Corvallis, OR Road Trips

The town was first known as Marysville, but was later changed to Corvallis in 1857, which meant "heart of the valley" in Latin. Nestled at the foothills of the Coastal Mountain Range, Corvallis residents enjoy a multitude of mountain biking trails in their own backyard. People from around the world are drawn to Corvallis to attend Oregon State University. Corvallis has a history of excellence in regard to education; the Corvallis School District continually has some of the highest Scholastic Aptitude Test(SAT) scores in the nation. Corvallis has the highest education level and the second highest income level in the state. Corvallis is the birthplace of Hewlett-Packard's computer inkjet printing process and was home to Nobel Prize-winner, Linus Pauling. The computer mouse was invented by a graduate of Oregon State University. Corvallis also spawned Randy Couture, who is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Visit Corvallis website

1 Oregon State University (between 14th and 30th and South of Monroe St.), 1500 SW Jefferson Way, ☏ +1 541-737-1000. Oregon State has a beautiful picturesque campus with many historic buildings, some of which are more than a century old. Make sure to check out the Memorial Union building and Dixon rec center located in the middle of campus just off of 25th and Campus Way. The sports programs are also a great attraction and a good way to spend a day. 2 Benton County Courthouse, 4th St. Hopefully you can visit this courthouse for pleasure and not because you have to. This courthouse, in downtown Corvallis, was built in 1888 and is the oldest active courthouse in the state of Oregon. 3 Avery Park and Natural Area, 1200 SW Avery Park Dr (south of downtown, just off of Philomath Blvd (US-20) on the west side of the Willamette River Bridge; turn south on 15th St and cross over the Marys River into the park), ☏ +1 541-766-6918, [email protected]. 8AM–10PM daily. One of Corvallis' most popular parks, there are several playground structures and picnic shelters throughout the 75 acre grounds as well as a historic locomotive, an art sculpture that resembles dinosaur bones and the Rose Garden with over 250 varieties of roses (full bloom in mid-June). Free. (updated Oct 2024) 4 Fort Hoskins Historical Park, 38150 Ft. Hoskins Rd, Philomath, ☏ +1 541-766-6871. Dawn to dusk. The historic fort operated from 1856-1865 to monitor the Coast Indian Reservation. Today, the park has trails, interpretive panels, restrooms, and a group picnic shelter. (updated Apr 2025)

1 DaVinci Days, 110 SW 53rd St. Summer festival that has been growing by leaps and bounds every year. A festival focused on science. Includes a kinetic sculpture race through mud, water, and dry land. Also an independent film festival. (updated Oct 2024) Fall Festival. This festival has been happening in Corvallis for years. Happens the first weekend after the University term begins. Located in a park downtown includes crafts and music. Saturday Market. Head downtown to the waterfront on Saturdays for a local Farmer's Market that includes many organic options. Berries in Oregon are a can't miss treat. Darkside Theater, 215 SW 4th St, ☏ +1 541-752-4161. Although Corvallis is a small community the people support independent thought and movies. (updated Nov 2021) Corvallis Riverwalk. Enjoy a lovely walk along the Willamette River. Biking and hiking. OSU Sporting Events. Many sports to choose from. In particular, if you've never been to an American Football game then attending a Beaver football game might be fun. The game day atmosphere on campus is absolutely electric. Buying tickets in advance may be advisable. Movie theaters The best places to go for blockbusters are the Carmike Cinemas or the Regal Cinemas on 9th street. If you bring your student ID you can get in to either location for $6. There is also the Dark Side Cinema downtown, which offers more challenging fare in a small theater setting. 2 Whiteside Theatre, 361 SW Madison Ave. (updated Nov 2021)

Nearly any fast food restaurant you are looking for can be found on 9th St. Corvallis also has many pizza delivery services and restaurants. Some notable local venues are: Cirrelos Pizza, Woodstocks Pizza, Endzone Pizza Bar, American Dream Pizza, Pizza Pipeline, and The Pizza Pedler. 1 La Rockita, 922 NW Circle Blvd #130, ☏ +1 541 753-7143. M-Sa 11AM-7PM. Burritos, fast, good. (updated Jun 2023) 2 Local Boyz Hawaiian Cafe, 1425 NW Monroe Ave, ☏ +1 541 754-5338. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa noon-7PM. Excellent Hawaiian food. Across the street from OSU Campus on Monroe street. 3 Thai Chili, 1425 NW Monroe Ave, ☏ +1 541 738-0848. M-F 11AM-8:30PM, Su 3:30-8PM. Excellent Thai Restaurant. Right across the street from Campus on Monroe street. 4 Yogurt Extreme, 922 NW Circle Blvd #120, ☏ +1 541 368-5621. A fun frozen yogurt shop next to Market of Choice and across from OSU. 5 The Beaver Hut Dam Growlers, 1603 NW Monroe Ave, ☏ +1 541 752-2328. M-Th 9AM-9PM, F Sa 9AM-11PM. Little place which serves usual type food like hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. Serves alcohol, a lot of IPAs if you're into that. Try the chicken gizzards! (updated Apr 2025) 6 Alpine Sourdough Bakery, 220 NW 1st St, Corvallis, ☏ +1 541 754-2253. F Sa 9AM-6PM. Established 1985. American Dream Pizza. The most popular pizza establishment in town, this restaurant has two locations (locations below). In the evenings be prepared for long lines downtown. Order pizza by the slice or for the family. The best chocolate chip cookies for only $.75, or 3 for $2. 214 SW 2nd St, +1 541 753-7373.

1 Clodfelters, 1501 NW Monroe Ave (next to Oregon State University), ☏ +1 541 758-4452. Tu-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su M 11AM-midnight. Good sports bar feel. Huge crowds after different college sporting events. Its big night is Wednesdays, which is "Pint Night". During this night, a different beer is featured (such as Fat Tire, or Heff), free pint glasses. Starts at 7PM and 9PM. 2 The Upper Deck Pub (Corvallis Sports Park), 175 SW Twin Oaks Cir, ☏ +1 541 757-0776. M-Sa 4:30-10:30PM. Sports bar with seats looking over an indoor soccer field. Local gathering place for Portland Timbers supporters. (updated Sep 2022) 3 Crowbar, 214 SW 2nd St, ☏ +1 541 753-7373. M-W 4-9PM, Th 4-10PM, F Sa 4PM-midnight, Su 1:30-9PM. As part of American Dream Pizza. Enter through the pizza parlor, or from the alley. Nice, small bar with happy hour after 11PM. Very chill, having somewhat of a romantic feel. (updated Apr 2025) 4 Downward Dog, 2305 NW Monroe Ave, ☏ +1 541 207-3530. 11AM-midnight daily. College bar across the street from the OSU campus. Lots of outdoor seating with a cozy interior. Inside of a historic building. Serves bar foods. (updated Apr 2025)

1 Courtyard Inn, 2435 NW Harrison Blvd, ☏ +1 541 754-7136, [email protected]. A co-ed Christian orientated housing development. (updated Apr 2025) 2 Days Inn, 1113 NW 9th St, ☏ +1 541 754-7474. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Chain hotel. (updated Apr 2025) Hilton Garden Inn Corvallis, 2500 SW Western Blvd, ☏ +1 541 752-5000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A Hilton Garden Inn chain hotel. $150+. (updated Apr 2025) 3 Holiday Inn Express Corvallis-on the River by IHG, 781 NE 2nd St, ☏ +1 541 752-0800. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A hotel right next to the river. (updated Apr 2025) Camping is available in nearby Albany 4 The Hanson Country Inn, 795 SW Hanson St (at the end of SW Hanson St), ☏ +1 541 752-2919, [email protected]. The oldest bed and breakfast in Corvallis, situated on a five acre estate. Partially historic. (updated Apr 2025)

1 Corvallis Municipal Airport (CVO IATA), 5695 SW Airport Ave (approx. 5 mi [8 km] south of downtown off OR-99W), ☏ +1 541-766-6783, [email protected]. This airport serves as a general aviation airport with no commercial passenger service. (updated Oct 2024) The nearest airports for commercial passenger flights are available from/to: Portland International Airport (PDX IATA) is located 96.4 mi or 155.1 km (1¾-2 hours) north via I-5 and I-205. Groome Transportation runs approx. every 90 minutes with a scheduled travel time of 2½ hours to Portland for those traveling without a private car. Eugene Airport (EUG IATA) is 34.6 mi or 55.7 km (45 minutes) south of Corvallis on OR-99W/OR-99 with fewer commercial flights than to Portland. Options for getting from Eugene Airport to Corvallis are limited and expensive for those traveling without a car. By car, Corvallis is about 1½ hours (83.6 mi or 134.5 km) south of Portland, almost an hour (42.4 mi or 68.2 km) north of Eugene, and 45 minutes (34.8 mi or 56.0 km) south of Salem, the state capital. Philomath Blvd/Corvallis–Newport Highway connects Corvallis to Newport 49 mi (79 km) west. It follows Pacific Hwy (OR-99W) through town and then onto 2nd St from NW Harrison Blvd, alongside the Willamette River, towards Albany, 11 mi (18 km) northeast. It is another 125 mi (201 km) (2.5 - 3 hrs) east on US Hwy 20 from Albany to Bend. For going towards Bend it is more a straight shot to go 19 mi (31 km) east on OR-34 (see below) to Lebanon and get on US Hwy 20 from Lebanon towards Bend.

Corvallis Transit System (CTS) runs all over Corvallis and is free, allowing for quick, fareless, and efficient transportation to anywhere in town. Buses are available on weekdays and Saturdays but on Sundays no public transport is available. Car rental is available from: 6 Hertz Car Rental, 1746 NW 9th St (in front of the Comfort Suites and Best Western on the west side of the street, between Walmart/Office Max and Trader Joe's/Michaels), ☏ +1 541-758-4101, toll-free: +1 800-654-3131. M–F 8AM–5PM, Sa 9AM–noon. A "Neighborhood" location not attached to a travel hub or dealership, thus having a limited fleet; make reservations no less than a week in advance for any vehicles outside of the norms. Non-discounted prices range from $60/day for compact (e.g. Ford Focus) to $160/day for medium SUV (e.g. Nissan Pathfinder), with the most common model a Mazda 3-Series sedan for $101/day, on average. (updated Oct 2024) 7 Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 1414 NW 9th St (between the Elks Lodge and Domino's Pizza on the west side of the street), ☏ +1 541-758-0000, toll-free: +1 855-266-9289. M–F 8AM–5PM, Sa Su 8AM–2PM. A small, standalone office not affiliated with a hub or dealership, with a comparably small fleet size to Hertz, albeit with more diversity. Non-discounted prices range from $60/day for mid-size sedan (e.g. Toyota Corolla) to $150/day for the premium SUV (e.g. Audi Q5); usually at least one 8-passenger SUV available for $250–$300/day (e.g. Ford Expedition Max). Typical rental is a full-size sedan for $105/day, on average. (updated Oct 2024)