via Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, Edmonds, Seattle, Tukwila, Tacoma, Lacey (Olympia), Centralia, Kelso (Longview), Vancouver, WA, Portland, Oregon City, Salem, and Albany. There are two round trips daily along the portion between Vancouver and Seattle, four round trips daily along the portion between Seattle and Portland, and two round trips daily along the portion between Portland and Eugene. No train departures travel the whole length of the route. Additional service between Vancouver and Seattle, and between Portland to Eugene are provided on the Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach. Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles.

A car is helpful, but getting around historic downtown Albany can easily be done by foot. Bike n Hike, 424 W 1st Ave., ☏ +1 541-928-2143. Offers bicycle rentals, sales and service. Stop by and rent a bike to cruise around Albany or ride on the scenic bikeway. Albany Transit provides bus service to major streets throughout the city. All bus stops have signs, and the main bus stop is located at Albany Station, which is downtown. Single ride tickets are $1 for adults, 50 cents for seniors (60+) and children under the age of 6 ride for free. Albany City Hall and Albany Station sell monthly bus passes. Buses do not run on major holidays. Linn-Benton Loop is a bus service that travels between Albany and Corvallis. It runs at shorter intervals, but is great if you're heading to Oregon State University. Tickets are $1.50 for adults (18+), and 75 cents for seniors and youth. If you have an OSU, Linn-Benton Community College, Samaritan Health Services or Hewlett-Packard ID card, you ride for free! They do have bicycle racks. Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget all offer car rental in Albany. Willamette Taxi II Service, +1 541 928-8288