Traveling the Willamette Valley in OR: Where to Go When Portland Isn't Included

I'll admit that even though I'm a lifelong resident of Oregon, most of my local visitations within the state have been relegated to the Oregon Coast or up and down the Willamette Valley. As witnessed by my past and recent Oregon Coast insights here on Associated Content, it's still my favorite place in the state to spend a significant amount of time. And while it may seem that the valley of a state doesn't have enough interest for a tourist, you'll be richly rewarded in discovering the exact opposite here. In truth, the Willamette Valley has some of the richest scenery and contains enough activity to never see the same thing twice the next time you come back. It also might conjure immediate images of beautiful, downtown Portland as a major part of that valley attraction.

Well, the above image might fizzle when you're told by cultural pundits that Portland isn't included officially as part of the Willamette Valley. While I've never understood that, there is somewhat of a schismatic difference in the sense of culture between Portland and all the true valley cities to its south. If you've just visited Portland and want to head south on I-5 to explore the more rural (yet no less sophisticated) cities down the line, you'll find a unique environment that may look suspiciously like you've been transplanted to the plethora of greenery in the U.K.

That's why I hesitate to ever use the word "rural" when describing the more natural environments of the valley you see while driving (or taking an Amtrak train) though the mid to southern regions here. Yet there isn't any better way to describe nature on this level other than comparing to what you see while driving out in the bucolic outskirts of Great Britain. The only difference is you won't see the landscape dotted with homes that are hundreds of years old as the Brits have. You may find a few here and there around 100 years old in Oregon's valley, though seldom more than that. Surrounding those rolling green hills in the valley are some fascinating places to keep you occupied for a while if you're there only briefly.

If you started in Portland, then you'll know that in recent decades, the city has evolved into a small-scale New York City. The immerse fun to be had there is endless as you'd expect in a major city. Yet that doesn't degrade the next city you should visit that starts in the heart of the valley: Salem.

Anybody who knows their geography knows that Salem is the capital of Oregon and not what someone from a Jaywalking segment would blurt as Portland or even the once considered Oregon City. When you take one of the three exits off I-5 into Salem (the Market St. Exit is recommended), you'll find yourself thinking you've entered a small town with nothing any other ordinary town would have. At this point you're on the east side of the city where there's really nothing a tourist would want to see other than the Lancaster Mall where the heaviest traffic in that area is. Heading west into downtown is where you'll find the true heart and soul of Salem.

Any first stop in Salem usually involves the state capitol building near downtown at the 900 block of Court St. and a stroll through the appealing and squirrel-populated Willson and Capitol Parks on the west and east sides of the massive marble structure. In spring, the capitol mall across the street is a wonder to behold when dozens of cherry blossom trees go into bloom. Even so, don't miss spending time taking a tour inside the capitol building where you can see how local legislature works (if they're in session while you're there), see the governor's office and climb the extensive steps to the top of the giant dome where a giant golden statue of a pioneer has been standing for over 70 years. Up there, you'll get one of the best 360 views of the Salem area.

In case you wondered, parking there is diffuse, with the caveat that if you visit when legislature is in session, you won't find a single place within the downtown area. Be sure to visit during the legislature off season, which means summer or after 5 p.m. otherwise.

Not far away near downtown, you should visit the historic landmarks in the city of Mission Mill Museum and Bush House/Deepwood Estate (the last two within expansive Bush Park). These three museums in one afternoon will give you an essence of Salem's history through industry, early pioneers and through the respected Bush family who contributed much to help the city grow during the Victorian Era with a major newspaper and bank.

No, this Bush family had no relation to the Presidential Bush family--nor politically considering patriarch/publisher Asahel Bush was an adamant Democrat.

Of note: Come visit the Bush House on a Wednesday to get an expert tour from my father who volunteers there on that particular day every week.
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After Salem, it's usually considered customary to visit Corvallis and Albany as the valley locations in-between Salem and Eugene. These two small cities have their own little small town charms that shouldn't be overlooked. Some parts of downtown Albany will look a lot like downtown Mayberry on first sight. Nevertheless, I recommend visiting there during the holidays when all the family-owned stores (the last of their breed) bring a less ostentatious and non-commercialized appeal. Albany also has an assortment of museums that will tell you about the interesting history that passed through the valley via westward-traveling pioneers.

Corvallis might have a little more of an appeal to some, particularly when reminded how many famous people came out of that town. Everybody from Chris Botti to the late Linus Pauling grew up there, ultimately giving some incentive to inspect the town's water plant for something that breeds influential people. It's also the likely location in Oregon where President Barack Obama may show up someday unannounced. Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, coaches the Oregon State Beavers, a team Obama supports on the side.

After spending a few hours in both Albany and Corvallis, you now have a long, long (add an ad infinitum here) stretch of I-5 before finally arriving to the southern point of the valley: Eugene. It's along this stretch of highway where you can enjoy the rolling green fields for miles. If you've never seen green before, you'll see more green fields than you've ever seen in your life unless you visited prior-mentioned England. Brits who visit here feel like they've been transplanted back to their homeland, except for being befuddled over what that foreign concept of a wall-to-wall housing development is all about.

In the realm of fun things to do in Eugene, you'll find plenty, especially in the world of the arts. The city has long thrived in that world as well as in sports as evidenced by the Summer Olympic Trials being held there last year and in prior Olympics. There's always a music or art festival of some sort going in Eugene that showcases all genres of music and tastes of the family-friendly or subversive artistic mind. Many people argue that since Portland isn't included officially as part of the valley of Oregon, Eugene almost outdoes Portland in the commitment to the arts that all started during a significant counterculture movement there in the 1960's.

But since the valley of Oregon has a focus on the scenery when you aren't indoors somewhere enjoying some element of the arts, the incredible aesthetic of the greenery can ultimately become addictive to the most ardent naturalist, and those tired of seeing nothing but buildings in the big city or the same dull colors interminably in other environments.

Official sites for each city:

http://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/home.aspx

http://www.ci.corvallis.or.us

http://www.cityofalbany.net

http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt