The Willamette Valley

Hazelnuts, hops, mint, Christmas trees, oats, grapes, grapes and more grapes. Welcome to the Willamette Valley , one of the most diverse agricultural regions in the world. Here you'll find an endless series of roadside stands that give visitors and locals the chance to sample this diversity of tastes. The Valley is famous for its wines, which authorities rank among the finest in the world. Sports enthusiasts can choose kayaking, river rafting, biking, skiing, snowboarding and even llama trekking. Indoor sports abound with college teams vying for center of attention. And the arts are well represented as well. The famous Oregon garden is one of the states most popular attractions. And if you're a covered bridge fan (or soon to be one), the valley is a find with more than three dozen bridges located within the region.

Day Tripping - Wineries
The Willamette Valley produces some of the best wines in the world. With hundreds of wineries to choose from, you could get dizzy from all the choices. Ask your innkeepers for their favorite area wine tours. And to get a 'taste" of the travels in store for you, visit The Oregon Wine Board and check out their tours in the South Willamette Valley and the Dallas & Salem areas.

Day Tripping - Gardens and Nurseries
Head off in almost any direction from your B&B and you will be treated to the wonderful sights and smells of the bountiful agricultural products of the Willamette Valley. Ask your innkeeper for directions to their favorite nurseries and display gardens. You'll be in awe of the acres of colorful peonies, dahlias, irises, roses, tulips and more! A delight to the senses! Don't forget your camera.

Day Tripping - The Oregon Garden
Oregon's premier botanical garden, The Oregon Garden, will inspire you! Just minutes from downtown Silverton, you can tour the grounds and take in the natural wetlands, formal water features, agricultural gardens, forestry, native species, and an ancient oak grove with a 400 year old oak! The ever-changing ornamental plants - trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals - offer endless inspiration to home gardeners. Festive holiday light shows and summer concerts make the Garden appealing all year long. Even the winter showers will delight you as you watch the flowers grow.

Day Tripping - Silver Falls State Park
A short scenic drive south of downtown Silverton brings you to Silver Falls State Park. Depending on your interests, you can hike, bike or drive to view the spectacular series of 10 waterfalls. The Silver Creek Canyon Trail is a seven mile hiking trail that provides great scenery and views as you experience nature Oregon-style. Pack a lunch for the trail or for a casual picnic, enjoy the day use area above the South Falls - complete with spacious lawns, picnic shelters, restrooms and parking. If you'd like to learn more about the area, the historic South Falls Lodge has interactive displays of the park's history, wildlife, plantlife and geology. Day use permits ($3) are available at the entrance booth or from vending machines.

Day Tripping - Silverton Sojourn
Country roads meander out from Silverton in all directions. Start at the Springfield Museum for some historical facts. You can get a real sense of Oregon's past by visiting the many small towns in the farming country as you head north on Highway 214. Mt. Angel - a German community founded in 1880, hosts an annual Oktoberfest celebration. Woodburn - hosts a Tulip Festival every spring. Aurora - features antique shops and a Colonial Museum. Canby - has passenger ferry service across the Willamette River and a historic railroad Depot Museum. Or head west on the Silverton Road (Highway 213) to Salem, the Capital of Oregon. Tour the capital buildings, historic homes and be sure to stop at the Mission Mill Museum for pioneer history and interresing exhibits.